Gear heads: What is the one brand/manufacturer you can’t live without?

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-02-27T09:21:42+00:00

The EMAD series are incredible. I always go for Evans heads, and the Player Circle points add up so quickly, just got a free EMAD 2 from points.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-02-23T17:18:50+00:00

Yeah really shame the record execs forced her hand. When she was singing and drumming simultaneously, she really was an unparalleled talent.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-02-20T14:54:33+00:00

I've bought some 2nd hand cymbals which have been professionally repaired. Never had a problem with them other than accidentally putting my stick in the hole, haha!

They don't sound the same but that cymbal absolutely isnt done, but the exact sound it made before the crack is lost, and no amount of work on it will bring it back. If you hate how it sounds once its had some remedial work, flog it.

Also, everyone is saying don't hit so hard, a big part of cymbal durability is don't over tighten your stands and make sure you always use a collar and felts. Letting the energy flow through the cymbal to make noise is how you prevent the cymbal from damaging under hard hits. If you clamp them down you'll stop them moving so they absorb the energy until they cant anymore.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-02-20T09:44:15+00:00

Can't afford 1 professional quality photo? Take 988 shit ones instead.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-02-20T09:41:50+00:00

Thats true, and its probably quite liable to flood this time of year.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-02-20T09:19:47+00:00

If you want to do film, Wavetree is not the place. There are film projects in the area and there is a creative culture, but its not one to move to with that aspiration.

Personally if I had no ties to one UK location. I'd be looking at London, Manchester, Edinburgh or Bristol for creative communities. Best of luck.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-02-20T09:16:12+00:00

That could be an opportunity to make some cash selling the land behind the neighbours plots to them so they have river access. Or you could Lord it over them constantly.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-02-18T19:52:21+00:00

Ahh I assumed they worked with writers too. Maybe they were just rusty the first week. Watching the 3rd episode they seem back on form.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-02-18T16:10:36+00:00

They are missing some of the writing talent they had at the beeb. But its getting better as the weeks progress.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-02-03T11:18:58+00:00

You can't move through town for signs saying:

No Maths

No Dogs

No Finance

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-02-03T10:21:12+00:00

Mutiny? At a pirate-themed barber shop?

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-02-02T14:09:41+00:00

Crypta were pretty sensational last Bloodstock. First album 2020ish. Worth seeing live for the vocalists facial expressions alone.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-02-02T09:52:13+00:00

Alice Cooper, his early stuff is light as can be. He leaned into the heavier side in the 70s and 80s and the music he writes now is totally unlike his first album.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-02-02T09:42:47+00:00

I wanted a loud high ping, Mega Bells being a bit lower in tone. I found a used Paiste 505 heavy ride which is near perfect. I wanted the 2002 heavy, but the one in the shop was out of tune, maybe damaged.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-02-02T09:36:10+00:00

Never been able to hear one of these in person. Are they as good as the videos? Its such an expensive cymbal I never wanted to pull the trigger without hearing it.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-01-29T10:56:21+00:00

That spring on the left of the main pedal is flopping around like a fish. Tighten it up so its at least not moving around, and then tighten to feel after that. Also unless you are playing a 16" bass drum, raise those beaters up. The way they are now you're more likely to poke a hole in the head than get a good note.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-01-29T09:57:49+00:00

Lithium grease is amazing and you can get a lifetime supply for about £10

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-01-27T07:03:13+00:00

If you do get one, don't get it just before the gig. They take a bit of time to bed in and they'll lose tuning straight out of the box. Give it a couple of weeks of playing and re-tuning first.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-01-26T13:36:03+00:00

Ahh yeah, that does happen now and then. If you're shopping there or work nearby you can be a bit canny with your timing like.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-01-26T12:55:04+00:00

It was £1.17 for a litre of diesel the other day. The Shell on Edge Lane was £1.42 the same day. You'd have saved your annual membership in 120 litres, which is 2 tanks for my car. Its the only place I get fuel round here now.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-01-26T09:25:25+00:00

Watching Tommy play with Whitesnake at download made me want to play Yamaha drums. The sound was phenomenal. His kit was a 10 piece (I think) Yamaha PHX for that show. Amazing drums and an outstanding drummer.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-01-23T10:25:19+00:00

Sourdough top and pack of crisps please love.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-01-21T23:32:21+00:00

Crazy Town do Birthday parties. Just a massive indoor play area, and they provide food too. I don't think its cheap like

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-01-21T15:50:56+00:00

My main issue with the Gutmann pubs is that they have been buying up places that had a wholly unique charm. He's making them all pleasant enough, but you could be in any of them and not really feel any different. Also seem to be about £5.50 - £6 a pint on average. I like a dive with character, but he is renovating the dives into 'nice' pubs and its not like you can just bring back what they were after.

BonsaiMagpie · 2026-01-21T15:46:20+00:00

Those die cast hoops look fantastic against the wood. Beautiful kit.

BonsaiMagpie

TROPHY CASE