Longo Custom Snares

**Lorenzini** · December 26th, 2001, 09:24 PM

The last time the Dyno Four played at the Baked Potato I approached Vinnie about a certain snare he uses from time to time. The badge on the drum reads "Longo Custom Snare Drums". Vinnie told me this great story about how he was on a Sting gig and this guy came up to him back stage and gave him this snare. He went on to tell me how he has used it on like 250 recordings, but had never heard from or spoken to the stranger who presented him with the drum since. Vinnie did tell me that there was a phone number and address inside the drum, and if I wanted to take it down to go right ahead. So I went behind his kit got the drum and wrote down the info. To make a long story short, the phone number was no good but I wrote to the address. I received a response from Longo Drums, which is a one-man company! I am currently having him make me the same exact snare, which is a 4 3/4" X 14" sold walnut with maple reinforcment hoops snare drum.
The reason I am telling you all this is because I am going to help Longo Drums get a marketing program together which might entail a Vinnie endorsement. The particulars are not worked out yet, but I am trying to put something together for this. As we all know Vinnie is a true Gretsch player, as myself, but I am looking to see if he is able to endorse a product like this, provided Gretsch allows it. I am sure there are some of you out there that would love to get your hands on a drum that is as exclusive as this! From what I understand, this snare has been one of Vinnie's main recording snares for the past 3 to 4 years. If you are at all interested in hearing more about this let me know.

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**Steve Holmes** · December 26th, 2001, 10:43 PM

Sounds interesting.
I wonder if Gretsch would oppose him endorsing another snare comapny.

Guess we'll see.

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www.houseofdrumming.com

**Clintuplet** · December 27th, 2001, 12:09 AM

I wonder myself if Gretsch would oppose that. I know for a time,(not sure if he is still)Vinnie was on Ayotte's list of snare drum endorsees.

Clint

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**Gaddabout** · December 27th, 2001, 07:42 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Steve Holmes:
Sounds interesting.
I wonder if Gretsch would oppose him endorsing another snare comapny.

Guess we'll see.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It seems pretty common to me for drummers who endorse one drum company to also endorse a different company (or maybe even companies) for a snare drum. Some companies, like Pork Pie and Noble & Cooley, seem to specialize in that.

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**Lorenzini** · December 27th, 2001, 06:40 PM

I am in contact with Kaman Music, who is Gretsch's new distributor, and the company who I think is eventually going to kill "That Great Gretsch Sound". Think of your favorite little mom and pop restaurant; then picture that same establishment exploited as a franchise or a chain, like Mc Donald?s... You will loose the essence of what you love about that small quality controlled environment! This is how I feel about Kaman's hold on Gretsch and the direction they are taking them. Look in the new Modern Drummer and you will see advertisements for their new low end Gretsch kit! I know they are trying to appease to a larger market, but Gretsch has built a name for it self because of the quality and craftsmanship that goes into their products, which has been pretty successful since 1883. How does everybody feel about this?
Any way, I am waiting to hear back from them on the Vinnie endorsement. I will let you guys know as this thing progresses.

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**Derek DeFields** · December 27th, 2001, 09:28 PM

I don't really agree with this. Gretsch has always had and continues to have serious quality problems in addition to some of the worst customer service around. Don't get me wrong, if you're willing to have custom work done and live with some minor things on your kit most problems can be fixed/overcome. I have seen and played a number of new Gretsch kits. (mine is from late 2000) I love it but as I said, there are many problems with them that have been eliminated by the big companies. I hope Kaman can bring in better quality control and customer service. You don't want to call Gretsch with a warranty problem, trust me!

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**Lorenzini** · December 27th, 2001, 09:52 PM

I TOTALY AGREE WITH THAT! I waited 7 months to get my kit from Gretsch and I experienced the some of the worst customer service! They are the worst for that hands down... My worry is with the location and type of wood they are using to construct their new line of drums. I just recently bought a new Kaman Gretsch snare, which is a 10 ply maple (not jasper), the throw off is a piece of shit and I had to send the drum back to Kaman because the throw off was drilled to low for the snare to work properly. Granted they took care of the problem, but this snare does not hold a candle to any of my other true Gretsch snares. My perception of the new Kaman Gretsch products is not the same as the original Gretsch products. But Gretsch is by far the worst F#@!ing company to deal with!

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**qwertyuiop123** · December 28th, 2001, 11:55 AM

yeah unless your vinnie gretch wont spend the time. i heard that they are cutting produciton costs by having the drums made in korea or some shit like that *cough* slave *cough* labour *cough* . EXCUSE ME!

this could explain some of it. My drum teacher will not stop praising DW. they sound great. sub woofa is cool. and ive seen there promo vid too. there very caring about quality and sound.

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