This might be question for drummers only. For the last 15 years (maybe more) Roger only used Zildjian Cymbals (which are the best cymbals I think, I love and use them too) in public. He also chose to use Zildjian cymbals for the last Queen + PR tour. Most artists make deals with the zildjian company. Famous drummers get the cymbals for free as long as they show the zildjian name. But it seems that Roger didn't make a deal with the zildjian company. Look at the artist section on the zildjian site. No roger taylor there. That's strange because Roger is an great and famous rock drummer with many (drummer)fans. I think the reason for the lack between Roger and the Zildjian company is that Roger also used Paiste cymbals during the queen career. Paiste is a rival of Zildjian. The paiste cymbals are recognizable in the dvd concerts.
What do you, (drummers) think about this ?
I only have a passing interest in this subject, being as I was, in a band many moons ago. I don't know about Roger, but some musicians will be "loyal" to a brand without giving it an endorsement. Some don't like being tied to one product all the time. Entwistle used to use Trace Elliott without an endorsement, if I recall correctly. But the odd time he used Marshall gear too.
Maybe it was just a case of "I like your product, but I also like to use whatever I want without being tied to it." His drums are Ludwig, but there's some Sleishman stuff (bass drum, Roto-toms) in there too.
That's just my tuppence worth.
yeah, I was always amazed too that Roger didn't appear in any Zildjian marketing material, especially as he must get an endorsement as they are mentioned as suppliers of cymblas in a few album sleeve notes. Same for the Ludwig website.
I always thought Zildjian cymbals were the best, especially his Magic Tour selection, but I personally had a couple of crashes split on me, and now use Paiste Signature Series - they sound fantastic, sound so musical, are never 'harh' as some cheaper cymblas can be, and look great too! The 2 18" crashes I have been using for the past 8 years are still going strong, still shiny despite never having been cleaned, and still sound crisp and bright.
I am more a Paiste person myself. Taylor used Paister primarily in the 1970s and had Zildjian and Paiste hybrid until 1982. Some drummers used Paiste for years(Nick Mason, Dave Holland(ex-Judas Priest), Scott Travis of Judas Priest, Don Henley, John Bonham and the late Eric Carr as examples as long time Paiste clients). Many Zildjian artists switched over recently to other names. Neil Peart is now endorsed by Sabian after almost 30 years of Zildjian.
For those who are interested...
I have a Paiste catalogue from 1981 in which Roger is featured. According to that catalogue, his setup in 1981 was as follows:
PAISTE SETUP:
14" Heavy H-H, 2002
Cup Chimes, 2002
2x 16" Medium, 2002
18" Medium, 2002
8" Bell, 2002
20" Heavy Ride, 2002 or 22" Bell Ride, SC
24" China Type, 2002
20" Medium, 2002
60" Symphony Gong
DRUMS:
Ludwig, Remo
HEADS:
Ludwig Rockers, Remo C.S.
STICKS:
Premier CC
artist_nine wrote: For those who are interested...
I have a Paiste catalogue from 1981 in which Roger is featured. According to that catalogue, his setup in 1981 was as follows:
PAISTE SETUP:
14" Heavy H-H, 2002
Cup Chimes, 2002
2x 16" Medium, 2002
18" Medium, 2002
8" Bell, 2002
20" Heavy Ride, 2002 or 22" Bell Ride, SC
24" China Type, 2002
20" Medium, 2002
60" Symphony Gong
DRUMS:
Ludwig, Remo
HEADS:
Ludwig Rockers, Remo C.S.
STICKS:
Premier CC
Very interessting, but I doubt these sizes. The 2002 type is right I think. But the sizes from what I can seen and some information from queenconcerts.com are :
hi-hat : 14''
crash on the left side : 16''
splash 8'' or 10''
crash 18''
crash 18''
Ride 22''
china 20'' or 22''
china 20'' or 22''
Yes, I doubt the sizes too. I checked the Paiste website and at least nowadays they don't make the 2002 chinas any larger than 20". I don't know if they made 24" chinas back in 1981. But it is their own catalogue, so I guess they should know their products.
It says in the 1981 catalogue that the information in the catalogue is based on information provided by the musicians themselves and I should imagine that Roger's cymbal setup changed quite often, so the information in the catalogue could have been accurate for only a short period in time...
Roger had tons of items and he'd customise his drum kit differently depending on his mood and the sounds he wanted to get that particular night. The Paiste list may have been what they gave him, not necessarily what he used.
I have that brochure as well, I was never sure how accurate is was, as he seemed to used a number of Zils as well.
I think he has always chosen cymbals for there tone rather than from a supplier. But I suspect Zildjian has always been his fav, he has said so many times. I have pretty much the same as his current Zil set and most of the Paiste ones from this era too, IMO the Zils and far better sounding. Note on the 08 tour he used at least one Sabian as well.