Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Vintage Simmons Drums (UK) Users Group

Hi

I've been a member of this great forum for less than 1 week. Something made me realise a few weeks ago that the drum kit I have wanted all my life is not a ddrum kit, it's not a V-drum kit, it's one of those gorgeous hexagonal drum kits I remember from the 80s.

So I've been doing some research, scouring eBay, reading the Simmons Virtual Museum site, finding out as much as I can. I have my eye on a nice looking SDS-8 kit (pads only).

And then today, during a holiday in the south of France, I was in a village tucked away in the hills. The locals were having a market, ie taking a chance to clear out their junk. And almost the first thing I saw, on a table in amongst various other junk, was an SDS-800 brain. I nearly fell over.

The French guy selling it to me seemed embarassed to take 10 Euros off me for it.

Now it has to be said that it does not look in great condition. It's very grimy and dusty. The Tom 2 Trig LED is completely missing. So I have no idea whether this thing is going to work. I've plugged it in, and the only sign of life I have is that the Run Generator LED switches on and off when the button is pressed. Otherwise I have no way of knowing if this thing is alive or not.

I really want an SDSV brain, and being more realistic I think the SDS8 is what I would hope to buy in the near future (I just love vintage 80s analogue drum sounds). But from what I've read, if it works, this SDS-800 could be a little miracle.

What are your thoughts on the SDS-800 versus the SDS-8? Cosmetically they look similar but I think I've read more opinions in favour of the 8 than the 800. Would you guys still hunt for an SDS-8 brain, even if my bargain is fully functioning?

Oh and will SDS-8 pads trigger the SDS-800 brain?

Yours excitedly

Aaron