Vintage Simmons Drums (UK) Users Group

Aaron Thomas skrev:
> 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.

Great! Another newly-convinced! :D

> 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.

Congrat's!

> 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

The SDS-8 set should work well with the 800. 10 euros is a bargain if 
only for the CEM-circuits inside.

But try to trig the sounds with something else. have you got any trigger 
pad now? Any synth that outputs a decent voltage or similar?

The SDS-800 is no toy and the SDS-8 sure is no big "upgrade" anyway. Try 
this bargain first and if it works - use it! If it seems repairable - 
repair it! If it's beyond hope - sell the parts and get another Simmons! 
Once you're stuck, you're stuck. :)

Once again - congratulations!

-- 
electronically yours, jesper

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