When instruments I've never owned before and have only seen in photos arrive at the store, my enthusiasm returns to that of when I was fifteen or sixteen, when I first entered the world of drums and – temporarily – hung up my guitar.
First of all I have to thank my friend Nick Stolterfoht from Frauenkirchen (Austria) for sending me this drum kit.
Amati, a company from the then Czechoslovakia based in Kraslice, just 4 km from the German border, active since the 1940s and still in business with production limited to wind instruments.
The drum kit I'm thrilled to host at the Garage di Asso was presented as the 4090 model, dating back to the late '70s/early '80s: 22"x14" bass drum, a 14"x6.5" snare drum (the crown jewel of the entire set!), a set of five concert toms (8"x6.5", 10"x7", 12"x8", 13"x9", 14"x10") and two 16"x16" and 18"x16" floor toms. Beech shells, metallic red plastic wrap.
These drums are truly expertly crafted and well finished; the hardware and tom holders are practical and sturdy enough to adjust; the lugs have a distinctive, elegant design.
The hoops of the bass drum are made of wood, lacquered black, while those of the rest of the drums have the flange folded inwards, like the Slingerland Stick Savers.
A rare set in excellent condition, a lot of fun to play, with a warm, rounded tone, mid-low frequencies, and good volume. I mentioned the snare drum as perhaps the most surprising drum, thanks to its extremely clean timbre, remarkable sensitivity to any dynamic, and remarkable sensitivity to the skin tension. This Amati is absolutely beautiful!
