Yamaha Recording Custom 15" Tom TT915RF 1980 Cherry Birch

Model: TT915RF
Diameter: 15"
Depth: 13"
Finish/Material: Cherry Birch
Manufactured: November 1980

Mounting Hardware
1 Yamaha Ball Clamp with Hexagonal Mounting Rod - mounts directly to the drum.
1 Vertical Dual Round Tubular Clamp - mounts the ball clamp vertically to your stand or other hardware.

This drum's history:

This drum was purchased (used) in August 2011 as part of a full 9-piece set from a retired professional drummer. The kit was comprised of: 22" Kick (sold), 14" X 6" Brass Snare, 8" Tom (sold), 10" Tom (sold), 12" Tom, 13" Tom, 14" Tom, 15" Tom, 16" Tom.

He used the kit for studio recording, so it does not show excessive signs of wear from gigging or touring. After giving up professional playing, he kept the drums wrapped and covered in storage for 15 years, but grew tired of storing them. He advised that the kit had one owner before him, but nothing is known about the original owner. The drums are currently owned by a recording engineer for studio use, but they haven't seen much use. My living situation has changed, and it just doesn't make sense to keep these anymore. I'd rather invest the money into something else. Since not many were interested in a full 9 piece kit, I'm parting it out.

About Yamaha's Recording Custom Drums:

For over 30 years, the Recording Custom has set a benchmark for excellence. Possibly the most recorded drum in history, it has enjoyed an unparalleled history of success and innovation. Although trends come and go, the Recording Custom, with its birch shells and pristine interior and exterior finish, delivers a sound the seems "pre-EQ-ed", perfect for studio or multi-miking in any situation. Acoustically, it will hold its own-with power and tone to spare.

First produced in 1977 as the YD9000, these drums featured 100% birch shells with 6-ply toms and 7-ply kick drums. They came with high tension one-piece lugs, triple-flanged steel hoops, and a gorgeous sprayed finish. Birch shells produce a lower fundamental tone than maple. Their crisp sound quality with short attack decay makes them optimal for recording situations. Yamaha was the first to use a piano lacquer to finish the inside of the drum, a practice now common on high-end drums. The use of one-piece lugs to enhance the natural hardness of the birch shells resulted in a tight, well-defined sound that was enthusiastically adopted by many top artists of the day, including Steve Gadd and Cozy Powell. The sound was so well suited to recording that the YD9000 has become the most recorded drum set in history. The name was later changed to "Recording Custom," a model that is still widely used today.

What makes this drum rare or special?

Yamaha Recording Custom drums were so well made and revered that there were only 2 design changes in 30+ years of production. When Yamaha introduced their YESS mounting hardware in 1993, the Recording Custom line was changed to accommodate the new hardware. The other change is that prior to 1986, the shells were slightly thinner and lighter, with bearing edges that were stained with piano lacquer like the rest of the shell's interior. Newer shells are thicker and heavier, with unfinished wood over the bevel edge.

Experienced drummers widely regard the 80's as the heyday for Yamaha Drums in general, but owners say the early-to-mid 80's Recording Custom kits stand out as the best from more than 35 years of continuous production. This drum's serial number indicates it was manufactured in Japan in the early 80's, making it one of the rarest and most sought after drums from the most recorded line of drums in history.

Details:

Buyer will pay all shipping costs or arrange for local pickup near Phoenix, AZ. These drums were available as a kit but are now being parted out.

The drums are in great condition, with a minimal amount of wear and tear (especially considering their age). Batter heads have normal wear from light playing and still sound good when tuned. All resonator heads have never been played ON, and have only been on the bottom head.