MESSIN' AROUND ON THE "MICRO-FORTRESS"

This is a little "downsized" drumset that I bought for my youngest when he was four years old. He is eleven now and no longer plays on this "baby" kit, because his older brother got a full-size Tama kit which, of course, is way cooler.

So, along with many other percussion items that were not being used at the time, this little kit got stashed away in the attic and somewhat forgotten. I knew I should get it out, fix it up and sell it, but I just kept putting it off. Finally one day I found the motivation and desire to restore this kit. All this involved really was finding all the pieces and setting it back up. It was a little dusty and the "faux" cymbals are quite tarnished, but after a quick cleaning the set looks fairly brand new. Only the heads are showing wear.

The drums included in this kit are as follows: 16" bass drum, 12" snare drum, 8 and 10" tom-toms and 13" floor tom. There is also a shell-mounted cymbal stand, a miniature hi-hat stand, a little chain-drive bass pedal and a tiny stool. The drums have authentic wood shells and the chrome hardware is quite sturdy for a child-size drumset. (The tom mounts even have "memory locks" on them which allow for easier and sturdier setup.)

So in other words, this kit is definitely for a "serious drummer," or as "not-comical" as a four-year-old can be while jamming away on a miniature drumset. (How cute!) This is a real instrument, not a plastic or cardboard play set that will get destroyed after a few energetic sessions. This is an actual "beginner's set" for a kid who wishes to learn how to play a real drumset and eventually graduate and go on to bigger and better Ludwigs or Tamas. (In my house we feature both).

To prove this, I decided to document myself playing on this little "Micro-Fortress," so that potential buyers could see how sturdy and playable this set is. If a "big ol' boy" like myself can do it without hurting the equipment, then there should be no worries about a small child.




After making this video and watching it a few hundred times, I realized how utterly awesome this little kit is, and so I've decided to keep it. Who knows, maybe I will need it for some small venue? In any case, I definitely need to add some real cymbals to it, perhaps some 10" hi-hats, a 12" crash and a 16" ride cymbal (if they make 'em that small). It also goes without saying that I absolutely have to find some sort of miniature bell tree to complete this set. A little cowbell, a small set of chimes and a baby bell tree. That would be beyond awesome. That would complete the "Micro-Fortress!"