04/22/2026
This drum set set makes many hearts go pitter-patter. A short-list of its many secrets:
1) Amy Morrissey ( ) puts 15 mics on it, which, believe it or not, all have their purpose and all get used at some point or another. “Less is more”, as Amy always says.
2) The kit’s a 1976 Tama Superstar “Super Maple” (13”, 14”, 16”, 24”). It was bandmate uncle’s kit. He gave it to Matt in 1997 or so, which he traded to us when an old Gretsch kit was given to us by our Manayunk landlord.
3) In 1976, Superstars were the top of the line. We know it’s a 76 because that was the only year the shells were 4 ply and needed support rings (which you can see in the tom pics). By the way ... see drummer Tim Lynam’s cotton balls in the 14 in rack tom? (Never thought of that before... try it. It really works).
4) Our Dream Bliss 20 in crash ride... Drummers love this one. Many have bought their own after experiencing ours but they all say ours is better. We don’t take it for granted. In one of his first appearances gave it to after he signed an endorsement deal with another company. Thanks, Eric. It’s used every session all these years.
5) The hi-hats aren’t hi-hats. Got them at a Sam Ash sidewalk sale in 1999 or so. One’s a 16” medium weight orchestral cymbal, the other’s a 16” paper thin A. They record perfectly and never sound overwhelming in a snare mic (or rack tom for that matter).
6) Dark K Crash? gave it to us after the making of Los Halos “Leaving Va.” album, at Miner Street Manayunk all the way back in 2003. It doesn’t look pretty, but somehow every now and then it’s still the best crash in the room, even if it’s seen better days. We’ve never had a broken cymbal that still sounded great. 7) “el Alma” - one of only two recordings from 2026’s “mirror in the hallway” LP where used this kit, but it’s a great great great one.
