I agree on what was used previously. However, his counter is that he doesn’t get the dynamic range on the edrum that he can with an acoustic. I can relate as I need my cabinet to push enough to “feel” my guitar.
Thing is, there is nice to have and there is need to have. I need to have the dynamic range or I need to have the feel of my guitar are nice to have things. Nice if you can get them. But if it means you start a volume war in the band, or on stage they are most definitely not need to have. As rick said, loud drummer = loud stage = no fun for everyone. Also, a drummer who can play at a normal volume is a drummer who has learned both discipline and who has dynamic range. Loud drummers on the other hand and who refuse to adapt have anger issues. Or ego issues. Just like loud guitarists.
The Edrums were great from a sound control standpoint, but they would on occasion false trigger or some rooms would reflect and cause false triggers. He’s too cheap to spring for plexiglass unfortunately.
With all due respect, as I don't know him personally, that makes him sound like a dick. It basically gives me the impression of someone who goes I don't like it, I want something else and I don't give a fuck about the rest of the band. Or the audience. If I were Glenn Fricker I would say then cut down on your drinking and tattoo budget, you cheap bum! Maybe you should post it as a viewers comment on his channel, I wouldn't be surprised if he would actually say it. Only less nicely.
The other issue is he just beats the living shit out of them... he works in retail management and is usually angry at the world and takes it out on the drums for therapy.
Maybe he should get a gym membership and work out his anger issues pumping iron? Oh wait, he's a cheap skate.
It’s difficult because he’s a really good friend, but he’s never open to a suggestion that didn’t originate with him.
Thing is though, the problem will not go away and it shouldn't be up to the rest of the band to fix his problem. Irritations among band members have a bad habit of both breaking up bands and ruining friendships. There's a reason why bands break up, and in 99.9% its not about money. Money is usually the symptom, but not the underlying cause. Again, without knowing him in person I'd say your options are limited. Either sit him down for a good chat and get him to fix his own mess (he wants to play like Cozy Powell, then he should be the one that makes sure it doesn't start a volume war), either you guys fix his mess for him (causing resentment towards him), either accept that this is how its going to be, get hearing protection, turn everything up and accept that there will be drum bleed all over the place (on the plus side no more need for a snare channel on your mixer), or either tell him its not going to work out and that its better to go your separate ways while you are still friends then before you really start killing each other. And tell his replacement that he
must be willing to play edrums or be willing to drum quietly on his acoustic set.
These are your options. It's up to you to pick which one to go with. Before it destroys both your band and your friendship.
This is why I think that 99.9% of band breakups are not really about money. When you join a professional band its like joining a company. You don't have to be friends, your rights and duties are stipulated in the contract. You don't have to spend private time together and when you leave you never have to see them again. Most bands however are started by friends. Friendship is what sees them through the most difficult times. Friendship is also what makes them put up with each other's quirks and bad behaviors. But those get amplified when you go on the road and have to spend time together for 24-7. Friendship will see you through a lot of that. But friendship is not made out of granite. And even granite can be worn down. And while in a professional band work and private are separate, with friendship these become intertwined. And eventually the smallest irritations can grow into the most bitterest of hatreds. Take Black Sabbath. That band has gone through more lineup changes then the most prolific porn star. People have come and gone and come and gone again, but overall the bitterest divides have been between the four original members. For most of the musicians who were in it it was just a gig, a contract to play during a single album/tour. The original four on the other hand have called each other every name you can think of. And yet at one time originally they were all mates. Now I'm not making a case to only be in a professional band, because those can be about as fun as working for your average company. But do try to work on working out your irritations in a calm relaxed manner, before it ends up in shouting.
