"I play a percussion instrument, not a musical saw; it needs no amplification. Where it's needed, they put a microphone in front of the bass drum. But, I don't think it's necessary to play that way every night"

Buddy Rich is stating that as a percussionist, his instrument does not need boosting like a musical saw does. Although a microphone is positioned in front of his bass drum when needed, he does not think it's important to play by doing this all the time. Essentially, he prefers to play normally as well as let his abilities as a percussionist represent themselves.