Sonor

[limptaco]

Ok, I live in ohio, and there is a ACE Music Superstore where I live, and I told my parents I'm into drumming (15) they said we'd look into it. Well we went looking at drums, and my dad kinda has his eye on a Sonor 505 kit for $500 (Sale). The man at the store said it came with double re-inforced cymbal stands, and sturdy drum heads. Mind you a friend of mine is into drumming, and he says sonor sucks. So I want an opinion from people who have been drumming a while, is Sonor a good company, and is it a good set to start out with.

Also I think I should mention, when my friend plays, he plays hard and fast, so I'm thinking what he meant, was sonor can't take heavy beatings. Again I want an honest opinion from people who know what they are talking about.

[maddrummr]

A kid on my drumline has a higher level sonar kit than you are looking at. I think its 2005 series. He says that when he went to buy one, he had his eyes on entry level sonar but he was sort of dissapointed. So then he waited untill his birthday money came in and went to a higher level and he is very satisfied.
But since you are beginning its good to go cheaper to start. My bud was playing for a while and was looking for an upgrade. Also, half the time its the heads that dont hold up. And most of the time stock heads suck anyway so you should plan on replacing the stock heads with something like remo pinstripes because those are all around good heads in my opinion.

and before you buy that check this out... http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Sonor-Force-505-5Piece-Standard-Drum-Set?sku=445166

you get everything for 100 less than your looking at. free shipping too

[Salicete]

I'm a Sonor lover and player, but I would not recommend that you buy the 500 series. They really are not all that well made, and the sound is not all that good either. Frankly, I'm surprised Sonor even fields these drums under the Sonor name.

The 1000 series isn't much better. If you could afford the 2005, or 3005, series, I am sure you would be pleased. The 2000 series is all birch; and the 3000 series is all maple. Both lines, though no longer German-made, are nonetheless high quality instruments.

If you look around a bit you may be able to find a NOS 3003 series kit that does not cost much more that the 505 you are looking at.

That being said, even poor quality drums are better than no drums at all, but for the money, you could do better.

By the way, tell your friend that Sonor does not suck. They make some of the most beautiful, not to mention expensive, drums on the planet. You can be assured that they can take any beating you can dish out. :) (This is, of course, my opinion, so take it for what its worth.)

[Jeff Almeyda]

I don't know about entry-level kits but Sonor might possibly be the overall best drum company in the world. The drummer's equivalent of a Mercedes.

Your friend is absolutely clueless.

[Rick_Strong]

Sonor Sucks !!!!!
I am about to have my 3rd heart attack

The stock Sonor Heads may suck but certainly not the kit.

My 2 cents

[DamoSyzygy]

Mind you a friend of mine is into drumming, and he says sonor sucks.

Pure ignorance!

He should have a look at these...

http://www.drummerworld.com/mydrumset/mydrumsetdrummers/Damien_Petrilli.html

...And dont even get me started on the sound of them...

[limptaco]

I don't know about entry-level kits but Sonor might possibly be the overall best drum company in the world. The drummer's equivalent of a Mercedes.

Your friend is absolutely clueless.

ya he is alot of the time, though hes a bit messed up in the head (immatates hitting a blunt)...him not me. but the man at the store said that exact same thing he said and i quote:

"Sonor is a drummers mercades. Picture a mercades import, and sonor is that import of the drumming companies."

word for word. so i was pretty sure he was telling the truth...also to whoever posted the link, if i were to order online instead of from the store, could i switch out the drum heads for something else?

[Synthetik]

The Sonor 503 is about as good as it gets in terms of entry level kits. It is not in the league of the 1xxx 2xxx and 3xxx force series.

I don't think there is anything you can ask of any beginner kit that a 50X can't handle. But for Pete's sake, don't expect miracles with a kit that inexpensive.

I have already seen the 2003 Force series used by gigging drummers. It held up to a brutal beating without a whimper.

With the exception of stock heads (as mentioned) , Sonor products are the best in every price class they have. I say best, meaning the best quality and sound you can expect to get from a drumkit of their price.

I agree with Damo...any comments that "Sonor sucks" is blind ignorance.

[ermghoti]

I'd seriously consider a used kit. Your $500 will get you an intermediate kit with hardware and cymbals. That, and you won't have to hyperventilate when you put the first gouge in it, as that will have already been done for you.

I bought a 7-piece, double bass Starclassic performer with five Zildjians, less a pedal and throne, for $1k even.

[Salicete]

I looked around a bit today; my Sonor dealer is selling the 2005s for $599.00, and the 3003s for $799.00 (The 3003s are virtually identical to the 3005s with the exception of the badge and some additional finish selections.) The 3005s are around $1,000.00.

I think you should always buy the best you can afford, but I realize that in the real world, folks have budgets that restrict what they can spend. Ermghoti makes a good point; used gear is often a good idea. You can save hundreds, and often pick up gear that looks and plays like the day it was made.

Most dealers will make you a deal on new batters and resos if you don't want the stock heads, but as far as I know, Sonor ships the drums only as manufactured. I love all things-Sonor, but I will admit that I always swap out the stock heads (which Remo makes for Sonor) for Evans heads. My Designers came equipped with clear single-ply batters on the toms, a Powerstroke-3, and an ambassador snare batter, all made by Remo, but with a Sonor logo, but I digress....

If you decide that you want a Sonor kit, drop me a PM and I'll give you the name and number of my dealer. They are a 5-Star Drum Shop, and provide the best prices along with fantastic customer service. I live in Maryland, and deal exclusively with that shop, and it is in Maine. Thats how good they are.

PS- They ship anywhere

[mofle]

I suggest you go in eBay and look into used kits like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAMAHA-STAGE-CUSTOM-DRUM-SET-KIT-w-SABIAN-CYMBALS_W0QQitemZ190057645124QQihZ009QQcategoryZ64 444QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That is a good deal i think.. $600 for a five piece yamaha stage custom with sabian cymbals seems like a good deal to me!

You should really look into used kits. You get a lot more for your $

[DamoSyzygy]

(The 3003s are virtually identical to the 3005s with the exception of the badge and some additional finish selections.)
Dont forget the shell composition!

[Salicete]

Dont forget the shell composition!


I stand corrected, good call.

3003- 9 ply-Maple/Basswood

3005-9-ply-All Maple

[Synthetik]

I stand corrected, good call.

3003- 9 ply-Maple/Basswood

3005-9-ply-All Maple

What do you Sonorphilic individuals think about 3003 vs 3005? I have read a few instances where people prefer the 3003. I understand why this is possible, after all, Gretsch, Rogers, Ludwig and the rest used to have only mixed woods. The extra ply of jasper, poplar, mahogany or whatever gave the drum a more complex tonality.

[Fardunda]

I own a 3005 and have not played a 3003 but from what I have read unless you are a seasoned player you would be very hard pressed to hear the difference between the two.

Hardware etc is udentical ASAIK and the 3303 can be had for an absolute steal in the US.

If I were you I would look for a 3003.

[DamoSyzygy]

To be honest, at that price range Id be more concerned with the sound it gives off rather than what its made of. As long as the hardware is durable, the kit tunes easily and has a good range in which to do so (my personal reason for preferring the maple) itll be a great kit, and more than you should expect from a kit of that price.

[nhzoso]

I own a 3003 and have not heard a 3005 yet but I plan on bringing my 12" tom to the drum shop next week and comparing it to the 3005 12". The 505 sounds like a bad option to me and I would seriously look to get something used.

I bought my 3003 last year on e-bay for $575.00 us including S&H, they were selling like hot cakes last year on e-bay but I do not see them on there anymore.

[larlev]

What do you Sonorphilic individuals think about 3003 vs 3005? I have read a few instances where people prefer the 3003. I understand why this is possible, after all, Gretsch, Rogers, Ludwig and the rest used to have only mixed woods. The extra ply of jasper, poplar, mahogany or whatever gave the drum a more complex tonality.

I can't tell the difference between the two......

[mikei]

I own a 3005 and have not played a 3003 but from what I have read unless you are a seasoned player you would be very hard pressed to hear the difference between the two.

Hardware etc is udentical ASAIK and the 3303 can be had for an absolute steal in the US.

If I were you I would look for a 3003.

I have a Sonor 3003 / 3005 hybid kit. Started with the 3003 22, 12,13,14 snare and 16. I have added 8, 10 and 18 3005 pieces.

You really cannot tell a difference unless you are really, really, really (did I say really) listening for it.

I have seen 5 piece used 3003 kits for as little as 350 on eBay.

I will mention that I did upgrade my 3003 snare. It is probably the weak link of the set. That being said though, it was still pretty good.

[gr82bagn]

I've been having a blast with my 3003 series Sonor, I tend to hit a little hard and the kit so far has given me no problems. I also played a 3005 kit and I couldn’t tell the difference except that my kit sounded better, better heads and tuned to my liking. Quality at this level in my opinion is totally professional.

[n2xlr8n]

Your friend is absolutely clueless.


I'd have to agree with that, as I'm the owner of Sonor Force Birdseye, Delite, and Force 3000 kits.

I'd also agree that I'm shocked Sonor would place their name on a "500 series" kit; I think it's shameful. Tell your Dad to look on ebay for a old stock 2000 series, or a used 3000 series.

SJ

[dingbat]

I've posted this before and just checked, Sigler music still has old stock, new in box Force 3001's, a more superior kit to the 505's, in fusion sizes (10, 12, 14, 20, 14 snare, only in in blue lacquer) for sale for a great price, here's the link to the ebay site - http://cgi.ebay.com/SONOR-FORCE-5PC-DRUM-FUSION-SET-BLUE-NEW_W0QQitemZ110064620885QQihZ001QQcategoryZ38097Q QcmdZViewItem

[n2xlr8n]

I've posted this before and just checked, Sigler music still has old stock, new in box Force 3001's, a more superior kit to the 505's, in fusion sizes (10, 12, 14, 20, 14 snare, only in in blue lacquer) for sale for a great price, here's the link to the ebay site - http://cgi.ebay.com/SONOR-FORCE-5PC-DRUM-FUSION-SET-BLUE-NEW_W0QQitemZ110064620885QQihZ001QQcategoryZ38097Q QcmdZViewItem



That is EXACTLY like the kit I gig with.

I bought mine 5-6 years ago.

FWIW, I use Aquarian Studio-x head (batter) and Classic clears.

SJ

[Sonor]

Hopefully you'll see this in time.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/SONOR-FORCE-2001-DRUM-SET-KIT-w-2-CYMBALS_W0QQitemZ150065888614QQihZ005QQcategoryZ38 097QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[larlev]

I've posted this before and just checked, Sigler music still has old stock, new in box Force 3001's, a more superior kit to the 505's, in fusion sizes (10, 12, 14, 20, 14 snare, only in in blue lacquer) for sale for a great price, here's the link to the ebay site - http://cgi.ebay.com/SONOR-FORCE-5PC-DRUM-FUSION-SET-BLUE-NEW_W0QQitemZ110064620885QQihZ001QQcategoryZ38097Q QcmdZViewItem

Good job man.......I drove myself nuts trying to think of that dealer.....

[Butch Axsmith]

SONOR is the "BEST"
Butch Axsmith

[junglelord]

What do you Sonorphilic individuals think about 3003 vs 3005? I have read a few instances where people prefer the 3003. I understand why this is possible, after all, Gretsch, Rogers, Ludwig and the rest used to have only mixed woods. The extra ply of jasper, poplar, mahogany or whatever gave the drum a more complex tonality.

sounds almost the same...the 3003 has a slighter deeper darker tone...the 3005 has a little warmer and brighter tone...personally they are equally nice...the 3003 for less money is quite the deal.

the 505 suck and I too don't know why sonor sells that stuff....a pearl forum blows them away...although a forum is technically between them and the 3000 series stuff I would think.