Help me decide on my next kit!

[kung_f00]

Okay dudes, I've narrowed my search down to two kits.

On the one hand, there's the Pacific FXR 4 pc.Shell Pack in Cherry Red (http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/7/7/6/406776.jpg)
The tom sizes work for me, and I'm not a fan bass-mounted toms or toms that have those "penetration mounts"
The bass drum is virgin, which is perfect for me.. I don't really dig the Paris Hilton "Look-How-Many-Rods-Can-Plug-My-Mounts" type bass drums.
It's $399 on musiciansfriend.com (which is a GODSEND) but the only issue is that it's only a shellpack. I have the hardware, but that would mean this kit would have to share hardware with my gig kit.
It's also birch rather than phillipine mahogany (my current kit's shells), which I've never really gotten to experience, but I hear good things.

Then, there's the Gretsch Catalina Club Rock 5pc. in Blake Flake (http://www.arbiter.co.uk/gretsch/products/catalina_club_rock_drum_kits/club_rock_cc-r665-bf_500.jpg)
At $899 this is significantly more pricey, but since the next kit I buy is going to probably be my kit for the next 4-5 years, the extra money spent might keep me happy in the long run. I love the Bonzo feel to this kit, as he's one of my favorite drummers, and again, the virgin bass drum makes me very, very happy.
The downside of this kit is that the shells are mahogany, but then again the kit carries the Gretsch name, so it makes me wonder if the mahogany shells are all that bad.


Those are my notes, but I wanted to know everyone else's opinions. If any of you happen to have either kit, PLEASE tell me what your impressions are of them. I'm going to Alto Music on Saturday to see if they have either set available so I can get a hands-on opinion, but any of your opinions would be just as valuable. Thanks!

[parser]

Then, there's the Gretsch Catalina Club Rock 5pc. in Blake Flake (http://www.arbiter.co.uk/gretsch/products/catalina_club_rock_drum_kits/club_rock_cc-r665-bf_500.jpg)
At $899 this is significantly more pricey, but since the next kit I buy is going to probably be my kit for the next 4-5 years, the extra money spent might keep me happy in the long run. I love the Bonzo feel to this kit, as he's one of my favorite drummers, and again, the virgin bass drum makes me very, very happy.
The downside of this kit is that the shells are mahogany, but then again the kit carries the Gretsch name, so it makes me wonder if the mahogany shells are all that bad.


I own the Gretsch kit you are talking about (follow link to view)

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6326&highlight=gretsch+club+rock

For a big loud rock kit, I think its fantastic. The mahogany shells are a bit different, but very warm and sound great after proper tuning experiments. It sounded HUGE live and in the studio. My only drawback was with versitility. It seems to appropriate for big rock stuff, but not much else. The toms like to be hit hard to draw out the best sounds. I aslo wasn't very impressed with the snare - the weakest link in the shell pack. Put an Emad on the kick and that thing is crushing! I got mine at GC, so it came with the 24" kick instead of the 26", and a 13" tom instead of the 14".

I purchased a different kit (see my signature for link) just because I didn't want to be limited to any genre by my instruments. I'm all over the place with my solo project stuff. Coincidentally, my kit is for sale. I'm selling it with custom gig bags and an additional 14"x6.5" Yamaha Steel snare, which I found much more appropriate for that kit than the one it came with.

I'm looking for around $800 for the whole shebang, but I'm sure shipping would eliminate any reason to not buy new - unless you live in Oregon ;)

Anyway, I'd be happy to answer any more specific questions you have, sound files, pics or whatever. Just ask away...

[GRUNTERSDAD]

That Gretsch kit looks killer.. Having it to do over again I would like to check that out. Have fun.

[nhzoso]

If it were me I would go with the Gretsch, seems like it will do what you want for the time you expect.

Have you looked into any others in the $800 range?? Thought about used?

[mikei]

I have a brand new Ddrum Maple Dominion 26 that is not even out of the boxes it came in. With hardware minus throne. Bought it from music123. Came with a small scratch on the BD hoop and a tiny scratch on the 16.

http://www.music123.com/ddrum-Dominion-26-Dominator-5pc-Drum-Set-HG-Orange-i227213.music

Paid $1140. I would sell it for $850 including shipping.

26 x 16 virgin, 14 x 10, 14 x 6.5 snare, 16 x 16 and 18 x 16 toms. My wife hasn't let me play it. It is a Christmas present. It is all maple.

The color is Wine.

If interested, I would sell you it. I have Sonor kit as well. I am selling both now to upgrade to a pro level set.

[maddrummr]

Well let me tell you.
Pacific makes great quality drums. I am more than satisfied with my MX (emerald fade) and it sounds superb and looks fine and dandy.
Bang for the buck my friend.

[Jusstickinaround]

Seeing as how the Pacfic link would not come up, I'd go for the Grestch kit Then again if your'e a Bonham fan you might find a vintage Ludwig kit close to the price of the Gretsch. Check out the Bonham site, listen to how his kit was tuned, and how great they sound. Those 3 ply maple shells with reinfocement rings were one of the best shells ever produced.

[kung_f00]

I own the Gretsch kit you are talking about (follow link to view)

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6326&highlight=gretsch+club+rock

For a big loud rock kit, I think its fantastic. The mahogany shells are a bit different, but very warm and sound great after proper tuning experiments. It sounded HUGE live and in the studio. My only drawback was with versitility. It seems to appropriate for big rock stuff, but not much else. The toms like to be hit hard to draw out the best sounds. I aslo wasn't very impressed with the snare - the weakest link in the shell pack. Put an Emad on the kick and that thing is crushing! I got mine at GC, so it came with the 24" kick instead of the 26", and a 13" tom instead of the 14".

I purchased a different kit (see my signature for link) just because I didn't want to be limited to any genre by my instruments. I'm all over the place with my solo project stuff. Coincidentally, my kit is for sale. I'm selling it with custom gig bags and an additional 14"x6.5" Yamaha Steel snare, which I found much more appropriate for that kit than the one it came with.

I'm looking for around $800 for the whole shebang, but I'm sure shipping would eliminate any reason to not buy new - unless you live in Oregon ;)

Anyway, I'd be happy to answer any more specific questions you have, sound files, pics or whatever. Just ask away...


Hey, thanks for all the help man! Your post alone gave me a lot of good insight towards the Gretsch kit. Unfortunately, I'm starting to think that it may not be the right kit for me. You see, I do play louder rock, but I've begun focusing a lot more on funk and jazz lately. Although I do love the 26" kick, from your opinions on the kit as well as your soundfiles I'm unsure as to how well my lighter stuff would sound on it.

I think what I'm looking for is more versatility than anything else. As a drummer who takes whatever gigs he can get, I'm constantly switching between musical genres and I need a kit for practice and for gigging that allows for all the styles I may be required to play.

However, on Saturday I'll keep an eye out for this particular kit (it's a big store, they'll probably have it) and hopefully I can get a hands-on feel for it.

Jusstickinaround:
http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/7/7/6/406776.jpg
Does that help at all?

[Fat Elvis]

I have a brand new Ddrum Maple Dominion 26 that is not even out of the boxes it came in. With hardware minus throne. Bought it from music123. Came with a small scratch on the BD hoop and a tiny scratch on the 16.

http://www.music123.com/ddrum-Dominion-26-Dominator-5pc-Drum-Set-HG-Orange-i227213.music

Paid $1140. I would sell it for $850 including shipping.

26 x 16 virgin, 14 x 10, 14 x 6.5 snare, 16 x 16 and 18 x 16 toms. My wife hasn't let me play it. It is a Christmas present. It is all maple.

The color is Wine.

If interested, I would sell you it. I have Sonor kit as well. I am selling both now to upgrade to a pro level set.

This one seems like the best deal to me. Brand new kit -- maple -- for $850? Plus it has the virgin kick that you want. I have never played a ddrum before but there are a few people on this site that have them and they come highly recommended by them. I personally would not be all about the gretsch. The wood is cheap when you compare it to a price range that has both varying qualities of birch and maple.

[Drummer Karl]

Well, what I like to say also in other threads:

1. Don`t worry too much about the wood, YOU will be heard on that kit while playing it, NOT the wood. Also be careful with some kits, the shell quality and the bearing edges count much!

2. Take the kit you just find best. Look deep into you, go to the next music store and try them both! Then just decide what feels better for you! So, the hardware is actually the smallest problem. ;-)

these are my thoughts about this...

Karl