What Brand DrumSet is used by most Pro's?

[Rickk]

I was looking at replacing my Ludwig Accent Series set wit a new DW Collectors set.
If not for sponsorship which Brand Drumset do you think most Professional Drummers would pick and why? I really like the sound out of a Maple set, my current set is Philippine Mahogany, actually sounds pretty good but a noticeable difference when playing on a Maple set. Just looking for some advice, Don't want to keep changing equipment, just looking for a great sounding set.
Thanks

[Class A Drummer]

First off i wouldnt choose by what pros use, but by the sound YOU want.

Most pros that i see on tv (mainly for punk rock bands) tend to use DW drums. But i see most metal drummers using Tama. They use Tama not because it is better for metal, but i guess they wanna copy Lars or somthing. But there is no best brand. Just because a larger percentage of pros use a certain brand, does not make it better, just more popular.

[the.tree]

What kind of music do you play and how much money do you have?

-Where in illinois do you live?

[maddrummr]

First off i wouldnt choose by what pros use, but by the sound YOU want.

Most pros that i see on tv (mainly for punk rock bands) tend to use DW drums. But i see most metal drummers using Tama. They use Tama not because it is better for metal, but i guess they wanna copy Lars or somthing. But there is no best brand. Just because a larger percentage of pros use a certain brand, does not make it better, just more popular.

Yea agree 100%. And half the pro's are endorsed by companies and have to use the companies kit, and all that jazz so...just putting that out.
Ive seen a lot of pros with Yamaha as well as DW. But Im sure the kits are custom made, and that would put a nice gash in your wallet.

the.tree : Where in illinois are you from???

[Rickk]

Just 25 miles west of Chicago in Naperville.
I like to play all kinds of music mainly with a Rock beat, I have just finished 6 months of weekly lessons in which we covered music from Rock to Jazz and everything in Between.
The reason I ask what the Pro's use is because I saw a Drummer from Cademons Call
his name is Todd Braggs, Not sure of the spelling, and he was using GMS, he sounds great!!
The local Guitar centers have limited selections, The Drum Pad in Illinois has a rather nice selection.
I was looking to spend less than 3K, all my hardware and Cymbals are newer and great condition, Dw Hardware, Zildjan K custom Cymbals.
Using Evans Hydraulic Heads and E-Mad Bass Heads Front and Back.
But the Maple drums definitely have the sound I am looking for.
And yes I am easily swayed toward the better brands, although GC had a Pearl session set up next to a DW Collectors set, and the pearl sounded better to me?
Anyway sorry for the long post.
I find it doesn't hurt to do a lot of research instead of impulse buying.

Rick

[harryconway]

Nothing wrong with doing lots of research. And certainly nothing wrong with wanting a pro level kit. But while you might see a pro drummer playing 1 brand of drum (because he's endorsed) he might own 2 or 3 other brands at home. Just recently, I was at the local G.C. and they had 2 gently used kits. A Buddy Rich DW kit and a Pearl Reference, both tagged at $2599 each. I wouldn't call the Sessions a pro-level kit, but that's just my take. Pearl even states about the Sessions, "the only thing that's not high end is the price". I get a little skeptical when a manufacture mentions price as a primary selling point. That's on the International Pearl website. Looking at the Pearl USA website, I don't see Exports or Sessions listed anymore. GMS makes great drums. I'm a Ludwig/Yamaha fan myself. But I'm certainly no pro. Just been playing drums for a really long time. Play as many kits as you can.

[tmv31]

hey, nice to see someone else from chicago. The drumpad really does have a great selection of equipment, although I would say your best bet is a gently used set. There are alot of used dw's that are in really great condition, Im not too familiar with GMS although I have seen a couple.

[Rickk]

TMV31,
Yes, I am all for a gently used kit, looking on Ebay for the last year or so, I see most going for what a Brand new kit would cost me. $4000 at the Drum Pad.
The local Guitar Center has a trade in DW Collectors series with 5 Toms and a 22x18 Bass drum for $1999, but is as ugly a set as I have ever seen, gray and white stripes.
If it was any other color I would have grabbed it no questions asked.
I am not in any rush to get one just keeping my eyes open.

[pcmckay]

It seems that most drummers that I see are using DW. They are amazing drums but I'm not sure if the price tag is worth it. They are in high demand so they can charge whatever they want. But don't overlook other companies. There are a lot of really good drums out there, it basically comes down to who offers the finish and hardware that you like. I have Ludwig maple classics and I'm very happy with them, and they are roughly $1,500 bucks cheaper then DW. Also don't forget Pearl Master Customs, very nice drums. I used to have a set of Pearl Masters and they sounded really nice.

[maddrummr]

Naperville eh?
The joliet guitar center sells some nice lookin DW's for about 1800-2300, but im not positive on that price.

[Skitch]

First off i wouldnt choose by what pros use, but by the sound YOU want.

Most pros that i see on tv (mainly for punk rock bands) tend to use DW drums. But i see most metal drummers using Tama. They use Tama not because it is better for metal, but i guess they wanna copy Lars or somthing. But there is no best brand. Just because a larger percentage of pros use a certain brand, does not make it better, just more popular.


One of my buddys and I were discussing this the other day and Tama has really stuck to their niche market in the Hard Rock and Metal. Tama really focuses on that area and this has been their strengthever since the mid 80s and early 90s.

Bu tI will argue the point on better; at least when it comeds to hardware. Tama uses pot metal in the high stress areas of thier stands and the threads tend to crumble. I have had to play more than one gig with a bass drum that wants to roll over because this happened!
You want a steel strength in the threaded areas, not cheap, cost-effective material.


Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com


http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=drummermikemccraw

[Skitch]

Nothing wrong with doing lots of research. And certainly nothing wrong with wanting a pro level kit. But while you might see a pro drummer playing 1 brand of drum (because he's endorsed) he might own 2 or 3 other brands at home. Just recently, I was at the local G.C. and they had 2 gently used kits. A Buddy Rich DW kit and a Pearl Reference, both tagged at $2599 each. I wouldn't call the Sessions a pro-level kit, but that's just my take. Pearl even states about the Sessions, "the only thing that's not high end is the price". I get a little skeptical when a manufacture mentions price as a primary selling point. That's on the International Pearl website. Looking at the Pearl USA website, I don't see Exports or Sessions listed anymore. GMS makes great drums. I'm a Ludwig/Yamaha fan myself. But I'm certainly no pro. Just been playing drums for a really long time. Play as many kits as you can.

Harry,

Do you remember the issue of Modern Drummer (early 1984?) where the drummers for the Allman Brothers were endorsers for both Ludwig and Tama? What a fiasco that was!

Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com


http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=drummermikemccraw

[harryconway]

Harry,

Do you remember the issue of Modern Drummer (early 1984?) where the drummers for the Allman Brothers were endorsers for both Ludwig and Tama? What a fiasco that was!

Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com


http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=drummermikemccraw

I missed that. In Oct.of 83 I broke my pelvis in 3 places and both the bones in my right calf in a motorcycle accident. I can, however, imagine that a tag-team Ludwig/Tama endorsement didn't do anyone much good.

[PsYcHoTiC.DrUmMeR]

mmm lots of good points out there...Best you can do is not decide based on what the "pros" play but what you want to play, what the pros play could be a reference but you would still want to try "lesser" kits. At the moment i think Mapex and Ludwig are quite good as well as Yamaha and Pearl..I suppose it depends on yuor style of play, right?

[Rickk]

Let me ask this question?
If the PRO'S get custom sets, what is the difference between the DW set at GC and the DW set the professional drummer plays?
Is it just like golf clubs, Tiger Woods is using NIKE brand but because the weight and bends are not the same as the set you will buy at the store.
What is different between a PRO set and a store bought set?
American Maple is American Maple, do they use different glue, hardware? Are the Heads we buy at the shop the same as the Heads the Pro's use?
Sorry for all the questions, never gave it too much thought but now that I am looking for a good set I want to, Lord Willing keep it for a long time.

[X22]

Typically you're influenced by the types of instruments used by musicians in the bands you listen to. Eddie Van Halen sold a lot of Kramer guitars to guitar-playing Van Halen fans. Could another guitar have done the gig? Sure. Same goes for drums.

Most top of the line drums are going to perform the same.

I suppose it depends on yuot style of paly, right?

[X22]

The differences between a professional's set and the same model at GC is usually just the finish (shells and hardware) - if GC carries top models. The shell material is the same. Hardware is usually the same (unless you have some Myron Grombacher cage insanity happening). Cymbals are the same. Heads are the same. The Yamaha Recording Custom drums you see Weckl or Gadd playing, you can purchase at any drum shop. In nearly all cases, what you see any pro using, you can purchase.

Let me ask this question?
If the PRO'S get custom sets, what is the difference between the DW set at GC and the DW set the professional drummer plays?
Is it just like golf clubs, Tiger Woods is using NIKE brand but because the weight and bends are not the same as the set you will buy at the store.
What is different between a PRO set and a store bought set?
American Maple is American Maple, do they use different glue, hardware? Are the Heads we buy at the shop the same as the Heads the Pro's use?
Sorry for all the questions, never gave it too much thought but now that I am looking for a good set I want to, Lord Willing keep it for a long time.

[KR3]

Another Chicagoan here.

Just wanted to say GMS makes great drums, expensive for Keller shells. If you like GMS I say go for it. I don't think you are able to get a GMS kit for 3K. Again they are very nice, but expensive and their hardware looks messy. Also the drumpad is probobly the only store here in Chicago that sells GMS...one of the guys there is endorsing them.

I'm a Pearl guy, love their sound, love the hardware and good price. My advise, try all the kits and for 3K you can get a very very nice pro kit.

[Rickk]

This was the Drummer that I saw playing the GMS set, they had a show at our Church and rocked the place, he really impressed me with his playing.
I may be checking on a Maple set from GMS or DW.
Any other ideas are greatly appreciated, what a Great Website.
Great Job Bernhard!!!!! Thank you!!.








http://www.gmsdrums.com/artists/toddbragg.php

[Rickk]

Here is the link to the GMS website, I am pretty impressed. Check out the GM Series if you are interested , let me know your thoughts.
Thanks
Rick

http://www.gmsdrums.com/

[millersc]

The differences between a professional's set and the same model at GC is usually just the finish (shells and hardware) - if GC carries top models. The shell material is the same. Hardware is usually the same (unless you have some Myron Grombacher cage insanity happening). Cymbals are the same. Heads are the same. The Yamaha Recording Custom drums you see Weckl or Gadd playing, you can purchase at any drum shop. In nearly all cases, what you see any pro using, you can purchase.

Actually, the kit Steve Gadd currently uses has only had a limited production run of 50 sets. His kit consists of a maple custom bass drum, brich custom absolute toms, all of which are in piano black laquer and have black rims and hardware. The black rims and hardware would have to be purchased seperately if at all.