intermediate kits vs. high end

[larlev]

As some of you know I am building a keller shell kit....I just finished the 12" and mounted both the 10" and 12"...time for some fun...and what fun playing it was...

I have owned numerous kits over the past year or so...and played several others quite a bit..usually in the $800-$1200 range

What's my point you ask.......For those who don't understand why some people buy high $$$$ kits...it's all in the sound....

I owned higher end kits some 10 years ago...so I forgot exactly what a great kit sounds like. When you play on a quality built shell with exceptional edges..it is not only a breeze to tune, but the tone and overall sound of the drum cannot be compared...I set up the ddrum ash kit along side the kellers...tuned the same, same heads batter and reso...no comparison between the two.

For those who have been thinking about a higher end kit....you owe it to yourself..to sit down behind one for 1-2 hours...I am still smiling, partly because of the sound and also the fact that I had a huge part in getting the 2 toms to this stage of completion....it is very gratifying...

OK sorry...rant over

*** I use the term "high-end" for my keller kit...some will agree and some will disagree.*****

[ahum]

I agree with you fully. Ever since I got my Ayotte I can't look at lower-end kits the same. You pay for the craftsmanship...it's really a work of art, visually and sonically. I have come across a few drummers who built their own kits from kellers, and they all sounded phenomenal.

[Fat Elvis]

first off, there is no question in my mind -- a custom built keller kit IS a high-end professional kit. I dont care if the builder is Pork Pie, DW, OCDP, or larlev -- they all make good stuff.

And second, i could not agree more about your feelings about the sound and quality of high-end drums. If anyone is thinking they are buying a gretsch or a sonor or a tama or a pacific for $900 and is buying a professional-level sound or quality is seriously kidding themselves.

I will be honest with you here.... my sonor 3003 was a nighmare to tune. It had a lot of overtones, which did not help my learning curve in tuning, and the sound once it was tuned was always followed by a thought of "well, it's the best i can do". I thought i was clueless. Then i bought my DW and then my starclassic. Tuning takes no time at all, and the sound is follow by nothing but a HUGE sh*t-eating grin.

I have often heard members on this board talk about it is better to spend money on quality cymbals, because even poor drums can do better with good heads and a proper tuning, and i also used to subscribe to this as well. However, i think i have changed my tune. Spend the money on the drums -- get the best you can afford. My reason for saying this is that it is EASY to replace one cymbal at a time (meaning, now that we all have cymbals, how many of us buy hats, a crash and a ride at once?). I buy single cymbals all the time, but you really cant upgrade your drums one drum at a time -- you have to bite the bullet and buy a whole new kit.

take larry's advise -- if you are in the fence between a pro kit and a good intermediate kit (and saving money), buy the pro kit.

[dw D]

True

I had a westbury 5pc kit when i was a kid, than a tamma rockstar 5pc in high school. I pretty much beat the sh?t out of both. I ordered a beauty dw 6 and it sounds about what i paid. And i am very much satisfied ............now that i have the kit all i have to worry about for the next few years is sticks heads and cymbals.

get them insured!!!!

[harryconway]

first off, there is no question in my mind -- a custom built keller kit IS a high-end professional kit. I dont care if the builder is Pork Pie, DW, OCDP, or larlev -- they all make good stuff.

If anyone is thinking they are buying a gretsch or a sonor or a tama or a pacific for $900 and is buying a professional-level sound or quality is seriously kidding themselves.



I have often heard members on this board talk about it is better to spend money on quality cymbals, because even poor drums can do better with good heads and a proper tuning, and i also used to subscribe to this as well. However, i think i have changed my tune. Spend the money on the drums -- get the best you can afford.

take larry's advise -- if you are in the fence between a pro kit and a good intermediate kit (and saving money), buy the pro kit.

Yes, light finally shines into the dark reaches of the valley. I totally understand when a cat only has enough $ for an intermediate level kit. But then, please stop saying they sound "just as good as" a pro level kit. And you can pick up "gently used" pro-level drums for the price of most mid-levels. And even at the under $1K mark. I'd rather have a great sounding 4 piece kit over a 7 piece kit that only sounds good with Pins on it.

[Mendozart]

Yes, light finally shines into the dark reaches of the valley. I totally understand when a cat only has enough $ for an intermediate level kit. But then, please stop saying they sound "just as good as" a pro level kit. And you can pick up "gently used" pro-level drums for the price of most mid-levels. And even at the under $1K mark. I'd rather have a great sounding 4 piece kit over a 7 piece kit that only sounds good with Pins on it.

That's what I did. I played my 83' Tama Superstars for 23 years. They were good drums but I was looking for more. I found an 89' Keller shelled DW set in 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, & 24 for $1600 and I'll never look back. These are great looking and SOUNDING drums.
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10348&d=1170016621

[Fat Elvis]

Yes, light finally shines into the dark reaches of the valley. I totally understand when a cat only has enough $ for an intermediate level kit. But then, please stop saying they sound "just as good as" a pro level kit. And you can pick up "gently used" pro-level drums for the price of most mid-levels. And even at the under $1K mark. I'd rather have a great sounding 4 piece kit over a 7 piece kit that only sounds good with Pins on it.

i bought my DW for $1000 (3 piece -- no snare) and my starclassic (4 piece - no snare) for $675. So you are completely right. :)

[KR3]

It is especially true in terms of tuning. I agree with the majority of the comments here. You get what you pay for. Better shells=better sound. Not better hardware=better sound.