TOP NOTCH KIT

[Ironcobra]

220202020202020202020

[PreppieNerd]

Once you hit the high-end kits they're all "top notch." It comes down to preference, not quality.

[larlev]

.....there is NO best when it comes to high-end...just buy what you like..

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I would say to buy something custom made since you can get exactly what you want in looks and sound, but I'm not sure if I know what I'm talking about.

[crazyhorse]

I have no idea what I'm talking about but drummers are a bunch of brand loyal ninnies for the most part. =)

Hop on over to GhostNote and have someone build you a REAL set. lol

[hawk9290]

There is no such thing as the best kit or best sound, its all personal preference. Try out as many high end kits as you can, look around at some custom drum crafters, do some research, and make a decision based on your own preference.

[rendezvous_drummer]

Westbury man. Westbury makes the greatest kits ever!!!

[crazyhorse]

My theory is that at some point every single ply kit is the same. It comes down to finishes and hardware and you wanting some brand name.

[larlev]

I have no idea what I'm talking about but drummers are a bunch of brand loyal ninnies for the most part. =)

Hop on over to GhostNote and have someone build you a REAL set. lol


Good advice....he would be happy for sure

[Fat Elvis]

i would echo these opinions -- once you go pro, they are all good. Play as many as you can and buy what you love.

[crazyhorse]

But... Fat Elvis forgot to mention that more sparkly they are the better! lol

[Ozzy Biz]

But... Fat Elvis forgot to mention that more sparkly they are the better! lol

And even better if in alternating colours, the best being purple and silver...

[Ironcobra]

the most pimped out kit on the face of the planet would be solid purple with sparkles and gold hardware, pedals, sticks, stands, rack, all gold

[Fat Elvis]

But... Fat Elvis forgot to mention that more sparkly they are the better! lol

i thought that went without saying, but i now realize that there may be some drummers that do not know that. I would suggest looking in this order for a kit:

1. sparkle level
2. sound
3. sizes
4. brand

[larlev]

i thought that went without saying, but i now realize that there may be some drummers that do not know that. I would suggest looking in this order for a kit:

1. sparkle level
2. sound
3. sizes
4. brand


correction...#1. is opposite sex reaction

[hawk9290]

correction...#1. is opposite sex reaction

I think sparkly amount trumps that, because from my experience, the more sparkly, the more the opposite sex has to have it- the same goes with cost as well!

[jonescrusher]

the most pimped out kit on the face of the planet would be solid purple with sparkles and gold hardware, pedals, sticks, stands, rack, all gold

Gross. I'm sure in a few years you'll reconsider that.


Anyway, how's your decision making going. Was TAMA PEARL MAPEX your shortlist? You may be looking at Starclassics then....

[Ironcobra]

Gross. I'm sure in a few years you'll reconsider that.


Anyway, how's your decision making going. Was TAMA PEARL MAPEX your shortlist? You may be looking at Starclassics then....


purple and gold is the most PIMP, not the best looking............if i were gunna pick the best kit for my aste it would be something like a dark blue that fades into a white, with white hardware, goegeous

[Salicete]

Dude, go out and PLAY all of the kits in your price range that appeal to you.

When it comes down to it, no one can really tell you what to buy, because everyone has different tastes.

What one may swear by, you may not like at all.

There in no replacement for your ears and eyes. Buy what sounds and looks best to you.

By the way, please check out Sonor, I think you will like what you hear and see. ;) But that's just my opinion.

[the.tree]

purple and gold is the most PIMP, not the best looking............if i were gunna pick the best kit for my aste it would be something like a dark blue that fades into a white, with white hardware, goegeous

In your opinion a fade is the best finish that is. I think a custom drum maker such as ocdp or pork pie will give you the best drums. There are other small name custom makers that someone is going to talk about but they will be hard to reach. I would say no pearl tama or mapex will give you the kind of drums ocdp or pork pie will give you. You can pretty much do whatever you want with them and they sound pretty good and loud. Dw drums should be up there as well.

[rendezvous_drummer]

In your opinion a fade is the best finish that is. I think a custom drum maker such as ocdp or pork pie will give you the best drums. There are other small name custom makers that someone is going to talk about but they will be hard to reach. I would say no pearl tama or mapex will give you the kind of drums ocdp or pork pie will give you. You can pretty much do whatever you want with them and they sound pretty good and loud. Dw drums should be up there as well.

Yeah OCDP is good if you want to pay a RIDICULOUS amount of money. You pay for the name and the people that endorse it like Travis Barker. The drums sound mediocre at best and nothing compared to Yamaha, Mapex or Tama in my opinion.

[DamoSyzygy]

From all the kits I tested, I walked away with a Sonor Designer series. This was over brands like DW, Yamaha, Tama, Gretsch, GMS, Ludwig, Pearl, Ayotte, Spaun and countless others!

[harryconway]

PreppieNerd and Larlev hit it with post #2 and #3. It's a personal decision. What you want is not necessarially what any of us want. And the inverse is true also. That's why there's so many drum companies out there.

[JRH7]

I agree with Damo! Sonor Designers/SQ2 and Delites are easly some of the best sounding and engineered kits I have ever seen and heard. I have played Brady, Pearl Masterworks, Gretsch USA Customs, Yamaha Customs, OCP, Tama Starclassic Maple, Noble & Cooley and GMS and I still think Sonors have the cleanest sound. I had a chance to play alot of these kits side-by-side with the Delites granted they were slightly different in sizes and head selection, but still the delites sounded the best. Just my opinion.

[hawk9290]

Also agree with Damo, any of the high end Sonor kits are great- I think Damo's got one of the nicest kits on the forums too!

[Chunkaway]

Have to throw in my $.02 here. I have tried a ton of different brands and I actually own three now. These would be my choices:

1. Ayotte - amazing sound (full, powerful, warm), easy to tune, unsurpassed quality, incredible finishes. Nuff said.

2. Brady- a sound unlike any you have heard. Whoa! Powerful yet warm and controllable. Amazing!

3. Pork Pie- yes they use Keller shells but the edges are perfect combined with their low mass lugs and you get a fat, lively sound. The workmanship is fantastic, the customer service is top notch and they will truly customize your kit.

4. DW - I'm going to get slammed for this, but they make a nice drum set. Nearly every recording studio I have been in -and that is a few- have had a DW drum set, which should tell you something. DWs are expensive, you pay for the name, etc... but they can sound great.

5. Noble and Cooley- great "focused" sound. These would be super if you want to record. The snare drums just kick!

6. GMS- everytime I play these kits I'm impressed with the sound, the quality and workmanship. Everything is hand made by these guys!

[tamadrummer132]

Dude, go out and PLAY all of the kits in your price range that appeal to you.

When it comes down to it, no one can really tell you what to buy, because everyone has different tastes.

What one may swear by, you may not like at all.

There in no replacement for your ears and eyes. Buy what sounds and looks best to you.

By the way, please check out Sonor, I think you will like what you hear and see. ;) But that's just my opinion.

listen to this guy, he knows what hes sayin

p.s. hail natural finish? :D:D

-gets shot down by fat elvis-

[crazyhorse]

Well I hate to hurt fat elvis' feelings... but I'll take this:

http://www.wrxhackers.com/StaveDrum/shell1.jpg

over sparkles any day ;)

THAT is a "top notch" drum. Of course a snare like that would cost you close to a grand.. lol

[Big_Philly]

I don't really have an explanation for it but I am a Tama whore. It's not like I tried so many things, but I have always been very happy with my swingstar and I'm 100% certain I will be once more when my Superstar comes in. But if you want top notch stuff I would wanna try the Starclassic Bubinga drums. They seem to have an awesome, powerful and deep sound, and it's nice to be able to brag about your kit being made from "bubinga wood". ;-)

[Fat Elvis]

Well I hate to hurt fat elvis' feelings... but I'll take this:

http://www.wrxhackers.com/StaveDrum/shell1.jpg

over sparkles any day ;)

THAT is a "top notch" drum. Of course a snare like that would cost you close to a grand.. lol

it's burning my eyes!!! please -- for the love of god -- wrap that thing in a champagne sparkle.... QUICK! ;)

[bonzolead]

What about the summit drum company(just kidding).all the big companys make top notch kits if you have the cash.what I say might be top notch you might not think is top notch and vice-versa it's. all about personal preference.it's like buying a car you have to test drive it before you buy it.

Good Luck,
Bonzolead

[hanman]

not to sound like an ass, but, if you have no knowledge on the types or kinds of drums out there. then i don't think you really need a "TOP NOTCH" drum kit.
just go out, and buy a good Taye drum kit. and you'll be good, and if in the later years you decide drumming is still your passion and that you think you have improved considerablly, then go out and by a Pro kit.

[crazyhorse]

not to sound like an ass, but, if you have no knowledge on the types or kinds of drums out there. then i don't think you really need a "TOP NOTCH" drum kit.
just go out, and buy a good Taye drum kit. and you'll be good, and if in the later years you decide drumming is still your passion and that you think you have improved considerablly, then go out and by a Pro kit.

Uhh... I hope you're not saying Taye doesn't make pro level kits. Guess you've never played a studio maple set... lol

[Ironcobra]

not to sound like an ass, but, if you have no knowledge on the types or kinds of drums out there. then i don't think you really need a "TOP NOTCH" drum kit.
just go out, and buy a good Taye drum kit. and you'll be good, and if in the later years you decide drumming is still your passion and that you think you have improved considerablly, then go out and by a Pro kit.


actually im just looking for opinions cuz the all drums stores near are way downtown, its like an hour drive so i can't go there all the time to test drums out, i wanna narrow my search a bit more......but yes i see where your coming from, when i look back on my post a do sound a little noobish

[pcmckay]

A very good friend of mine who has been selling drums for over thirty years gave me some good advice years ago on this very topic. He told me that when you get into the high end kits it doesn't matter what brand. It basically comes down to who offers the finish that you like, and the hardware that you prefer. It doesn't matter what name is on the front bass drum head all of the high end kits are about the same, either way you are getting a professinal grade kit.

[TonyAMOF]

I had a friend refinance his house and paid $19K + for a 10 Piece Exotic finish DW with all the trim, Cymbals everywhere you looked. The funny thing is, he only uses an 1/8 of the stuff and he's not that great. He started out looking at a PDP CX.

By all means get yourself a nice looking high end kit but be careful not to get caught up in the hype.

[Drumowner]

i thought that went without saying, but i now realize that there may be some drummers that do not know that. I would suggest looking in this order for a kit:

1. sparkle level
2. sound
3. sizes
4. brand

mmmmm sprinkles...I mean sparkle.....

[dw D]

You get what you buy. I love my kit.
dw Maple Collectors series Tobacco Specialty lacquer
18x22
9x10
10x12
12x14
14x16
5.5x14 (solid shell hand made Craviotto)
All 5000 Hardware

[Fat Elvis]

You get what you buy.

tasty

and 15 more letters

[arsenal1189]

Build it?

I am contemplating building a 4 or 5 piece purple heart or bubinga wood drum set

[Guinness]

If I had unlimited monatery resources I would have to go with an Ayotte wood hoop custom kit. I sometimes just go to their website and drool for and hour or so. Those kits are BEAUTIFUL!

[joeybeats]

it's burning my eyes!!! please -- for the love of god -- wrap that thing in a champagne sparkle.... QUICK! ;)

Too, funny! You guys kill me. Joey

[hanman]

i totally think that Taye has killer drum sets! I was simply recommending a high-quality-middle-of-the0line drum kit for a very reasonable price!
personally, i love tama though.

[jonescrusher]

Iron Cobra, these babies might just meet your pimping requirements. Keiper - quality and value, just 132 pounds Sterling. That black hardware is simply stunning.

[Ozzy Biz]

Oooh! Hey Jones, where do I get one of those?! Can I order online right now?!

[bonzolead]

Iron Cobra, these babies might just meet your pimping requirements. Keiper - quality and value, just 132 pounds Sterling. That black hardware is simply stunning.
that's too funny,it's. nice to see that someone can have a sence of humor on this site.

Bonzolead