PDP FXR Drums - Good?

[Treytrumpet1]

Hey,

I'm kind of new to drums. I'm a trumpet player, and I may have the opportunity to get a pdp set. It is the FXR series, of which I noticed is now no longer made. I was just wondering if anyone knew if they were a decent series. You know, like, not beginner -- comparable to the Pearl exports or the Tama swingstar. What do you guys think? If you want to see it, here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160097143540&fromMakeTrack=true

[negativeattitude]

I chose the FXR to go into my uncle's home studio. Very loud, clean sound. They were on clearance at GC for 400.00. He said they sounded better than any set that had been brought over by drummers for sessions or jams, very professional sounding. I did buy new heads at the time of purchase, never mounting the stock ones. I believe they sound as good if not better than kits 3x the price. I've never been a birch fan, but they sound real good!!! Beautiful finish as well. Hope this info/ opinion helps you.

[Treytrumpet1]

What do you think about the Premier XPK series. This one is a 4-piece. They look pretty cool. Is this a good series as well? Check em' out. http://cgi.ebay.com/Premier-XPK-4-pc-drumkit-amber-good-2nd-kit_W0QQitemZ150105614219QQcategoryZ38097QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

[Ozzy Biz]

I believe they sound as good if not better than kits 3x the price.

3x better than the price you paid or what they sell for new? Sure, that seems like a pretty good buy for $400US (I'm from Aus), but to claim that that it's as good or better than a kit worth $3000 (sells for about 1g, so 3x that) doesn't sound too credible.

I'm not keen on people using these sort of phrases because they're almost always not true. I have a birch Pacific too and trust me, they don't match up to upper-price bracket kits as you've stated. Go have a bash on a Recording Custom or other high end birch kit, and then tell me that the PDP sounds just as good.

Plus the PDP hardware is disgraceful at best, and quite a few of their kits have been known to have bearing edge problems.

BUT, I'd say it's a much better kit than the Export and Swingstar mention by Treytrumpet.

Still, for $300 it seems ok. Check with some other guys from here from the US to confirm.

[larlev]

3x better than the price you paid or what they sell for new? Sure, that seems like a pretty good buy for $400US (I'm from Aus), but to claim that that it's as good or better than a kit worth $3000 (sells for about 1g, so 3x that) doesn't sound too credible.

I'm not keen on people using these sort of phrases because they're almost always not true. I have a birch Pacific too and trust me, they don't match up to upper-price bracket kits as you've stated. Go have a bash on a Recording Custom or other high end birch kit, and then tell me that the PDP sounds just as good.

Plus the PDP hardware is disgraceful at best, and quite a few of their kits have been known to have bearing edge problems.

BUT, I'd say it's a much better kit than the Export and Swingstar mention by Treytrumpet.

Still, for $300 it seems ok. Check with some other guys from here from the US to confirm.

Very well stated....

[negativeattitude]

3x better than the price you paid or what they sell for new? Sure, that seems like a pretty good buy for $400US (I'm from Aus), but to claim that that it's as good or better than a kit worth $3000 (sells for about 1g, so 3x that) doesn't sound too credible.

I'm not keen on people using these sort of phrases because they're most always not true. I have a birch Pacific too and trust me, they don't match up to upper-price bracket kits as you've stated. Go have a bash on a Recording Custom or other high end birch kit, and then tell me that the PDP sounds just as good.

Plus the PDP hardware is disgraceful at best, and quite a few of their kits have been known to have bearing edge problems.

BUT, I'd say it's a much better kit than the Export and Swingstar mention by Treytrumpet.

Still, for $300 it seems ok. Check with some other guys from here from the US to confirm.



The kit was new. It was just discontinued. Regular retail price at the time was $649.99 US.

Three times the price I stated. I never quoted MSRP or list prices only my price. I never stated "they match up to the upper-price bracket kits" like you said or claimed they sound as good if not better than a kit costing $3000, I said I believe they sound as good as drums costing three times the price, to me $1200 is not an upper-price bracket kit price.

I agree with your "disgraceful at best" hardware comment but he said he just started playing so I don't think he'll be doing any major touring with this kit, so the pdp hardware should do a sufficent job.

Thanks.

[Ozzy Biz]

The kit was new. It was just discontinued. Regular retail price at the time was $649.99 US.

Three times the price I stated. I never quoted MSRP or list prices only my price. I never stated "they match up to the upper-price bracket kits" like you said or claimed they sound as good if not better than a kit costing $3000, I said I believe they sound as good as drums costing three times the price, to me $1200 is not an upper-price bracket kit price.

I agree with your "disgraceful at best" hardware comment but he said he just started playing so I don't think he'll be doing any major touring with this kit, so the pdp hardware should do a sufficent job.

Thanks.

I just assumed that you meant 3 x the going price in stores, which I figured was around $1000 (I did a quick search in an online store and the msrp was something like 1400-1500 if i remember correctly). And yes, I definitley agree that 1200 is not upper price bracket, however from the way I initially perceived the statement (even if wrong, haha) I thought you were talking a few gorillas for price which more or less is in one of the higher price brackets..

When I first got my kit, I didn't believe the claims about PDP's dodgy hardware. Mine was heavy duty, appeared well built and was very stable. However now it's a different story. Tilters on stands slip, ball-and-socket mounts can't hold anything larger then a 12" flat-ish no matter how tight they are clamped, chrome flaking off, etc. Just keep that in mind, as even is he isn't touring or playing out, hardware failing is still a pain in the arse.

Your post makes a lot more sense and I now understand the logic behind it, rather than my initial perception which was another 'why high end when mid-level are just as good' post.

Also, replied to your PM.

Cam

[Maytridy]

I have the exact same shell pack. The bass drum and toms are fantastic and are definitely worth buying. The snare is nothing special, but most drummers buy higher end\custom snares anyways. I can't comment on the hardware since I only purchased the shell pack.

[fusssion]

I have the entire FXR kit in Tobacco Fade (2005 version)...no complaints...I had these things SINGING the other night at a show!

[maddrummr]

I own PDP's. I love them. Finish is beautiful and they sound great and I too have no complaints. Though I have seen the stories that people have talked about on this forum. At my local GC i randomly looked upon some PDP's and saw the horror. So this is why we check out our stuff before we buy it.
Ozzy Biz, I really dont agree with you about the hardware. my 900 stand is holding my 14inch tom and my 20 ride fine.

[Ozzy Biz]

I own PDP's. I love them. Finish is beautiful and they sound great and I too have no complaints. Though I have seen the stories that people have talked about on this forum. At my local GC i randomly looked upon some PDP's and saw the horror. So this is why we check out our stuff before we buy it.
Ozzy Biz, I really dont agree with you about the hardware. my 900 stand is holding my 14inch tom and my 20 ride fine.

My stands are really stable; there's no issues there. The 3 problems I have with PDP hardware are with the chrome, the cymbal tilters and the ball-socket mounts for toms.
firstly, the chrome is flaking off in quite a few places. Due to me living away from home, they've only been played outside the house a limited amount of times; probably less than ten.
Secondly, the cymbal tilters tend to not stay tight and if I don't check them regularly (at least every 30mins of playing) they can come lose, letting cymbals angle down and hit toms/hats/etc. Sometimes they just angle it a little bit at a time, other times they just release so the cymbal rotates quickly and hit something.
Lastly, the ball-socket mounts can slip a little on the 12" and can't even keep the 14" flat for use as a floor tom. The plastic ball in the mount is soft and just slowly developed dints/scratches in it which I think contributed to its lack of grip at the moment.

Bear in mind, my PDP is a couple of years old, and the newer hardware might not have these issues or to the same extent. Maybe the new stuff will do the same after time, I'm not sure. Just keep an eye out.