Quality of Drums - A Chart??

[RobertM]

Hello All,

I just wanted to post this information and see what you all think about it. I've been researching drum kits lately and I came across this dealer's description of drum quality, broken down by global region:

Very high quality:
USA: DW, Gretsch Custom, and some boutique companies like Pork Pie, Noble &
Cooley, GMS, etc.
JAPAN, Yamaha, Canopus & some high end Tama like StarClassic
GERMANY, Sonor high-end

Good, reputable quality, distributed by well known companies:
TAIWAN
Most Pearl stuff, some Tama, Gretsch "import" (Renown & New Classic stuff)
and a host of other fringe brand names

Mid to low quality:
CHINA
Mapex is the big "china" drum mass producer. While the stuff does carry
good "bang for the buck" and an Orion or Saturn is a pretty nice set for the
money, to put them up against a Yamaha or Tama Starclassic or German Sonor kit
is not really sensible. The low-end stuff like M-Birch is definitely made for
the 1st time buyer.

What do you all think of this chart? For example, I've read Mike Dolbear's online review of Mapex's factory in China, and the review was glowing: they praised, among other things, Mapex's quality control. However, I am not convinced that the quality of a Saturn kit is on par with a Yamaha Absolute maple or a Tama SC maple. Is it worth it to buy a Saturn kit for $1700, or shell out a bit more for a $2000 Yamaha Absolute maple, Tama SC maple, or Pork Pie kit?

Any thoughts?

[Celereon]

I disagree completely with the statement about the M-Birch. As you may or may not know I happen to own one (3 weeks old) and maybe it's because it's new or maybe it's because I came from a generic kit, but I sincerely think it would rival many other intermediate kits, such as a Pearl Export, Tama Superstar, Gretsch Catalina Birch, hey even the Sonor 3007 next to it.
The sound is absolutely phenomenal, even with stock heads. It's my perfect sound, punchy and short sustain, with the pitch 'dropping' after the initial tone.
The hardware is nothing special, sure, but they aren't going to break, and they do come with a 5 year warranty, I think. The clamps are really unstable for the 14" hanging tom, but hey, it's a clamp, it's $25 to replace. I just put the tom mount straight into the cymbal stand.
The finish is lovely, and apart from having 1.6mm hoops, if I didn't know about cost I would think it was worth US$1200+.

Although I do agree, if I were to shell out AUS$4000 (US$2000 after transport and tax etc) I would buy a Yamaha or Tama over the Mapex Saturn.
But for intermediate I honestly think the M-Birch is even better than the Sonor 3007.
Anyway...lol that was long. That's just what I feel, everyone has their opinions.
Cel.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

I'd disagree completely.

I've heard of shoddy drums coming from the US. I've heard of shoddy drums coming from Taiwan, and I've heard of shoddy drums coming from China. I've also heard of superb drums coming from the US, superb drums coming from Taiwan and superb drums coming from China. The location of manufacture is becoming more and more irrelevant as time goes on. My electric guitar is a Korean-built PRS. It's lovely.

[fijjibo]

Why pick on Mapex?

They are making some of the best drums out there.

[Norske]

I would very much agree that DW would be at the top of the chart as far as US made drums IMO, but I think the dealer who posted those descriptions may be biased by what he personally sells or even plays. I agree with a few of the rankings, but not all of them by a long shot.

I've owed Premier, Ludwig and Slingerland sets in the past and loved every one of them for one reason or another. As far as quality, I found all of them to be very high quality. I currently play Mapex M Birch, and as you can tell I am definitely not a first time buyer. I am astounded by not only the quality, but also the sound. I absolutely love them! And quite honestly I would stack Saturns up against just about any other pro level kit.

FYI - there are some very high quality drums not listed there as well, such as RMV, Ayotte, Odery, etc.

[That Guy]

What about Ludwig? That should be on the chart. Where do you think?

[fourstringdrums]

I don't agree with the mid-low...maybe the "mid" category name itself, but not low. Orion and Saturn are awesome drums, they're not worthy of what lack of quality that the chart implies. "Good for the 1st time buyer" I don't agree with either. My last drum teacher had recently bought a Gretsch Catalina Jazz kit like I just bought. This was his 3rd kit that he owned currently, and I don't now what number overall that he's owned. He RAVED about it. I'm absolutely loving mine and it's my 9th kit, and I've owned more "higher end" drums compared to it. People get this snobbery about the quality of a set compared to another and thing that you should only "move up, not down" and it's a complete load of b.s.. With some of the series out there today, there is honestly a fine line between a "mid" level set and a "high" level set. I said on my thread about my Catalina that when you compare them to my Renowns, my Renowns have diecast hoops, silver sealer and a lacquer finish. That all adds to the price, not necessarily the quality because it all depends on the look and the sound you're going for, it has nothing to do with quality. The build quality may be SLIGHTLY higher on the Renown in regard to the wood and shell construction, and when it comes to the bearing edges, the edges on my Catalina are a different cut than the Renown, but they are just as flawless regardless.

[harryconway]

You'll never get everyone on the same page about drum ranking because so much depends on personal taste. All the big companies make beginner, low-mid-and hi-intermediate level, and then top of the line pro level kits. With enough overlapping grey areas to give plenty of people lots to argue about.

[Deathmetalconga]

You'll never get everyone on the same page about drum ranking because so much depends on personal taste. All the big companies make beginner, low-mid-and hi-intermediate level, and then top of the line pro level kits. With enough overlapping grey areas to give plenty of people lots to argue about.

True. And even low-end drums by the right maker can feature very good attention to detail and build. What the low-end sets lack is lots of choices in build, sizes, hardware and finish, but in many cases they are as well-constructed as the high-end sets.

These days, high-end isn't so much about quality as it is about exotic shell materials, finishes and hardware options.

[Mapex589]

I totally disagree with your statements about the Mapex M Birch line being for a first time buyer. I have played for almost 30 years now and just "upgraded" from my Ludwig Superclassic to a Mapex M Birch kit and it puts my old Ludy's to shame both in sound and hardware. I did a ton of research before buying this kit and played a lot of kits and I was far more impressed with the sound of the Mapex M Birch over the Pearl Exports and Tama Superstar kits. I do think the Gretsch Catalin Birch kits sound great though. Mapex was not even on my radar screen when I went shopping but after about 2 months of research they just really impressed me. Even after a year of owning them I am very glad I went with Mapex.

[Jusstickinaround]

I'd disagree completely.

I've heard of shoddy drums coming from the US. I've heard of shoddy drums coming from Taiwan, and I've heard of shoddy drums coming from China. I've also heard of superb drums coming from the US, superb drums coming from Taiwan and superb drums coming from China. The location of manufacture is becoming more and more irrelevant as time goes on. My electric guitar is a Korean-built PRS. It's lovely.

What superb drums come from Taiwan or China? No kidding, I'd like to know what brands you are refering to my friend.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Sonor Force series and some of the Mapex series. They're pretty good drums. Oh yes. Yamaha Tour Customs as well.

[tomtom]

What superb drums come from Taiwan or China? No kidding, I'd like to know what brands you are refering to my friend.

Pearl drums are made in Taiwan for instance, Pork Pie black brass snares are Taiwan, Tama´s "monoply" snares also, Gretsch renown maple is Taiwan and a lot of small US "custom" drum companies source their metal shells from Taiwan. Most major manufacturer´s hardware is from Taiwan; Tama, DW, Ludwig, Mapex, Pearl, Gibraltar, etc, etc,... You are most likely using a lot of Taiwan made stuff yourself (hardware, lugs, hoops, pedals etc.). The thing is; they make high quality gear and a well known drum manufacturer recently told me that the Taiwan people have long ago surpassed the US quality in manufacturing from cast metal (hoops, lugs etc.).

The thing is; the "Made in Taiwan" stamp is usually a sign of very high quality. If I buy gear which says "Made in USA" I thoroughly inspect it before leaving the shop. Apart from that, a lot of "Made in USA" stamps actually means "assembled in USA" but the parts are coming from Taiwan, China, etc.

Things aren´t what they seem in the industry. How do I know? I build drums ;=)

[fourstringdrums]

What superb drums come from Taiwan or China? No kidding, I'd like to know what brands you are refering to my friend.

The Catalina Jazz has a made in Taiwan stamp on the hoops. I'm not sure if that applies to the whole set, but if it does, I'd say it's superb, as would you seeing as you owned a set.

[Chicagoed]

Why is it, that drummers in particular place so much importance on what others think, or what some other drummer said about quality? While a novice drummer could use some accurate guidance in a purchase, so much of what we feel about drums is a personal thing, how could anyone make a definitive "ranking" of quality? There is just too much to consider. To say that because something comes from Taiwan, or The Phillipines that must mean its not as good as something built in Outer Mongolia is just silly. You can say, " I prefer these drums" all night and all day, and to you...you would be right.

I have heard and played old Ludwig snare drums that sound better than DW, Yamaha, or whatever. That doesnt mean one is better than the other. Its my OPINION. Nothing more.
While there could be a distinct difference in quality between an entry level set and a top of the line set, the difference in quality amongst other name brand pro sets, is probably negligible. It will always boil down to personal preference. Influenced by all sorts of factors.

Ed
Tama
HB
Vintage Ludwig

[PreppieNerd]

I think you took completely the wrong approach. You've broken it down by brand, but within each brand there are comparable levels, and High and low levels. There are some Tamas equal to some mapex's and there are some Pearls better than some Yamahas. It all depends on the line.

[Ironcobra]

crumple that chart up and throw it in a CB bass.

[Deathmetalconga]

Why is it, that drummers in particular place so much importance on what others think, or what some other drummer said about quality?

Think of it - if drummers didn't place importance on what others think, or what some other drummer said about quality, this forum might not exist.

The Internet has allowed people who care passionately about things to come together and care about stuff like this. I've seen fistfights here over which thickness of cymbal felt to use. I love it!

[pcmckay]

It's my understanding that the reason metal shells, die cast hoops, and most hardware come from Taiwan or China is not because they have surpassed us in technology it's because the wonderful EPA has shut down chrome plating in the U.S.

[drumtechdad]

The fact is, there are a lot of good drums out there now. And it's just not possible to generalize anymore that drums from a given country are inferior to others; one has to take it on a case-by-case basis.

I love the fact that there are a wide variety of boutique makers now--what a great number of choices a drummer has today!

Meanwhile, I've seen wrap jobs that don't line up coming from high-priced "custom" makers that would never make it out the door of the Pearl Export factory, so you can't even generalize there, either.

I started drumming in the mid-60s, and the biggest difference I've seen (other than the wide variety available now) is the vast improvement in hardware. Young drummers have no idea how crappy hardware used to be and how much better it is now.

In fact, I'd say it's perfectly valid to choose one brand over another--given equivalent quality shells--because you like one maker's hardware better.

And I've heard both expensive and inexpensive drums sound killer because they had good heads and were expertly tuned.

[Newdrumking]

that chart is bollo%&!

Mapex Saturn's and Orions are fantastic kits. Yes the Orion is over priced so you would pick starclassics etc.... but the saturn can compete with anything out there. Especially the Maple and walnut kit!

[JCM]

I remember a thread a while back that was about not getting too bogged down all the nitty gritty of drums. Sometimes, the difference between two drum kits is the drummer sitting behind it!