M birch or just save the money?

[Achmos]

Well, I'm up to buying my very first drum kit, but I'm having a dilemma. I've been playing Drums and Percussion for 6 years in Junior High and High School, so I'm not exactly a beginner, nor some advanced drummer.

I'm looking for a kit that I can play on for hard rock and metal (if I ever get in a band like that that is), but yet can also be used for some progressive stuff, like jazz or swing. don't know if its possible, but hey, gotta look. Also, I want to be able to expand it later just in case I feel like I need/want something.

So my main part of this whole thing is this: I've been looking at the Mapex M Birch kits, and they look really nice and seem to fit what I need. And its expandable too, although from their catalog it seems there are no 15" diameter toms, but I don't think thats a reason not to but it. My local music store is offering to sell a Mapex M Birch Fusion kit for 799, no cymbals and no throne. Is this a good deal and what I'm looking for at the same time?

[fourstringdrums]

That's a good deal. M Birch kits are great, and will suit you nicely for the styles you play the majority of the time. They will work well for jazz too although some will argue that birch isn't as well suited for jazz, to which I disagree. But I would definitely go for it.

[Ironcobra]

YES- yes because i think the M Birch will suit your needs quite nicely

NO- and no because if you plan on playing metal, you will want more toms, and maybe a second bass

if you go for something like this

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mapex-M-Birch-6Piece-Drum-Set-with-Free-8-Tom?sku=449727

or this

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mapex-M-Birch-7-Piece-Double-Bass-Drum-Set-with-Free-10-Tom?sku=449194

i dont think you will ever need to expand those as far as the actual drums, but if you play metal, you will really want a bigger kit.

also, there is a slightly used kit here with 5 toms for a bit cheaper, buy it before i do, cuz i think im gunna ( http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mapex-M-Birch-6Piece-Drum-Set-with-Free-8-Tom?sku=449727X )

[fourstringdrums]

YES- yes because i think the M Birch will suit your needs quite nicely

NO- and no because if you plan on playing metal, you will want more toms, and maybe a second bass

Who says? There is no rule book for any style of music when it comes to setups, it's whatever you feel comfortable with. I have seen plenty of metal players with basic sets. Chris Pennie uses a four piece set, and used to use a 3. Also, a second bass drum isn't necessary, he can get a double pedal.

He said it is expandable, so he may just want to start small for now.

[hawk9290]

NO- and no because if you plan on playing metal, you will want more toms, and maybe a second bass


http://drummerworld.com/pics/drumpics9/chrispennie33.jpg
really???

[That Guy]

Nicely stated Rob and Hawk.

I myself lean towards a more metal style and use a small 5 piece with a double pedal. #1, thats all I can afford. #2, I wouldn't know where to begin with more toys. I would love to have more toys to play with on my kit, simply becuase I love drums. But, there really is no need for them unless your bands sound calls for it. And, if it does... I wanna hear that craziness!

I think ironcobra is stating a simple desire for many metal drummers. That is LOTS and LOTS of sound.

[fourstringdrums]

I think ironcobra is stating a simple desire for many metal drummers. That is LOTS and LOTS of sound.

A desire for some is different than making a flat statement that sounds like it's the end all be all for that style of music that you MUST have a ton of drums and double bass.

I'm probably being overly sensitive tonight but that's how it came across, that there was only ONE way for that style of music.

[That Guy]

Your not being overly sensitive. Thats the way ironcobra stated it, and I even got the same meaning from his post that you did. But that might not be what he meant. You gotta give him the benefit of the doubt until you find justifiable reason to shoot his comment out of the sky.. lol. Regardless.. his comment and point has been effectively and respectfully counteracted by you and hawk. Nice.

Still, the perception factor plays.

[Ironcobra]

i just dont understand why everytime i say something, someone has to get mad at me, i might as well walk around saying nice shoes. i never said ALL metal drummers have big kits, nor did i say he needed to have one, he just sounded like he might expand later, but its easier to start off with drums, and expand your cymbals. just.my.opinion. and thank you to That Guy

[fourstringdrums]

i just dont understand why everytime i say something, someone has to get mad at me, i might as well walk around saying nice shoes. i never said ALL metal drummers have big kits, nor did i say he needed to have one, he just sounded like he might expand later, but its easier to start off with drums, and expand your cymbals. just.my.opinion. and thank you to That Guy

Your post just made it sound like if he played metal that he DEFINATELY needed a bigger kit with double bass, even though he didn't say that specifically. By adding on drums he could've just meant adding one tom.

But if that's not what you meant, then fine.

[Achmos]

Thanks for all the input everyone, its a big help. As for double bass, I find its not really for me, mainly because I like have my foot on the hi-hat to have a soulful feeling in it. Double Bass though is tempting, there are drummers out there who play it and make it sound awesome, but its not my thing.

As for toms, I wanted a fusion kit so that I may have the option of picking what I want later. like "should I go for a 16" x 16", or maybe even a 18" x 16". This kit is mainly for me to get use to an entire drum kit, the sound and moving about the kit, and yet sound great and have the option of adding on things later depending on my taste. Also, I kinda want to invest in drums that will last a long time.

But most likely, I'll add another tom or two later no matter what, most likely a floor tom. :D

So I should go for it? My entire family thinks its pricey, but I think its worth the buy.

[spartacus1989]

I agree that it is a downer not having a 15" Floor Tom in the M series, but then again, you have 7 different toms any how. Surly you don't need 8+ toms on a kit!!??

I begin to think after 5 toms kits can get a little insane and people don't end up using the 5th tom!!

Anyhow here are all the toms sizes,

RT: 8" 10" 12" 13" 14" 16"
FT: 14" 16" 18"

[fijjibo]

The M-Birch is the best kit for the price, and with good heads it transforms into a real pro kit.

Ive got one, and I dont feel I will ever need an upgrade - the Mapex has everything.

[Celereon]

I think it's very much worth it. I was comparing it in store and tuned well, it was (to my ear) as good as and sometimes even BETTER than kits $300-$400 more. Even with stock heads the toms sound beautiful, melodic and insanely easy to tune.* The snare is very nice, but I do recommend replacing the heads, I suggest the Evans Genera, I have it and it's very nice. The bass, whack in a small pillow (note, small pillow) and wow it's like a cannon.
Hardware is sturdy, the 14" tom is a bit heavy for the stand though, so I suggest putting the tom mount straight into a cymbal stand base if you don't like wobbling.
And I have no idea what people are on about when they complain about the bass pedal. I think it's smooth, responsive and very sturdy.
In conclusion, I think you should get it, I know it hasn't disappointed me and I'm sure it will suit you too.
Cel.

*Note, the heads are so responsive to tuning that if I push one lug up a tiny bit, all the others go up too, so it might take a bit of tweaking.
**You never NEED any number of drums or cymbals for any music genre. Maybe it's more convenient, but you can always make do.

[hawk9290]

i just dont understand why everytime i say something, someone has to get mad at me, i might as well walk around saying nice shoes. i never said ALL metal drummers have big kits, nor did i say he needed to have one, he just sounded like he might expand later, but its easier to start off with drums, and expand your cymbals. just.my.opinion. and thank you to That Guy

not mad at you, just presenting a different opinion.
the way you stated it because if you plan on playing metal, you will want more toms, and maybe a second bass
sounded too definitive and imperative from my perspective. If you had said "might" instead of "will" i wouldn't have noticed. sorry if I came across as being hostile, I didn't mean it that way.

[mikeybbdrummin]

I actually looked into that same kit today. The fusion kit I found for $817 and the studio kit is $1053. I called Chad Sextons Drum City in Ca.and told them I didnt need the hardware. Without it the fusion kit is $550 and the studio is $700. The studio kit is 22 bass 10, 12, 14 toms and 16 mounted floor. PLUS a free 8in tom. Thats a real good deal IMO. I looked into PDP and Tama Superstar custom and they are both about $200 more. You can expand w/the 16in suspended floor tom.

[DrummerAz]

I too am thinking of purchasing a Mapex M Birch, and just to say, this post has really helped me in that i now know i am going to get one! :P

i think the free extra tom deal done it for me :-)

[joey]

I play metal n i use a six peice thats it for drums with two floor tom n no double bass drums or pedal n its an m-birch sound brilliant with g2's on it


but for metal playing id go with my cymbals that toms anwaybk on to subject..........



i say get the m-birch that way if its cheapoer than the other kits u have ur eye on you have some money to start lookin at good cymbals if u dont already have any........