Taye Quality??

[RobertM]

Hey All,

I know there's been a lot of discussion lately regarding Taye Drums, and it has been basically 98% good feedback. The Studio Maples appear to be very solid quality drums for an amazing price.

However, I recently discovered that Pat Petrillo left Taye last year for GMS. In his blog, Mr. Petrillo stating the following about his view of endorsing and his relationship with Taye:

To me, when I endorse a company, it means:

1) I believe the company makes high quality drums.

2) The company has have a committment to education via a well organized, structured clinic program, and will...

3) be involved in co sponsoring any clinic I have around the world, without hesitation.

4) Has a staff that is knowledgeable about all aspects of the "drumming business", and how it works.

5) Of course, a free T Shirt now and then..

If any one of these aspects is not happening, then, I can't fully committ to a company. I don't lend my name to a product lightly. So, it was time I parted ways with Taye Drums. I wish them all the best in the future.

Source: Pat Petrillo's Blog: http://www.patpetrillo.com/blogs/index.php?title=annoucement&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

This language makes it sound like there was a bit of acrimony in the split with Taye. Obviously, I'm a bit concerned about point 1--the "high quality drums." Buying drums is always a big investment, so I just want to make sure that getting a set of Studio Maples or Originals will be a wise decision--that they'll be high-quality sounding drums (and hardware!) to last a very long time.

Any thoughts?

[gospeldrummer]

I have wondered the same thing. I have spoke to people who has suggested Taye then people who dont like them. I've never really played them before but the company sent me a cd demo of there kit to me. You might wont to conntact them dirrectly and ask for a demo cd. There drums, to me, sound pretty good but not like the other custom drum companies. My opinion on these drums is for the money you get a good set but there no DW. I dont really think you could go wrong with purchaseing a Taye original. You get the set and color you wont with a good price.

[Ironcobra]

The studio maples are my next kit for sure, why don't we wait for Mr. Petrillo to reply himself?

[AveyTare]

studio maples are great drums, but here in Poland their customer service is so horrible that i refused to buy them.

[crazyhorse]

I'll pit my SM's against any "custom drum company" out there. Especially considering most of the custom drum companies are just using Keller shells anyways.

Let's just put it this way...

Taye was good enough for Ayotte (the company not the man) to use for their hardware needs. Whether or not they still use them I don't know but I know for a fact they used to.

I've had my SM's for a while now and have nothing but positive reviews for them. You guys should know by now that endorsements come and go, these days it's rare for someone to stick with just one company. That doesn't mean the quality of one is inferior to the others.

[IDDrummer]

I can't speak for Pat, but what I get out of that quote is that he needs quality AND support, and I get the feeling he wasn't getting the support he desired.

Anyone with any experience at all can look at and listen to a drum and tell if it's a quality drum. There's no magic - it is what it is. What we CAN'T know is somebody else's experience with a company, unless they tell us. And then, we only get one side.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I am just a "joe blow" customer who bought a drum set, sight unseen from an online store, and as far as I can tell, over one year later, I purchased a fine drum set. I got the Pro-X model which is midline and couldnt be happier.. I have had a few occasions to talk with them about product and all of my correspondence has been with Katy Chen, General Manager of Taye in California, and before her taking that office I spoke with Ray, forgot the last name, and not some non-caring customer service rep. I would buy again from Taye without hesitation.