not as easy as I once thought

[metal overlord]

Ok, I have found 3 absolutely fabulous kits. I love them all, I can't choose!

One is a Gretsch Catalina Maple (Red fade to Black) With Black Chrome Hardware

22x18 Bass drum (x2)
8x8 rack tom
10x8 rack tom
12x10 rack tom
14x12 rack tom
16x14 rack tom
18x16 Ffoor tom (x2)
14x6.5 metal Snare

Tama Starclassic Birch/Bubinga (Red sparkle) Chrome Hardware (maybe even a maple?)

22x20 Bass drum (x2)
12x10 rack tom
13x11 rack tom (Don't know if i'll get this or not)
14x12 rack tom
18x16 floor toms (x2)
14x6 metal snare

Yamaha Oak custom (Red oak) With either Black Chrome or Chrome hardware

22x17 Bass drums (x2)
8x7 rack tom
10x8 rack tom
12x9 rack tom
14x12 rack tom
16x14 rack tom
18x16 floor tom (x2)
14x6 metal snare drum

All my heads will be:
Bass drums: Batter-Remo Clear Powerstroke 3 Controlled sound Resonant- The one that comes with the kit
Toms: Batter/Resonant-Remo Clear Ambassator
Snare: batter-Coated Emporer X/Ambassator

Then, theres my snare drum: 14x5.5 Metal snare drum with Aquarian Studio-X coated
That is my favorite snare of all time, no ring, perfect balance of warmth, attack, and control.

All these sets are around the same price, Gretsch was $1,500 alone, but I'de get a rack with it, Yamaha was $3,450, and since I just changed my set up with the Tama, I really don't know the price.

So, which kit has the best deal?

[bojangleman]

i would suggest you play them and then choose on based on that. and do you gig alot? cause i know that i would rather not lug around 2 bass drums unless i had to. so in that prespective, i would go with the single bass. double pedal. but in the end its all up to you. ive had that told to me soooo many times!

Alex

[metal overlord]

i would suggest you play them and then choose on based on that. and do you gig alot? cause i know that i would rather not lug around 2 bass drums unless i had to. so in that prespective, i would go with the single bass. double pedal. but in the end its all up to you. ive had that told to me soooo many times!

Alex


Ha, I once told you that =p

But, see, the thing is, I've played all 3 of them, and they ALL sound terrific. I i had a spare $10k or so I'de buy em all!

And, I never really liked double-pedals, it doesnt give me the same feel as a double bass does. Anyway, All of them sound great, But in the end, they all win. I was at the store for almost 4 hours trying these kits out.

[bojangleman]

haha...probably everyone has ;)..lol well, buy 1 this year. 1 next year. and then by like 2010. youll have'm all! then ya cant be disapointed :p.

Ha, I once told you that =p

But, see, the thing is, I've played all 3 of them, and they ALL sound terrific. I i had a spare $10k or so I'de buy em all!

And, I never really liked double-pedals, it doesnt give me the same feel as a double bass does. Anyway, All of them sound great, But in the end, they all win. I was at the store for almost 4 hours trying these kits out.

Alex

[Ozzy Biz]

First of all I'd rule out the Catalina, because after playing all three I feel it's an inferior kit. Great, but inferior in that company.

Out of the Yamaha and the Tama, I'd be leaning towards the Tama, but only through personal preference, as Oak can be a bit harsh sometimes. However, judging by your screen name, I'm guessing that might fit the bill really well.

At the end of the Day, the Oak and the B/B are flawlessly constructed kits and the questions you're going to have to ask your self are:
"Do I really want/need two kick drums?"
"Do I prefer a sparkle or lacquer finish?"
"Does the number/sizes of toms matter that much?" (I mean the different set-ups you have listed with the B/B and the Oak)
and most importantly....
"Which do I like the SOUND of best?"

Have fun choosing mate, its pretty much a win-win situation with the Tama and Yamaha.

[metal overlord]

"Do I really want/need two kick drums?" Yeah, I've always felt the need for it. To me, They're WAY more confortable than a double pedal, and Im not a big single pedal fan

"Do I prefer a sparkle or lacquer finish?" Now that, my friend, is a tough one. They are both beautiful sets. The natural grain of the oak with the red is amazing, and the red sparkle of the Tama is bright and shiny

"Does the number/sizes of toms matter that much?" Well, I might change the tama set up, And, I'm a picky drummer who likes sound the way I want it. The number of toms is nice because I can use 6 instead of 3 differant sounds for fills, rolls, and solos.

"Which do I like the SOUND of best?" God knows... They both sound so clear, so warm and rich, so, untouchable.

Actually, i'll change my Tama set up, but, I'm not gunna be sure of the price. I just will put "dont know" or something.

[metal overlord]

But, the thing is, I the gretsch sounded very clear and full, with good attidude. I've gone through ALOT of sets, and it came down to these 3. Im not going to get rid of Gretsch right away.

[metal overlord]

But, the thing is, I the gretsch sounded very clear and full, with good attidude. I've gone through ALOT of sets, and it came down to these 3. Im not going to get rid of Gretsch right away.


I also found this Sonor set, with pretty much the exact same sizes exept the bass drums were 22x17.5, and It was really sweet. Good punch and attack, with fullness and clearness. It was a S classix series. I didnt get a whole lotta time to try it out though, so I should compare it with the gretsch, and the winner will get the spot in the top 3. Its like the one on the site, exept the sizes are differant.

[Joe P]

I would go for the Yamaha Oak custom (mainly because I love Oak, and how durable/great sounding it is).