buying a new drumset...

[Ony]

Hello, I've just realized how I would like my drumset to sound, and mine doesn't do what I have in mind justice. So now I turn to you all for suggestions... I would like a drumset with the depth and tone I'm looking for that will allow me to hear my drums all around me while I play them instead of just in front of me. I currently have a Tama Imperial Star 9 piece kit though I only play 6, seven if you count the double bass pedal. The problem may be that my rack toms are only single skins, but I want more then just twin skins. What would you suggest?

[Gilded]

Moon goo or electrical tape on the toms?

Not really sure what your asking, sorry

[aydee]

Hello, I've just realized how I would like my drumset to sound, and mine doesn't do what I have in mind justice. So now I turn to you all for suggestions... I would like a drumset with the depth and tone I'm looking for that will allow me to hear my drums all around me while I play them instead of just in front of me. I currently have a Tama Imperial Star 9 piece kit though I only play 6, seven if you count the double bass pedal. The problem may be that my rack toms are only single skins, but I want more then just twin skins. What would you suggest?

I think you can get your drumset to sound like the drumset you have in mind. First thing I would do is research the different heads available in the market and what their sound qualities might be.

Second, I would put resonant heads on the back of the toms.

Third, I would research some great drum tuning threads on this forum, and really tune those TAMAs up.

[Deltadrummer]

Hello, I've just realized how I would like my drumset to sound, and mine doesn't do what I have in mind justice. So now I turn to you all for suggestions... I would like a drumset with the depth and tone I'm looking for that will allow me to hear my drums all around me while I play them instead of just in front of me. I currently have a Tama Imperial Star 9 piece kit though I only play 6, seven if you count the double bass pedal. The problem may be that my rack toms are only single skins, but I want more then just twin skins. What would you suggest?

Get the Yamaha Oak Custom.

[harryconway]

... that will allow me to hear my drums all around me while I play them instead of just in front of me.

A PA system. I have 2 Roland PM-1's. One to my front left and one to my right rear. Stereo drums. The physicality of the drums you are playing are in front of you will not change, regardless of concert toms, double headed toms, old heads, new heads. If you want surround sound, you need to make surround sound.

[sio_13]

You don't need a new drumset, just upgrade yours a little and you'll be fine (and your pockets will be happier too). Resonant heads on the toms- new hoops/lugs if you need them, new heads all around, and a good tune-up (pun intended). If you really have your heart set on a new kit, then go to a drum/music store and try some out. I wouldn't recommend buying a drumset until you play it, but then again there's always exceptions. It sounds like you have plenty of hardware, so just buy a shell pack instead of a pre-packaged kit, but make sure the tom mounts are the same.

[Disco Stu]

The drum heads are hugely responsible for the overall sound of the drum, and different heads can give you dramatically different sounds. As others have said, you need to find the right combination of batter heads, resonant heads, and tuning for your drums. Learn about the different kinds of heads (there's lots of them) and how they affect the sound. Then learn about proper tuning. If there is a particular drummer whose sound you really like, find out what head combo he/she is using. You'll probably find the sound you're looking for somewhere, or at least something pretty close to it. It's just going to take some work. If money is an issue, just get new heads for the 6 drums that you use, or scale it down even more to a 4 or 5 piece until you can replace all the heads on the kit.

[Just Drums]

A fresh set of heads (and of course, bottom reso heads!) and a good tuning will do wonders for your kit! Good luck!

[Ony]

This is mainly in response to aydee, the problem about my drum set is that the toms are not set up for resonant heads, I should have mentioned that earlier, there is no angle cut on the bottom rim of the shell, plus I want toms with a sharp angle where the head meets the shell; where mine are more rounded. It's an old set too. It's from around the 70's or 80's made with composite wood material and very thick shells, maple I think. This drumset isn't ment for that more over toneish sound I'm looking for. Thanks for those suggestions, but I've set my heart on a new set because I've tried the things you've suggested over the last month and can't think of any other way. Plus the thought of a new set is exciting. please give me more input. ty

[aydee]

Gotcha, Ony. Now its time for the usual questions.. whats your budget, what kind of sound do you want etc etc.........

As a general sweeping statement, I think that you can't really go wrong with any middle-level upwards kit of any brand, ( about $450- $3,000 )

Also the point a lot of guys here are making, and is worth repeating is that any well made shell, with the right well-tuned heads on both sides is guranteed to give you case of the happy face.

[sio_13]

... any well made shell, with the right well-tuned heads on both sides is guranteed to give you case of the happy face.

Yeah, the brand of the kit is only a matter of personal preference. I'm partial to Tama's kits, and soon enough a custom kit, but that's just me- there's great kits from the major companies as well as smaller ones. Your local music store would be good place to start- I would try to avoid buying a kit that you haven't played, so shoot for that if possible. Make sure to post pics your new kit so we all can gawk at it...

[Ony]

I agree, any well tuned kit can sound rad, you are all right on that one. I guess my next search after the set is for heads. thank you all for the help, mucho appreciated. I'll have the pic of the new set when I get it, which will be about.... haha, two months?

[Big_Philly]

So you're positive you want to ditch the Imperialstars for a new kit? Try fitting new heads (and resonant heads!) before you do that. It will probably save you a fortune.

[aruration]

So you're positive you want to ditch the Imperialstars for a new kit? Try fitting new heads (and resonant heads!) before you do that. It will probably save you a fortune.

I'm not sure if he can change resonant heads .

I think he said that they are concert toms.

[sio_13]

I'm not sure if he can change resonant heads .

I think he said that they are concert toms.

Yeah he doesn't have the hardware for it, he'd have to put on lugs, probably having to drill holes as well... And he dreams of a new kit, as we all have/do at some point.

[Ony]

I've been thinking mahogany shells, but it's real pricey and I'm not so sure if that's what I want for sure now... I play mainly metal and punk, are there suggestions to what would suit these genre's better then mahogany?

[aydee]

I've been thinking mahogany shells, but it's real pricey and I'm not so sure if that's what I want for sure now... I play mainly metal and punk, are there suggestions to what would suit these genre's better then mahogany?

Braun Dailor swears by birch/bubinga! ( Not my bag, but the metalheads I know like it.)

p.s. he plays TAMA, I think

[Big_Philly]

Braun Dailor swears by birch/bubinga! ( Not my bag, but the metalheads I know like it.)

p.s. he plays TAMA, I think

Yup, Dailor uses Tama. The starclassics are sold with birch/bubinga hybrid shells. But they're expensive!

[Ony]

I've decided, it'll be real expensive but over time I can afford it... I've decided on a Pearl Masterworks African Mahogany kit, black mist laquer finish, 4 ply (5mm) shells including: 10" by 9", 12" 11", and 13"by 12" rack toms, 14" by 14" and 16" by 16" floor toms, and a 20" by 18" bass drum. sweetness. I'll have that I'm guessing in about 4-6 months. Paint a mental picture until I get the pics of the real set up here.

[aydee]

I've decided, it'll be real expensive but over time I can afford it... I've decided on a Pearl Masterworks African Mahogany kit, black mist laquer finish, 4 ply (5mm) shells including: 10" by 9", 12" 11", and 13"by 12" rack toms, 14" by 14" and 16" by 16" floor toms, and a 20" by 18" bass drum. sweetness. I'll have that I'm guessing in about 4-6 months. Paint a mental picture until I get the pics of the real set up here.

Good call, Ony.. hope the waiting doesnt drive you niuts. Great sizes... post it up as soon as you get em

[Ony]

Thank you. I don't know if any of you have heard of Ellis Drum Shop in St. Paul MN, but I went up there to see if I would be able to get a discount on the price through them, and they said 35%; but after I was there for a while, they showed me their workshop and how they make their drums. They also make custom sets and I re-decided on Acrylic since it would actually give me more of the sound I'm looking for. SO! that being said, I have actually decided on 10" by 9", 12" by 11", and 13" by 12" rack toms, 14" by 14" and 16" by 16" floor toms, a 20" by 18" bass drum, and a 14" by 9" snare, all smoky black acrylic. A guy who works there shook my hand and told me congratulations that my drumset was gonna be so loud that every pregnant lady in the crowd will instantly go into labor when they hear it. I'm pretty stoked because of that. I'm happier now too, less price for more of what I actually wanted. BIG SOUND. Tell me what you think.

[Ony]

It's been 6 months... I finally got my new kit. How do I put a picture up on here to show it off? My avatar is my new kit but it's not a good shot of the shells or anything, just the cymbals and heads.