Are they the drums you really want?

[Les Ismore]

So we see all the X- birch vs Y-maple threads, the "Which one should I get" posts here and they (usually) always end up with money or value being the deciding factor. Let's mix in a little fantasy to get to the reality.

Money no option you have a blank check, which brand of drums would you purchase? With unlimited fantasy cake, your set can be 'no holds barred totally custom'... like say a Ludwig set all African Mahogany with cast steel ludwig lugs, 21" bass drum, or a Mapex set made out of stainless steel etc.

Which company gets to build your dream set?

[rockinrider]

I'd say this one would do....

(I do like Ludwig!)

[GRUNTERSDAD]

GRETSCH USA CUSTOM 5 PIECE
Three up, one down

[Steady Freddy]

I'd go for some of Johnny's solids.

[harryconway]

Pretty simple for me. Ludwig clear maple 3 ply shells. All virgin. 20x14 and 26x14 kicks. 12x8, 13x9 and 14x10 rack toms. 14x14, 16x16 and 18x16 floors. Nickel plated hardware on everything (with an aged patina to it, please). So I can run a little 20, 12, 14 bop kit, the "classic" 5 piece, or a 3 up, 3 down. And anything in between.

[Ironcobra]

It would be Tama for me, they have always seemed ideal. I would have a starclassic maple with some slight variations, maybe a ply of birch here, a ply of mahogany there. It would be very similar to mikes kit, I forget what the purple one is called. The sizes would be somewhere along the lines of 22x18.5 22x18.5 8x8 10x9 12x10 13x11 14x13 16x15 18x16. I would have 4 octobans and a gong drum. As for a snare, I don't know.

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6366/49887112pr6.png

[gmrakich]

All my dream kits (9) have been built by Bill at Pork Pie.

[jayp]

Ide either have to go with freddy, or a vintage club date, Like Bermudas gold sparkle bop kit, droooooooool

or this... wow - Spizzichino Drums
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/agopsalott/SpizzKit6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/agopsalott/SpizzKit7.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/agopsalott/SpissSnare0.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/agopsalott/SpizzKit11.jpg

[Skacatz]

DW 6 pc. set in one of their exotic finishes. Then I could die happy.

[Matt-a-tat-tat]

So we see all the X- birch vs Y-maple threads, the "Which one should I get" posts here and they (usually) always end up with money or value being the deciding factor. Let's mix in a little fantasy to get to the reality.

Money no option you have a blank check, which brand of drums would you purchase? With unlimited fantasy cake, your set can be 'no holds barred totally custom'... like say a Ludwig set all African Mahogany with cast steel ludwig lugs, 21" bass drum, or a Mapex set made out of stainless steel etc.

Which company gets to build your dream set?


Ash or Sycamore and I'd build them myself.

[LayinDown]

Oh boy! Well I recently fell in love with Battlefield Drums. I'm thinking Acrylic/Maple hybrid shell...clear acrylic w/ crushed silver sparkle lacquer on the wood sections. Offset lugs. Black chrome hardware/rims. Sizes...hmmm....nothing crazy...20x18,12x8,14x13,
16x15.

One can dream.

[TwentyEightyFive]

Pearl would be my choice. I love Tama, DW, Yamaha, Gretsch, Sonor, and Ludwig; however, Pearl's Masterworks just blows me away.
I believe that DogBreath took these pictures b/c I found them in his 2008 NAMM report.

[Derek]

Pretty simple for me. Yamaha Custom Maple or Sonor Delite. Standard 6 piece kit with 2 up and 2 down and a variety of snare drums.

[Steamer]

The answer to that question is yes and I have them already and they were bulit by Peace Drums and they are a one very rare custom item indeed. Probably the only Peace Kahuna all 9 ply ply AA Flame bubinga Bee-Bopp shell pack in North America at present i've been told. One of the very rare made entirely out of bubinga wood ply type drums {no mix woods} made in smaller jazz sizes made by ANY company at present. The 18" bass drum hoops are outer plies of AA Flame bubinga over interior plies of Canadian rock maple. Completely superb in quality, sound and appearence. My search for my dream kit is long over... back to buying nothing but sticks and heads from this point on...

[rendezvous_drummer]

I've been thinking about this a lot. I was always set on getting a Yamaha Maple Custom, I always said I would never play anything else, but.....Gretsch.....my god! Gretsch USA Custom kits are UNBELIEVABLE!! I went to the L&M downtown vancouver and tried out a USA Custom kit and imo, (I can't believe i'm saying this), but I think it's the sound I'm looking for, OVER the Yamaha...I love Yamaha's mounting system, but the Gretsch shells sound so damn good.....I'm still in a deadlock because I love both kits, but I am strongly considering going with Gretsch.

[aydee]

traitor........................................... ........ ; 0 )

[rendezvous_drummer]

traitor........................................... ........ ; 0 )

IT'S WIERD MAN! I can't believe it, I love both kits and will end up getting both but for the meantime....this is tough! I don't know anymore! Whatever one i can get a better deal on through my work i guess will be the winner as i'm already tight for cash.

[aydee]

IT'S WIERD MAN! I can't believe it, I love both kits and will end up getting both but for the meantime....this is tough! I don't know anymore! Whatever one i can get a better deal on through my work i guess will be the winner as i'm already tight for cash.

I'm kidding, of course. The Gretsch build quality, Renowns & up is terrific, so you cant really go wrong either way.
Unfortunately there are some top end drums with questionable builds, but these 2 aren't them.

A good deal IS the way to go.............( pssst, Y..m..h..; )

[The Ploughman]

My question on the Peace kit is this....... Are they building anything of that quality for the average person?





As for dream kits....

I have mine. And am very satisfied.

[volvoguy]

I'm perfectly happy with my Ludwig classic maples and 1967 Supraphonic. Technically, this was and still is my "dream set"... but I've never been one to set too high a bar for myself in life.

http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~ridgely/Drums/2.jpg

http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~ridgely/Drums/3.jpg

...but If you were to give me a blank check, I'd probably get a set of Ludwig Legacy Classics.... that is, if Ludwig were willing to sell them to me sans sparkle finish. Stupid Ludwig and their non-existent choices in finish options.... :-)

...or a high end Gretsch kit...

-Ryan

[Steamer]

My question on the Peace kit is this....... Are they building anything of that quality for the average person?


.

Certainly these are living proof of just that since i'm no famous big name player. It's just that the opportunity came into my hands for a rare smaller jazz version of their Kahuna 9 ply bubinga drums and I jumped on the opportunity since the company was not sure when {and if} the next ones in these sizes would be available as a production item again so I was told. Couldn't be happier with this decision to have done that and have this great high quality Peace production bubinga jazz kit. No lost opportunity here...

For regular series more readily available production drums from Peace the Peace Custom 9 ply Canadian rock maple Paragons can be custom made to whatever you wish {sizes and finishes}. I've seen and played these up close and they are seriously top notch all the way and an off the shelf available item to anyone so to speak. The larger sizes Kahuna 9 ply bubinga kits are more readily available production drums i've heard too. Same excellent quality as mine just larger drums.

[rendezvous_drummer]

I'm kidding, of course. The Gretsch build quality, Renowns & up is terrific, so you cant really go wrong either way.
Unfortunately there are some top end drums with questionable builds, but these 2 aren't them.

A good deal IS the way to go.............( pssst, Y..m..h..; )

One other thing that I'm looking for is a virgin kick. Does Yamaha have a Virgin maple custom kick in a 20x16 size?

[aydee]

Does Yamaha have a Virgin maple custom kick in a 20x16 size?

Good question. I don't think any YAMAHAs come with virgin kicks.. maybe the new PHX series do, but not sure.Virgin kicks can be ordered though.. and YAMAHA takes its time about it , I hear.

[mind_drummer]

The kit that I have in mind that I'm hopefull one day I'll own one is made on the land of Oz. Yeah you guessed right.

http://www.bradydrums.com.au/uploads/pics/Kit_Blackheart_04.jpg

But there's competion in the house from south american drum maker Odery...

http://www.odery.com.br/img/baterias/transp_black_bronze.jpg

and competition from UK, with Highwood Drums & Percussions

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g170/highwooddrums/EP%20figured%20walnut%20kit%20%20-%20wood%20hoops/DSCF0221.jpg

& snare

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g170/highwooddrums/will%20greenall%20-whood%20hooped%20fade%20snare/DSCF0287.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g170/highwooddrums/wood%20Hoop%20Snares/DSCF0020.jpg

Also as for snare drums, I'd would have my own personalised one from AK in Italy.

http://www.ak-drums.de/uploads/media/products/120_7_standard_triumphal.jpg

and

http://www.ak-drums.de/uploads/media/products/47_4_standard_fröde5x140001.JPG

Maybe I would get them all...

[somedrummer]

I asked myself that question and decided that I couldn't find the drums I really wanted, so I built them myself. That, I think, is probably what I'll do for most of my future drum sets, just because I know what I'm getting exactly. Here's my kit that I built myself, for anyone who hadn't seen it before.

[Les Ismore]

Remember the fantasy is a 'blank check' meaning you'd have the cake to get anything out of the manufacture you want. You could have Yamaha cut 30 degree edges on an MC kit with a virgin kick, a Bubinga Temple set, whatever, etc. You don't have to choose just whatever someones offering in their catalog.

Drum sets would be made with the companies own components, you could request and receive modified components. Like my rant about Ludwig lug's as an example, so if I chose Ludwig's-whatever, I would get cast steel lugs, shells any colour etc. etc.

[lifesblood.]

In addition to my delites, the set i want to have before i die is a sonor lite in scandinavian birch finish (probably 20 12 14 + the matching 14" snare).
There's a bunch of snares i'd want though, Black beauties, supraphonics, acrolites, sonor artists, craviottos, dunnets, in all kinds of sizes, depths and materials!

[baz]

...I am pretty happy with these.

http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/33678/2184809570032450736S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2184809570032450736XtcQOC)

And these

http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/11947/2073169590032450736S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2073169590032450736CCynxn)

and these

http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/4619/2057601390032450736S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2057601390032450736DRwydy)

these too.

http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/8871/2451599650032450736S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2451599650032450736ucKHDj)

Out of all of these, my faves are the ones in the first pic.

Barry

[katman]

I'd go for a stave kit from Lignum drums in Scandinavian birch with their wood hoops in natural (unstained) finish.

My ideal sizes would be 22x16, 10x8, 13x9, 16x14 with a 14x6 main snare and a 12x5 side snare.

These pics are just for reference of Lignum's craftsmanship.

[KarlCrafton]

Yes, I can say I have my "Dream Kit" put together, with the addition of 9x12 tom and 13x15 ft options coming soon...enough great sounding drums to put together different smaller kits, or all at once for a cool big kit.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h257/KarlCrafton/crashstand.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h257/KarlCrafton/OverheadRS.jpg

But if I could have anything.....

I'd still have Ludwig (and their lugs are just fine haha!--good debate though).

I'd have a Stainless Steel kit...in all the sizes I use now.

I'd also have the same kit in Natural Maple vintage 3 ply with rings.
And one in a Black chrome finish--Black Chrome wrap or Black Plated SS would be fine...all sizes of course.

I'd get a couple 70's 6.5 engraved BB's and a couple 70's 6.5 Supras, all with brass hoops....and I'd have some Chrome plated Brass straight hoops made and make Pearl offer the straight hoop Stick Saver cast pieces again (DO IT PEARL!!!! I meant it!!!)

I'd also have a couple of the Craviato CON snares-in both sizes.

And one of those old Wind Gongs that have the stripes in it in a 28 or 30" size with a custom gong stand!

I have a 28" Wuhan Wind Gong, but those old ones with the stripes just look cool....but I am looking for a cool gong stand in Chrome--has to be Chrome.

There's more that would be cool to have, but why be greedy haha!

If I could DO anything, I'd be on the production design team at Ludwig to make sure their new hardware is as kick ass as possible, be streamlined, modern, and look cool--with lots of add ons.

That way I'd get the drums and all the cool new hardware for free....

[baz]

...If Karl gets his other dream Luddies, I want his old ones.

Another evil plan a brewin. I still have not given up entirely on this one up two down thing, but I found that something was not quite right with my 13, 14, 16 tom set up. I love the 13-16 combo, and the 12-14 combo, so I thought that I would try the 12-14-16 combo. So far, I like this combo, with my 24 " bass.

http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/40717/2263591260032450736S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2263591260032450736mNjlSb)

Now I am thinking of picking up a 15x13" floor tom and matching it up with the 18" bass, and 13" tom. 18-13-15 should make for one nasty little kit.

barry

[aydee]

Yes, I can say I have my "Dream Kit" put together, with the addition of 9x12 tom and 13x15 ft options coming soon...enough great sounding drums to put together different smaller kits, or all at once for a cool big kit.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h257/KarlCrafton/crashstand.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h257/KarlCrafton/OverheadRS.jpg

But if I could have anything.....

I'd still have Ludwig (and their lugs are just fine haha!--good debate though).

I'd have a Stainless Steel kit...in all the sizes I use now.

I'd also have the same kit in Natural Maple vintage 3 ply with rings.
And one in a Black chrome finish--Black Chrome wrap or Black Plated SS would be fine...all sizes of course.

I'd get a couple 70's 6.5 engraved BB's and a couple 70's 6.5 Supras, all with brass hoops....and I'd have some Chrome plated Brass straight hoops made and make Pearl offer the straight hoop Stick Saver cast pieces again (DO IT PEARL!!!! I meant it!!!)

I'd also have a couple of the Craviato CON snares-in both sizes.

And one of those old Wind Gongs that have the stripes in it in a 28 or 30" size with a custom gong stand!

I have a 28" Wuhan Wind Gong, but those old ones with the stripes just look cool....but I am looking for a cool gong stand in Chrome--has to be Chrome.

There's more that would be cool to have, but why be greedy haha!

If I could DO anything, I'd be on the production design team at Ludwig to make sure their new hardware is as kick ass as possible, be streamlined, modern, and look cool--with lots of add ons.

That way I'd get the drums and all the cool new hardware for free....

Beautiful set up Karl! love it.

[hateplow]

I'd go for a stave kit from Lignum drums in Scandinavian birch with their wood hoops in natural (unstained) finish.

My ideal sizes would be 22x16, 10x8, 13x9, 16x14 with a 14x6 main snare and a 12x5 side snare.

These pics are just for reference of Lignum's craftsmanship.

Those wooden hoops are the greatest!

[KarlCrafton]

Barry, a 13x15 is an EXCELLENT size drum for a FT!

If a DW 13x15 only sounded half as good as the 13x15 Ludwig I have, you'll really love it (and that's not a dig at DW, one's not "better" than the other--and your kits look great!).

The 13x15 is ballsy, without being "too big", but big enough not to sound weak or "not enough".

You could easily use it as the "only floor tom" and not really miss your 16--especially having it on the 18" bass drum set up.

And 13-15 still has really good separation.

I used to have a 13-15-16 and sound sep was fine between the15 & 16 as well, and they were not top line drums back then.

I use one on my Black (Ludwig, Long Lug) kit, and it 's just a great sounding drum.

I plan to get one for the Red Sparkle kit too.

...Here's another evil thought...
What if you ran a 12-15-18 on your 24" kick kit.....

I also love your 13's with the mounts on the tom, bet they sound great....and I like the rail mount look too.
I'd have mine that way, but it puts the tom higher than I want it (dang it!).

Thanks guy's on the nice words on my kit.

[baz]

...Karl.

Thanks for the advice, and the comps on the kits. I only ever played one Bonham sized floor tom set up, and found that the two toms were too big for me to get at comfortably. If I were to go for an 18" floor tom, I would probably want to match it with a 14x10" rack tom and stay with a four piece.

I like the 12, 14, 16, as I get better seperation between those three than I did with the 13, 14, 16. I love the 13" tom, but it is a little too close to the 14. To tune both of those toms to a pleasing interval throws the 16 out a little. The 13 will add some balls to the 18" bass. I have heard really good things about 15" floor toms in general, but aside from smacking a few on in store kits, I have never played one. I have some gift card bonus money from work, so I think that it will go towards the tom.

I really like the rails mounts as well. I was a little leary about having the mounts directly on the shell, but Slingerland, Ludwig, Gretsch, Rogers etc all had their toms mounted like that, and they still sound great. Wheather I lose some resonance or not, who cares. I don't think that I will drill the twelve though.

Once again Karl, thanks for the reply, and I will swap you my tiger ash kit for your red sparklies anytime.

Barry

[DamoSyzygy]

I'd keep exactly what I have now!

[Citizen Insane]

IT'S WIERD MAN! I can't believe it, I love both kits and will end up getting both but for the meantime....this is tough! I don't know anymore! Whatever one i can get a better deal on through my work i guess will be the winner as i'm already tight for cash.

Is it just me, or guys who love Yamaha love Gretsch and vice-versa? I noticed this between fans of both of those brands.

On the topic, I would probably get a yamaha absolute hybrid kit with beech toms in 8",10"12",14", and 16", with a 20x18 maple bass drum, a 14x5.5 Roy Haynes signature snare, and a 13x3.5 David David Garibaldi snare to the left of my hats. The finish would be either vintage or sea blue.

This kit would be heaven for me. =)

[MusiQmaN]

Good luck then :p

the beech line is discontinued, so to find it in the prefered colours and sizes could be a long time project.
the garibaldi only comes in 14x3,5

only the RH is still sold and on ebay.

Good luck :P

[Citizen Insane]

Good luck then :p

the beech line is discontinued, so to find it in the prefered colours and sizes could be a long time project.
the garibaldi only comes in 14x3,5

only the RH is still sold and on ebay.

Good luck :P

So I guess my ideal drums would be a sonor sq2 with those same specs. =p

[Butch Axsmith]

SONOR works for me ////
all the time ////
Butch Axsmith

[Jeremy Bender]

Yamaha Absolute Maple with white marine pearl finish with virgin bass drum and about 4 or 5 toms. Nothing too exotic I admit. The blank check would be needed however for a trip to Nottwil Switzerland to a certain factory, to fill a small cargo plane full of cymbals and gongs back to the USA !

[Skitch]

There really is a flavor for everyone isn't there! I already have my ultimate but I am thinking for the Ford drums right now.


Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com

http://www.youtube.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.myspace.com/drummermikemccraw

[eddiehimself]

I think if i had a ton of money i'd get some custom drums from ocdp. I'm gonna try and one day get my self a set of tama s/c bubingas tho i think. Maybe if i get enough money as an internationally famous rockstar-cum-physicist i can get both! :)

[danander11]

I have to say that I am pretty satisfied with what I have now in my RC's, but if I had an unlimited budget, I would go for a DW kurillian birch kit in the same sizes that I have now.. with a light honey/amber stain. Gold hardware would probably go well with that finish. DW has recently added the Australian birdseye eucalyptus as well that is very pretty.

But somewhere in my secret place.. I have a longing for a nice Gretsch kit in a 4 or 5 pc.. Smaller sizes and that beautiful Gretsch sound. Red with maple hoops.

C'mon lotto!

[Big_Philly]

If I had a blank check I'd give Unix a call I think... bubinga drums, 22x20 bass drum, 16x16 floor tom, 10x8 and 12x9 rack toms and 13x6 snare, 8x18 and 8x22 octobans if possible. All that in a natural burst, high gloss finish.
Cymbals would be all Paiste Signatures. Not completely sure which types though.

But it probably won't happen any time soon. The good news is that I'm fairly close with what I have now (yes, I realize there's quite a quality difference between Tama Superstars and a custom Unix kit).

[rendezvous_drummer]

Screw Gretsch (not literally) I'm staying with Yamaha Maple Customs. And to think that I would cheat on Yamaha......

[rendezvous_drummer]

Screw Yamaha Tama=Tamaha:) Kurillian birch? F***finnish birch Mr D.Andersson. Du är välkommen till bastu (sauna) här i Finland. Just PM me Mr DA if you happen to be near artic circle:)

Are you drunk? Just a hunch..

[danander11]

Are you drunk? Just a hunch..

Wow, I seemed to have missed this one....

Sonor... I dunno where kurillian is from, however I once met a gal by the name of Jana that kept telling me that she was Finnish... I didn't really understand that because I hadn't even started.. (man I'm funny). and no, I'm not near the Arctic circle, I am sort of close to the Antarctic one though. As for the rest... I only got the sauna part.. something I miss.. Haven't had a good one in years.

Rendezvous, He may be.. or it may just be global warming ;-)


Peace!

[Odd-Arne Oseberg]

Gretsch "Vinnie-kit" in gold sparkle. I'll have that very soon, though.

Main dream (issue) is a place I can keep it set up all the time and practice any time of the day. Thankfully at least during vacations which we music teachers have a lot of, and they're long, that's not a problem, but man how great it would be to have a studio with mics and camera set up all the time and have all my books and dvds rwadily available on a whim.

[Hellwyck]

I've pretty much had my perfect kits:

Premier Club jazz kit,
TAMA Granstar and
Mapex Meridian Birch.

All do what I want them to do, they look good and sound amazing.


If I wanted a new kit any time away from those, I'd probably get either a Staccato or North kits.

[Florian]

My maple sq2s are just fine....someday a Brady kit will be the pinncle.

F

[nickthegreek]

I think it would be a Brady drum kit.Probably Jarrah although Myrtlewood would also be really nice.
Haven't really thought of it because I am missing "some" money.
I assume a Sleishman Jarrah free floating kit wouldn't be bad either.

[KarlCrafton]

My Ludwig drums in Red Sparkle, Black Glitter Glass and Sable Black are all still doing very well.

A 6.5 Bronze will be added to the family in the next couple months as well.
:-)

[LeftoverPenguin]

I haven't gotten to play one extensively, but if I had the money and could buy whatever I wanted right now, I'd go buy a Yamaha Maple Absolute in White Grape Sparkle:

http://www.drumrock.com/UserFiles/IMG_4383.JPG
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/SoCalMike/DeeDubs/DSCN7418.jpg

22x20 virgin bass, 10x7, 12x8 (up), 14x12 and 16x14 (down) toms, and a 18x16 floor tom (on my left), a simple 14x7 brass snare, and I'll take one of them fancy hex racks, too.

Actually, now that I see those two pictures side-by-side like that I'm really hoping it looks more like that top Kermit-green picture in person. (I would like to point out that I would obviously do more research if this was for realsies). Can anyone chime in here? SoCalMike?

[sticks4drums]

Looks like Liberace's kit. :)

[LeftoverPenguin]

Looks like Liberace's kit. :)
The picture on the bottom maybe. The top one is hot.

I'm afraid with a name like "White Grape Sparkle" it's not going to be as dark a shade of green as I'd want. :(

[sticks4drums]

The picture on the bottom maybe. The top one is hot.

I'm afraid with a name like "White Grape Sparkle" it's not going to be as dark a shade of green as I'd want. :(
Sorry just me talking out loud again.:) My son would love it. Kawasaki green. I just don't do sparkles. My friend just traded in an orange Gretch kit like that a month and a half after he bought it. You really need to make sure you like really in your face colors and finishes.

[scorch whammin]

For me it would be an Antique Black Sunburst Yamaha PHX kit...22 kick, 8,10,12 rack toms, 14, 16 floor toms...and of course a hex rack...:)..and Paiste cymbals!...:)

[classicstar]

For me it's a toss up between Tama, DW, or C&C.

I'd probably go with a DW with all VLT shells, black nickel hardware in ruby glass...yeah..

Or a Red Sparkle Burst Tama Performer b/b. As cheap as they are their craftsmanship is superb and from my experiences they sound great!

Throw in some Paiste Twenty Custom and Meinl Byzance Traditionals and I am one happy camper...

[baz]

...I was very happy with the four kits that I posted earlier in this thread.

But these have pretty much made me forget them.

http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/47148/2636493890032450736S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2636493890032450736QmscUg)

These are my 24,16,13, 14x5.5 classics with the old faithfull cymbal set up, 20" Manhattan ride, 16" thin, 17"xtreme crashes, 14" dark hats, and the 18" Ed Thigpen ride.

http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/4474/2959078600032450736S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2959078600032450736QSNIBX)

These are the 22,14,12 classics with my 13x5.5" Craviotto snare.

http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/48656/2458017800032450736S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2458017800032450736OAbrik)

I have culled the drum herd down to these two kit. I still have my collectors, but they are for sale at the moment.

I hate to admit it but excluding the 14x6.5" classic snare that I have on order, I think it is safe to say that I have bought my last drums.

Barry

[Moon4Sale]

Spirit Drums...As I drool.

[LeftoverPenguin]

Sorry just me talking out loud again.:) My son would love it. Kawasaki green. I just don't do sparkles. My friend just traded in an orange Gretch kit like that a month and a half after he bought it. You really need to make sure you like really in your face colors and finishes.

You know, six months ago I couldn't understand why anyone who wasn't regularly playing wedding receptions would ever want to buy a sparkle kit. Then as I saw more images here of people owning them I decided to take a hard look at some sparkle kits at my local drum shop. Now I've got it in my head that I want a crazy sparkle lacquer on my next kit.

I can live with in-your-face (you should see my room), but I would also certainly want to see the finish in person and make sure I'm happy with it before stepping out on that limb.

[LeftoverPenguin]

For me it would be an Antique Black Sunburst Yamaha PHX kit...22 kick, 8,10,12 rack toms, 14, 16 floor toms...and of course a hex rack...:)..and Paiste cymbals!...:)

Have you ever played on a PHX kit, scorch? I've heard nothing but positives.

The closest I've come to playing one has been staring at the three-piece shell pack high up on a shelf.

[Jeremy Bender]

What I'm in the process of ordering... a JNDC Standard NOB shell.
What I'm saving up a year for... Ludwig Maple Classics.

And yes these are the drums that I really want. (I think)

[daredrummer]

Brady Solid Block Jarrah Kit.
Nuff said.

[Bo Eder]

I'm really happy with what I have now. What I dream about is being able to read like Dave Weckl and play like Jojo Mayer ;)

[Jeremy Bender]

Hmm...intersesting concept for another thread Bo, we could call it: "Are they the skills you really want? "

[Odd-Arne Oseberg]

I'd go for a stave kit from Lignum drums in Scandinavian birch with their wood hoops in natural (unstained) finish.

My ideal sizes would be 22x16, 10x8, 13x9, 16x14 with a 14x6 main snare and a 12x5 side snare.

These pics are just for reference of Lignum's craftsmanship.

WOW!!! Beautiful.

..................

[scorch whammin]

Have you ever played on a PHX kit, scorch? I've heard nothing but positives.

The closest I've come to playing one has been staring at the three-piece shell pack high up on a shelf.

Nope...just heard youtube clips of them....heck I haven't even seen them in person...yet!...just pics....I really like all of the finishes, but especially the textured antique black sunburst...hopefully one day I'll be able to get one:)

[LeftoverPenguin]

Nope...just heard youtube clips of them....heck I haven't even seen them in person...yet!...just pics....I really like all of the finishes, but especially the textured antique black sunburst...hopefully one day I'll be able to get one:)
Right now I'm gigging so much that I've only been looking at sets that I would take out of the house, but one day I'd love to have a kit like the PHX that stays at home for me to play.

[Jeremy Bender]

A 6.5 Bronze will be added to the family in the next couple months as well.
:-)

Ooh...Hammered?? (I love mine)

[cdrums21]

Ok Les, I'll bite......I pretty much have what I want now...but...there are a few things.
I'm in the process of having a custom snare drum built for me, 6.5x14 stave bubinga shell with bearing edges slightly rounded on top to give more tone and "pop"...can't wait to get that baby. Carolina drumworks is doing it and the experience so far has been everything you could ever want in a custom drum company.

As far as drums go, I would like to have something that was different than what I have, both in sizes and construction. A really cool completely clear acrylic kit would be one thing, 24x16 kick, 12x10/14x14/16x16 toms, 1 up 2 down. After hearing bubinga, I wouldn't mind having a set of those in the above sizes, with the shells being 3 ply with reinforcement rings and a bearing edge cut like the classic Ludwigs I have. Maybe brass hardware. I'd like to have a 70's set of unplayed black label 2002's to go along with it..16", 18" and 20" crashes with a 22" or 24" ride and both 14" and 15" SE hi-hats.

That would probably suffice, can't think of anything else I would want....possibly a bigger snare collection of the classics, 70's 6.5 x 14 engraved black beauty, 7x14 slingerland radio king with the cloud badge and a 60's 6.5x14 COB supra.

[utdrummer]

So many superb choices nowdays, from standards like Gretsch ans Ludwig, but I am most impressed lately by some of the foreign builders such as Le Soprano and Lignum drums. Costly, custom drums that will last several lifetimes and beautifully hand crafted. Here's a couple that I could honestly tell my wife "it's the last drum kit I'll ever buy. No, seriously, I mean it!"

[pcastag]

Gretsch "Vinnie-kit" in gold sparkle. I'll have that very soon, though.

Main dream (issue) is a place I can keep it set up all the time and practice any time of the day. Thankfully at least during vacations which we music teachers have a lot of, and they're long, that's not a problem, but man how great it would be to have a studio with mics and camera set up all the time and have all my books and dvds rwadily available on a whim.

Ahhhh, i'm with you on that one boss!

[RickP]

I have owned a lot of high end kits; Yamah Recording Customs; Gretsch ;Vintage Ludwigs;Pearl ;DW Collector's and Rogers and to be honest the kit I have now I really love and I am quite happy with it. It is a Ludwig 100th. Anniversary Legacy Classic Liverpool 4 set.It is perfect for all the gigs I am doing these days. I can get a wide tuning range, they are full resonant and just beautiful sounding drums. I love the wrap on this kit ( Big Beatles fan).

[Chaos_Inferno]

Either Unix stave or SQ2 birch/bubinga hybrid like the Starclassics

8x8, 10x7, 12x8, 13x8, 15x13, 17x14 toms

21x16 kick

14x6 snare with die cast hoops

all with tube lugs in a natural bubinga finish possibly with some sort of oil over the top....

....excuse me, I think I need to go change myself after thinking about those possibilities.

[Typo]

Remember the fantasy is a 'blank check' meaning you'd have the cake to get anything out of the manufacture you want. You don't have to choose just whatever someones offering in their catalog.
I don't know. It seems fun to fantasize at first, but why bother when you can be certain such a chance won't ever occur? I personally find it more appealing to dream about a kit, like a Saturn or a Classic Maple, that will be within my reach at some point. Trust me, I think about future drum-related purchases (realistically possible, mind you) all the time. With that said...

I want most a Starclassic B/B kit in the traditional 5 piece layout, 2 up 1 down. Add some AAX, AA, HHX, and Vault cymbals and I'm set! Of course, I also dream about the "drum room" to keep these beautiful drums in: completely soundproofed, set up with professional recording equipment, and an endless supply of fresh drumsticks. Ahhh...

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

A 6.5 Bronze will be added to the family in the next couple months as well.
:-)

Interested in your thoughts on the diff. between the bronze black beauty and the regular bronze supra, when you get it Karl.


Ooh...Hammered?? (I love mine)

Amen to that!!

[major_panic]

A blank cheque, you say? I'll have a 10-14-16-20 kit, made with the same spun process as used on the Black Beauty snares, with Axis or Trick style machined aluminium hardware. Two rides, four crashes, a china, two sets of hi-hats and two splashes, plus miscellaneous percussion pieces.

[KarlCrafton]

Rick P those are AWESOME looking drums! I LOVE that finish....
Oh man, I can NOT get myself in more trouble!!! :-)

On the 6.5 Bronze, I'm getting the smooth shell.
I have a Hammered 402 and it's a really great drum, but I prefer the smooth shell sound.
Imperial Lugs too.
I've been big on tubes for a long time, but I'm finding myself liking the Imp. lugs more these days.

On the sound between the BB finish and natural Bronze...my guess it'll sound the same, taking into account that all shells sound a little different.
The MAIN reason I say it though, is because I always end up with the same sound on my snares haha! I guess I have "MY" sound.

I've "unofficially" said that I'm done buying snares because they all end up sounding "the same" anyway!
I met Alex Van Halen (he told me about the Hammered 402 being cool) and he laughed and said the same thing about his snares "they all sound the same!"

They all sound a little different, but have the same character.
People say they know it's me because of that though, which is cool.

...and yes, it was very cool meeting AVH!!...and having Bun E. Carlos sign the inside of that shell too!!

[OrangeAgent27]

http://www.drumrock.com/UserFiles/IMG_4383.JPG
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/SoCalMike/DeeDubs/DSCN7418.jpg



Michiganders must think alike because I think this kit is gorgeous. I would take this one or a Gretsch USA Custom.

[nickg]

i STILL want a Ludwig Legacy Classic kit in Bonham sizes in Champagne Sparkle before i die!!!!

[Davo-London]

I agree with one poster that stated that all they wanted was a soundproof studio in which they could set-up their drums, mics, mixers etc and have a perfect set-up for practicing and recording.

That would be a great dream!!

Cheers
Davo

[PlasmicSteve]

I haven't gotten to play one extensively, but if I had the money and could buy whatever I wanted right now, I'd go buy a Yamaha Maple Absolute in White Grape Sparkle:

http://www.drumrock.com/UserFiles/IMG_4383.JPG
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/SoCalMike/DeeDubs/DSCN7418.jpg

22x20 virgin bass, 10x7, 12x8 (up), 14x12 and 16x14 (down) toms, and a 18x16 floor tom (on my left), a simple 14x7 brass snare, and I'll take one of them fancy hex racks, too.

Actually, now that I see those two pictures side-by-side like that I'm really hoping it looks more like that top Kermit-green picture in person. (I would like to point out that I would obviously do more research if this was for realsies). Can anyone chime in here? SoCalMike?

Wow - me too. That's my favorite color/finish ever.

[Woz.275]

I absolutly love my Mapex blue galaxy bust sparkle fade Saturns, and i really love my zildjian k,s..

[LeftoverPenguin]

Since so many people seem interested in that Maple Absolute in the White Grape Sparkle that I posted, I found some better images of a Birch Absolute in the same finish from Fork's Drum Closet:

https://www5.corecommerce.com/~forksdrumclo135/images/products/11259.jpg

https://www5.corecommerce.com/~forksdrumclo135/images/products/11262.jpg

https://www5.corecommerce.com/~forksdrumclo135/images/products/11265.jpg

https://www5.corecommerce.com/~forksdrumclo135/images/products/11253.jpg


Oh yeah. WANT.

[classicstar]

A DW with VLT shells on toms and kick, Bronze snare, and birch side snare

[PlasmicSteve]

Since so many people seem interested in that Maple Absolute in the White Grape Sparkle that I posted, I found some better images of a Birch Absolute in the same finish from Fork's Drum Closet:

https://www5.corecommerce.com/~forksdrumclo135/images/products/11259.jpg

https://www5.corecommerce.com/~forksdrumclo135/images/products/11262.jpg

https://www5.corecommerce.com/~forksdrumclo135/images/products/11265.jpg

https://www5.corecommerce.com/~forksdrumclo135/images/products/11253.jpg


Oh yeah. WANT.

Completely delicious.