Sonor Delite & Yamaha Absolute Maple

[RobertM]

Considering tom hardware, shells, lugs, etc., do you think one of these kits has an advantage over the other? I think the Delites have thinner maple shells, and the hoops are flanged, and they have fewer color options than Yamaha. I'm aware of those kinds of details. Just curious to know if you all think the Sonor Delites are worth the cost--they average at least a $1,000 more than the Absolute Maple kits.

(A friend of mine, who's a big Sonor fan, said he liked the Delite tom mount better--he claimed it's less intrusive on the drum shell compared to the Yamaha's YESS system with its two bolts in the shell. I countered by pointing out the Sonor Delite mounts do attach to the shell at one point and that their lugs are each affixed by two screws versus Yamaha's one-bolt lugs.)

[aydee]

The Sonor hardware is much heavier.

... is my bias showing...?

[rendezvous_drummer]

The Yamaha YESS system is the easiest tom mounting system i've ever used and their hardware is top notch. Both the Delite's and yammies shells are excellent and they both sound amazing. Yamaha has better finishes and amazing customer service. IMO, Yamaha takes this easily.

[threemanarmy]

Even better is the Mapex tom mounting system. It's less intrusive than the Sonor or Yamaha system and extremely strong. The Mapex Saturn line doesn't have the superb finish choices of the Yamaha or Sonor, although the new Sienna Burst is their best yet. The drums are superbly made and the price is unbeatable for that level of quality. The combination of 5mm maple/walnut shells delivers sound as good as you can get anywhere. Considering tom hardware, shells, lugs, etc., do you think one of these kits has an advantage over the other? I think the Delites have thinner maple shells, and the hoops are flanged, and they have fewer color options than Yamaha. I'm aware of those kinds of details. Just curious to know if you all think the Sonor Delites are worth the cost--they average at least a $1,000 more than the Absolute Maple kits.

(A friend of mine, who's a big Sonor fan, said he liked the Delite tom mount better--he claimed it's less intrusive on the drum shell compared to the Yamaha's YESS system with its two bolts in the shell. I countered by pointing out the Sonor Delite mounts do attach to the shell at one point and that their lugs are each affixed by two screws versus Yamaha's one-bolt lugs.)

[Derek]

I was in a similar internal debate. Mind you I'm not in a position to buy either of these, but looking at what I'd want when that time comes for my dream kit. Sonor Delites and Yamaha MCAs , which to choose.Both excellent kits and in my opinion you wouldn't loose in quality choosing either.

That said , for my money I don't think the Delites are worth $1000 more than the MCAs.
Consider also Yamahas' great track record in customer service.

Two great kits. My vote...

Yamaha

[DamoSyzygy]

Its like arguing between a Ferrari and a Lamborghini - Whatever you buy, youre going to be the envy of your friends.

For me, its Sonor all the way.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Sonor is my preference, I just prefer them; but $1,000 difference? No.

[Vintagedrummer]

Get the Yammies. The MCA's with the cast rims & nouveau lugs sound unreal. I love both kits but the Yammies win if you can get them for $1k less. Upload pics of your new baby when you decide.

Peace

[Spencer_159]

I have recently switched from Yamaha maple customs (Not absolutes) to Delites i must say i like the delites alot better.

[RobertM]

Spencer: Why do you like the Delites better than the Yamaha MCAs?

[DanielG]

I was in a similar internal debate. Mind you I'm not in a position to buy either of these, but looking at what I'd want when that time comes for my dream kit. Sonor Delites and Yamaha MCAs , which to choose.Both excellent kits and in my opinion you wouldn't loose in quality choosing either.

That said , for my money I don't think the Delites are worth $1000 more than the MCAs.
Consider also Yamahas' great track record in customer service.

Two great kits. My vote...

Yamaha

Note: Prices for the two kits are nearly the same here in Germany!

Vote for the Yammie: lighter, Aluminum-Cast hoops, sounds great, nicer finish.

Daniel

[Spencer_159]

I prefer the Delites only because my experience is with the original maple customs not the absolutes and the shells are thicker and heavier than the Delites. However the MCA's have thinner shells than the original MC's.

[RobertM]

I prefer the Delites only because my experience is with the original maple customs not the absolutes and the shells are thicker and heavier than the Delites. However the MCA's have thinner shells than the original MC's.

Okay--thanks. Yes, the Delites are 9 ply, I think, compared to Yamaha's 6 ply toms, but the shell thickness on the Delites is 4 mm with 2 mm re-rings. The Absolutes have 6 mm shells with the 6 ply.

I think the closest to the Delites are the Taye StudioMaples (4.5mm shell thickness), Tama SC Maples (5mm), and Mapex Saturns (5.1mm).

I like the Delites, but I just can't justify the risk of spending an extra $1K. I honestly cannot figure out what about Sonor makes them a whole $1000 more than a Yamaha Absolute Maple. Even the SQ2 Sonors are overpriced: if you choose the vintage shells, which are basically Delite shells (4mm), you are basically paying a ton of money for just extra paint finish options and the choice of black-plated lugs. Tama SC Maples and Yamaha MCAs more or less offer those options at the $2K point, and that same $2K will just cover a 16x18 SQ2 bass drum (with perhaps a little change left over)!!

Like the Sonors, just way too overpriced. If they had some kind of hard-to-find and/or unique wood or sound, like Brady drums, then perhaps I might understand.

[aydee]

I like the Delites, but I just can't justify the risk of spending an extra $1K. I honestly cannot figure out what about Sonor makes them a whole $1000 more than a Yamaha Absolute Maple.

I could be wrong, but it might have something to do with the drums manufactured here v/s in Europe ( therefore excise & import duties etc..)

Are Delites & MCAs priced equally in the UK..Germany? I'm curious..

[RobertM]

I could be wrong, but it might have something to do with the drums manufactured here v/s in Europe ( therefore excise & import duties etc..)

Are Delites & MCAs priced equally in the UK..Germany? I'm curious..

Ah, good point, Aydee! I'm being location-centric without realizing it! I think Daniel G. mentions in this thread that the MCAs and Delites are priced pretty equally in Germany. Here in the States, an average four-piece kit (20, 14, 12, 10) in Yamaha MCA would be about $2100, while the Sonor Delites in the same setup would be at least $2800 or $2900, if not $3100.

I've noticed that kits seem to be more expensive in Europe, from what I've read on this forum and seen on the Web.

[aydee]

Ah, good point, Aydee! I'm being location-centric without realizing it!

I've noticed that kits seem to be more expensive in Europe, from what I've read on this forum and seen on the Web.

I'm not sure what the price of drums is generally in Europe, but Yamaha has huge operations in Japan, here in the States, China, Taiwan and in Europe too.

They also integrate materials with other parts of their businesses. ( A lot of metal used in their music products is machined by their motorcycle division, for example). This gives them the advantage of economies of scale and distribution, I'm sure. Also explains why my 12" tom goes vroom..

Don't know enough about Sonor either, but I think they are made exclusively in Germany, and if so, it probably means they can't compete on price here.

If all drums in Europe are especially expensive vis a vis the States, I'd love to hear theories on why?

Premier, Sonor, are big Euro brands..?

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Even Premier are getting scarce in the UK. Fantastic though they are.

I've seen second hand Delite kits going for about £1,500 - the same sort of money as a second-hand Yamaha. They are a little more expensive than the equivalent Yamaha kits at the high-end, but the lower and middle lines are all about the same. If there were less than £500 in the difference, I'd get the Sonor kit if given the choice, but I do also like Yamaha kits. They're both great makes and ultimately some people (myself included) are willing to pay a little extra for Sonor - to a point at least. The prices over here are much higher either way!

[aydee]

I've seen second hand Delite kits going for about £1,500 - the same sort of money as a second-hand Yamaha. !

..so they ARE more evenly priced in Europe. Which means the extra $1000 here is for the import related costs.

[drummerboy77]

Yes, here in Germany there is virtually no difference between the Delites and the Absolutes (maybe 150/200 Euros). It is the import costs.

I just ordered me a new kit - had to decide between an SQ2 and MCA. The price difference was about 400 Euros. I went for the Yamaha MCA. I just love them!

Greetings,
drummerboy77

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

..so they ARE more evenly priced in Europe. Which means the extra $1000 here is for the import related costs.

It's why Premier are dying out. Exports from Britain are ridiculously expensive to almost any country in the World. It's a great international import market here, but export is just a no-go.

[MusiQmaN]

On holland its like:

Pearl
Sonor/tama
Yamaha
DW
Ludwig
Premier (dying out over here)
etc...

We have the luck that the euro is worth 1.50 dollar (+/-)

But it also depend on witch serie.

But if you talk about import/export/hyped lets say something like DW ovver here is quite expensive, and not aonly because its import but also because its over hyped.


But I dont see the difference between import a sonor (germany) or yamaha (Japan) to the u.s... (only that Japan has much lower craftsmenship prices than Germany (and I think thats why Sonor costs more than Yamaha)