So, It is down to 3.

[mikei]

Here is my list,

A brand spanking new 7 piece Mapex Saturn (The Front Runner!) Only problem is I have yet to play one. I am going to go see one tomorrow after work. If I like it, I will be calling Just Drums ASAP!!!!! I get to pick the color and I am leaning toward the Ivory Laser Sparkle.

A used 5 piece reference. I was able to play a new one over the weekend and I loved it. Sounded great for rock and I don't think you could destroy the kit with dynamite!!! Very solid. This is the leader of what I have played so far. However, the used kit is not in the color I would have wanted. It isn't horrible, but just not my first choice.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220236563634&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:PIC&ih=012

A 5 piece birch DW kit in Black Candy Laquer Fade. Kit is 2 years old. 24, 10, 12, 14, 16with fast toms. Again, haven't played it, but I am supposed to play it tomorrow afternoon at lunch as it is local. Beautiful looking kit. But, although beautiful, it wouldn't be my first choice in color.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180241705173&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=008

Obviously, I will try to pick the one that sounds best to me. However, these kits will not be in the same room, the rooms will have different accoustics and they will not be tuned up the same and probably have different heads. Also, I am assuming that they will all sound good. I have yet to hear a pro kit that didn't sound good if it was tuned correctly.

I guess what I am saying is that I am going crazy trying to figure this out.

The Mapex, although new and coming with hardware, will be a couple hundred cheaper. I am just nervous that as often as I trade my kits that the resale might be lower in the long run. I am hoping to keep what ever kit I get for a while this time, but that might be difficult for me.

Again, please give me your opinions. You guys and gals have always seemed to lead me down the right path.

Mike

[bojangleman]

DW....totally...lol....i just love fades...

Alex

[Mendozart]

Mike,
Let me get this straight. Didn't you just pick-up a Mapex birch kit a couple weeks ago? If so, are you planning on keeping that kit? If so, I would go with a maple kit, so that you have some variety. Man, I thought FSD was bad, but you got him beat by a mile, lol.

[mikei]

Yes,

3 weeks old now.

Love the kit. Very punchy and bright. Great sound and Great quality.

You didn't help me with my decision!!! Just called me crazy.

And yes, the M Birch will be my gigging kit. I will keep this new kit locked indoors.

Help me Mendozart!

Mike

[slingerland755]

Those DW's are beautiful.
Regardless, you're gonna be having some fun.

[Joe P]

I'd TOTALLY go with the Saturn. Saturns sound incredible, and it'd be a great contrast with the maple/walnut versus the birch.

[Mendozart]

Yes,

3 weeks old now.

Love the kit. Very punchy and bright. Great sound and Great quality.

You didn't help me with my decision!!! Just called me crazy.

And yes, the M Birch will be my gigging kit. I will keep this new kit locked indoors.

Help me Mendozart!

Mike
Okay, I just had to get my facts straight. Since this new kit will be locked indoors and your pride and joy, I wouldn't settle for a color you don't want. Don't settle at all. Just take your time and figure out what you REALLY want. Now, if you have to pick from those kits, I personally like the DW kit, pure class. Hope that helps.

[harryconway]

I would say, Saturn. Still. I'd vote "yes" on the Reference if it was an "everything is right" with this kit scenario. But this is not the case. Strike the DW also. Same reason. Saturn, yes.

[KarlCrafton]

I'd get the one that'd be different sounding from what you have now.

From what I've heard, the Saturn shells sound really great (and the Black Cherry Sparkle looks fantastic!).

I hate Mapex's BD Mount/post/tom holder thing though, just too big & ugly, but what do I know...(JMO) I'd mount of a stand instead to not have that mount.

Since your current Mapex is Birch with a 22, I'd go for a Maple, or the Saturn style shell maybe with a 24, since you had a 26 on the Ludwig.
18x24....and get 2 FT's...JMO again...

I'd say no to the DW since you have a birch kit, and it's not a color you would have picked yourself. Nice looking though.

The Reference kit is nice, can't really go wrong with Black or Black Shadow, but if you don't like the color that much, why bother?

There's other Reference kits out there, and at that price, you could almost get a new one in a color you do want.
The $300 shipping is a killer, & even if you could get it cheap enough....it'd probably still end up a kit you'd sell later.

Really though, first, I'd figure out what you "really" want (since you've had a couple kits that vary greatly in sizes) size wise, and go from there so you can have a kit you'll want to keep.

Have fun figuring it all out!

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Buy yourself a Gretsch Renown, or New Classic kit and have it for life. Solve all of your hunting problems and take some time to actually play them for a while.