NEW KIT!!!!

[drummerern]

ok, so i'm looking into getting a new top o' the line set....i've been playing alot of gigs lately and can finally justify spending some real cash on a set.....i have quite the perdicament though.....i play fusion jazz....but i need something versatile enough to play for this band... http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=99147141 .....the current drummer(one of my best freinds) is moving and i'll be replacing him this august.....he plays much louder than me and plays oak customs.....but i have a hard time getting oaks to sing right in jazz............so, basically i need versatility from jazz to rock......o plus i get employee discount at guitar center so money's not a huge issue

top choices right now....
1. tama starclassic birch/bubinga
2. gretsch renown
3. pearl masters
4. dw collectors.....(honestly not a huge fan of these)

what would ya'll suggest?

[tbmills]

id go with option 2.
those renowns should still sound good with you fusion thing.

[KarlCrafton]

Of the 4 choices you listed, I'd go with the Renown's as well.

All the kit's I've seen in that line have sounded great.
Nice finish choices as well on the Renown's, they look cool and are still classy.

Have fun on your new gig!

[caddywumpus]

top choices right now....
1. tama starclassic birch/bubinga
2. gretsch renown
3. pearl masters
4. dw collectors.....(honestly not a huge fan of these)

what would ya'll suggest?

If you're not a fan of DW Collectors, why list them as an option?

Out of the other 3, my preferences would be Tama, then Pearl, then Gretsch. I've never liked the sound of renowns, and the Pearls all kind of sound the same (I call it "that not-so-great Pearl sound"). The Tama Starclassic Bubinga/Birch has something unique to offer, and I think that's what I'm into right now. I still love DW drums, though, and that would be my first choice...huge tuning range, so versatile, sing for days...but we all have our own opinions as to what we like and dislike. Have fun choosing, and let us know when you do.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Ditto on the Renowns. As an owner I know you will be pleased.

[RobertM]

Based on the sound of the music of your band via myspace, I'd go with the Tama Starclassic Birch/Bubinga. Any of the drums you listed will do the trick, but the Tamas will cost less than the DWs and be on par price-wise with the Gretsch Renowns, but Tama's hardware and mounting system are way better than Gretsch and Pearl.

As a side note, I wouldn't really call your band's music jazz or fusion at all. It sounds closer to rock/indie rock (and your band's influences listed on the page include Switchfoot, U2, Coldplay--bands that are clearly indie rock, not jazz or fusion), and I can see why your friend uses Oak Customs--good projection for that kind of music. I don't say this to be a jerk or anything--it just doesn't sound at all like jazz/bebop or jazz fusion proper, so I don't think you need to confine yourself to a drum set that fits some kind of "jazz framework."

The DWs will be a good investment probably, but they'll cost you a pretty penny. If you are going to fork over that kind of cash, why not consider getting a Gretsch USA Custom--the really nice Gretsch kits? Their hardware still sucks, but the USA Customs usually sound great.

In the end, I'd probably go with Tama Starclassic B/B, Bubinga, or Maple. They'll cost less and you can spend the extra cash on cases, cymbals, etc.

Have fun choosing!

[skraps71]

I have a renown maple kit. Price-wise this would easily be the cheapest of your options. It's a fantastic kit but not Gretsch's top of the line kit. They sound great, but as another user commented their hardware is.... taxing. If you want a higher-end gretsch with a better mounting system i'd get the new classics.

Next I'd opt for the TAMA bubinga. I recently heard a kit, and i think they are great, fairly easy to obtain, and tons of options with depth of durms etc... I think they make good stuff.

Never heard a pearl masters kit, but I have not doubt that's a solid sounding and certianly high-end kit. Between that and DW I call it a toss up. Either way you'll pay, but absolutely get top o the line gear.

hope this helped, and good luck.

[rmandelbaum]

So you are an employee of the guitar center or have a friend that is giving you a deal.

My suggestion is to set up the kits you are interested in, close your eyes and play them.

You will know what YOU like.

We are all just giving you our opinion on what we like. I own 2 DW kits so DW would be my first choice. the gentlemen with the Renown kit says that is his. See a trend here? ;-)

Trust your ears! Pro level gear is just that, you can't go wrong with any of it, just figure out what you like.

Thats my 2 cents ;-)

[Class A Drummer]

My personal choice would be between the Pearl Masters and the Gretsch Renown. It would be close but i think i would choose the pearl. But it would be more practical of a purchase to buy the Renown considering how expensive Pearl tends to run.

[razorx]

The tamas are amazing and sound good. Cant go wrong with them.

[mfp1016]

Well, as a way to break the perceived trend of endorsement vs. ownership. I will start by saying I do not own any of these kits but have played all extensively. They are all fantastic kits in their own right, and it really comes down to hardware, and money. I'm fairly certain the DW is quite a bit more than any of the other kits. That being said, in having played them all, I like sound of the Reknown the most, however their hardware does suck. The Tama would be next, followed by DW becaues of its nebular price and last would Pearl because of their hellish L-arm mounts. Just my .02. And I do agree that you need a REALLY lose definition of jazz or fusion to really call that a jazz band.

[indiadrummer]

reknowns, really no other option for versatility :)

[jbsg02]

I really like the Starclassics, great drums

[drummerern]

ok...i think there was some confusion on the type of music i play.....i currently play jazz...fusion....stuff like medeski, martin and wood, charlie hunter.....but as of August 1st, i WILL BE playing with the band that i linked...marcus dawes band...so i have to be able to switch back and forth....and yes, i'm an assistant manager at the guitar center in amarillo TX.....i've set them all up after hours, tuned them all to my liking, and i think ima go with the renowns....to be completely honest, the thing that sold me is their customer service......i called to see if they would build me a 16x14 floor tom to match the kit because they don't offer a 16" that's any shallower than a 14....they told me if i sent them one of my existing toms, they would color match exactly (or as close as possible) the stain...when i told them what i was doing with the kit, they offered to put bass drum legs on the drum i was ordering....for free.......that sold me...so i will have a set of renowns with an extra 16" bass for my jazz gigs....i can't wait till they get here!

[KarlCrafton]

There you go, sounds like you are going to have some nice drums.

Good for you.

[Aljaud]

ok...i think there was some confusion on the type of music i play.....i currently play jazz...fusion....stuff like medeski, martin and wood, charlie hunter.....but as of August 1st, i WILL BE playing with the band that i linked...marcus dawes band...so i have to be able to switch back and forth....and yes, i'm an assistant manager at the guitar center in amarillo TX.....i've set them all up after hours, tuned them all to my liking, and i think ima go with the renowns....to be completely honest, the thing that sold me is their customer service......i called to see if they would build me a 16x14 floor tom to match the kit because they don't offer a 16" that's any shallower than a 14....they told me if i sent them one of my existing toms, they would color match exactly (or as close as possible) the stain...when i told them what i was doing with the kit, they offered to put bass drum legs on the drum i was ordering....for free.......that sold me...so i will have a set of renowns with an extra 16" bass for my jazz gigs....i can't wait till they get here!

The one on Soncy? I go there all the time :D, thinking about going today to get a China cymbal and some new 747s. My 747 sticks are about a year and a half old with almost all the wood gone above where you grip the sticks lol, they still work great though but I thought I might still get another pair.

Anyways back on-topic; I haven't heard all the drums together in a comparison before, but I would honestly go and play on each set and just pick whichever one sounds the best to you. Tune them first to get them sounding how you'd like, then just play them each and pick the one right for you. As said before, you can't really go wrong with all of them being high-end drums, it's mostly personal taste.

I would say the Renown drums are a great choice. I would probably pick the Tama B/B but I'm biased towards Tama :).