Sorry in advance for the long post. I’m looking to get a new kit for jazz, I’ve recently saved up some extra cash and I’d like to invest in a kit that a bit more in line with my current path in music. Jazz is a very ambiguous term considering how much music in encompasses, so I’m not sure how to describe exactly what I’m going for. Two drummers who I’m wildly into right now are Brian Blade with Chick Corea, and Eric McPherson with Fred Hersch. I should mention that I’m not trying to find a set that gets their sound I just dig that type of music…Okay that’s a lie I’d be fine with getting their sound hahaha, but let’s be honest that’s more their skill and less their kit. My point still stands, this is just an attempt to point you at the type of music I’m diggin. Besides cymbals I’ve never given much thought to drumming hardware. I’ve only recently started trying to read up on hardware, and since it’s such a large body of knowledge I’d like to ask some of you who have spent more time immersing yourselves in it for your opinions. I don’t like to make quick decisions with cash and I love seeing others points of view, so I’ll just lay out my mindset and you guys tell me what you’re thinking. I’m currently leaning heavily towards a Gretsch Catalina Club Jazz kit. Here’s what I like and what I don’t about it.
PROS:
1. The sizes are great for jazz: 14x18 BD 8x12 RT 14x14 FT 5x14 Sn.
My current set is 18x20 BD 10x12 RT 14x14 FT 5.5x14 Snare. Overall not huge changes except for the bass. I’m thinking a smaller bass drum would be better for the sound I’m looking for, and I’m worried that the 16” bass drum on some of the other kits I’ve been looking at might be too much change for now? Another benefit of smaller kit means lighter gig huals, and who doesn’t like that?!
2. Cost + Availability: The set is cheap compared to its reported quality. I am patient enough to wait for a good deal on a used set. And if I’m looking to buy a used set then the closer to mass produced the set is, the more opportunities to actually FIND a used set/good deal.
3. Its references: I’ve heard almost nothing but good things about this kit. This includes reviews, a few drummers I’ve spoken with, and some of this forums threads that I’ve been reading.
CONS:
1. The stock snare is sub-optimal: The feel that you could say this about 90% of stock snares but I wanted to mention it. (Honestly at some point I’m planning on finding a snare that I’d use with any shell pack I’d use. But that is a problem for another day).
2. Tom mount sucks: I’ve read that it the idea for the hardware for the tom mount is pretty bad, I’ve heard it digs into the drum and chokes the sound of the tom. My plan for this is either to mod the existing hardware to prevent this, or possibly buy a new RT mount (while keeping the old mount if I end up selling the kit at a later point).
3. There are 5 tuning lugs on RT, and 6 on FT: Honestly I’m still not sure if this is a real problem or if it falls into a similar category as the “virgin bass/suspended toms” arguments I’ve only recently started reading about now that I’ve begun browsing drum hardware forums.
4. Bass drum riser digs into shell: I can just put something in between the shell and the riser clamp to protect the shell.
I’ve looked a little bit into other sets but when the CCJ showed the most promise I did the most research on it. It seems that for its price range the CCJ is near the best you can get (for jazz). I’d be happy with looking into a more expensive kit if the price increase is translating to performance quality, from what I’ve seen, after a certain price point the cash is going more into prestige or visuals than actual quality.
I should also note that I plan on going to some stores and testing out this and any other kits I’m interested in. But since it’s a bit of a drive to the nearest large music store I’d like to get as many ducks in a row as possible before that.
Thank You.
PROS:
1. The sizes are great for jazz: 14x18 BD 8x12 RT 14x14 FT 5x14 Sn.
My current set is 18x20 BD 10x12 RT 14x14 FT 5.5x14 Snare. Overall not huge changes except for the bass. I’m thinking a smaller bass drum would be better for the sound I’m looking for, and I’m worried that the 16” bass drum on some of the other kits I’ve been looking at might be too much change for now? Another benefit of smaller kit means lighter gig huals, and who doesn’t like that?!
2. Cost + Availability: The set is cheap compared to its reported quality. I am patient enough to wait for a good deal on a used set. And if I’m looking to buy a used set then the closer to mass produced the set is, the more opportunities to actually FIND a used set/good deal.
3. Its references: I’ve heard almost nothing but good things about this kit. This includes reviews, a few drummers I’ve spoken with, and some of this forums threads that I’ve been reading.
CONS:
1. The stock snare is sub-optimal: The feel that you could say this about 90% of stock snares but I wanted to mention it. (Honestly at some point I’m planning on finding a snare that I’d use with any shell pack I’d use. But that is a problem for another day).
2. Tom mount sucks: I’ve read that it the idea for the hardware for the tom mount is pretty bad, I’ve heard it digs into the drum and chokes the sound of the tom. My plan for this is either to mod the existing hardware to prevent this, or possibly buy a new RT mount (while keeping the old mount if I end up selling the kit at a later point).
3. There are 5 tuning lugs on RT, and 6 on FT: Honestly I’m still not sure if this is a real problem or if it falls into a similar category as the “virgin bass/suspended toms” arguments I’ve only recently started reading about now that I’ve begun browsing drum hardware forums.
4. Bass drum riser digs into shell: I can just put something in between the shell and the riser clamp to protect the shell.
I’ve looked a little bit into other sets but when the CCJ showed the most promise I did the most research on it. It seems that for its price range the CCJ is near the best you can get (for jazz). I’d be happy with looking into a more expensive kit if the price increase is translating to performance quality, from what I’ve seen, after a certain price point the cash is going more into prestige or visuals than actual quality.
I should also note that I plan on going to some stores and testing out this and any other kits I’m interested in. But since it’s a bit of a drive to the nearest large music store I’d like to get as many ducks in a row as possible before that.
Thank You.
In response to your cons:
