GoldenChild
Junior Member
I have gone through the threads in the past that are similar; however, I have a very specific situation that I was hoping I could get some educated opinions on.
I have been playing in 2 bands over the past 2 years on a Pearl Vision that doesn't quite cut it for the sounds I'm trying to get and the 10-15 shows I'm playing a month. Over the past year I have been putting together the hardware I really want in the long run (Pearl 2000 series boom stands, Iron Cobra hat stand, DW9000 double bass) and I'm playing on a ludwig supraphonic snare. It has come to the point where the only thing that I need to beef up is my kit. I play about 2-4 shows a month in an original band that sounds along the line of Tom Petty and Wilco. Then I play upwards of 10 shows a month in a 90s centric cover band (from Nirvana to Garth Brooks to Britney Spears and everything in between).
The kits I have been looking at are the Pearl Masters MCX, the Gretsch Renown, and Ludwig Classic Maple. I am aware that a 5-piece Classic Maple is in a higher price range. I have played both the Masters and the Renown and do like both, but haven't played the Renown as much as the Masters. Sounds very similar to me, but I feel the Renown's toms may allow for a little more of the variety of music I am playing. My real concern comes with the Classic Maple. I have priced out the exact configuration (2 up 2 down) I'd prefer at approx. 2200 which is about 700 more than the others I've looked into. I have limited experienc with the Classic Maple, but I do remember adoring the sound I got the 2 times I sat down at one.
Sorry this was long; however, I do value the opinions of the forum members here and just wonder if the Ludwig is indeed that much better than the others or if my experience (and memory of it) may be a bit faulty. Finally, there are finishes in all 3 that I am fond of so that does not matter at all in my comparison.
Thanks in advance!
I have been playing in 2 bands over the past 2 years on a Pearl Vision that doesn't quite cut it for the sounds I'm trying to get and the 10-15 shows I'm playing a month. Over the past year I have been putting together the hardware I really want in the long run (Pearl 2000 series boom stands, Iron Cobra hat stand, DW9000 double bass) and I'm playing on a ludwig supraphonic snare. It has come to the point where the only thing that I need to beef up is my kit. I play about 2-4 shows a month in an original band that sounds along the line of Tom Petty and Wilco. Then I play upwards of 10 shows a month in a 90s centric cover band (from Nirvana to Garth Brooks to Britney Spears and everything in between).
The kits I have been looking at are the Pearl Masters MCX, the Gretsch Renown, and Ludwig Classic Maple. I am aware that a 5-piece Classic Maple is in a higher price range. I have played both the Masters and the Renown and do like both, but haven't played the Renown as much as the Masters. Sounds very similar to me, but I feel the Renown's toms may allow for a little more of the variety of music I am playing. My real concern comes with the Classic Maple. I have priced out the exact configuration (2 up 2 down) I'd prefer at approx. 2200 which is about 700 more than the others I've looked into. I have limited experienc with the Classic Maple, but I do remember adoring the sound I got the 2 times I sat down at one.
Sorry this was long; however, I do value the opinions of the forum members here and just wonder if the Ludwig is indeed that much better than the others or if my experience (and memory of it) may be a bit faulty. Finally, there are finishes in all 3 that I am fond of so that does not matter at all in my comparison.
Thanks in advance!