Cheers man thanks for the reply. I picked up a cheap PDP maple kit about a month ago and I just built a small drum room in my basement and the kit pounds. It was night and day how great the kit sounds inside the room now compared to in an open, unfinished basement before.
I dont know if this is a smart way to go but since I already own a maple shell kit I'm looking to grab a birch, and maybe a bubinga or basswood down the road. I'm beginning to experiment with home recording and would like to see what different feels I can get from a birch kit, that's why I'm leaning towards the Superstars. I checked on guitarcentre and the 4pc desert burst superstar hypdrives go for $979, and they're identical to 2008's models. I think that if I can get the 1 yr old kit for around $500-600 USD then I'm golden. Álso, I plan on using the PDPs for hosting open mic jams and small gigs in my area since they're a wrap and I won't mind if they pick up a few scratches and dings. Then the kit that I buy soon (Superstars most likely) will stay in my basement unless I absolutely need to take them out. I'll keep you posted with what decision I make. Thanks again,
AV
P.S. Please bear in mind that I'm Canadian and therefore the USD conversion isn't exactly favourable right now, and it costs a fortune to have items shipped from the US since most retailers insist on using UPS instead of Canada Post, and I also get dinged for 'duty' at the border, which is an undetermined amount which I pay when the item gets delivered (could be as much as 60 bucks for a drum kit, plus the cost of shipping as is).
I guess what I'm looking for is some reasuurance that this is a good deal for me as a Canadian, seeing as prices are a bit higher here and I dont have as many options available to me. Thanks