Draven
Junior Member
Before you ask me to use the search function or do my research, don't bother. I've been doing research and watching all the youtube videos on these drumsets for the past two weeks! I have about $2k to spend on an entire new drum kit, cymbals, hardware so I want to make an investment I will never regret!
I had an old Pearl export series that I played since I was 10. I sold everything last year to move out for college but I've moved back in with my parents so I'd like to buy another drum set. I would prefer a new kit. So I've narrowed my search down to the Yamaha Stage Customs, PDP concepts, and Tama Silverstars.
All the threads I've read on multiple different forums suggest the Stage Customs over all these other mid level kits. I was totally set on the Stage Customs. However, I'm not a fan of the finishes and I have yet to find a youtube video where I like the sound of this kit. So I'm back to square one. I'll be playing progressive and melodic death metal alone in my room. I'm not in a band (yet). I just want a quality 5-piece kit I can jam/practice on a couple hours a day with some earbuds and my ipod.
tl;dr Stage Customs were my #1 choice, but I don't like the finishes and haven't heard an amazing sound out of them (regardless of what people have told me). I love the DW-like features on the Concept series, along with their faded finishes. My favorite finish out of all these is the blue burst on the Silverstars. I've also heard Tama's hardware is great. I've also considered buying another Pearl. I loved my export so much. Never had any problems with the hardware. I understand the mounting system is weak and I'll upgrade it to optimounts asap.
As for cymbals. I'll be buying used Sabian AAX 14 hihats, 16 and 18 crashes, 20 ride. Also an 18 and 12 wuhan china and 10 splash. I already have Pearl Eliminator double bass pedals. I'll be replacing all the tom heads with g2/g1 heads. Evans power center reverse dot and hazy 300 on the snare. Aquarian superkick 2 on the bass drum.
I had an old Pearl export series that I played since I was 10. I sold everything last year to move out for college but I've moved back in with my parents so I'd like to buy another drum set. I would prefer a new kit. So I've narrowed my search down to the Yamaha Stage Customs, PDP concepts, and Tama Silverstars.
All the threads I've read on multiple different forums suggest the Stage Customs over all these other mid level kits. I was totally set on the Stage Customs. However, I'm not a fan of the finishes and I have yet to find a youtube video where I like the sound of this kit. So I'm back to square one. I'll be playing progressive and melodic death metal alone in my room. I'm not in a band (yet). I just want a quality 5-piece kit I can jam/practice on a couple hours a day with some earbuds and my ipod.
tl;dr Stage Customs were my #1 choice, but I don't like the finishes and haven't heard an amazing sound out of them (regardless of what people have told me). I love the DW-like features on the Concept series, along with their faded finishes. My favorite finish out of all these is the blue burst on the Silverstars. I've also heard Tama's hardware is great. I've also considered buying another Pearl. I loved my export so much. Never had any problems with the hardware. I understand the mounting system is weak and I'll upgrade it to optimounts asap.
As for cymbals. I'll be buying used Sabian AAX 14 hihats, 16 and 18 crashes, 20 ride. Also an 18 and 12 wuhan china and 10 splash. I already have Pearl Eliminator double bass pedals. I'll be replacing all the tom heads with g2/g1 heads. Evans power center reverse dot and hazy 300 on the snare. Aquarian superkick 2 on the bass drum.
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