Am I really upgrading my kit???

[sosnick]

I recently picked up a Yamaha Maple Custom kit that was a little scratched up on the shells but sounds fantastic. It is going to stay at home, set up and mic'd for the recording stuff that I do.

For my live stuff (about 100 shows a year), I have been playing Pacific CX's for the better part of 10 years (with an assortment of snare drums) The kit is in great shape for and has never given me a problem. I like them because I paid next to nothing for them and I didn't care if a beer or shot was spilled on them from time to time. Now that my band is playing more and more bigger shows (cruises, festivals, major stages) and not really having people come up to do shots or drop beers on my kit, I feel like I can upgrade my kit. The pacifics have served me well, but I love Yamaha Drums. Here is what I am thinking about picking up for the road (by the way, all drums are carried in soft cases- I know hard shells would help more but not an option at this point). Don't need hardware for any kit.. just as a reference, the music is covers for 4 different projects... anything from old sun records stuff to current rock/dance. weddings, corp events, bars, clubs, cruises, outdoor festivals, etc.. We do not do local dive bars though.

Yamaha Stage Custom Birch- I can get a great deal on these new and basically swap out the yamahas for the pacifics with no cash outlay. This way i stay at a price point where I am not destroyed over the wears of taking them on the road... but am I really upgrading much over my existing pacifics?

Yamaha Maple Customs or Absolutes- I could splurge here and get these reasonably used... is it worth the splurge?

DW Performance series kit - same here... I can splurge but how much am I really gaining over the CX's?

Mapex Meridian Birch / Maple - I like the looks of these.. I've owned few Mapex snares that I liked. same boat as the stage customs about staying at a manageable price point.

I'm not a big fan of Tama Starclassics, but I know lots of pros use them. I could find these used in my range.

Find an old Pacific Platinum- a few local GCs have these hanging around. Is this a major upgrade over the CXs?

I don't like Pearls, Ludwigs, Sonors, Gretches... open to other ideas

[sosnick]

I also forgot Yamaha Tour Customs.... how good are these drums?

[DrumEatDrum]

IMHO, most of those would only be minor upgrades.

Only the Yamaha Maple Customs or Absolutes, or Starclassic in Maple or Bubinga would be considered a major upgrade.

The rest might be a bit better than the CX, but it's not going to be a huge world of difference.

If you're sold on Yamaha, might as well just wait until you come across a used Yamaha Maple Customs or Absolutes, or a used Recording Custom. At least that way you stay in the brand you like, and the sonic difference for the money you'll spend will stand out more.

[larryz]

You're playing classier venues I would upgrade to the yamaha absolutes. You mentioned you can get a good deal on them..go for it. Nice problem to have :)

Oh, photos would be nice too....

[AJ3000]

+1 on the Yamahas. Check out the Rock Tours as well, they ain't expensive, but those 100% mahogany shells are immense. Actually bought mine instead of the DW I had placed a deposit on!

[MasterCylinder]

[quote=sosnick;1005523] For my live stuff (about 100 shows a year), I have been playing Pacific CX's for the better part of 10 years.

I'm not a big fan of Tama Starclassics, I don't like Pearls, Ludwigs, Sonors, Gretches./QUOTE]

WTF ?
Is this a serious thread ?

[steverok]

[quote=MasterCylinder;1005590]

Originally Posted by sosnick

For my live stuff (about 100 shows a year), I have been playing Pacific CX's for the better part of 10 years.

I'm not a big fan of Tama Starclassics, I don't like Pearls, Ludwigs, Sonors, Gretches./QUOTE]

WTF ?
Is this a serious thread ?

Really ... are we allowed to not like these ??? I mean, I have preferences, but I like all good drums !!!

[wildbill]

Originally Posted by larryz

You're playing classier venues I would upgrade to the yamaha absolutes. You mentioned you can get a good deal on them..go for it. Nice problem to have :)

Oh, photos would be nice too....

+2 - if you can get the Absolutes for a good price.

[MATTLAMORA]

IM sell a truth custom drum kit for 1000$

[sosnick]

Yes, this is a serious thread and the opions i express are from experience... 30 years of playing, owning pearls, sonors and tama starclassics and developing an educated view of how they sound to me. You will notice i stated "i dont care for" or "i dont like". I didnt say they were bad drums, just not my thing cor one reason or another, including, but not limited to the bulky tom mounting system on starclassics or on the pearls. Limited position availablitly for what I am loking for.....

If you want your drum decisions made for you by ads in drum magazines, then good luck with that. I trust my ears and experience.

[MasterCylinder]

Originally Posted by sosnick

If you want your drum decisions made for you by ads in drum magazines, then good luck with that. I trust my ears and experience.

Oh, I see...........so most of the guys around here will agree that the Ludwig and Gretsch classic shells sound like shyt but the magazine ads are top notch.............please !

I don't blame anyone for buying that with which they have experience and taste.
But at the same time, you prove you don't know squat about quality American drums.

[DrumEatDrum]

Geez......So he doesn't prefer certain brands over others.

It's his prerogative. Unless you work there, what it to you if someone doesn't buy a particular brand?

There are dozens of brands out there, hundreds if you cont every last boutique place. No one has the time, and nearly no one has the budget, to own and play them all and get deep opinions on every brand and every line.

We all have to, for practical reasons, narrow down our lists. Be it based on real world experiences or arbitrary reasons or whatever.

I much prefer the "what should I get threads" from people who have narrowed down their lists and criteria to a few select brands/lines, rather than the usual "ohmygawd, I have 101 choices, how do I narrow it down?"

The OP made it pretty clear he prefers Yamaha, so why not just eliminate certain brands from his search? Who does it hurt to not be interested in certain brands over others?

[bmuren]

Originally Posted by MasterCylinder

Oh, I see...........so most of the guys around here will agree that the Ludwig and Gretsch classic shells sound like shyt but the magazine ads are top notch.............please !

I don't blame anyone for buying that with which they have experience and taste.
But at the same time, you prove you don't know squat about quality American drums.

+1 or something like that. I must ask how some of the drum companies listed offer limited positioning or bulky tom mounting compared to the Yamahas...
Otherwise, if you like Yamaha, get a kit from them.

[AJ3000]

As mentioned, it's purely personal taste. I wouldn't personally own another pearl kit because I dislike the Tom arms. I don't play a gretsch or Ludwig because in my eyes they're a bit too 'vintage' for what I want. I never thought I'd like Yamaha, as for years I saw them as function over form, and figured other guys were doing stuff just as good that had the look to compete. In some people's eyes I'm a complete ass for thinking like that, but regardless of what is said or thought, it ain't gonna change my opinion on stuff.

If this cat has narrowed down to what he feels is right, then good for him! If everyone thought that the Gretsch's and Luddy's were that great, other manufacturers just wouldn't exist, cos nobody would buy them!

[audiotech]

Originally Posted by sosnick

I'm not a big fan of Tama Starclassics, but I know lots of pros use them. I could find these used in my range.

What series of Tama Starclassic drums have you played and are not a fan of. I'm just wondering. I ask the same question when people say that they don't like DW drums or any other manufacturer that makes more than just one series of drums. It's like saying I don't like Jello just because there is one flavor that I detest.

Dennis

[sosnick]

Wow, lots to reply to.

Dennis- i have owned ang gigged with both starclassic Birch and maple kits. I dislike the starcast tom mount set up. I find it bulky.

As for ludwig and gretsch, just not my cup Of tea. If that is not a good enough reason for you, get over it. I know enough about drums to know what i like and what doesnt work for me. I play a lot. I know what works for me. That may be different than what works for you and thats fine. Ludwig, gretsch, pearl... They make great stuff. Ive recorded an entire album with a house set of Pearls because that was what the producer wanted. I never questioned their quality or sound. They are just not my preference. I take offense to you saying that since i dont want to buy one of those sets that i dont know what i am talking about. I will put my resume up aginst yours any day. I just dont blindly say buy into a brand. Ive Played Yamahas that sounded like shit too. As i stated these are all prefernces.. I may wind uo with a GMS kit or something i havent played before. That is thd point of posting and asking fir feedback.

[sosnick]

Just re-read my post.. Sounds like inam ragging in Dennis. Dennis- only first part is a response to your question. 2nd part is directed to Master Cylindar

[mls]

Oak Custom. Splits the (price) difference between Absolute and Tour Custom.

[Netz Ausg]

Originally Posted by sosnick

Wow, lots to reply to.

Dennis- i have owned ang gigged with both starclassic Birch and maple kits. I dislike the starcast tom mount set up. I find it bulky.

Very fair statement. I much prefer the ITS mounting on my Mapex drums over the starcast mounts on my old rockstars. I loved the drums on that Tama, but the mounts weren't entirely practical for my set up. It wouldn't be an issue flying off cymbal stands with a virgin kick but mounting the drums together off the kick or a double tom stand I could never get them exactly right. That issue is gone now.

[steverok]

Originally Posted by sosnick

As for ludwig and gretsch, just not my cup Of tea. If that is not a good enough reason for you, get over it.

It's all good, man. Sometimes, in shopping drums, I have to write a list of what I don't want, and that seriously cuts down the options, which is actually helpful.

[MasterCylinder]

Originally Posted by sosnick
As for ludwig and gretsch, just not my cup Of tea. If that is not a good enough reason for you, get over it


I like Yamaha == go for it.