Best kit for the price

Celereon · #1 12-25-2006, 02:18 AM

I'm looking at getting a new kit...soon...one day.
I've narrowed it down to 3 (I'm getting fusion sizes...more convenient and cheaper)

Here in Australia I feel that the prices of drumkits are vastly different to the USA.
Keeping prices in mind which is my best option?

Yamaha Stage Custom Advantage...all hardware no cymbals...$1199
Mapex M-Birch 6 piece kit (8,10,12 and 14) all hardware no cymbals...$1499
Mapex Pro-M 5 piece aHnC...$1649
This is all in Australian Dollars.
As a reference point, Pearl Export is $1199, ELX $1299 and EXR $1399. I personally don't like Pearl Exports though.

I am also considering a Ludwig Accent Custom Elite for $1199.

If you could give me some advice I'd greatly appreciate it. What kit is best for the money, sound, hardware, expansion, QC issues etc.
Oh and Sonor kits are out of the question...the Force 3005 being around $2199 and the 2005 being $1799!
Any others within the AUS$1000-1500 range as well?
Thanks
Celereon

Celereon · #2 12-26-2006, 12:37 AM

Anyone at all?
No Ideas?

#3 12-26-2006, 01:05 AM

The Ludwig Accent Custom Elite has a snare and kick with ten lugs per side, classic lugs and they sound pretty darn good. That's my opnion.

dingbat · #4 12-26-2006, 01:07 AM

The conversion factor between US and Aussie dollars is roughly .80, meaning that for every US dollar, it is equal to 0.80 Aussie dollars. Compare prices with one of our US retailers, I will recommend www.massmusic.net for their excellent prices and service. Just by eye-balling the prices you are quoting, it looks like the Yamaha is about the same as US prices with hardware pack, the Pearl Exports are outrageously overpriced, and as far as the best bang for your money, compared to what we pay in the US (your price is a a few hundred more compared to US prices), it would have to be the Mapex Pro-M, assuming the kit comes with a hardware pack for that price quoted in Aussie dollars.

Salicete · #5 12-26-2006, 01:08 AM

I'll give you my opinion, but that is all it is, my opinion.

I like the Yamahas for the price. Mapex makes fine drums, I just prefer Yamaha.

I have seen a lot of positive comments on Yamaha drums here, and in fact, I can't recall any negative ones recently. That includes all of their lines, entry to pro-level.

Yamaha has some cool features that a lot of other companies copy like the omni-ball mounts, and they make some really nice finishes.

Mapex is fine, I just prefer the Yammies.

Celereon · #6 12-26-2006, 04:04 AM

I think what I will do is buy the Yamaha SCA for $1199, and use the $300+ I will have saved to buy myself some Evans EC2 and G1 heads for my toms, upgrade the heads on my snare (probably Evans again), and buy a Stagg Splash...I like the sound of those.

Thanks for your opinions, please keep them coming.

dingbat · #7 12-26-2006, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celereon

I think what I will do is buy the Yamaha SCA for $1199, and use the $300+ I will have saved to buy myself some Evans EC2 and G1 heads for my toms, upgrade the heads on my snare (probably Evans again), and buy a Stagg Splash...I like the sound of those.

Thanks for your opinions, please keep them coming.

I would agree with your plan if you are sticking to a definite budget to buy other things to go with the kit, else if you can spend a little more, I would recommend the Mapex Pro-M because of the thin maple shell made with North American maple veneers.

Fat Elvis · #8 12-26-2006, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dingbat

I would agree with your plan if you are sticking to a definite budget to buy other things to go with the kit, else if you can spend a little more, I would recommend the Mapex Pro-M because of the thin maple shell made with North American maple veneers.

i would second the pro-M simply because they do offer their shells in the North American maple variety, which is far better than their asian counterparts.

mikeybbdrummin · #9 12-26-2006, 06:27 AM

I would also say Mapex Pro M or their M birch kit. I will have one of the two hopefully in the next 3-4 months. Studio version. Both come w/hardware from most places.

Celereon · #10 12-26-2006, 08:37 AM

Hm in that case I might save up for a couple more months and get the Mapex Pro-M. I'll see if I like the sound this weekend.
One question, is the hardware and mounting system on the Mapex Pro-M as sturdy and reliable and durable as the the Yamaha Stage Custom Advantage?
Thanks.
Celereon

Algo · #11 12-26-2006, 01:54 PM

mapex pro M or the ludwig accent cs elite custom(i have this drum), with any of them you will be happy xD, they are excellent drums

#12 12-26-2006, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celereon

Hm in that case I might save up for a couple more months and get the Mapex Pro-M. I'll see if I like the sound this weekend.
One question, is the hardware and mounting system on the Mapex Pro-M as sturdy and reliable and durable as the the Yamaha Stage Custom Advantage?
Thanks.
Celereon

The hardware on the Mapex is good, whereas the hardware on the Yamaha is excellent. Is it worth paying a lot more for? You decide. I'm an advocate of Yamaha, but I have little that would necessarily disuade you from the Mapex, they're very good kits.

Drummer30 · #13 12-27-2006, 04:04 AM

I'm yet another one the Yamaha side but I've never heard the two side by side. My Stage Custom Nouveau has served its purpose with flying colours for over a year and I have nothing to complain about. Yamaha hardware it amazing (may in the motorcycle factory) and the drums are just as amazing. I doubt there is much to bad about the mapex, but the Yamaha is just, in my opinion that much better.

Celereon · #14 12-27-2006, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mediocrefunkybeat

The hardware on the Mapex is good, whereas the hardware on the Yamaha is excellent. Is it worth paying a lot more for? You decide.

The Yamaha is cheaper...
Either way I guess it's all about what sound I like more...
We'll see...

Anyone else?

Celereon · #15 12-30-2006, 07:36 AM

Hello again guys...
Just today I went out to try these drumkits out.
Decided I didn't need an extra tom, and after adding the cost of new skins for the extra tom, the M Birch came to ~$1600 anyway.
M Birch didn't sound very nice.

Pro M wasn't tuned well, but we fiddled around with it while playing the SCA...and came to the conclusion that the difference was slight enough that it wasn't worth an extra $450. Besides, new heads would make far more difference than the different woods ever would.

Stage Custom Bass drum sounded WAYYYYY AWESOME...with stock heads, just needed a bit of muffling.
Snare wasn't dry enough, but I'll be changing the skin and re-tuning it and everything...so hopefully we get it better.

In conclusion, considering price and sound quality, I think the Yamaha is indeed the best.

drozzy · #16 12-30-2006, 10:39 AM

I wouldn't dismiss the Sonor 3005. With a decent discount this could come in around your price range, as a 25 or 30 percent markdown would still leave a large profit for the music store.

Celereon · #17 12-30-2006, 11:06 AM

hey Drozzy

I did try the Sonor 3005. If I can get it for around $1650 I might consider it...but it'd take me longer to save up more.
And could I point you to this...kindly directed to me by someone on drummerworld forums.

http://www.drum.com.au/reviews/dec05.pdf

In that case I think Mapex Pro-M would be around the same as a Sonor 3005.
In which case it's not worth an extra $500
Besides I like Yamaha YESS mounting system :D

Thanks

#18 12-30-2006, 11:52 AM

Hooray! Another YESS convertee. Nice and simple isn't it?

Celereon · #19 12-30-2006, 01:26 PM

I especially like the cymbal stand mounter on the back of the bass drum.
Love the bass drum sound...
Just change the heads and I reckon it'd rival the Mapex ones.
Now just what heads should I get...

Celereon · #20 01-03-2007, 05:58 AM

(Sighs) But then again I just realised, I'm still tempted to save up for another two months or so and get the Pro-M.
Especially because it is a better wood, and because the shells have a lifetime warranty.
BUT you guys please keep in mind that the Pro-M DOESN'T come with the black panther snare here in Australia...
soooo....(sighs again) hating to be annoying, but I still can't decide. I HAVE tried both, and both sound just as good, I reckon the Mapex looks nicer, the Yamaha mounting system is nicer, and (I presume) after the Mapex is tuned and I put on some Coated G2s it should sound fantastic...as good as or better than the Yamaha.

AND the Mapex is made in the same factory as the 'fabled' Sonor 3005.

So guys, again, I hate to be annoying, but uh please tell me what you think.

Fardunda · #21 01-03-2007, 06:43 AM

At the end of the day it is your money and you are the only one affected by the purchase. In my opinion the kits you are looking at are all good kits and will serve you well.

Personally, I am a fan of the 3005. I own one and compared them against the kits you have listed and found it to be the best value for money. Add to that the research I did proved that I could not find one dissatisfied customer or negative remark toward the 3005.

I too bough it in Australia and the prices you listed are RRP I believe. You should not pay more than $1750 for a 3005.

I hope this doesnt make things harder. But really in all honesty, Mapex, Yamaha and Sonor all make really good mid-level kits. I was willing to pay a little more for the maple shells, finish options and what I believed to be superior hardware.

Good luck.

rendezvous_drummer · #22 01-03-2007, 07:47 AM

Do yourself a favour and buy the Yamaha Stage Custom because that kit is unbeatable for the price. YESS mounting system is the greatest, the hardware and shells are all amazingly well built, just an amazing all round kit.

gusty · #23 01-03-2007, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fardunda

I too bough it in Australia and the prices you listed are RRP I believe. You should not pay more than $1750 for a 3005.

nope, the 3005 is $2199. im in the same situation, of what kit i want, probly ill go with the 3005 in fusion sizes. now all i need is the money...

Celereon · #24 01-03-2007, 09:44 AM

Yeah there's absolutely no way in the world that I'd pay an extra $1000 for a Sonor 3005...although admittedly it does sound very nice. I'd much rather take the Pro-M for $1649.

But then in America the Yamaha SCA would be more expensive than the M-Birch and only $50 cheaper than the Pro-M...so I guess if you compare it to America the Yamaha for 1199 is best.
Hm.
Hm.
And I STILL can't decide...
I guess I'll just play 'em all again next time I go into the city.
Cel

gusty · #25 01-03-2007, 10:24 AM

an extra 1000? but the 3005 is 2199 and pro m is 1649...thats 550 difference

Celereon · #26 01-03-2007, 02:59 PM

Oh no sorry, I meant $1000 more than the Yamaha...
Granted the Sonor is miles better...but not $1000 better (to my ears)...
I guess I'll go down there when I have the money and tune them all and see which one's the best. (They were horribly tuned)

Fardunda · #27 01-03-2007, 11:39 PM

Unless there has been a recent price hike then you wont pay more than $1800. I paid $1750 for mine and I could have got one for $1699 from Drum Power in Melbourne (they ship anywhere in Oz)

Ignore the price on the kit and deal with the sales guys.

The Yamaha is a great kit for the price absolutely.

pcmckay · #28 01-04-2007, 04:50 AM

I feel that maple shells are the way to go. I bought a set of the Ludwig Maple Classics and compared to DW, Pearl, Yamaha etc. they are really resonably priced for a high end kit. I haven't had any quality control issues, the kit is very solid and sounds great. You might be able to get a high end Ludwig in standard sizes for the same price as a medium grade Pearl, Yamaha. I would definately check it out.

Celereon · #29 01-04-2007, 01:52 PM

Lol I hope I'm not annoying you by continuing to ask for advice...
But I have heard rumours that the Yamaha Stage Custom Advantage line has been discontinued and only the Nouveau line is left.
Is this true?
Because I don't really like to pay an extra $120 for lugs that I don't feel are any more superior than the standard ones.
I'd probably want to add on a 16" tom later on, so in that case the M-Birch comes to mind with an extra tom. However, if I could get a Pro-M for $150 more and just get another tom separate a few months down, does the Pro-M shells, better hoops and hardware warrant the extra $300+?
Thanks again.
Cel

rendezvous_drummer · #30 01-04-2007, 08:17 PM

Your place jacked the price because of the lugs? That's sucks! My store had the same price fer both. I still think it's worth it though.

Celereon · #31 01-05-2007, 01:53 AM

^.^ Here in Australia things are vastly different from the USA. For example, the M-Birch is $250 more than the SCA...which sucks because I quite liked Mapex.

I don't really care whether I get Birch or Maple...so I was wondering

Is there any difference between the Sonor 2005 and 3005 apart from the fact that 2005 is birch and 3005 maple?
Thanks

#32 01-05-2007, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celereon

Anyone at all?
No Ideas?

Have you test driven the Ludwig kit? I was playing one at Sam Ash and it was pretty sweet. It's the only kit I've seen at that price range of $700 that has a ten lug snare and kick. I cranked up the snare and it sounded great, that's what I look for in a budget kit, any company can get the toms and kick to sound reasonable, but the snare is a different story. Having ten lugs per side really pushes your tuning range up, and being made of birch keeps the sound focused. If you haven't tried one I suggest you do so as soon as possible, besides it has classic lugs just like their high end classic maple kits, sweet.

Celereon · #33 01-05-2007, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jusstickinaround

Have you test driven the Ludwig kit?

Well I have never heard of test driving drumkits, but no i have not tested the Ludwig. However my school has a Ludwig Accent Custom of some sort, and I will try it out when school reopens in a few weeks. (I just changed to music).
I suspect I will fall in love with it as it does look good, it is a good brand (I think, not sure about their beginner lines), and it will be tuned well with good skins on it.

But right now I am leaning towards a Mapex Pro-M, which is only $100 more than the M-Birch
Even though unfortunately it doesn't come with a BP snare...

gusty · #34 01-05-2007, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celereon

Even though unfortunately it doesn't come with a BP snare...

yeah, and its a nice snare...i have it lol.

Celereon · #35 01-05-2007, 07:07 AM

Nice...
I wish it came free, but it doesn't.
Oh well at least the M-Birch comes with a free tom still.

nickg · #36 01-05-2007, 11:27 PM

Pro M -- but then i'm biased.

in the same respect i bought all new Yamaha stands and pedals!!

Celereon · #37 01-06-2007, 08:28 AM

OH MAN The Pro-M for $1649 is the older one with basswood in the shells.

So that's kinda out...the newer one from the other store is $1999, might be able to talk them down, but I can't guarantee that.

Basically I can't tell the difference between woods. I want the drumkit that sounds decent but will last me the longest.

Yamaha hardware is the best, but their Nouveau lugs are carbon fibre (?Plastic?) and their warranty is only 12 months.

Whereas Mapex warranty is lifetime-3 years depending on what parts, but their stands and mounts are less strong.

So right now these are my options:
Yamaha Stage Custom Advantage Nouveau $1299
Mapex M-Birch $1499-1599
Mapex Pro-M old version with basswood $1649
Mapex Pro-M new version $1999

Fat Elvis · #38 01-06-2007, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celereon

So right now these are my options:
Yamaha Stage Custom Advantage Nouveau $1299
Mapex M-Birch $1499-1599
Mapex Pro-M old version with basswood $1649
Mapex Pro-M new version $1999

I would go with either the M Birch or the new Pro M. I hate those plastic lugs on the yamaha.

Celereon · #39 01-06-2007, 09:10 AM

Yeah I'll probably get the M-Birch with the extra tom.
The Pro-M doesn't get a free snare where I am, and $1999 is a bit above my budget...

joey · #40 01-06-2007, 11:58 AM

personally i woulod deffonatly go with the M-birch i own one and they are soo much better than people actually say they are n iv not heard one bad thing about them.

i cant say for ludwig never tried one.

but the yamaha if ur looking the one with the plastic lugs iv heard if you tune ur toms high u can thread the lugs n you cant use them soo M-Birch all the way hardware is good as well on the mapex.