Help! Sonor S-Classix or Yamaha Oak Custom?

[Topper]

I really need help. I'm looking into buying my second kit...and after a lot of looking around I've narrowed it down to these two:

Sonor S-Classix
http://www.sonor.com/cgi-sys/Sonor_F...872&44pb-id=nc

OR

Yamaha Oak Custom
http://www.yamaha.com/drums/drumprod...=546850&AFLG=N

So, help! What do you think? Opinions please.
I really need help.

[Topper]

All though, how's the Yamaha Stage Custom or Sonor Force 3007. Those look pretty good too...?
Erm, opinions?

[gmrakich]

Next kit I'm gonna get is the S Classix. Great kit. Need a birch kit..........

[Ironcobra]

well, if you are considering the sonor 3007, and probably some others, you haven't narrowed it down enough yet, and you havn't specified which configuration of each kit you are interested in, so its hard to tell. if you are going to order them exactly as the picture shows, i would probably take the yamaha, the sonor has weird tom sizes. but you should get your configurations set then re-post on here or make a new thread. definatly add the 3007's in there. or perhaps something from tama, a 4pc starclassic birch? how much money do you have to spend?

[furbeedog@gmail.com]

Sorry to steal your space Topper, but on the note of Yamaha Oak Customs, does anyone have a good description of the sound qualities of oak? From what I gather it is like maple with less sustain and slightly warmer tones, is this true?

[Frankierocker]

I played an Oak Custom in my quest for a new kit. It was very easy to get lots of volume out of it. I would characterize the sound as maple like warmth with the shorter sustain of birch. The kit had coated heads on it and was tuned with a drum dial. I ultimately decided against this kit. It had a very flat, deadened sound that I just couldn't acquire a liking for. I preferred the sound of the all birch Starclassic and all maple Pearl MCX to this set.

Originally Posted by Frankierocker

I played an Oak Custom in my quest for a new kit. It was very easy to get lots of volume out of it. I would characterize the sound as maple like warmth with the shorter sustain of birch. The kit had coated heads on it and was tuned with a drum dial. I ultimately decided against this kit. It had a very flat, deadened sound that I just couldn't acquire a liking for. I preferred the sound of the all birch Starclassic and all maple Pearl MCX to this set.

I had an Oak Custom set and wouldn't classify the sound as warm at all. To my ears it was pretty harsh and bright. A few people here know that I was downright miserable with that set every day that it was in my possession.

As much as I love Yamaha, I'd have to go with the Sonor on this one unless you can test drive both and like the tone of oak. To me, oak isn't like birch, mahogony or maple. Those 3 woods I could live with, even if I preferred one or the other. Oak on the other hand, I feel that you really have to like the sound in order to tolerate it.

[Mr. Brownstone]

It's too bad the Classix don't come in a laquered finish. I'd be interested to know why SONOR decided to go that route.

[gmrakich]

Originally Posted by Mr. Brownstone

It's too bad the Classix don't come in a laquered finish. I'd be interested to know why SONOR decided to go that route.

They offer about 5 wrap and 5 cool wood veneers....it keeps costs down to limit the finishes they mass produce.

[Mr. Brownstone]

I really like the Walnut roots finish, but when you look at the same finish on the Delites I find it looks so much bette. However, that's my preference; I understand not everyone will share the same view. If the S-Classix came laquered there'd be no doubt as to which would be my next kit. I just may have to save up for a few years and get Delites.

[rendezvous_drummer]

Never heard the S Classix before, but the Oak Custom is amazing imo. Very loud drums, great sounding. Of course, as you can see with Fourstrings, Oak isn't for everyone. I would love an Oak Custom kit. Keith Carlock plays Oak Customs and he has one of the nicest kits i've ever seen. Never heard the S Classix yet.

[-tarek-]

I would definitely have to say S-classix.

The Yamahas Oaks are kind of dead sounding. The Sonor toms are much more rich and bodied. Sonor is amazing.

When you try an Oak custom, make sure to put coated heads on first. Yamaha just told all Guitar Centers to put coated heads on the Oaks because they apparently sound like sh*% with clear heads.

The only thing I don't like about Sonor is the fact that you can't get virgin bass drums, they all have mounts. I'd check out a Pearl Masters and a Gretsch Renown, too, if I were you. They're close to that price range and are both great kits. I have a Pearl Masters Birch which I chose over a DW, for the sound not the cost, so I'd definitely look at those.

Good luck! The pursuit for my first high end kit was one of the funnest experiences of my life!

[Topper]

Originally Posted by -tarek-

I would definitely have to say S-classix.

The Yamahas Oaks are kind of dead sounding. The Sonor toms are much more rich and bodied. Sonor is amazing.

When you try an Oak custom, make sure to put coated heads on first. Yamaha just told all Guitar Centers to put coated heads on the Oaks because they apparently sound like sh*% with clear heads.

The only thing I don't like about Sonor is the fact that you can't get virgin bass drums, they all have mounts. I'd check out a Pearl Masters and a Gretsch Renown, too, if I were you. They're close to that price range and are both great kits. I have a Pearl Masters Birch which I chose over a DW, for the sound not the cost, so I'd definitely look at those.

Good luck! The pursuit for my first high end kit was one of the funnest experiences of my life!

Yeah, thank you everyone for the opinions and suggestions.
Yes, I actually tried out an Oak Custom at a local shop yesterday and I was really disappointed...definitely not what I'm looking for.
But, now, what the guy at the store said/suggested (and I really trust his opinions) was that I should look at a Ludwig Classic Maple. This really intereseted me as I've always been a fan of Ludwig and I actually own a Ludwig Accent which, even though is a entry level kit, has held up well and in comparison with some more higher-end kits, it's really not that bad.
So, anyone played a Classic Maple? Or have anything to say about this kit?

I've checked out the finishes on the site and there are some really niiice finishes, the Silver Sparkle takes the cake for me.

[Mr. Brownstone]

Originally Posted by -tarek-

The only thing I don't like about Sonor is the fact that you can't get virgin bass drums, they all have mounts.

Sure you can.. Check out the last column where it says Bass Drum Bracket. However, this option is only available from the S-Classix and up. Your statement is true with regards to the Force series.

[-tarek-]

Originally Posted by Mr. Brownstone

Sure you can.. Check out the last column where it says Bass Drum Bracket. However, this option is only available from the S-Classix and up. Your statement is true with regards to the Force series.

I didn't know that. I knew it was optional on the SQ2, but I thought all of their other kits came non vigin only. That never did make much sense to me. Now I'm gonna go have a look at an S-Classix, as I love Sonor but don't like kick drum tom mounts at all. Thanks!

As for the higher end Ludwigs, I have never played one. I'm sure they are good quality, but it seems like they're always trying to do something "vintage" or "retro" or whatever, so I'd imagine they might go for a more vintage sound, which in my opinion usually isn't the greatest. Definitely try them out, of course. Try EEEVVVEEERRRYYYTTTHHHIIINNNGGG you can get your sticks on, there are sooo many options of amazing sets.

[jeremiah]

As far as the Sonor bass mounts go..............

All of the S-Classix pre-configured sets come with mounts with the exception of the 24" Rock set. However, all of the Bass drums are available individually with or without mounts.

For the Delite series Virgin Bass drums are only available if the drums are purchased individually, and aren't offered in any of the pre-configured drum sets.

Hope this helps.