Is ddrum really as bad as people say?

[jondrumming]

I'm talking about their mid-level stuff, particularly their Dominion AMX line. Reviews on Guitar Center and Musicians Friend say great things about them, but when I look elsewhere, the reviews are TERRIBLE! People bash ddrum everywhere; hardware, bearing edges, shell quality, everything.

I've heard that since 2006/2007, ddrum has been stepping up their acoustic drum products, but have they improved them enough? I'm looking at the AMX kits as a possibility for a new kit, but I don't want to be replacing it in a few years...

[caddywumpus]

Yeah, they're not very good kits, unless you like a "dull and lifeless thud" sound. I've actually been on the search for a good-sounding one so I can say, "Well, that ONE I played sounded okay...", but, about 20 or so kits later, I still haven't found it.

[Jon_Gwon]

Most of the one's I've played have sounded kind of "boxy". They lacked the overtones to really bring them to life. The only kit I had any fun on was (I believe) the Dominion Maple ... the one with the 14x10, 16x16, 18x16, 26x16 configuration, but with sizes that big, there's always enough tone to have fun.

The Tama Superstar is probably right up your alley. A student of mine bought one recently and I went over to tune it up for him, and even with the stock heads had a pretty decent tone all around. It has the starcast mounting for the toms, so they sing out well. The 22x20 bass drum is a freakin monster and the only thing you might eventually want to switch, is the snare. I had no real complaints with it, but it isn't anything special. Swap that snare out with a 6.5x14 Metal works snare and your rockin!

Or save up for a little while longer and invest in the Tama Starclassic B/B. They sound absolutely incredible, are decently priced, and could essentially last you for the rest of your life.

[wolfmoon]

Originally Posted by caddywumpus

Yeah, they're not very good kits, unless you like a "dull and lifeless thud" sound. I've actually been on the search for a good-sounding one so I can say, "Well, that ONE I played sounded okay...", but, about 20 or so kits later, I still haven't found it.

Oh yeah? Hmmm. I have the Maple Dominator and it happens to be the best set that I have ever owned in my 30 years of playing. The hardware isn't that great but it doesn't look bad and it works. Try getting the same set up in maple from Tama or any other big company for the price Ddrum sells them for. I don't know where your hearing bad reviews from .............

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=50539

[caddywumpus]

Originally Posted by wolfmoon

Oh yeah? Hmmm. I have the Maple Dominator and it happens to be the best set that I have ever owned in my 30 years of playing. The hardware isn't that great but it doesn't look bad and it works. Try getting the same set up in maple from Tama or any other big company for the price Ddrum sells them for. I don't know where your hearing bad reviews from .............

They certainly look impressive! Even I did a double-take when I saw a new maple kit for $650. When I played them, and tried tuning them, I could tell right away that this was definitely NOT the kit for me.

Maybe wolfmoon has "the one" I'm looking to play...

[masonni]

Originally Posted by jondrumming

I'm talking about their mid-level stuff, particularly their Dominion AMX line. Reviews on Guitar Center and Musicians Friend say great things about them, but when I look elsewhere, the reviews are TERRIBLE! People bash ddrum everywhere; hardware, bearing edges, shell quality, everything.

Well, GC owens Musicians Friend, and I was told at one point GC would pay their employees to go on forums like Harmony Central (owned by Musicians Friend) and give good reviews of new products. I wouldn't put it past them to do the same on their retail websites.

Anyway, I don't think ddrums shells are that bad. The quality of woods goes up with price but the hardware is junk. The lugs, tension rods, hoops, snare throw-offs, all that stuff seems cheap. Even the wing nuts on the Tom mounts and Floor Tom brackets are hallow, unlike everyone else who uses cast parts.

[razorx]

Originally Posted by caddywumpus

Yeah, they're not very good kits, unless you like a "dull and lifeless thud" sound. I've actually been on the search for a good-sounding one so I can say, "Well, that ONE I played sounded okay...", but, about 20 or so kits later, I still haven't found it.

My dad (wolfmoon) plays the dominator like he says. I can feel his floor toms rumble while i sit across the room while he plays. They aren't lifeless at all, and he uses Aquarian Performance 2's on them. I can't even imagine how loud they will be if he ever puts a single ply head on them.

[ROADAPPLEDRUMMER]

Originally Posted by masonni

Well, GC owens Musicians Friend, and I was told at one point GC would pay their employees to go on forums like Harmony Central (owned by Musicians Friend) and give good reviews of new products. I wouldn't put it past them to do the same on their retail websites.

Anyway, I don't think ddrums shells are that bad. The quality of woods goes up with price but the hardware is junk. The lugs, tension rods, hoops, snare throw-offs, all that stuff seems cheap. Even the wing nuts on the Tom mounts and Floor Tom brackets are hallow, unlike everyone else who uses cast parts.

Thanks for being honest Nick. Don't you work for the G.C. in the Buffalo area?

Originally Posted by caddywumpus

Yeah, they're not very good kits, unless you like a "dull and lifeless thud" sound. I've actually been on the search for a good-sounding one so I can say, "Well, that ONE I played sounded okay...", but, about 20 or so kits later, I still haven't found it.

Well, I don't know what kits you've been playing, but this little ddrum D- Bop kit I have sounds great. This kit is made from basswood, the finish is suberb, the hardware on the kit is fine, no problems. I checked the bearing edges and they are flawless. If I didn't know better I'd think this kit would cost twice as much as it cost. I think you guys are a bit biased and a wee be picky. In my opinion ddrum is making some of the finest kits out there.

Check out the finish. Now if you want to talk about crappy kits, Peace would be a good place to start.

[wolfmoon]

Originally Posted by The Walrus

I think you guys are a bit biased and a wee be picky. In my opinion ddrum is making some of the finest kits out there.

yep..................................

[Skitch]

Originally Posted by masonni

Well, GC owens Musicians Friend, and I was told at one point GC would pay their employees to go on forums like Harmony Central (owned by Musicians Friend) and give good reviews of new products. I wouldn't put it past them to do the same on their retail websites.

Did not know this!!!!!

Anyway, I don't think ddrums shells are that bad. The quality of woods goes up with price but the hardware is junk.

It's all plywood - lol!


Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com
http://www.patentcoachmike.com
http://www.youtube.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.myspace.com/drummermikemccraw

[masonni]

Originally Posted by The Walrus

Check out the finish. Now if you want to talk about crappy kits, Peace would be a good place to start.

Your joking right?

Originally Posted by ROADAPPLEDRUMMER

Thanks for being honest Nick. Don't you work for the G.C. in the Buffalo area?

I did last year for a short time between tours. Worst mistake I ever made!

[mrchattr]

I have played dozens of kits, and none are worse than the ddrums I have played. No matter what I tried, tuning-wise, they sounded like boxes. Some of their maple kits sound more like basswood. The hardware is mediocre at best, the sound has never been good (there may be some that sound good out there, but why buy a kit and take that risk?), and when I see that one is set up as a house kit, I always ask if I can bring my own kit instead...and I'm lazy...I'll almost always take a house kit over setting up my own stuff.

[Stripchase]

I have owned two Ddrum kits now. First one I bought was a dominion ash. Owned it for over a year. Gig'ed with it, recorded with it. It was a great sounding kit and I had no issues with hardware or bad bearing edges. I found a rare RMV complete 7 pc shell pack so I sold the Ddrums to buy the RMV's. Decided I wanted a second smaller 5 pc set up for small bar gigs, I liked the Ddrum's so much I bought another one. This time I got the dominion maple pocket kit and I could not be happier.

I don't know how to respond to these previous posts but my kits .. both of them .. definitely dit NOT sound like boxes. I think I like my maple kit more than the ash. The AMX line is a maple shell with one outer ash ply. Going on one yar now with my maple kit and not one issue to mention. I gig with it once a month on average. Sounds sweet live with good mic's. I recommend the 20x20 kick if your going to be mic'ed most of the time. It has a very nice punchy sound. Don't port the reso.

These are the ddrum defiant line made of basswood, they don't sound boxy to me. This was recorded with an inexpensive video camera.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eJggWl6J5o

[wolfmoon]

Originally Posted by The Walrus

These are the ddrum defiant line made of basswood, they don't sound boxy to me. This was recorded with an inexpensive video camera.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eJggWl6J5o

WOW! they sound great. I beleived you before but they sound even better than what I had originally thought. So does anyone here think this set sounds like a box ? Mine actually do sound boxy but that's what I like and need for what I do. The difference is while mine are very low.. I still have plenty of volume and sustain even from pre muffled heads. Listening to this video though makes me want to try some single ply open heads just for the hell of it.

[KarlCrafton]

Yep, they sound like drums to me.

I like the raspy sound on the snare too.

I would have the bass drum more open sounding (personal taste), but mic'd that kick would sound pretty darn good.

I've always thought that if the edges were done well on any kit, you could make it sound good.
EXACTLY every nuance you'd like (which just might be on that particular day, but we all don't change things that often do we?), probably not on a kit made with lower cost materials, but it should perform within a reasonable frame of "good".

As long as a drum sounds like a drum (and I have played on some kits that should have sounded great for what they are, and have sounded like poop), I'm usually down with it.

I thought the kit in the vid sounded good, even with just a camera mic. Sounds like a good drum kit. Color is nice too.
Now, if the hardware (hoops, lugs etc...) is crap and will probably fall apart under any regular gigging use, then I'd say stay away from it. Other than that....

That's funny (and not surprising) about GC telling employees to talk up products online.
But hey, what other store has employees call you to see if you're in need of anything?

[wolfmoon]

Originally Posted by KarlCrafton

Yep, they sound like drums to me.

I like the raspy sound on the snare too.

I would have the bass drum more open sounding (personal taste), but mic'd that kick would sound pretty darn good.

I've always thought that if the edges were done well on any kit, you could make it sound good.
EXACTLY every nuance you'd like (which just might be on that particular day, but we all don't change things that often do we?), probably not on a kit made with lower cost materials, but it should perform within a reasonable frame of "good".

As long as a drum sounds like a drum (and I have played on some kits that should have sounded great for what they are, and have sounded like poop), I'm usually down with it.

I just looked at the pics of this set again... He's got the stock heads on them yet and they sound good! That's a shock. Imagine the sound if he replaces those heads. I know they are made by Remo but they are cheapies..

I thought the kit in the vid sounded good, even with just a camera mic. Sounds like a good drum kit. Color is nice too.
Now, if the hardware (hoops, lugs etc...) is crap and will probably fall apart under any regular gigging use, then I'd say stay away from it. Other than that....

That's funny (and not surprising) about GC telling employees to talk up products online.
But hey, what other store has employees call you to see if you're in need of anything?

I agree with your post. I likes the snare too. as far as GC goes, that doesn't surprise me either but in these times I guess you have to what you have to do to sell products. Sadly that may include fudging things such as product reviews.

[mrchattr]

Originally Posted by The Walrus

These are the ddrum defiant line made of basswood, they don't sound boxy to me. This was recorded with an inexpensive video camera.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eJggWl6J5o

I do like the sound of the bass and the snare, but yeah, the toms have that same crap ddrum sound I've come to know and hate. Boxy and no resonance. When you go to the Krupa-style solo, it sounds horrible (despite being played well).

[wolfmoon]

Originally Posted by mrchattr

I do like the sound of the bass and the snare, but yeah, the toms have that same crap ddrum sound I've come to know and hate. Boxy and no resonance. When you go to the Krupa-style solo, it sounds horrible (despite being played well).

Ahh well, can't please everyone. They sound nice and open to me. Could be better with better heads after all he's got the stock heads on them yet. I know they are made by Remo but they cheapies. Hey, your a GOLD member now. lol!

Originally Posted by mrchattr

I do like the sound of the bass and the snare, but yeah, the toms have that same crap ddrum sound I've come to know and hate. Boxy and no resonance. When you go to the Krupa-style solo, it sounds horrible (despite being played well).

You are a hard man to please, I thought the toms sounded good, they have plenty of resonance, maybe, since they are made of basswood you can't except the fact that they sound good, you know a psychological thing.
BTW, the main snare is a Ludwig classic maple snare, the ddrum snare is off to the side out of camera view, I do play it however, it's kind of poppy.

[gr82bagn]

I've had mine for a while now and I play them hard. I love the sound, quality and cost. I have a ddrum diatribe set, birch and poplar blend. Great kit. No issues. Tack on a complete set of Dream Bliss cymbals and this is perhaps the best bang for the buck set up I've ever had,,,,,

That's a nice lookig kit, I've also got Dream bliss cymbals, I love em.

[Christ-Hammer]

Originally Posted by masonni

Well, GC owens Musicians Friend, and I was told at one point GC would pay their employees to go on forums like Harmony Central (owned by Musicians Friend) and give good reviews of new products. I wouldn't put it past them to do the same on their retail websites.

Anyway, I don't think ddrums shells are that bad. The quality of woods goes up with price but the hardware is junk. The lugs, tension rods, hoops, snare throw-offs, all that stuff seems cheap. Even the wing nuts on the Tom mounts and Floor Tom brackets are hallow, unlike everyone else who uses cast parts.

Wait a sec, so why was working at GC so bad? I am only asking because I was planning on shooting for a job there or MF. Please tell

[mrchattr]

Originally Posted by The Walrus

You are a hard man to please, I thought the toms sounded good, they have plenty of resonance, maybe, since they are made of basswood you can't except the fact that they sound good, you know a psychological thing.
BTW, the main snare is a Ludwig classic maple snare, the ddrum snare is off to the side out of camera view, I do play it however, it's kind of poppy.

I am a very hard man to please, sound-wise. I spend hours tuning when I get a kit, to make everything perfect. I honestly was surprised at how much I liked the bass sound, so I don't think it's a psychological thing...but everyone has their own sound that they like.

Originally Posted by mrchattr

I am a very hard man to please, sound-wise. I spend hours tuning when I get a kit, to make everything perfect. I honestly was surprised at how much I liked the bass sound, so I don't think it's a psychological thing...but everyone has their own sound that they like.

I'd be very interested to hear your drums and your sound.
Unless you are trying to tune some crappy drums it shouldn't take more than a few minutes to get a good sound, those hours spent tuning could be put to a better use, like playing.

[caddywumpus]

Originally Posted by The Walrus

I'd be very interested to hear your drums and your sound.
Unless you are trying to tune some crappy drums it shouldn't take more than a few minutes to get a good sound, those hours spent tuning could be put to a better use, like playing.

I don't think it's unreasonable to spend a couple of hours tuning up a kit when you first get it. I mean, you usually have to take off the batter and resonant heads, check the bearing edges, check the hardware for looses screws and springs, put the new resonant and batter heads on, tune them to each other and the shell, and then a couple of minutes are spent fine-tuning the batters once the toms are set up in sequence. It usually takes me about an hour for a 4-piece kit with no hardware problems, and about 15 minutes for each additional drum. After that, though, fine-tuning for a gig usually only takes a few minutes...

[mrchattr]

Originally Posted by The Walrus

I'd be very interested to hear your drums and your sound.
Unless you are trying to tune some crappy drums it shouldn't take more than a few minutes to get a good sound, those hours spent tuning could be put to a better use, like playing.

I will have some playing samples of the new kit soon. It's like Caddy said, I put in a lot of time when I get a new kit, taking everything off, restarting, etc. Not to mention that I had the worst time I've ever had getting the snare to not have sympathetic vibrations. I have tuned over a dozen snare drums, and NEVER had that kind of problem before.

As far as spending time playing, I play professionally, and not a day goes by without at least 4 hours behind the kit, so I'm not worried about that.

Originally Posted by mrchattr

I will have some playing samples of the new kit soon. It's like Caddy said, I put in a lot of time when I get a new kit, taking everything off, restarting, etc. Not to mention that I had the worst time I've ever had getting the snare to not have sympathetic vibrations. I have tuned over a dozen snare drums, and NEVER had that kind of problem before.

As far as spending time playing, I play professionally, and not a day goes by without at least 4 hours behind the kit, so I'm not worried about that.

When I hear people say they spend four hours behind a kit every day, I have a difficult time believing it, unless you're talking about tuning, practicing rudiments and taking 20 minute breaks in between. Are you recording? I mean you're not playing four hours straight. I play four hour gigs with two 20 minute breaks and by the end of the night I'm wiped out. I have a "real" job so I cannot practice everyday, even if I was able to, I'd be too tired.

As far as the sympathtic buzz goes, you're wasting your time, remember snares vibrate and striking another tom is going to set it off. Try using a snare wire with fewer wires, the fewer wires the less sympathetic buzz.

Heres a set of ddrums i owned for awhile these made of ash with pinstripes on them nice set for the money and definately not boxy sounding!! DDRUM Dominion Ash kit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYz1Vf_Naiw

Originally Posted by The Walrus

Well, I don't know what kits you've been playing, but this little ddrum D- Bop kit I have sounds great. This kit is made from basswood, the finish is suberb, the hardware on the kit is fine, no problems. I checked the bearing edges and they are flawless. If I didn't know better I'd think this kit would cost twice as much as it cost. I think you guys are a bit biased and a wee be picky. In my opinion ddrum is making some of the finest kits out there.

Check out the finish. Now if you want to talk about crappy kits, Peace would be a good place to start.

They arent making some of the best, but their high end stuff is good. what did your D-Bop go for if its over 900 your're fine. its the mid and low price ddrum that suck and for peace, is mostly a beginner drum set company but i have sat behind their high end stuff and it aint too shabby

[mrchattr]

Originally Posted by The Walrus

When I hear people say they spend four hours behind a kit every day, I have a difficult time believing it, unless you're talking about tuning, practicing rudiments and taking 20 minute breaks in between. Are you recording? I mean you're not playing four hours straight. I play four hour gigs with two 20 minute breaks and by the end of the night I'm wiped out. I have a "real" job so I cannot practice everyday, even if I was able to, I'd be too tired.

As far as the sympathtic buzz goes, you're wasting your time, remember snares vibrate and striking another tom is going to set it off. Try using a snare wire with fewer wires, the fewer wires the less sympathetic buzz.

As far as the sympathetic buzz, I wasn't wasting my time, because I was able to get rid of it...it just took a lot of time, a lot of experimenting, etc.

As far as the rest...I play professionally, for a living. I am in three bands. I generally gig every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and often on Sundays. I also rehearse with one band every Monday, and one band every Wednesday. So, right there, I am playing (just with my bands) almost every day, if not every day. Our rehearsals last from four to five hours. Our gigs last from three to four hours. I also try to put in at least an hour or two behind the drums every single day, practicing, by myself. I also do recording work on the side. When I do that, it is usually a marathon, playing as much as 8 hours in a day in the studio until the drum parts are perfect. Of course there are the days when I don't, or the days when I have a Sunday off from gigging, and only spend an hour or two behind the kit...but there are also days when I have a Sunday off from gigging, and spend 8 hours practicing. I love playing more than anything else in the world. You say you are tired after your four hour gigs...but if you practiced that long every day, or more, you wouldn't be. Frequently, after gigs, my guitarist and I take our gear to our rehearsal space, and end up grabbing our rehearsal gear and just jamming for a while, because we aren't done playing yet, even if the gig is over.

Before, when I had a "real" job, I would try to put in this much time. After a while, it became impossible, and I was missing work, etc. So, I worked my butt off, spent over 40 hours a week working on drumming and promoting myself, working with a ton of different artists, making a name for myself, all while working 40 hours a week at a real job. It was a really challenging time, but after about a year, I managed to establish myself enough to get away from the day job. It was hard work, it was tiring, and at times it was discouraging, but now I do what I love.

Originally Posted by mrchattr

As far as the sympathetic buzz, I wasn't wasting my time, because I was able to get rid of it...it just took a lot of time, a lot of experimenting, etc.

As far as the rest...I play professionally, for a living. I am in three bands. I generally gig every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and often on Sundays. I also rehearse with one band every Monday, and one band every Wednesday. So, right there, I am playing (just with my bands) almost every day, if not every day. Our rehearsals last from four to five hours. Our gigs last from three to four hours. I also try to put in at least an hour or two behind the drums every single day, practicing, by myself. I also do recording work on the side. When I do that, it is usually a marathon, playing as much as 8 hours in a day in the studio until the drum parts are perfect. Of course there are the days when I don't, or the days when I have a Sunday off from gigging, and only spend an hour or two behind the kit...but there are also days when I have a Sunday off from gigging, and spend 8 hours practicing. I love playing more than anything else in the world. You say you are tired after your four hour gigs...but if you practiced that long every day, or more, you wouldn't be. Frequently, after gigs, my guitarist and I take our gear to our rehearsal space, and end up grabbing our rehearsal gear and just jamming for a while, because we aren't done playing yet, even if the gig is over.

Before, when I had a "real" job, I would try to put in this much time. After a while, it became impossible, and I was missing work, etc. So, I worked my butt off, spent over 40 hours a week working on drumming and promoting myself, working with a ton of different artists, making a name for myself, all while working 40 hours a week at a real job. It was a really challenging time, but after about a year, I managed to establish myself enough to get away from the day job. It was hard work, it was tiring, and at times it was discouraging, but now I do what I love.

Wow, with all that playing you must possess some mighty chops....let's see them.

[mrchattr]

Originally Posted by The Walrus

Wow, with all that playing you must posess some mighty chops....let's see them.

Like I said, I will have some sound samples for people who want to hear my kit. I don't have any need or desire to show off or put a chop fest out there. Music is my art and my passion. I'm not the type to sit and tape solos and post them on YouTube and stuff. You seem awfully competetive with all of this. That's not the point of this board.

[mrchattr]

A'ight, since you asked for sound samples...here are two MP3s. Both are of my current cover band, Pulse. These are our new demo as far as it has been recorded. The drums and bass are pretty close to done, but the guitar, keyboard, and vocals (these are just scratch), as well as additional percussion, have yet to be added. My drums are mic'd and have a small amount of reverb added, but no post production has been done. Also, as I said, this is nowhere near the final mix...especially in Burnin' Up, where the toms need to come up and the bass back off a little bit. These were both recorded in one take with no overdubs.

I can't get the attachments here to work, so here are links to DL them:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/2oehix
http://www.sendspace.com/file/lmweo7

[Deathmetalconga]

Originally Posted by gr82bagn

I've had mine for a while now and I play them hard. I love the sound, quality and cost. I have a ddrum diatribe set, birch and poplar blend. Great kit. No issues. Tack on a complete set of Dream Bliss cymbals and this is perhaps the best bang for the buck set up I've ever had,,,,,

Dude, never ever pose in front of a brick wall ...

Originally Posted by mrchattr

A'ight, since you asked for sound samples...here are two MP3s. Both are of my current cover band, Pulse. These are our new demo as far as it has been recorded. The drums and bass are pretty close to done, but the guitar, keyboard, and vocals (these are just scratch), as well as additional percussion, have yet to be added. My drums are mic'd and have a small amount of reverb added, but no post production has been done. Also, as I said, this is nowhere near the final mix...especially in Burnin' Up, where the toms need to come up and the bass back off a little bit. These were both recorded in one take with no overdubs.

I can't get the attachments here to work, so here are links to DL them:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/2oehix
http://www.sendspace.com/file/lmweo7

What kind of kit are you playing? They sounded like an electric kit, I've made recordings with a Roland that sounded a lot like that. Nice drumming, in no way am I trying to compete with anyone, I just like to hear people play.

[mrchattr]

Originally Posted by The Walrus

What kind of kit are you playing? They sounded like an electric kit, I've made recordings with a Roland that sounded a lot like that. Nice drumming, in no way am I trying to compete with anyone, I just like to hear people play.

That's cool of you, man...we had a bit of a problem on here recently with a lot of people coming on, starting arguments (like real fights, nothing like what our discussion has been), and then saying crap like, "If you don't show off your drumming, you are an idiot," etc. Fun stuff.

That is my new DW Custom. 20" bass, 14" snare, 12" rack, 14" floor, with jazz mounting hardware.

[gr82bagn]

DMC,
that's a funny site,,,

[kyleisnthome]

I have a basic d2 ddrum. Heads are pretty terrible. Replace the heads. and all the basic cymbal. And you will be good to go..