If I had $3,000

[Jessiah331]

or maybe a little less.

It's about that time of the year again. Well, call it what you want, but I'm drum set shopping. I'm just getting started, so I'm not into specifics yet (like wood types, etc) but I'm just laying my hands on some ballpark info. I'll probably be making the buy early this Fall (ideally).

Right now I play a Sound Percussion (why do they even have the name Percussion in there?) and it sucks. I changed my reso snare head the other day and the bearing edges aren't even 45 degrees anymore.

So this time, I'm looking to go big, then go home. But I just don't think that going HUGE is practical. I don't see myself buying a $3k Masterworks. It would be like driving a car with 700hp in a city that has a speed limit of 35.

So I was looking at maybe investing in a Pearl Reference. Maybe a Tama Starclassic (not the hyperdrive, I like my deep toms!) Something along those lines. But I'm not 100% sold on brand names, so anyone like their semi-pro kits that want to put a word in?

I'm open to any brands and feel like it may save some money to not buy into a name. Ideally I'd like to spend around or under $2k (just for shells, no snare). Sound practical?

[jodgey4]

Vintage Ludwigs! Or even Rogers or Gretsch or Slingerland for that matter. If not, new Ludwigs are always a stable option - in fact you should buy the new Stainless Steel kit from Ludwig and tell us about it! Hehe... best of luck there are a lot of choices.

[jondrumming]

I think your big kit looks awesome, and I'd definitely get on the second big kit bandwagon :) I think the best bang for your buck in a large kit like the one you have would be...

Pearl Masters MCX
Gretsch Renown
Tama Starclassic B/B
Yamaha Oak Custom
Mapex Saturn

You could probably get a 7-piece any of those for around $2K, a Reference kit is going to be a fair bit pricier, as will anything around that range (fully-professional). I think any of the kits I listed will be just fine; they're all finely made.

[ecpietscheck]

3 piece sjc
not including snare
it should be less tham 2k with standard options

[Jessiah331]

Originally Posted by jondrumming

I think your big kit looks awesome, and I'd definitely get on the second big kit bandwagon :) I think the best bang for your buck in a large kit like the one you have would be...

Pearl Masters MCX
Gretsch Renown
Tama Starclassic B/B
Yamaha Oak Custom
Mapex Saturn

You could probably get a 7-piece any of those for around $2K, a Reference kit is going to be a fair bit pricier, as will anything around that range (fully-professional). I think any of the kits I listed will be just fine; they're all finely made.

So I guess I had it backwards, I thought Masters MCX > Reference

I also liked the Starclassic B/B, because honestly wood types mean nothing to me (in that I don't know what they really do)

I also really liked the customization options that Pearl gave me. Hate to say it but I'm a sucker for black hardware (I was eyballin' Artic White shells)

How do I order a set anyways? I really don't want to have to buy a package deal, I'd kinda like to pick my color, hardware color, sizes (well, at least add 1/2 toms) Guess through an authorized dealer?

Thanks for all the responses, I'll keep an update goin

*and ec I'm a sucker for big sets too...

[Will_funk_drummer]

Id suggest starclassic bubinga! I have them in ultraviolet sparkle. OUT.OF.THIS.WORLD, my shells are 10,12,16,22, it came with no snare, no hardware, not even the brackets to hold the toms to the stands! The only hardware was the floor tom legs haha! I got this about a year ago now and back then it cost me £1800, and that was at trade price as my brother has a music shop, so your looking about 2500 depending on your shell sizes, but paying that extra money is worth it. You'll never want another drum kit from another company. Incredible!!!! I didnt have to wait long for it though as they had one kit in the uk ready.

[Florian]

how bout some Sonor Delites?

F

[jondrumming]

To custom order your configuration consult your dealer, they'll be able to give you a quote and order it for you.... the only two things I would keep in mind about special order kits...

1) Wait time (can take over 6 months to process the order, even more to ship)

2) Price increase (you can buy a Starclassic B/B 4-piece 10/12/16/22 for around $1600, but try special ordering sizes and finishes, and for that configuration you could easily be looking at closer to $2000, and that's just for the 4-piece)

One thing you might want to do is go with PDP Platinums... they were designed to allow customization with no extra cost, just choose your components http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navig...q=pdp+platinum

[Cedwico]

Whitney Drums

http://www.whitneydrums.com/

[Travis22]

Originally Posted by Jessiah331

So I guess I had it backwards, I thought Masters MCX > Reference

I also liked the Starclassic B/B, because honestly wood types mean nothing to me (in that I don't know what they really do)

I also really liked the customization options that Pearl gave me. Hate to say it but I'm a sucker for black hardware (I was eyballin' Artic White shells)

How do I order a set anyways? I really don't want to have to buy a package deal, I'd kinda like to pick my color, hardware color, sizes (well, at least add 1/2 toms) Guess through an authorized dealer?

Thanks for all the responses, I'll keep an update goin

*and ec I'm a sucker for big sets too...

Try goin to your closest percussion dealer and tell them what you are looking for as far as price range and size of kit. Every place I've been to has catalogs of what each line has to offer and what sort of setups you can buy and even the colors they come in...not to mention prices. This will help you out a lot, plus with any luck you'll find someone there that knows a crap ton about the woods and sounds and they'll be able to help you figure out what you can do with your lump sum of cash. Whatever you do, if there's any money left when you're done, gimme a shout cause it's time for new heads on my kit. :)

Don't know about the rest of you, but drum shopping is the only kind of shopping I find to be a good time. Good luck, and hope you post pictures of what you end up with.

[zambizzi]

I had about this much, so I bought (what I think are) the best drums on the planet, Ludwig Classic Maple. Custom made...and roughly that much got me 7 shells (including a snare). I ordered it 4 weeks ago...it'll be here Friday morning. ;)

[Meat the beat]

If you wanna go Big then home...
Go for a nice used DW Collectors. You'll smile everytime you play it... forever....

[RollingStone000]

How long have you had that SP kit? I've got the same thing, and I'm wondering what the duration was before the bearing edges went to hell. And how bad are they? Honestly I wasn't to impressed with the sharpness of of the angle when I first got the kit.

[Deathmetalconga]

Originally Posted by zambizzi

I had about this much, so I bought (what I think are) the best drums on the planet, Ludwig Classic Maple ...

I think you have OWNED just about all the kits on the planet!

[zambizzi]

Originally Posted by Deathmetalconga

I think you have OWNED just about all the kits on the planet!

Exactly! See? That's how I know.

[Jessiah331]

Originally Posted by RollingStone000

How long have you had that SP kit? I've got the same thing, and I'm wondering what the duration was before the bearing edges went to hell. And how bad are they? Honestly I wasn't to impressed with the sharpness of of the angle when I first got the kit.

The sharpness was one thing I wasn't impressed with, nor was the quality of the wood.

But I'm not gonna lie. It is a fairly decent beginner set (as compared to other sets) With good heads (and excellent tuning) the kit doesn't sound half bad.

My tom bearing edges are still about the same, with only light wear to the edge, but the only sides that are rounded out are where the snare strainer is, but I do keep it tight. I've had the kit almost a year.

Thanks for all the great responses. I'm about halfway to saving up for my budget, and will keep posting my research findings, questions, etc!

[RollingStone000]

Originally Posted by Jessiah331

but the only sides that are rounded out are where the snare strainer is, but I do keep it tight. I've had the kit almost a year.

I think you may referring to the snare bed, it's supposed to be like that to allow the snare wires adequate contact in the center of the head. Mine has the same thing. And yeah, ditto on the rest.

[jhs]

well heres my list

sonor force 1007
pdp
and i think the stage customs is good for the mid.^^

If i had $3000 it would be no good to me here..

[Jessiah331]

Originally Posted by sufc.loyal

If i had $3000 it would be no good to me here..

Blah blah, I'm sure you could find SOMEONE to take it off your hands over there. It's gotta have some kind of value...

And yes, the snare bed... I kinda realized that after typing, but it is worn out a lot more than it should be/was when first bought), but I did notice that some of the other drums (specially the middle two toms on the batter side) have a ton of wood dust in them and are slightly bent out of shape (the head doesn't sit on quite right)

[BFDrummer]

http://cgi.ebay.com/DW-5-piece-drum-...item3cac9e4c00

Id buy that and with money left over buy a couple nice cymbals :)

[quote=Jessiah331;694691]Blah blah, I'm sure you could find SOMEONE to take it off your hands over there. It's gotta have some kind of value...


Proberlly 300 world cup tickets, them things going for peanuts now.