No Way Jose
Silver Member
I always enjoy Ron Brown's videos.
Are High End Drums a Giant Waste of Money?
- Thread starter Jeremy Bender
- Start date
wildbill
Platinum Member
Strangely, they look great and sound even better! Seems that Andy even cobbled together a couple kits for other folks too - who seem to hold them in high regard. I didn't have a set of Exports for the framework and couldn't afford the veneer for the re-wrap, otherwise I'd have a set of Guru drums, too. I might be able to fashion a reasonable facsimile given a donor set of Exports or YSC's and some wood-grain contact paper.You need to post a pic of your re-wrapped Exports.
Z26R-#
Well-known Member
My drums are now worth loads more than they were . So much for that theory.
Quai34
Junior Member
I agree, why buy something you love to play, to let it at home when you are going to do what it has been made for, being played. I have never bought an extra low end keyboard when I was gigging just to keep all my gears at home, I bring all of them, they are all in super comfy bags, I instal all of them myself so, no risk of being damaged. High end kit are made to provide you a better experience, life is too short to cut that in buying a low end kit to save the high end.... And to say at the end of your life: " Shoot, I should have played my high end kit more, what a waste of money and time!!!"
oldskoolsoul
Silver Member
Yes, they are…..at least for 99% of the players who own them and judged by the question..: are these drums making me play and sound better..?
But the ones who own them will never admit that ofcourse…because, well, that would look kinda foolish…
But yes, if all drummers (or any other sort of musicians) in this world would be as busy with learning to play as they are with gear, the world would only have top players…
Unfortunately nothing will ever change this…
But the ones who own them will never admit that ofcourse…because, well, that would look kinda foolish…
But yes, if all drummers (or any other sort of musicians) in this world would be as busy with learning to play as they are with gear, the world would only have top players…
Unfortunately nothing will ever change this…
s1212z
Silver Member
There are two reasons I buy gear I see
1) A musical purpose for that particular gear - This is usually the best reason to buy something and the right tool for the job will generally not be wasteful as long as shopping smart...I don't mind putting extra towards something that will be the right fit for the music behind it.
2) You really just want it, or it was price that couldn't refuse or it was a rare opportunity to own and always wanted to know it's like. These can sometimes be 'wasteful purchases', I try to avoid these whatever the price. No doubt, a nice instrument can be inspirational or sometimes I get something that I want for a project in the future and I that is ok. There are collectors out there...that's cool too but I feel an instrument should be played unless you have something rare or historical
1) A musical purpose for that particular gear - This is usually the best reason to buy something and the right tool for the job will generally not be wasteful as long as shopping smart...I don't mind putting extra towards something that will be the right fit for the music behind it.
2) You really just want it, or it was price that couldn't refuse or it was a rare opportunity to own and always wanted to know it's like. These can sometimes be 'wasteful purchases', I try to avoid these whatever the price. No doubt, a nice instrument can be inspirational or sometimes I get something that I want for a project in the future and I that is ok. There are collectors out there...that's cool too but I feel an instrument should be played unless you have something rare or historical
dboomer
Senior Member
Diminshing returns doesn’t refer to return on investment. It means proportionally smaller benefits derived from something as more money is invested 😉
Z26R-#
Well-known Member
Whatever? Context! I believe it's actually about rate of profit . labour , investment etc...... I still have the drums, I enjoy them every time I play them and they have increased in monetary value .. where is it diminishing? this thread is a Yamaha add! plain and simple.. oh sorry, words of wisdom.
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bud7h4
Silver Member
Are watching videos like that a giant waste of time?
I don't think Rob has a single video I would call a waste of time.
He made a great point, that if you think you "need" that kit, then it's a huge waste of money. Otherwise, buy what you want because you want it.
Z26R-#
Well-known Member
he also said his high end kit he got cheap.. but all you'se should get the cheap bread and butter version. funny that.
Chris Whitten
Silver Member
I'm kind of sick of this old chestnut constantly falling from the tree.
NO, high end drums are NOT a waste of money.
Two things:
1) Would you benefit from using high end gear?
Ans: Yes, if you are professional and operate in high pressure situations where a 10% gain in performance is important.
2) Can you afford high end gear and find it inspiring to use.
Ans: If so then yes, it isn't a waste of money. If you have disposable income and enjoy playing in front of 20 people at a local bar playing your vintage Gretsch or cameo, then why not, you only live once.
If budget is an issue in your life, and you a beginning professional or part time player, then of course, you can totally get by with an older used kit, or mid-priced offering from the mainstream companies.
In the end, I think most people understand everything I've written above and these topics just get trotted out regularly by YouTubers because it increases likes and clicks and that's what pays THEIR bills.
Could Usain Bolt beat most average runners wearing a t-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes....of course, but he still went with the best training and equipment in his field. All the riders in the Tour de France are basically superhuman, but they still ride top of the range, often customised bikes, they train in wind tunnels, eat specific diets etc.
Gains for top musicians, runners and cyclists are small percentages, but if they can be had they are worth it.
You don't need a small advantage to have a decent career playing pubs and clubs.
NO, high end drums are NOT a waste of money.
Two things:
1) Would you benefit from using high end gear?
Ans: Yes, if you are professional and operate in high pressure situations where a 10% gain in performance is important.
2) Can you afford high end gear and find it inspiring to use.
Ans: If so then yes, it isn't a waste of money. If you have disposable income and enjoy playing in front of 20 people at a local bar playing your vintage Gretsch or cameo, then why not, you only live once.
If budget is an issue in your life, and you a beginning professional or part time player, then of course, you can totally get by with an older used kit, or mid-priced offering from the mainstream companies.
In the end, I think most people understand everything I've written above and these topics just get trotted out regularly by YouTubers because it increases likes and clicks and that's what pays THEIR bills.
Could Usain Bolt beat most average runners wearing a t-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes....of course, but he still went with the best training and equipment in his field. All the riders in the Tour de France are basically superhuman, but they still ride top of the range, often customised bikes, they train in wind tunnels, eat specific diets etc.
Gains for top musicians, runners and cyclists are small percentages, but if they can be had they are worth it.
You don't need a small advantage to have a decent career playing pubs and clubs.
Chris Whitten
Silver Member
It's a video designed to spark a lot of clicks and likes, hence more income for his channel.
Some people DO need the best of the best. It's a nonsense point unless he prefaces it with 'average drummer', which of course he doesn't because he doesn't want to insult his viewers.
harryconway
Platinum Member
Chris Whitten
Silver Member
I disagree with the guessed figure of 99%.
Also, if you are paid to play drums, yes, high end equipment often does make you sound better, and if you are inspired and enjoy playing high-end gear, then you WILL play better.
It's a bit of reverse snobbery going on.
Attempting to paint anyone who owns high end drums as delusional.
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Odd-Arne Oseberg
Platinum Member
It's nice, but there's also depending on where you live and play, a reality.
Even if you bring your own stuff for the gig this will be how many rehearsals are done.
Even if you bring your own stuff for the gig this will be how many rehearsals are done.
Chris Whitten
Silver Member
80/20 Drummer is one of the worst clickbait Youtube channels. I don't think I've watched a single video I agreed with.
Chris Whitten
Silver Member
Yesterday I took a Pork Pie kit I bought second hand for £700 to a drum clinic in a music store. I took it in the back of my Hyundai saloon car.
