PDP X7!
/thread
Just kidding, sort of. I actually was going in blind when looking for a new kit after 11 years or so. The last and only one I had was an Export set from the 90's. I was so young at the time that I barely knew drums were made out of wood, let alone what type, how many ply's, thickness of shells, bearing edges / the effect of the type of bearing edges I mean the list goes on and right up to the point before I bought this X7 I was still a noob to it all.
I'm just glad that the set and brand the GC employee talked me into actually met my needs (far exceeded them actually after playing them for almost a year) or what I was set out to buy for myself seeing as I didn't have much to spend and wanted something nice to last for quite some time. At first after realizing they were very thin shells and FAST toms with the stock heads on I thought I got sort of a "jazzy" kit as the tune of them were quite high.......... that was until I put brand new Remo Emps over Ambs on them and started to learn how to tune. After that it was then I realized I have a true intermediate/pro level drumset!
To make a VERY long story short, I will never, ever, everevereverevereverevereverever forget what it was like when I heard my 16" floor tom for the first time with quality heads on it, not to mention the rest of them. There is nothing in this world that is better (maybe not even sex) that can compare to putting ALL new heads onto a brand new drum set. My pupils were so dilated and I had so much adrenaline running through me after that very first strike on my 16" floor tom. With the tension at the time maybe a 1/2 turn above JAW I struck it and felt this unbelievable deep, gut punching and rumbling sound that resonated forever! I knew then that I had a beast of a drumset and couldn't thank the GC employee enough for being such an honest and helpful dude. He could of took me for a ride with my money but set me in the right direction to enjoy and to continue my learning process on such an awesome kit! How can you beat a well made, 7 piece (Chinese maple) drumset for $699+ tax?? I can play 1 up 1 down, 1 up 2 down, 2 up 1 down, 2 up 2 down, 3 up 1 down or 3 up 2 down! It's insane!
Though don't get me wrong, I know this is far from a Pearl Masters, Tama BB or a DW custom set with thick loud sound projecting shells but man it does the job for me and could possibly do the job for many others who only want a simple jazz setup to a full on 3 up and 2 down rock setup! Having an extra 2 toms to play on is so much fun. Some say not to jump into a 7 piece like that but for me it was easy.
Really unless you have the money to buy a $6000 custom drumset that will be the one to build on and play on through out retirement, there are plenty of intermediate/pro kits out there with great quality, features and finishes! Like others have said, I don't think there is just one great drumset, they all have their own character to them! I so wish I had enough money to get a set of my choice from each company and to have an unlimted amount of drum heads to try and use!! If I could I'd get an intermediate set and a top of the line custom set from each company lol!