Looking for a mid/high level drum kit.

You might be able to find a Ludwig Continental kit on Thomann.
Out of your options, I'd go with the Tama Superstar Classic. Later on you could put die-cast hoops on them, so they become Starclassic lites. The all-bright, all-sustain Mapex sound doesn't speak to me.
 
You might be able to find a Ludwig Continental kit on Thomann.
Out of your options, I'd go with the Tama Superstar Classic. Later on you could put die-cast hoops on them, so they become Starclassic lites. The all-bright, all-sustain Mapex sound doesn't speak to me.
I have to search, but buyinh that many die cast hoops I think will be much more expensive than going with the SC Performer from the start.
 
What about the Saturn Pro? I found one used, the only downside is the toms being 12/13. I was looking for 10/12.


Any models you would recommend in that case?
I'd avoid the Saturn Pro. They're made from maple and basswood instead of Maple and Walnut

If you go down the Mapex road stick to Saturns series III onwards (That's the walnut/maple shells) or the Orion (maple)
 
Based on sound quality, and price to performance, I'd recommend a used Gretsch Renown, followed by a new Yamaha Tour Custom, but I know those may be hard to find in your country.

Gretsch Renown, best sounding drums by far. Resonant, rich and full.
Yamaha Tour Custom, great value, great sound.
Mapex Saturn - I played a Saturn III kit for years in a church band, they're great sounding drums. Probably the most versatile of the kits you mention in your original post.
Mapex Armory - great value, very staccato sound, lots of attack which is great for Rock. Not the biggest fan of the finishes personally.
Tama Starclassic Performer - the cheaper version of their Starclassic line. Sound great, lots of punch, great for Rock. Probably the fanciest-looking finishes and hardware.
Tama Superstar Classic - I love the thin 5mm shells, they sing even at low volumes...they have lots of resonance...but thin shells have less projection, so they are slightly less ideal for loud rock music. But they will still work for rock.

Of these kits, I would try to find a Saturn in your budget... but I think you'd be very happy with a Tama Starclassic Performer kit. They're a good value and sound great for Rock.

He has the Starclassic Performers tuned low in this video, very nice...
 
I have to search, but buyinh that many die cast hoops I think will be much more expensive than going with the SC Performer from the start.
The hoops are the icing on the cake, and with stock flanged hoops these are still great drums. With SC Performers you have to pay for the hoops, with the corners cut on somewhere else (bass drum lug numbers, limited finishes, etc.).
 
Based on sound quality, and price to performance, I'd recommend a used Gretsch Renown, followed by a new Yamaha Tour Custom, but I know those may be hard to find in your country.

Gretsch Renown, best sounding drums by far. Resonant, rich and full.
Yamaha Tour Custom, great value, great sound.
Mapex Saturn - I played a Saturn III kit for years in a church band, they're great sounding drums. Probably the most versatile of the kits you mention in your original post.
Mapex Armory - great value, very staccato sound, lots of attack which is great for Rock. Not the biggest fan of the finishes personally.
Tama Starclassic Performer - the cheaper version of their Starclassic line. Sound great, lots of punch, great for Rock. Probably the fanciest-looking finishes and hardware.
Tama Superstar Classic - I love the thin 5mm shells, they sing even at low volumes...they have lots of resonance...but thin shells have less projection, so they are slightly less ideal for loud rock music. But they will still work for rock.

Of these kits, I would try to find a Saturn in your budget... but I think you'd be very happy with a Tama Starclassic Performer kit. They're a good value and sound great for Rock.

He has the Starclassic Performers tuned low in this video, very nice...
I had the luck to have a Renown liy at my rehearsal room for a year. The owner wasn't that great at tuning them, and I would have tried other heads, I wasn't confident enough to fiddle with them. Other fellow drummers who have tried the set and know Renows told me that these are really good (so I shouldn't say no just because of my previous experience).

There's an used Renown, about 1200€. However the floor Tom is 14", same as the one I had the chance to use. I felt like I would need the 16" one.

BTW, thanks a lot for your feedback on each set. That's really nice.
 
Really? Have you checked this site? https://www.milanuncios.com/baterias/bateria-tama-birch-5-piezas-ganga-494214947.htm
No idea if you're close to Madrid, but that would be a nice deal. If you find anything close to where you live, just ask for our opinion (we love spending other people's money :) )
Eh! That one was flying under the radar!
Those deals are not common. 4 pcs SC Performers are around 1k usually.

Madrid is about 7 hours in car, about 170€ for fuel and tolls. Quite the distance for me.
 
Madrid is about 7 hours in car, about 170€ for fuel and tolls. Quite the distance for me.
Fair enough, that's a long ride. If you don't want to tell us where you live exactly, that's fine, but don't give up on used sets - there will be a deal eventually. Maybe in France or Portugal, too (depending on which side of the country you live).
 
Fair enough, that's a long ride. If you don't want to tell us where you live exactly, that's fine, but don't give up on used sets - there will be a deal eventually. Maybe in France or Portugal, too (depending on which side of the country you live).

I'm just North of Portugal. I have not given up, while I wait for a chance I'm saving money.
 
I have a Mapex Saturn kit with an Armory snare. To me, Mapex Armory drums are a super value. Peace and goodwill.
 
Any thoughts on the PDP CX series? Just found an used kit (10,12,14,22+snare), with a cymbal stand and Hardcases for 1000€. It's very close to me.

I have no idea where this one sits in the PDP range.

Just because of the Hardcases there's good value there. Only issues are the 14" floating floor tom (I would rather go with a 16" with legs), and also the White Oyster finish has started to go yellow on some parts of the bass drum and the snare.
 
Any thoughts on the PDP CX series? Just found an used kit (10,12,14,22+snare), with a cymbal stand and Hardcases for 1000€. It's very close to me.

I have no idea where this one sits in the PDP range.

Just because of the Hardcases there's good value there. Only issues are the 14" floating floor tom (I would rather go with a 16" with legs), and also the White Oyster finish has started to go yellow on some parts of the bass drum and the snare.
The PDP CX series (that are specifically made in Ensenada Mexico) are incredible. DW/PDP used the same North American Maple that they used on the DW Collector's series, so they sound virtually identical to a $3000-4000 kit.

I have the PDP MX kit (the PDP MX, CX, and LX are the same drums, with different finishes). They sound phenomenal. The only downside is the 14" hanging floor tom. I bought a 16" floor tom and refinished it to match my kit's finish. They sound amazing, and the kick drum is the best-sounding kick drum I own.

My PDP MX kit sounds exactly like this DW Collector's kit. (the drum sizes are identical)
 
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The PDP CX series (that are specifically made in Ensenada Mexico) are incredible. DW/PDP used the same North American Maple that they used on the DW Collector's series, so they sound virtually identical to a $3000-4000 kit.

I have the PDP MX kit (the PDP MX, CX, and LX are the same drums, with different finishes). They sound phenomenal. The only downside is the 14" hanging floor tom. I bought a 16" floor tom and refinished it to match my kit's finish. They sound amazing, and the kick drum is the best-sounding kick drum I own.

My PDP MX kit sounds exactly like this DW Collector's kit. (the drum sizes are identical)

The badge confirms this is one was made in Mexico.

My band has a few songs with floor tom rhythms, I really need that low end and that's my only concern. I might go and give them a try, but in my previous experience with a 14" (from a Renown), it feels lacking to my taste.

I think it might be risky to get this one hoping someday down the road I will find a 16" floor tom, maybe that never happens.
 
At the risk of sounding like a fanboy, I find the Renown 14" floor tom to sound exceptional. I have the matching 16" but haven't used it in about 18 months. It just sits in a closet.

My experience with Renowns is limited to the RN2 edition so I cannot comment on the older versions but if the set you saw for sale is an RN2, I would take a closer look at it. The 14" from that set is killer. You may like it much more than the one you played in the past.

Good luck!
 
'the old joke when someone started a thread "Looking for..." was

"Where did you last leave it?"
yea I know/ it was funny then..
 
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