john gerrard
Senior Member
Don't ask me why cause I don't know. I did not need or want another kit but these happened to catch my eye on fleabay. Most of you will remember the 1963 Ludwigs that I rescued and I swore that was my dream kit---------I'll never need another. ha. ha. But I saw these and really liked the sizes and the idea that they would be a great kit for some of the smaller gigs or rougher gigs. They are wrapped so they should be pretty durable and save some wear and tear on the Ludwigs.
Now I knew very little about Taye so I spent a full day researching them. Not a whole heck of a lot of info on the net about them but 99% was all positive. Never seen a set in person so I had to take a blind leap. Bottom line is I'm really pleased with them. These are the ProX series and not their top of the line. They are a birch/basswood hybred shell.
First off the set exceeded my every expectation. The finish both the wrap and the chrome hardware are first class. Even the bass drum claws have a plastic insert to protect the hoop and isolate the claw from making too much contact with the hoop. Nice touch. The tom holder is really good, lots of adjustments and memory locks. Same with the spurs, memory locks and adjustable. Only the floor tom legs didn't have memory locks which would have been nice, but really no big deal. The orange wrap wasn't a first choice, but is very well applied and the look is growing on me.
Now for the shells. First the inside was very well sanded but it doesn't appear to have a protective coat applied. I will put a light coat of teak oil on after the new fun part wears off. I feel that bearing edges are as important as any other aspect of a drum and these were as good as any that I've seen. Nice smooth and very even. They look pretty simular to a Gretsch kit that I had. They have a nice roundover which explains the nice warm, round kinda a 60's vibe sound. If that makes any sense to you. The first thing I do with any kit that I buy,new or used is to take the heads off and tighten all lug and mounting screws and oil all the tension lugs then wax hoop and shells. So while I had the heads off I decided to save the original heads and put on a set of Evans g2 coated on top and G1's on reso. The kick has a EMad 1 with a Remo Amb reso. I'll be expearminting with tom heads even though I really like the sound, but you always in the back of our mind are wondering what if ? ha ha. The kick is just about the most perfect kick sound I've ever had no messing with that.
So overall I know that Taye isn't a household name but I can't recommend them enough. Oh by the way I counted up and I've owned Slingys,Ludwig,Rogers,Gretsch,Tama,Pearl, Yamaha a custom kit, Mapex, Premier and PDP. So I do have some experience---- or a sickness ha ha.
P.S. The sizes 10x7.5, 12 x 8, 14 x 14 and 20 x 16. Best wishes. John
Now I knew very little about Taye so I spent a full day researching them. Not a whole heck of a lot of info on the net about them but 99% was all positive. Never seen a set in person so I had to take a blind leap. Bottom line is I'm really pleased with them. These are the ProX series and not their top of the line. They are a birch/basswood hybred shell.
First off the set exceeded my every expectation. The finish both the wrap and the chrome hardware are first class. Even the bass drum claws have a plastic insert to protect the hoop and isolate the claw from making too much contact with the hoop. Nice touch. The tom holder is really good, lots of adjustments and memory locks. Same with the spurs, memory locks and adjustable. Only the floor tom legs didn't have memory locks which would have been nice, but really no big deal. The orange wrap wasn't a first choice, but is very well applied and the look is growing on me.
Now for the shells. First the inside was very well sanded but it doesn't appear to have a protective coat applied. I will put a light coat of teak oil on after the new fun part wears off. I feel that bearing edges are as important as any other aspect of a drum and these were as good as any that I've seen. Nice smooth and very even. They look pretty simular to a Gretsch kit that I had. They have a nice roundover which explains the nice warm, round kinda a 60's vibe sound. If that makes any sense to you. The first thing I do with any kit that I buy,new or used is to take the heads off and tighten all lug and mounting screws and oil all the tension lugs then wax hoop and shells. So while I had the heads off I decided to save the original heads and put on a set of Evans g2 coated on top and G1's on reso. The kick has a EMad 1 with a Remo Amb reso. I'll be expearminting with tom heads even though I really like the sound, but you always in the back of our mind are wondering what if ? ha ha. The kick is just about the most perfect kick sound I've ever had no messing with that.
So overall I know that Taye isn't a household name but I can't recommend them enough. Oh by the way I counted up and I've owned Slingys,Ludwig,Rogers,Gretsch,Tama,Pearl, Yamaha a custom kit, Mapex, Premier and PDP. So I do have some experience---- or a sickness ha ha.
P.S. The sizes 10x7.5, 12 x 8, 14 x 14 and 20 x 16. Best wishes. John
Attachments
Last edited:
