Used Renown vs Used Yamaha Tour Custom

Renowns are a more robust build with heavier shells but with a bit more robust price. They are very resonant, almost a little too much for my taste but they are fantastic solidly built drums with huge sound. They are also heavy if that matters but are an awesome set of drums for the price point.

The Tours are kind of on the other end of the spectrum. Basic build with thin maple shells.
They are more controlled but have a great tuning range from nice lows to bop tuning. They are also lightweight drums but the finishes are pretty limited basic with 5 satin only finishes.

I have owned and enjoyed both but ultimately landed on the Yamaha’s because I already have two high end kits and wanted just a solid, no frills gig kit.
The Renowns were too similar to my upper line kits and are definitely professional quality drums they were just more than what I was looking for.
I just needed a lower intermediate, easy to haul general business gig kit, no flash or frills with more features than say the Stage Customs for example.
They sound wonderful and work great for that.
 
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The Renowns are heavier and the bass drum mount on the Yamahas are best in the business. Easy choice for me.
 
I'd go with the Yamaha. Especially if you're gigging with them. I also like the sizes better.

You didn't mention what dimensions you were looking at, but 22x16 and 20x15 Yamaha kicks vs. 22x18 and 20x16 Gretsch kicks ..... I like the shallower depths. I've got two 22x18 kicks in my collection (it is what it is). But for boom, I'd rather drive a 24x14 or 26x14.

As far as sound and build, both the Gretsch and the Yamaha would sound great. And I think build quality is equal. Yamaha is a little more utilitarian. But that's Yamaha's heritage. Gretsch follows their lineage.

Yamaha hardware is my favorite.
 
Jml said:
the bass drum mount on the Yamahas are best in the business.
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Gotta say, I also love the YESS mounts... super easy to adjust and to get the tom placement just right. And the SC's are definitely lighter than my Renowns.
 
My Yamaha Tour Customs are quality drums and they sound great. I do wish the toms projected a little more though. They do get a low tuning easier than the Renowns.

As much as I like the Tour Customs, my Gretsch Renowns sound noticeably better. The toms give back to you in a very satisfying way. There's a slightly more prominent attack, and the tone is very clean. The build quality is a clear step above, but not to take away from the Yamahas (which are cheaper).

Gretsch Renowns 100%. Unless you rely heavily on LOW tunings. The Renowns do medium and high tunings far better imho.
 
I like the Yamahas having owned a set. Easier tuning, just better hardware functionality. They actually sounded even better when I put coated Ambassadors on everything with a simple PS3 on the bass drum.
 
Bo Eder said:
I like the Yamahas having owned a set. Easier tuning, just better hardware functionality. They actually sounded even better when I put coated Ambassadors on everything with a simple PS3 on the bass drum.
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I've messed with both..to this day I've not gigged my Renown 2's. I'm a fan of the Yamaha hardware..always have been from back in the day wine red stage customs. The ease of tom angle/placement to me was a godsend. Plus it was aesthetically pleasing. Yamaha has a place in my drumming ❤.
 
Tours - I like the lighter weight, the tom mount system, the inverse dyna hoops, and the lug count of the bass drum/floor tom.
Renown has flashier/more finishes available.
 
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Given the choice, it would have to be Renowns. I've played three different sets, and each was fantastic.
 
And there we have it, a clear consensus that you should get either a Gretsch renown or a Yamaha tour custom LOL
I was surprised to see that the Gretsch cost more than the Yamahas I had to look that up. I bet that I would probably be happy with either one. I've not owned either one before. I do own 1988 model power tour custom yamahas, but that's a complete different drum set than todays version. It might be totally up to what color you like because I think they're both probably pretty good.
 
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