Which Kit?

[FroogleDoop]

Should I get the Tama Superstar SL custom kit, or the Gretsch Catalina Maple Fusion Shell Pack? Which would sound better and last longer with the overall greatest tone?

Here's the links to them:

Tama:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...Set?sku=449211

Gretsch:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...Tom?sku=445670

If you know where I could find the Tama with non-mounted floor toms, that would be great, too. Or just a better superstar series.

[Seafroggys]

Go for the Gretsch. They're higher quality then the Superstars.

[jamacian]

I would get the Tama for rock personally. Best bet is to play both and make a choice that way. Nothing wrong with Tama quality. A cheap Gretsch kit is not going to sound any better.

[Seafroggys]

People confuse make and model all the time, it really gets on my nerves. People thinking Zildjian ZBTs are the shit because "they're Zildjian!"

Nothing wrong with Tama, but the Superstar is rather lackluster for what you pay for (note how I did not mention any of the other Tama lines). That's why I'd go for the Catalina.

[ez_willis]

I'd take the best components from the TAMA and combine them with the best components of the Gretsch, that way I'd have two crappy kits wrapped up in one package. How many people do you know that can say that?

[FroogleDoop]

They're both crappy?

In that case, could you name a better one for the price?

[89gtsleeper]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...Tom?sku=445671

My drummer uses this kit

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbas...9/5/398395.jpg

It sounds pretty good for all around rock, from funk-jazz, to classic rock, to tool.... it sounds pretty good. Especially for the price.

[Seafroggys]

Personally I would recommend Sonor, Yamaha, or even some of the higher end PDPs are rather nice. And of course the Gretsch as well.

[Drakaland]

I bought a Yamaha Oak Custom kit last year, honey amber. I love it.

[aidan_m]

I'd recommend a sonor rather than just going for gretch/tama based on name. Go to a shop where you can hear these brands if at all possible..

[StuartV]

Focus your money on a good snare and good cymbals. Toms and kick are much less important to your overall sound.

Also, Pearl Session Maple (SMX) kits are discontinued and I've seen new shell packs going for as little as $699 on eBay. I don't think you can get a better kit for the money. Unless you decide you want cast hoops or different shell sizes, you'll never have any good reason to upgrade.

[RightOnMusic]

Originally Posted by Seafroggys

Go for the Gretsch. They're higher quality then the Superstars.

i think there's one for sale in the for sale forum....

[GCR]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Gretsch Set... It's a great kit fir the money. Heads & tuning play a large roll in the sound of a kit, you'll never be able to judge kits in a store w/ stock heads and terrible room acoustics.

Check Here As Well...

Me personally, I would go w/ Yamaha. Either the Stage Custom or Tour Custom (About the same price range)

But I also wouldn't hesitate to buy Gretsch Products.
However, I wouldn't be caught dead playing anything by Tama or Pearl.
Are the people replying here even percussionist? or just sound junkies?

One of the best sets for recording, IMHO, Is Yamaha Recording Customs, perferably from the mid 80's. Big Money Though

Also, Vintage Keystone Badge 60's Ludwigs (Even Bigger Money)

[true-eurt]

http://www.zzounds.com/cat--Mapex--3199

[Terror67]

I just recently bought the Gretsch Catalina set, it came with the free tom!. I put Aquarian heads on immediatley and got Zildjian Custom A's and I think it sounds great. I've had 2 pretty serious drummers (one Pearl the other Rogers) play them and they both were imppressed. I think for the money it's hard to beat the maple shells.

Richard

[ez_willis]

Originally Posted by GCR

Are the people replying here even percussionist?

I'm not.

[true-eurt]

What's a percussionist?

[Seafroggys]

Get one of those 1950s Gretsch Round Badge sets, those were apparently amazing.

And yes I'm a percusionist.

[GCR]

Originally Posted by Terror67

....the other Rogers

Aaaaaahhh Rogers... :drool:

What's a percussionist?

A drummer that can read music.

[jaybriggs84]

get this guy to make you a kit

http://www.myspace.com/pellisdrums