Best set under $1000

[battleminnow]

Looking for opinions (just left myself wide open in this BBS ) on what you all think about some of the new drum sets coming out. I am just looking for something to bang on, but I have been out of the loop for a few years. I like the looks of some of the Mapex, Pacific, and Yamaha stuff. $1000 is just a number to shoot for. Any ideas?

Pete

 

[theonlyone]

my opinion

I personally play yamaha and I would suggest that anyone else looking for a kit would go yamaha too. The stage custom is their cheaper kit but still has a lot of good features and the great yamaha quality that a lot of people look for. Thats my humble opinion.

 

[getuhgrip]

I just bought a set of Mapex ProM. Excellent tones (8 ply basswood/maple) , Laquer finish, sturdy hardware (boom and a straight), Remo heads, isolation tom mounts for $895. I banged away on Star Classics and this kit for a couple hours at the shop. Didn't pay the difference for the Tamas 'cause I couldn't hear the difference. I'm a Yamaha fan also, but couldn't justify the money for a home studio set. Just my opinion....pay attention to finish (wrap on vs real) and types of material.

 

[mikeh]

Are you looking to spend $1000 on just the drums - or for drums and cymbals?

If you need drums and cymbals about 60-70% of your budget will go towards drums. So, in the $600 range your looking at Yamaha Stage Custom, Mapex M series, Pearl Export, Sonar 2001 and I think Tama Swingstar and Pacific. That leaves about $300 which will get you a box set of Zildian ZBT, Sabian B8's of Paiste 505's (with just enough left for taxes).

They are all good kits. I personally like the Yamaha Stage Custom (Birch/Mahogany). Since they are discontinued (the new Stage Customs will have isolation mounts) the $600 price is a good value - they previously sold for $750.

If you're willing to spend $1000-$1200 on just drums you can move up to Yamaha Beech, Pearl Session, Mapex S series, etc. (big improvement in sound)

I would suggest moving up from the ZBT/B8/505 compromise - plan to spend about $400-$600 for decent cymbals (ride,crash,hats). You'll be much happier with something like Zildian A's or Sabian AA's or Paiste Signatures

Whatever you buy, good luck!

 

[battleminnow]

Has anyone seen the Pacific stuff (DW) in person? Any thoughts or info on that?

Pete

 

[mikeh]

I hit on a Pacific kit for a couple of minutes at a local store. They sounded fine and appeared to be well made, but did not blow me away - but it was only for a brief time in less than ideal surroundings.

 

[jrlemonz]

I highly recommend checking out Premier kits, they sound INCREDIBLE. If you';re gonna buy a decent kit, DON'T BUY ZBT's, B8's or cheap Paistes. Go for some nice Sabians or Zildgians (or Paistes, but they can cost more and be harder to find, at least in my area). You also have to count in the cost of hardware. A kick pedal, if you want a decent one is gonna be in the $100-200 range, or more if oyu want a double. Add cymbal stands, a throne and other such thigns onto that, and it;s more money. I'd look inot more of a $1500-$2000 range. But if you have to go $1000:

Pacific C Series (i think)
Sabian AAX Stage Pack (ride/crash/hats)
Throne/other hardware

Be somehwre in the 1000 range.

Jake

 

[landwanr]

You may want to look into the sonor force 2001. I thought they sounded awesome in the store even when comparing them to kits costing twice as much.

 

[empty promises]

the yamaha ?

i have 1 question, im buying a new kit. and i need to make a right choice.i have $1500 to work with as far as a kit. i need cymbles too. right now i own a rockstar by tama. its a good kit for beginers. i need some view points. i want to get a veriety and not the same dementions i already have on the rockstar. 16x22 bass drum,16x16 floor,10x12 tom, you get the idea. but all the kits in the rockstar price range are the same dementions in drum size. pearl and yamaha in that price range are also the same dementions ! help !!!! i need help ive looked everywhere. and i cant wait to save money. i already have a due date to appear. i was looking at a yamaha stage custom,sc2t67 is that any good?? or the pearl elx825dh. i will take the ideas of other companys if any of you know how to solve my problem. but how are those 2 kits???? thanks so much. empty promises..

 

[battleminnow]

Are you looking for bigger or smaller?

Pete

 

[empty promises]

im looking for a 5 piece, if you were talking to me. e,promises

 

[jrlemonz]

I think he meant bigger or smaller sizes of drums...

Jake

 

[CJ]

I play a Mapex M series and it is great

 

[popstar]

I'd say try and get some quality second hand gear, with a few new heads etc you should get more for yer money...

 

[Transputer]

Hi guys,

If you can check out the bearing edges whenever you buy drums. Any nicks or flat spots will mean the drum will sound different as the head won't bed in to the shell evenly. A 35 degree angle of the edge will give more thump to the drum sound than newer 45 degree edges. This might be one reason why getuhgrip found the mapex and tama kits so similar.

I play Mapex Saturn - older 1992 kit, but works for me with the right heads. Get good cymbals, cheap ones will probably mean u have to buy twice. Zildjian get my vote.

Cheers

 

[F_cksia]

I've got Thunder...
SO WHAT?
It sounds better than another set I play on every day, with my band (a Tama with Paiste), and I'm not exagerating.
I've got Meinl cymbals with that and I prefer them above Zildjian.
Totally it was about $600...

 

[battleminnow]

SCORE!!

My old drummer, who is moving out of state, sold me his old set....ON PAYMENTS!!! I take back every bad thing I ever said about him!!
1999 Pearl Session Select Custom, teal mist, 4 Zyl Avedis cymbals...(splash, crash, crash ride, ride) Nice Paiste hats, Ice bell, Wuhan china, and a bunch of other stuff. This is the nicest set around here. Retailed then for $4000+, not including cymbals. I got it for $1500, one a month for 15. Sweetest deal around. Now to mic it up on to my D1600 that arrived this week.....
I even got some new cordless power tools....
This has to be the best day of my life......

Pete

 

[hixmix]

"I don't wanna work
I jus' wanna bang on de drum all day"

 

[langleyt]

Hey guys, what about CBs? My husband has a 5 piece set of CBs. What are your opinions? We use the cymbals that came with the set for frisbees and bought some Zildjians. Oh, he took the cheap ride cymbal and with his mighty driil made a sizzle cymbal...sounds a bit like a china with sizzle. Along with his Zildjians it gave a really cool effect.

 

[jrlemonz]

My drummer used to have a monster CB double bass kit. 2 kicks, 3 racks, 2 floors. Know what it osunded like? A really big CHEAP AS HELL drumkit. They're cheap, but you get what you pay for. I know another guy who had a CB with 2 26" kicks, and it sounds a little better (just cause of the huge kicks), but it still sounds really cheap. These guys know how to tune their toms, have nice cymbals, and good heads on the top and bottom of every drum, and they sound like ass. Both of them went out and bought Premiers. One got the birch, one the maple. Both couldn't be happier.

Jake