Heirarchy of Packaged Drum Kits?

[goodshipp]

I'm curious......

Rank packaged drum kits (not counting cymbals) within each major brand:

Obviously, certain kits are entry level, and certain kits are professional grade, what about the in-betweeners?

So, Rank 'Em from worst to best by brand. What's the best shell pack from Pearl, Tama, etc.?? What's the worst? What are the most important qualities of a good set of drums?

 

[scrubs]

I'm not sure what you hope to accomplish with such a list. Also, to provide an accurate list, one would have to have played all of these kits, with the same heads, tuned the same, in the same room, etc. That's not really possible.

Looking at the relative prices will give you an idea of how each manufacturer values their kits. However, you might prefer a less expensive kit over a more expensive one for your particular needs. The only way to really know is to go play them yourself.

And read this for some info about different woods/shells and tips on buying a kit, etc.:

http://home.earthlink.net/~prof.sound/id14.html

 

[PYRRHO]

^ Exactly.... The differences between high-end and entry-level are obvious, but lines get blurred in the middle ranges.

A lacquered kit may be priced higher than the otherwise comparable plastic wrapped version, but this doesn't mean the lacquered kit is "better". If you're doing the local bar circuit twelve gigs per month, the finish is likely to look like hell after a couple of years. With the plastic wrap, you simply replace it. Lacquer? You live with it.

Hardware is another one...if you play big drums...or very large, heavy cymbals, and have them rather high or fully extended on the booms(80's metal or any drummer in Norway ) ...then heavier, more expensive double-braced hardware might be appropriate. The double bracing really does little for the durability or capacity of the stand, but lowers the center of gravity which is a useful counterbalance when dealing with very high and heavy loads. If however, you play like the vast majority of post-Nirvana drummers, lighter and less expensive hardware is perfectly functional...assuming the only difference is the bracing. Section length, wall-thickness and tilter quality are also important.

Of course you were asking about shell-packs, so yeah...the main difference between upper-mid level and lower-mid level is almost always finish.