What is the undisputed best mid level drumset for the buck?

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FattMusiek

FattMusiek

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Firstly, I'd like to apologize for making a thread I could easily search for. I am posting this because I want more specific and personal information from you guys. I'm in the market for a drum set after nearly three years of borrowing my friend's Pearl Forums. For me, the drum sound in a rock recording is the most crucial aspect. For an idea of what my current drum sound is like, go here:

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists...d=2076&alid=296

"Harmony Song", "Oct. 5 mix", and "Speed Metal" are the epitomes of the kind of music I make. "Speed Metal" was recorded with my friend's Pearl Session Customs. I was very happy with the drum sound I got out of them; however, I had some trouble with the resonance of the maple wood. I've been told that birch shells are better than maple for recording.

My price range is $500 to $1200. Thanks for your time; I appreciate it.
 
depending on the number of drums you get with your kit, I would say that the price range would buy you a "entry level" - not "mid level"

If you could spend a little more - I would recommend a Tama Starclassic Performer. This is a thin shell birch kit.

For your price range, I would probably recommend a Pacific kit, or try to find something used.
 
yeh your pirce range is entery. not mid. when you take into account the cymbals and harware...... it all adds up. i usual find i spend the same on harware and cymbals as the cost of the shell pack. Ermm spend a little more and by either Pearl Session. mapex Orions are just being re-released and they're awsome. soooooo nice. Look into them.

btw your link doesnt work
 
I agree that less than $1,000 puts you in the entry level (about $500 would go towards drums and $500 towards cymbals). In fact, that puts you almost below "entry level"

I consider kits like Pearl Export, Yamaha Stage Custom, etc. entry levels (I don't consider kits like Pearl Forum, Mapex V series, etc. to even qualify as entry level - perhaps those are starter kits or "student kits"). I also do not consider cymbal lines such as B8's or ZBT's etc to qualify as entry level (I certainly would not want to gig or record with them).

I've always thought the Yamaha Stage Custom is a well made, decent sounding kit and a decent value. In cymbals, A's, AA's Z's would all be decent cymbals. Although the Pacific's I've heard are nice sounding (never really looked at the construction that close).

If you could spend closer to $1,500 - $2,000 you would have so many better options.
 
can the words "undisputed", "best", and "drumset" be included in the same sentence? :rolleyes:
 
sile2001 said:
can the words "undisputed", "best", and "drumset" be included in the same sentence? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Yes.

"It is undisputed that no one can agree on the best drumset."
 
KevinDrummer said:
depending on the number of drums you get with your kit, I would say that the price range would buy you a "entry level" - not "mid level"

If you could spend a little more - I would recommend a Tama Starclassic Performer. This is a thin shell birch kit.

For your price range, I would probably recommend a Pacific kit, or try to find something used.
Click to expand...

I thought Starclassic was the above "mid level". I was thinking a mid level Tama set would be the Rockstar/Rockstar custom. Then again I'm a guitar player that just dabbles in druming.
 
As the owner of a Tama RockStar kit, I can say with absolute certainty that it is the bottom of the barrel.

Have you taken a look at Taye kits?

http://www.taye.com/

Good kits (yes, I've actually heard them) at decent prices.
 
Consul said:
As the owner of a Tama RockStar kit, I can say with absolute certainty that it is the bottom of the barrel.
Click to expand...

Then what is Stagestar and swingstar? They don't even get to be in the barrel.
 
That's when you start scraping the bottom of the barrel. :D

Actually, I was being somewhat unfair. The RockStar is a decent kit for rock and metal drums. But for my money, I want something that allows a range of expression and some subtlety. The RockStar kits are just loud, and suit heavy-hitters very well.

Just my opinion. You can take it for what it's worth. Personally, I'd like to try building my own stave-style shells and assemble it into my own special drum kit.

Well, it could happen. ;)
 
I don't mean to be an ass, but any good drummer can make any kit sound good. Just play a couple at the music store and pick one you like the best. I had a drummer in my band has a complete piece of shat for a drumset yet he always got complemented on his playing.....
 
Hey, I agree. I've had nothing but compliments on my playing and my style, and I can make even the cheapest kit sing if I want to. There just comes a point where your tools are more obstacles rather than helpers.

For my Tama RockStar kit, I found that I avoided ever using the floor tom, because I was never happy with it's sound or where I was able to place it in relation to the other pieces. Sometimes, you just adapt to what you have on hand.

So far, the best kit I've ever played on a regular basis is a Premier Artist Birch, configured with three mounted toms (some companies call this "fusion style"). I found that having that third mounted tom, rather than a floor tom, made all the difference in the world to my style. But that's just me.
 
Just an added note for you drummers here. Visit drumdogs forum for many more drummer opinions and some good subforums on drums in general.

BTW, I'm "DrumHead" there.
 
While I agree that a good drummer can make a poor kit sound "better" - the better the kit, the better the sound.

I've played on cheap kits, with bad heads and crap cymbals - and I suspect I made those kits sound better than many other drummers would - but I know I didn't sound as good as I could or would want to. Most certainly I did not enjoy playing on those kits.

I've played on many very good kits and I know I sounded very good - as importantly, playing on those kits was a joy.
 
I agree with Consul. I have one and I´m not a heavy hitter, but it´s true that the drums are loud. Finally I love my kit is the only one I have (is an 89' model) and a new one it´s not in my plans.
 
I shouldn't diss Tama too much. I think they make some very good kits, actually. I played for a bit on a StarClassic birch kit that I quickly grew quite fond of.

I also got to play on a very nice Sonor thin-shell maple kit that was wrapped in a birds-eye maple veneer. Very expensive, but a beautiful tone, and a beautiful kit to look at.

I think I will make my own stave shells for my next kit. Stave style construction is very well possible for a decently-equipped home builder. The only problem I need to solve is how to round out the inside and outside of the shells when they're done.

Staves also offer the advantage of using less glue to the amount of wood involved. Some say this gives better resonance, and I'm inclined to believe it, since I've played stave-made hand drums before, and they could really sing.

Okay, I'll stop rambling now. :)
 
forums are good kits!

i have been playing drums for awhile and i know what its like to be poor. right now im playing in a band that has been together for about two years. and i play on a forum kit(pearl). they arent the best by any means but tey get the job done. i even get complements after shows about how they sound...from drummers with high priced kits. im thinkin that as long as you dont order your drums from a sears catalog or from wal mart, a good drummer can make semi-good drums sound really good. i would recommend the forum kit to any entry or mid level drummer on a tight budget they are sound good and can take a beating.

www.necrosismusic.com
 
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