Set recommendation thread.

midvalley_f · Tadpole Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 23

Alright, i'm hoping to get a few questions answered that've been bothering me for quite a while now.

I've recently sold a gigantic drumkit that I didn't like or want, and am looking for some recommendations for a 4 piece kit for $600 bucks. Don't worry, I've already set aside money for cymbals and heads. ($400 is going into cymbals that I'd be getting from eBay, 200 goes towards heads and a drumdial and some sticks. Already have a decent pedal.)

Now, some of you may point and laugh at me for wanting a 4piece but the problems I encountered with the large set was me getting crucified by the sound man all the time, really hard to move around, nowhere to store it where it's protected by extremes in temperature, plus it just really didn't fit the mood of the band I was in.

Regarding heads, I had a hard time finding the appropriate tom tone that I wanted from my set. I play in a band that plays some emo-ish rock, alternative rock and indie rock and I could never really seem to find the tight, punchy deep sound that I heard most punk bands have. People say that Aquarian Performance II's are good for that, but I wanted to clarify that here first before I took any action. So, I'd like to know what heads are good for that sound. Also, how important is the resonant side of the toms in getting that sound I described? (How important are they for a good sound in general? I've heard some people say that it doesn't matter at all.)

I'm also wondering how important are hi-hat stands in terms of quality. When I play, I usually just play the hi hat stand that comes with my set, though I hear hi-hat stand snobbery at times and then hear people say it doesn't matter what stand you use.

That basically covers all I'd like answered.

Thanks!

-Midvalley_F

sfauts · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 1:49 am Post subject:

Your 4 piece theory is not silly at all.

Hi-hat stands - well, personally i'd rather have a better quality one.
You can make do with a lesser one...

Unfortunately, i can't give kit advice as i'm in England.

Reso heads are as important as the batter heads.

kuniggety · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 4:29 am Post subject:

For your type of music, a 4 piece sounds just fine. emo/alternative have never been known for big tom fills. Hell, Bonham started out on a 4 piece... although he moved to a 5 piece with two floor toms.

If your hi-hat stand suffices, then uh.. it suffices. I think a nice hi-hat stand would be really nice/helpful though. It should be reponsive and able to hold your cymbals.
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midvalley_f · Tadpole Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 23

Thanks guys. Those questions had me losing sleep.

Regarding kits, what I've found is that not a lot of drum companies even make a lot of 4 piece kits anymore, and the ones that do, well, the choices kindof worry me.

I know Gretsch makes the Catalina Club Mod which is made out of mahogany shells, but people say that kit has tuning issues on Musicians' Friend. (And when you gig, having to retune all the time is NOT fun.)

Tama makes the Tama Superstar in a 4 piece kit, but that one costs $700 which goes above my desired budget for a kit, which would leave me only $300 for cymbals, making me downgrade to used xs20's.

Taye makes the RockPro Classic which I hear nothing but good things about, but that happens to be a 5 piece. I could conceivably just take off the 13 inch tom and just use the kit as a 4 piece but I don't know if that's a great idea. The Taye runs for $600.

Then, Sonor makes the 2005 Force kit in fusion sizes, which runs for $550. Again, it's a 5 piece but I don't know how well fusion kits function being used as a 4 piece.

random white person · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:53 pm Post subject:

just buy a 5 piece kit and dont use one of the drums. its as simple as that.

additionally, why didn't you just keep your old set and only use 4 of the drums? i could see wanting to completely get rid of it if it was total crap, but if it was decent then you'd probably lose a good deal of money selling it and starting over.
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midvalley_f · Tadpole Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 23

It -was- total crap. That's why I got rid of it.
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"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." - Henry David Thoreau

sfauts · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:11 pm Post subject:

Have you tried anything Mapex?

They do an LA Rock Shell pack in the Saturn range, but that may be above your budget.

However the Pro M range may be within your range?

midvalley_f · Tadpole Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 23

Eh, I don't think I've seen a Pro M in the 600's range, even on eBay. I do hear great things about Mapex all the time, just wish I could afford 'em.
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"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." - Henry David Thoreau

kuniggety · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:28 pm Post subject:

I would watch ebay for a Mapex M Birch set. They go for ~$850 brand new, so you should be able to pick up a good condition set right at your price range.
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midvalley_f · Tadpole Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 23

Alright. Thanks for all the advice guys. One last question, though.

How do you get the tom tone that I described in my first post and what heads would be best for them? (deep, tight, punchy, the sort you hear on most punk rock recordings)

I've heard Aquarian Performance 2's are good for that tone. I'm totally lost on resonant heads though. Can you get just about whatever resonant head from aquarian and be safe?
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"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." - Henry David Thoreau

random white person · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:06 pm Post subject:

i would go for something a bit less muffled, like an Aquarian Studio-X or Evans EC2. both have some muffling for a punchier tone, but still have a nice resonance. ive used Performance IIs in the past and they are definitely very deep and punchy, but have more of an 80's classic rock sound and might be a bit dead for what you want.

as for resonant heads, just stick with standard weight clear heads (Evans G1, Aquarian Classic Clear, Remo Ambassador) and you should be good, unless you for whatever reason want a very specific sound that only a heavier or thinner model head can give you.

...

would you be able to maybe save up some more dough to put towards your kit? you could definitely get a real nice kit new or used for $600ish, but if you had some more wiggle room then you could probably shop around and find exactly what you want. definitely better to spend a bit more and get your perfect set of drums than be stuck with something so-so. you could also build up your set piece by piece as you get more cash (i.e. drums and a few cymbals now, then more as you can afford them.)
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MagicMedicine204 · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 12:09 am Post subject:

i agree with building up your kit as you can afford it. if your serious about drumming you're going to upgrade again, so you might as well plan it out now and save yourself money along the way. if you're looking for deep and punchy then i'd recommend some good two ply coated heads like Evans G2s or Remo Emperors. I just went through some Aquarian Response IIs and wasn't impressed.

Look for used kits. They're out there and you can get them for CHEAP. Craigslist especially. I would stay away from birch based on the sound you're looking for. Maple would be my suggestion.

Lastly, once you play a quality hi-hat stand you'll never want to play the one that came with you kit again. Go to Guitar Center and sit down with one for a bit. It's like a Saturn and a Lexus. Sure, the Saturn will suffice, but come on. It works for now though, and would be my last upgrade.

And todays alternative is really big on fills, a lot of time on four piece kits. The last alt concert I was at every drummer had a four piece. Led Zeplin is a far cry from indie/alt/emo.
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midvalley_f · Tadpole Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 23

I could put in a little bit more into my kit, which would bring me into about the range of 800-900.

I'm a tad confused on why you say to stay away from birch. Isn't that what people normally use for the genre of music that I play? I know maple does grant more versatility but I thought that's what jazz drummers used more than anything else.

I don't know if this claim is correct, but people say that birch sounds pre-EQ'd which pretty much fits what I want I would think.
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"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." - Henry David Thoreau

sfauts · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:33 am Post subject:

midvalley_f · Tadpole Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 23

They're quieter yes, but don't they hold better tone for my style?
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"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." - Henry David Thoreau