need some recommendations

random white person · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:39 am Post subject:

i also kind of agree with the sentiment that he very well may have his heart set on a specific model or brand as he's probably an experienced player and well, musicians can be picky when it comes to these things. obviously he would appreciate if you went out and picked him up a nice new electronic kit, but it may work out better in the long run if you maybe talk to his buddies and see if you can get them to find out exactly what he wants (or if he'd rather be surprised?). or, if you do save up some cash, you could take him to a music store on his birthday and let him pick out what he wants.
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drummerb0y25 · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:29 am Post subject:

From experience here (20+ years)...Tyler and DrumHead don't quite get the big picture...although drumhead admits to not knowing the value of changign the tension of the heads!

When I first tried out Rolands way back *cough* years ago at guitar center, I felt as though it was a sweet drum set. The draw backs (not knowing at the time) was that the response seemed a bit springy and the sound response was a bit too sensitive. They were fun to play but felt like it was diving into something I shouldn't...LOVED the kits obviously (td-12/20)....But felt like I was behind the electronic curve and it was "too mjuch"

When I decided to purchase one last July, what really struck me was how basically EVERYTHING is open to your own interpetation and feels. (from studying up online then going and experiementing for the umpteenth time at GC)

You can adjust the sensitivity of the response in the brain. You can just the acoustics in so many ways. You can physically loosen the mesh heads for a softer feeling touch. Almost everything is negotiable to make the drum set "your own" instead of buying it as-is and dealing with what you bought, like it or not.

I think some people, especially the kids, speak without actually knowing the upsides and downsides of these drums and feel threatened by them.. I even read one person knock someone because they had an electronic kit, as though they were a "newschool wannabe". It's pretty funny! Yes they expensive and are probably jealousy inducing in some ways.

FWIW - Just becauase you walk into a GC and like the drums but don't feel like their "all that" does not mean you cannot make them "all that". These babies out of the box aren't that great, but once you adjust the playability of the kits, they are so valuable and fun!
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"The more control you have of the instrument, the more confidence you will get and the more you will be able to express your ideas; Technique is only good if you can use it musically." -J.M.

styles2281 · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:50 am Post subject:

I'm biased, but take a look at a TrapKAT (www.alternatemode.com) and maybe a roland TD-12 for a sound source. Would be perfect for an apartment where one can easily store it under the bed after playing. Better resale value and upgradability, too.
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"I'm not dumb, I just have a command of thoroughly useless information" - Calvin of Bill Waterson's "Calvin and Hobbes"

styles2281 · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:57 am Post subject:

in reference to the 'discussion'

Let's keep in mind that e-drums are NOT acoustic drums and vice versa. I want an e-kit, not because I want a quiet replica of my acoustic kit (I can get pads for that) but because of the abilities and timbres the e-kit can offer. Frankly, if an e-kit plays EXACTLY like an acoustic kit (which NONE of them do) I'd just assume have the acoustic kit. At THAT point it really doesn't matter whether the head is mesh or rubber (one may prefer one over the other...I know mesh is adjustable on some drums, which is nice. For e-kit purposes, I'm fine with rubber, provided the sensativity is there, hence why I like the TrapKAT).

It seems silly to argue such points when we're not really even talking about the SAME instrument (acoustic vs electric).
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"I'm not dumb, I just have a command of thoroughly useless information" - Calvin of Bill Waterson's "Calvin and Hobbes"