Good Deal on SC Advantage!

nate1 · Not So Newbie Joined: 29 May 2004 Posts: 6

Hey guys, just introducing myself to the world of yamaha Drums. I have just laybyed (for you americans, layaway) a yamaha Stage Custom Advantage at a wonderful Drum store in Brisbane, Australia called Drum worx.

I got the fusion kit (10", 12", 14", 22", 14x5.5 wood snare), a Paiste 502 standard pack (not the best cymbal, but half price, and the first Paiste cymbal made of bronze), and a pearl roadster stool, all for $1800 AUD, which is about $1294 US, and about 705 pounds. The package was worth $3000 Australian!

I was very happy considering i got the whole package for 300 dollars less than the recommended retail of the drum kit alone!

Am very eager to play the kit, as I have had fantastic reports about the durability, sound and playability for the price! Due to all the negative conversation about the standard heads, I will have to look into some new ones. Those aquarians sound quality.

Anyway, I am going to await the arrival of my toy, something I am very eager to hear when my band plays live. Looking forward to talking to everyone about the pleasing drumming experience that Yamaha provides us all!
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"Performance doesn't complete the centre of attention, it IS the centre of attention." - Some Genius

PeterW · Goldfish Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Posts: 55

nate1 · Not So Newbie Joined: 29 May 2004 Posts: 6

Hi there.

Yes, i paid 1400 for the drums as well. I inquired about the split lug, but Drumworx only had the other version. Which is the better? Cause I noticed they were both the same price. Is it just to give it the traditional look? I probably would have got the split lug if i could.

It would have been great to gig with the kit for the first time. This would depend on the quality of your last kit, but were happy with the difference in quality? How much are the Evans heads worth. I have had a lot of people say go evans or aquarian over remo.

The kit I am getting is the Raven black gloss. I loved the natural wood, but Drumworx was the only drum store in brissie that had the drums for 1400, and it was the last kit. Still, the black gloss looks great, and im happy with the lacquered finish over wrapped.

I have heard great things about the innovations. I think they will be the way to go in a couple of months.

When you were looking for a new kit, did you have a lot of people try to convince you to go Tama? A few drummers i knew preferred the rockstar, but the combination of hardware and the sound that the SCA was meant to be getting swayed me towards it - plus the 1400 dollar price tag.
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"Performance doesn't complete the centre of attention, it IS the centre of attention." - Some Genius

PeterW · Goldfish Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Posts: 55

As far as I know there is no difference between the two styles of lugs other than appearance. This is my first kit, so I have nothing to compare with other than the Pearl Exports that I play in my weekly lesson. I don't like the Pearl tom mounts nor cymbal stands - the Yamaha hardware seems sturdier and easier to use too, especially the YESS system.

The Evans Hydraulics will cost you about $29 for a 10", $32 for a 12" and $36 for a 14". If you go with Hydros then put a thin reso on, e.g. Evans Resonant Glass (6.5 mil) or Remo Diplomat.

I have found Remo heads to be difficult to tune, especially the Emperors. The Evans heads, especially Hydros are easy to tune.

I haven't seen the Raven Black finish in the flesh but it sounds great. The lacquered finishes always look fantastic.

The Paiste Innovations are really nice cymbals - they're kinda like the poor man's Signatures - a complex sound that fits in with many styles of music.

When I was looking for a kit here in Sydney, only one store pushed the Tama Rockstar. Almost every store pushed the Pearl Exports, because the company that imports them from the USA owns a lot of the music stores in Sydney - not really fair.

Anyway, I found out AFTER I bought my kit that there is a problem with the Tama Rockstars. The method they have used to retrofit the Starcast tom mounting system is such that Evans heads do not fit on the kit without a lot of adjustment. Apparently the hoop grip screws get in the way. You don't need this sort of harrassment when you are changing heads - they should just fit. On the Yamahas there is no such problem.

Have fun with your kit when you get it. It rocks!

nate1 · Not So Newbie Joined: 29 May 2004 Posts: 6

I regularly play on a forum, and a Pearl Session Elite which are large jumps in quality. I cant stand the I.S.S. mounts on the pearl. Such pains to use compared to others.

I will go with the hydros.

Anyway, thanks pete

PS. hows the quality of the bass drum. I am after that short sharp but slightly boomy attack on a bass drum, but dont want to take away natural resonance by throwin a pillow in there or anything. And the bass pedal. Will i have to replace that as quickly as i replace drum heads?

Sorry mate, too many questions
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"Performance doesn't complete the centre of attention, it IS the centre of attention." - Some Genius

PeterW · Goldfish Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Posts: 55

mfran · Fierce Puppy Joined: 24 Dec 2003 Posts: 230 Location: CT

I think you are going to love the Yamaha Stage Custom, I bought a similar set up last year, the jazz configuration of 20" Bass drum, 14" steel snare, 10"12"14" toms (floor tom, not on stand) and all hardware. I bought nice Zildjian cymbals over the course of the year, and the kit really sounds great.

I sat in with another band who had the wood Yamaha snare, and it was great too---louder pop to it, nice feel, great short attack. My steel snare rings a bit if I let it, which I like sometimes.

As discussed, the heads aren't great, you can replace them with whatever you like... I had to mute my BD with a felt strip to get best sound, cut a hole in front too
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Let that snare drum ring!