Mom Looking for Suggestions on a Mapex Kit for Son

random white person · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 8:26 am Post subject:

the B8 line is obviously for very beginners, but they are overall quality cymbals. youre not gonna get any sound depth or anything like that. the hihats are thicker than i had expected, and produce a decent chick. they sound fairly decent played with the side of the stick. when opened, they arent too amazing. the crash can crash fairly well. no power, no musical quality whatsoever. labeled as "thin" but feels thicker than most other thin cymbals. basically, they do what they have to and no more.

my drum teacher got a new set of B8 hihats on his teaching kit, and they dont sound nearly the same as mine. granted, mine were purchased 5 years ago, so they may have changed the design. his feel very thin and chinsy. you dont get a nice solid sound when you open and close them, its kind has the feeling that youre using metal coated in plastic or something...

if you can afford it, maybe look into the Zildjian ZXTs. i think they sound fairly good, and offer some more expanded options for you. plus, you can probably squeeze a few more years of playing time out of them, as they are higher quality and the tone will not be as dissapointing down the road once you start looking into better stuff, delaying your possible upgrade.
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retardED · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 1:40 am Post subject:

Yeah id say stay away from B8's and 302s and ZXT's!!
Great buys would be sabian XS20's or paiste 502/802s!!
Maybe concentrate on getting him a good set of hi hats and a good crash...the ride isnt going to be important when he is starting out so maybe look at XS20 hi hats and a XS20 crash, then a month or 2 down the line u can add a ride!!

random white person · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 9:56 am Post subject:

i dunno about XS20. i was just at a friends house who had em, and i cant really tell any major jump in quality over my B8s.

and i disagree about getting hats and a crash. you dont need a crash. the ride should probably be the main surface youre playing on when first learning, because then you learn some independence right off the bat by moving the hihats with your feet.
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retardED · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 2:38 am Post subject:

thats cool RWP!!
It was just my opinion....but point well taken about the independance thing!!
I thought the XS20's had a much better sound than the B8's...the hats have a nice bit of sizzle!!

txcobra96 · Newbie Alert Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 3

im vaklempt... parents buying a kit for their son...so cool..

as far as the cymbals.. i say go with Paiste 502s.. 123music kicks *Horse's Patoot*.. also zzsounds.com.. Cool