Mapex M Birch Vs Premier XPK

[Dakwota]

Hey there fella's!

I'm after an upgrade on my current Thunder kit which i've had for about 5 years (first kit)...

I've narrowed it down to those two so far but am certainly open to suggestions.(around their price range)..

Pro's and Con's of both would be nice..

Maple vs Birch explanation also appreciated...

I'm thinking the ZHT Pro Pack then eventually a ZHT Splash, 18' crash and a china..

I also am in the market for a double kick pedal...whats good? whats bad? best value...I dont really want to spend more then $400AUD on a pedal...thats all.

I'll probably pick up a Gibralter throne aswell....

So gimme some suggestions!!!!

[static]

Say no to ZHTs please.

I dun really know AUD, but generally look at Iron Cobras and Eliminators. 'Bout 290 USD.



And I'd take the Premier, tbqh.

[Mirror.Circuit]

maple has a warmer tone,birch in punchier.
if i were you,i'd save up for pro quality cymbals,and not get a cymbal pack.
and 400$ is plenty for a double.
you can get a DW5000 for about 350 or so i think,and that's a pro quality pedal.

[Dakwota]

DW5000's are $825AUD...

Yes, Australia sucks for equip.

Using - http://www.allansmusic.com.au/ as a reference try find me "pro grade cymbals for $1000AUD...lol...australia :(

If anyone does have the time to write me up a kit, much appreciated.

Thanks!

[zfzgg]

$1000 won't get you a full set of pro-grade cymbals.

-But if you go second-hand (much advised), it will easily get you hats and a ride, especially if you're careful about who you buy from.

$400 won't get you a pro-grade double kick.

-But it will get you a pro-grade single pedal. I want you to think carefully, do you really need a double? I certaintly regret buying mine, because the music i play doesn't require it at all. -And my tastes have changed since purchasing it, too.

-Or, failing that, you could get a second-hand top-notch double pedal. Did i mention that i don't use mine anymore? I could get it to you for under $400 easily. (it's a Janus Ergo). I live near Sydney. Contact me if you're interested:P.

Out of the kits, i'd personally go with the Mapex. (This is coming from a guy who owns a similar Premier).

*EDIT* -Also, thanks for the link to that Allan's music site, i've been looking for something like this for ages!

[Dakwota]

www.billyhydemusic.com.au
drummersparadise.com.au

they're also good sites zfzgg. Paradise doesn't have alot mentioned but you can email them and they are usually dirt cheap!

How much are you after for that pedal...? I'll do abit of research!

I wasn't really after a pro grade kick...i'm not seeing this as a pro kit...more of an "advanced"...lol

Oh, and i do want double kick.

Thanks!

[zfzgg]

Ahhh....cheers for the other links:D.

I'm not sure how much i'm after for the pedal yet. I'll have to do a bit of research myself:P. I can't remember how much they retail for. But it's in good nick, with only a minor amount of scraping to worry you (which isn't on any moving parts, and isn't structurally worrying). I will probably be able to get some pics up tomorrow, if you want.

-But second hand with the cymbals would definantly be the way to go with the cymbals. I'm soon to be (slowly) upgrading my cymbals, and my tastes are quite specific, so there's a good chance i'll have to go second hand:P.

If there's anything else i can help you with, feel free to ask.

[Mirror.Circuit]

oop.
didn't notice it was australian.
sorry man.

[Dakwota]

zfzgg what's your email? can you add me on msn? I'm on now..we'll have a chat :)

Dakwota@gmail.com

Thanks for the help so far..!

If i can grab the janus and second hand cymbals i'll be laughing!

i think the mapex might be the way to go, espcially with 6 for 5 atm or MAYBE 7 for 6 if it's not much more..

I can't find find the 7 piece anywhere..

Thanks!

[zfzgg]

I've added you to msn, but i was offline for a while, doing homework.

Searching for good second hand cymbals will likely take you a long time. -And i would advise to never buy them blind (or would that be deaf?). Check for sales near you, and haunt all the local pawn shops :).

Yeah, definantly go with the Mapex : - )

No problems, looking forward to our chat:D

[Ollie The Drumming Legend]

Well I don't know, but all the premier kits that I've played (ie mid/low range) haven't been that good, but I've heard great things bout the Mapex M birch. I have the pro M (Maple) and that is awesome.

If you're lookin for new cymbals get Sabian XS20s not ZHTs IMO, but taht's only my personal preference.

I have no idea about Aussie prices, but an XS20 or ZHT ride/crash/hats set in the UK costs about £200-£250, but I got a 2nd hand set of Zildjian A and K customs (ride/crash/hats) for £345. I would assume the price difference would be similar in Aussieland but you can never be sure.

Personally, I'd go for the 6 for 5, as having 4 toms would be cool but I'd never really have much use for 5, and personally I'd get the rock set cause then you get the 10" tom free, so its 10/12/14/16 toms :):)

But then again, don't buy without trying stuff first,

[DrumIntoTheNight]

M-Birch. You won't regret it.

[Lunarfall]

Screw those 2 kits, get this before the deal is over.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid

[the fat llama]

on ebay at the moment theres a sabian aa set with an extra 19" crash thats only $850 second hand. i would seriously suggest that. but if ur buying new get meinl or bosphorus. because they dont have much of a name in aus, there really cheap.


EDIT: try 'www.drumpower.com.au' best prices for kits ive seen.also look at there ebay shop as they have much more stock on that then there actual site. ill list some kits from there that r similar prices to m birch/ premier xpk.

premier cabria xpk for $1250
sonor 2005 for $1300
sonor 3005 for $1550 (10 12 16 toms)
sonor 3005 for $1500 (10 12 14 toms)
premier cabria apk (ash shells) $1100
tama superstar $1600
gretsch catalina ash 6 piece $1300
gretsch catalina maple 6 piece $1700


another site www.drummers.com.au has these prices

gretsch catalina birch 6 piece $1700
mapex m 6 piece for $1600 (but for sum reason says birch)
mapex m 7 piece for $1800 (but for sum reason says birch)

it also has second hand gear such as:

mapex mars pro 6 piece for $1200 (not all maple shells if i remember correctly)
mape pro m 6 piece $1500


and for cymbals go to this site and look at the meinl, bosphorus or istanbul agops for prices. but id suggest u go to a shop and try them out first.

[Dakwota]

llama i couldnt find those AA's on ebay, possibly sold?

I think the mapex might be the way to go...thanks for those sites too!

I've never been a sabian or mapex fan and it looks like the M birch and XS20's might be the way to go!

Oh, also....Pro Sonix vs XS20?

Are the XS20's ok?

Thanks!

[Panopticon]

llama i couldnt find those AA's on ebay, possibly sold?

I think the mapex might be the way to go...thanks for those sites too!

I've never been a sabian or mapex fan and it looks like the M birch and XS20's might be the way to go!

Oh, also....Pro Sonix vs XS20?

Are the XS20's ok?

Thanks!

Mapex and Sabian fan right here yo...

But seriously...i wouldn't go anything below AA.

[Ollie The Drumming Legend]

mapex m 6 piece for $1600 (but for sum reason says birch)
mapex m 7 piece for $1800 (but for sum reason says birch)



It's because they're made of birch...
The pro M is made of maple (one up on the ladder of mapex 'goodness')

And some AAs are nice like the med or med thin crashes, but generally I prefer AAXs
Pretty similar idea though, both great cymbals.

[the fat llama]

yeh i was just wondering cos it didnt say m birch. but since m maples are discontinued i guess i should have just taken that.

and dakwota i went on ebay and there gone. bad luck. if u keep checking on ebay u should get a good deal like that come round every now and then.

i still think meinl amuns would be good, as u can get 16" crash for $240, rides for $340/360 and HH for just over $400. that adds up to $1000 and there pro cymbals. and if u get em second hand u can get em even cheaper. i got my amun ride for $150 and it wasnt used much and in good condition.

i just looked up some xs20s and u can get em for $639. it just depends whether u want pro cymbals for $400 more or almost pro for $630.

[Dakwota]

Is the few hundred dollars more for the Pro - M worth it? Over the M birch...

Cheers fella's...

PS - I need to start looking for a double kick again the janus sale fell through :(

[Jezen]

$1000 won't get you a full set of pro-grade cymbals.

-But if you go second-hand (much advised), it will easily get you hats and a ride, especially if you're careful about who you buy from.

$400 won't get you a pro-grade double kick.

-But it will get you a pro-grade single pedal. I want you to think carefully, do you really need a double? I certaintly regret buying mine, because the music i play doesn't require it at all. -And my tastes have changed since purchasing it, too.

-Or, failing that, you could get a second-hand top-notch double pedal. Did i mention that i don't use mine anymore? I could get it to you for under $400 easily. (it's a Janus Ergo). I live near Sydney. Contact me if you're interested:P.

Out of the kits, i'd personally go with the Mapex. (This is coming from a guy who owns a similar Premier).

*EDIT* -Also, thanks for the link to that Allan's music site, i've been looking for something like this for ages!

Where abouts? I got my first kit - an Ashton fusion size kit - from Drummer's Dream out.... Parramatta way? Actually I don't know, but I think it's west. :confused:

EDIT: My geography of Sydney was always terrible. Drummer's Dream is on Canterbury Road in Belmore. I used to get lessons from Bruce at Drum City. He was so cool. I still use a lick he was showin me all those years ago.

EDIT 2: Ahh that's where I got confused. Drum City is on Parramatta Road in Petersham, down the road from Zen Studios where I used to work.

[zfzgg]

'Near' is perhaps a loose description.

.........I live in Newcastle:P. Just moved there these latest holidays.

[Dakwota]

I'm really not sure about how to go with cymbals.
I might use like starter pack cymbals (the pieces of tins that come with $500 drums) until i can afford good stuff. Then work up slowly...(ride then hats etc..)

I think i want to go with 10, 12, 14, 16 for the M birch and hopefully they have something that will fit into that.

For Rock/Harcore/Metal - 22x16 or 22x18?

Cheers!

[zfzgg]

Don't get starter cymbals.

Just try to get a proffesional ride and hats to start with. Then expand as the money comes along.

You'll save money that way:)

[Dakwota]

haha man theres no way im paying money for the start cymbals.

School is getting a new kit and cymbals and the shitty cymbals that come with the kit (not the pack..) are going to be mine! (or maybe the old kits cymbals..)

It's only a crash or crash/ride and hats......

But then I can buy a ride....then another crash, then hats
and im blinging!

[zfzgg]

haha, fair enough. Although i'd probably upgrade the hats before the crash.

[Dakwota]

Hmm yeah...but i want 2 crash bad (need kind of..)

Btw, I won't be gigging whilst using $2 pieces of tin :)

[zfzgg]

Eh, i guess you could do it that way. It's just different preferences, i guess.

In all honesty, i don't even want any crashes. :P

[Damo]

I dont really want to spend more then $400AUD on a pedal...thats all.

Look into the Sonor 400 series pedal then. It retails $449 with a bag. Its durable, simply designed and very smooth.

As far as kits go, youll get a better package deal with a Mapex most likely.

[Ollie The Drumming Legend]

I also am in the market for a double kick pedal...whats good? whats bad? best value...I dont really want to spend more then $400AUD on a pedal...thats all.

I'll probably pick up a Gibralter throne aswell....

So gimme some suggestions!!!!

If you're on a budget then I would personally go for a cheap throne as you can always upgrade later to a comfier/more adjustable one, like I'm about to.

I know that Mapex pedals that come with the Pro M aren't bad so possibly you could see if there was a double version that's not too expensive that you could exchange for the single that comes with the kit, like discuss a deal with the shop as most will do some sort of deal when you're buying a whole new kit. Though I don't know how much AUD are worth in £ (apart from not much :p)