Help a fellow dawg out yo!

[drummguy731]

Hey everyone, I could really use your guys' help. I'm looking at getting a new kit and I am planning on going to play some, but I'd like some guidance. This will be my kit that I take out to the nice jazz gigs, the recording situations, and all the other places where drunk a-holes that go around smashing things aren't there. This kit needs to be extremely versatile and my range of price is based loosely around 1,000$-2,000$. I only have a couple ideas so far and am very open minded seeing as this is going to be a big investment.

Here are the kits I'm considering so far:

Gretsch New Classics(I'm partial to these):

http://www.arbiter.co.uk/gretsch/products/new_classic_series_drum_kits/new_classic_nc-e824-vg_8.jpg

Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute Nouveau(a bit pricey):

http://www.massmusic.net/shop/images/18620.jpg

Yamaha Tour Custom:

http://www.massmusic.net/namm2006/yamaha/sakurawhite_600.jpg

That's about it guys, I could really use the help! Thanks a lot!

[Undisco Kidd]

Taye Studiomaple
New Classic
Tour Custom

[60 Hertz Jig]

I like the look of the Gretsch set, but the finish is ugly.

Since I'm partial to Sonor drums, I'd recommend looking into the Force 3007 line. massmusic.net lists it as $1,300US, so it's in your price range. They're excellent drums, with all maple shells and very sturdy hardware. The T.A.R. mounting system is one of the best I've used. If you get the chance, I'd definitely recommend playing one of them.

Also, the finishes are absolute sex!

[Fuzzy]

With luck you can find an AMAZING steal on a set of lightly used DWs like I did on Ebay. Other than that I'd consider Conaway and Raven Custom drums, as they both are utter class in their finished products.

Out of your choices, I personally would recommend the Gretch! That is a beautiful finish as well.

[drummguy731]

I know Fuzzy, that is definitely an eye catcher. Keep the suggestions coming guys!

[CombatWombat3]

The Yamama Maple Custom absolute is INCREDIBlE....simply top of the line.

[some jive turkey]

It pays to be patient and browse around at used sets for a while.

I'd say at the price range you listed you could probably land a top of the line shell pack, if you search around.

The thing is, top of the line of anybrand, will sound good.
I am definately not a brand-whore. I like different drums for different reasons, and I kind of enjoy the fact that not all drums sound the same.

I play Kellers/Mapex Orions/and recently now DW
I like all of them.

My point is, if you have your heart set on something at the beginning, you're going to pay through the nose for it. You can buy two pro-level kits used for the price of a new one, if you look around. That's no ****.
Having more than one drumset is almost a must if you're playing with more than one band, and doing lots of rehearsals, practicing at home, gigging. It just gets ridiculous to set up a drumset several times each day.
if you set up and tore down your kit twice in one day, that would consume almost an entire hour of your day.

I know you could get an Orion kit in that price range, and they are amazing drums. You mentioned jazz gigs,...I think DWs are a too ballsy sounding for most jazz,....but each drummer ultimately defines their own sound.
I'm sure this is why DW is now making a jazz-specific series of drums, but I think those are new as of about 2007.

Anyway,........sorry to ramble

[ludvista29]

Maple Absolute! So consistant, So Beautiful, So ****ing Amazing!!

[Pleaseme]

Oh yes, Yammie Maple Abs for the total win. Those things are class.

[_Austin_]

The maple or birch absolute sounds good.
I didn't find any problems with my old birch set with the nouveau lugs so take whatever anyone says about them with a pinch of salt.

I know gretsch to sound amazing in the general setting you are after so the kit you are looking at wouldn't be a bad choice at all!

P.S. I LOVE that finish on the gretsch

[Plan B.]

I would not buy a new Yamaha Abosolute to take to bars n' stuff.

get the tour custom, it's a custom touring drumset used for touring and playing gigs

[Zildjian]

look into the Sonor S Classix series... I played one at my local shop, incredible. If you want versatility, this kit for sure

http://www.sonor.com/cgi-sys/Sonor_FE/sonor/english/kategorie.html?a-quicklink-n_katid=855&cupb-id=nc

[drummguy731]

Just for clarification, it seems like some of you are confused, this kit will NOT go in any bars! This is for the really nice jazz gigs, the kind you dust off the old penguin suit for, the nice recording situations, and NOT where any drunk people go around breaking things. Also, I am interested in getting a shell pack, not going custom, another clarification. Thanks for all the info so far guys, please keep 'em coming, I'm still very open to opinions.

[GhostNote]

I'd say go with the Gretsch, they're simply amazing sounding drums.


-GN