Me or my kit?

[Idotic]

I got a drum kit for my birthday last september, and Ive been playing constantly since. But I avoid playing when anyone is at home because Ive noticed that my kit sounds really bad, mainly my cymbals.. the snare and toms arent a worry because I have the silence pads on them so that doesnt bother me..

The kit isnt even a real kit. Its some cheap $250 kit my step dad found somewhere on ebay, it has no brand name.. Its just dead..

At first I thought the bad sound was my playing.. but then I thought it was the kit, but im starting to wonder now which one it really is..

Im looking to buy new cymbals & hi hats to see if that changes anything..

Just wondering what brand cymbals I should get, something good for a low price range.. any ideas?

[Panopticon]

Sabian B8 cymbals.

Pics of your kit though?

[billdrum]

I guess we'd need to know what you've got already for cymbals. Are there any brand markings on them?

[maniac0796]

A bad sounding kit with bad cymbals makes you feel like a bad player, i know, i've been there.

[Retarded Chipple]

If its because you have low quality cymbals look into getting some Paiste 302s. Good sounding for the price and they'll be cheaper now they're discontinued.

[Josiah]

It is very true, the quality of what you play on greatly effects how you feel about your playing, and of course, how it sounds.

[Sunshine]

It's your kit, don't worry. I still have a stock crash and hats...nameless, nasty things they are.

And I know you said you've got silencer pads and things, but if you wanted to take 'em off or something...changing the heads would definitely help your sound too.

[the_pure_drummer]

A bad sounding kit with bad cymbals makes you feel like a bad player, i know, i've been there.

Your still there man ;)

Hahaha just joking.

[Idotic]

My cymbals atm dont have anything on them, they seriously are just like tin cans.. they are really light too. & yeah the rest of my kit could use better heads & a good tuning haha.

So, what cymbals..?
Sabian B8 or Paiste 302s?

& thanks for people answering, its been bugging me. =]

[Retarded Chipple]

Its entirely your call from here on. We can only suggest what lines to look at but you have to make the final decision.
You're obviously after better sounding cymbals so YOU have to choose them. As well as 302s and B8s, if you have a tad extra cash, look into Paiste PST3 or even PST5, Sabian XS20 or Pro Sonix. Meinl probably make fairly decent entry level cymbals too. I'd personally say avoid low end Zildjians (ZBT/ZXT etc) they're not really worth it.

But its all up to the sound you like and how much you're willing to spend :)

[Josiah]

Very true.

You may also want to look into the used market, where you can get some high end cymbals for not much more then new low end cymbals.

[Idotic]

Okay, I'll have to look into them soon.
I think my whole kit is pretty bad.. In the music shop last week I was playing with the pedals there, they feel so smooth.. Mine is a struggle to push..

Thanks btw. =]

[Idotic]

Ebay =]

[Retarded Chipple]

Try setting your pedal tension a little looser and grease/oil up the moving parts...

[DrummingBen]

Woot another aussie dude!

Look for second hand cymbals man, in like your local papers and ebay. Check out the cymbals the other guys mentioned are good, but a B8 pack might be a bit much, since they retail at over double what your kits worth. Paistes are good.
Keep drumming!:)

[Idotic]

lol, Aus xD
Yeah im looking on ebay atm.

[DrummingBen]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-SABIAN-B8-CYMBAL-PACK-HIHATS-CRASH-RIDE_W0QQitemZ190119335358QQihZ009QQcategoryZ10174 QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
That looks alright dude. Pretty good price.

[Pauly]

It'd be a good time to buy those B8's. They're nearly half price.

[Idotic]

My parents dont want to get me any more peices for my kit, e.g. the new cymbals.. They suggested I wait until my next birthday and save up for an electric kit..

Im not sure what to do now, maybe keep what Ive got & get electric..?

[Ellx]

really, don't go electric unless you must, I know I regret it.

and also, a good electric kit will be a lot, where you could get a nice second hand acoustic.

[Pauly]

Do your parents want you to get an electronic kit because your drums are too loud?

If so, an electronic kit might actually be a good idea. Most people don't want to go electronic because the sound samples can be pretty horrible. However, in your situation it'll be an upgrade. Go for something decent, AT LEAST a Yamaha DTXplorer. Anything lower in quality and your asking for trouble.

[Idotic]

yeah some people have been telling me not to get electric, I tried explaining to her that a good electric will be way more then new cymbals & heads, but.. parents.. :rolleyes:

[Idotic]

no, not for the sound. they dont really care about the noise, my sister plays sax, my step dad plays guitar, and then theres my 5 year old brother.. self explanitory. Mum just thinks it would be better if I got an electric and sold my acoustic, not sure why, I dont think they can be bothered getting me cymbals and heads :rolleyes:. I think that acoustic would still be better cause I guess electric has its limits..?

[Ellx]

yes, it isn't as fun to play, it sounds bad, it feels very different to an acoustic, pretty much the only advantage to an electric kit is the ability to turn the sound down, and in your case this doesn't matter, so I suggest acoustic.

[Idotic]

yeah i dont need the sound down, i guess ill just get new cymbals and heads myself..

I suck at tuning aswell.. haha.

[Sunshine]

Haha it's ok, I'm still figuring my tuning out ><

[Idotic]

yeah.. I dont like tuning =[

Do you reckon there would be any cheaper cymbals & stuff in Hong Kong? Mums going back there in a few weeks.. x]

[Josiah]

No, prob even more expensive there.

You should learn to love tuning. It's a skill, a learned one. Once you learn how, then a world opens up to you.

The world where you will sound like a better drummer, then someone else, just because your drums sound that much better.

[Pauly]

Tuning is the 41st rudiment.

[Sammy_L_D]

Tuning is the 41st rudiment.

I'd argue the 0ist.