The Drum Stronghold

[Steffanwolf]

Wasn't there once a thread of awful stage faces? Maybe I made it up cause I couldn't track anything down...

[Aaron]

I've seen some dodgy photos in my time on here, I know that much

[Drum Phil]

I'm a master of the "Musician Face"

[Drum Phil]

"It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved founder and leader for the past 50 years, Jim Marshall. While mourning the Guv'nor though, we also salute a legendary man who led a full and truly remarkable life."

Bummer

[Remonative]

Originally Posted by Vinnie's Ice Cream

User Remonative is MattSmith.

No young man, that's not the case. But I would assume you're the Josiah person I dealt with several years ago. That's Ok, talks are moving forward and pretty soon this will be a different place when delete buttons are pushed, these horrible colors are replaced and everything starts clean.

[Vinnie's Ice Cream]

Yup, definitely MattSmith. Same phrasing, language and holier then thou attitude. Trying to pretend to be so much more then you are. The collective "we" postings are played out too buddy. Try a more convincing approach...


These aren't the forums you're looking for... move along. Move along.

[Jeffs Carrot]

It would appear you are the same person

I had a look at past posts & the typing and word usage are the exact same as Matt

I'm sure that's how the others came to the same conclusion

[Stapler]

So I'm looking into getting a kit and learning the drums. I ask you fine ladies and gentlemen to suggest something for me. I have been to local music shops and as usual they are overpriced and trying to rip me off. Last shop I was at kept trying to sell me a $3K set even after I stressed that I'm beginning and want something cheap. I've got a 300$ budget and just need something simple to start with and will hopefully add on later as my skill improves.

I've got some basic knowledge of percussion and rudiments but I would love to own my own set and learn more on how to play, I'm a bass player at heart but I wish to expand further into the instrumental realm. Last set I had was when I was like 5 or 6 so that's that.

[Jeffs Carrot]

Have you thought of buying used? Maybe give your areas craiglist a look. I have seen some drum gear go for 250-300 on there that was pretty decent.

[Stapler]

All Yamaha HD hardware. Evans Genera G2 heads. Cymbals are: Ride- Sabian, 21" AA Dry Ride. Crash - Zildjian ZXT 16" Thin. Crash -Sabian AAX Stage 16" (cracked). Splash - Sabian AAX 12". Hi hats- Sabian "Leopard" hats, 14". Also includes Dixon double pedal, cowbell, (2) adjustable rack clamps, tuning key, and double braced throne.
595$ or bo. Discount on pickup of which is unknown. Sounds decent, again though I'm not very knowledgeable on this subject.

I should've been a little clearer though, I'm looking for brands to look at and ones to steer clear of, in the sense of cymbals, heads, and shells.

[Jeffs Carrot]

Not bad at all

Should go check it out

I'm sure you could talk him down quite a bit

[Stapler]

Ah yes, the other factor that has proven to be a large hindrance, it could be up to a month until I'm cash worthy for a purchase.

[Jeffs Carrot]

That's ok

Having a good amount of patience helps in getting a good deal. Look around online with gear comparisons, watch youtube videos of drums and cymbals being tested, read reviews and look around to further aid your buying.

[Stapler]

Yeah I've been scouring the net for various reviews and such, most of the time it's just smoke being blown in dark places.

But I've learned being able test it out in the shoppes is worth it even if I'm not going to purchase it. I mean I've already got a bass, but anytime I'm in there I always play at least 4 or five of them. Except one shoppe that has a sign "If you're not buying Don't touch", He's reasonable about it but, someone went in a few years ago and was just breaking strings trying to play and then left without buying anything or paying for the damages.

Anywho, my eye is out for deals and whatnot for possibly a Gretch.

[Vinnie's Ice Cream]

Originally Posted by Stapler

Except one shoppe that has a sign "If you're not buying Don't touch", He's reasonable about it but, someone went in a few years ago and was just breaking strings trying to play and then left without buying anything or paying for the damages.

That's hogwash. Like saying you can't test drive a car before you buy it. That guy will be out of business shortly.



Stapler, for your budget. You really aren't in a position to pick and choose.

The Sonor Safari 4-Piece Mini Drums is like $340 online. There are maybe a few PDP kits like the Z series, but even still you are looking at over $300 for the drums alone.
Craigslist may be your best bet for snagging all your drums, hardware and cymbals for your price range.

Again though, you will be digging through the bottom of the barrel. Patience in waiting and watching for a good deal is going to be your only asset.


Forget brands too:

1. It doesn't matter. You are looking at the bottom of the rung gear. PDP is the best company for the price. You are bargain hunting. Whatever is cheapest is what you can afford.

2. It doesn't matter. You are years away from developing the ear and technique to differentiate between different brands of drums, shell construction, and so on. Buy something cheap now, because you'll have to upgrade it again later anyway.

3. It doesn't matter. Nobody is paying you to play or giving you discounts. Close your eyes and see what you like, remove all preconceived notions about brands and names attached to sound. They pay marketing people a lot of money, and the marketing has nothing to do with the sound.


IMO Gretsch is a bit of a rip off anyway, since they are just using Keller shells. If you want to get into great drums and drum sounds. Start with the companies that actually build their own drums. But like I said, you are many years away from developing the ears and playing personality for that stuff to matter.

If you want to know where you will get the greatest gain to dollars spent - get private lessons.

[Stapler]

Wonderful advice, I did also forget to mention that the 300$ was just drums, cymbals and stands not included. I've priced those out at quite a bit before hand so I've taken that out of the equation.

So I've upped my cash to 700$. Was checking out some of the pdp z series on youtube, taking the crappy camera video/audio into consideration, I would definitely buy new heads for it and cymbals.
I'm looking at 668$ for the pdp z 5 piece, evans ec2s tom head, evans genera snare beater, meinl 14" crash, meinl 13" hihat set, Yamaha 7210 Chain Drive pedal, a tama throne, the hardware, and some vic firth 2b sticks.

[Pearl2004]

Damn, I have missed you guys, I have been here since '03, I have been here since high school, first girlfriend, first gig, first marriage, first recording session, divorce, 3 drumkits, now I have a baby on the way with a girlfriend that is a drummer, Mxdp is the best!!! I miss plexiglass!! He an I were friends, I tried to find him on Facebook and failed though /: Anyways, it's good to have Internet connection back again lol

[Tim]

I remember this forum being a lot more active back in the day. Did everyone get chased off by trolls?

[Pearl2004]

That and general lack of interest in forums

[Seafroggys]

I still check here every day....