There's an edit button for a reason. Anyway I'm pretty sure this thread'll be closed soon, DBJ is online.

[QUOTE]Well, $1000 range, umm, how about a SMX or BRX (Pearl)?[/QUOTE]The SMX does compare sound wise. As far as hardware goes I like the optimount system (Which I believe is on both of the kits you mentioned) But I would take sonors hardware anyday over pearls.


The BRX are 6 ply Birch (Im not sure how many plies but I think 6) But the sound fundamentals of the 2 drums will be completely different, So bringing up this drum was completely irrelavent.

EDIT To Postman: Why close it? He brought up a valid point, that was his opinion.

I don't deny that, but its just that most of the time old threads that get brought back from the dead get closed.

OK then, instead of using Pearl as an example, how about Yamaha's stage custom kit?

I mean look, I'm on here because the talk about the reference kit (which is what drew me in anyway). So now we've gotten off of that, cool, but it seems that some people in here "don't" like to really talk drums. That's the only reason I joined this thing.

[QUOTE]OK then, instead of using Pearl as an example, how about Yamaha's stage custom kit?[/QUOTE] Your point is irrelavent. They are Birch, and mahogony. Yammies are great drums (Especially there higher end) But there is no drum IMO the can keep up with the Force 3005, Thats' cost is in the 1000 range.

But, I have played the stage customs in fusion sizes, They were very cold sounding to my ear.

So you're looking at 100% maple kits then?

In that case there's the Ayotte custom kit, Taye's Studio Maple, Premier's maple series, Tama's Starclassic and many others that aren't mainstream kits.

Oh yeah, about the fusion size thing. It sounded cold because you can't always get the great tone out of a fusion tom (floor) versus an actual floor tom that stands independantly. 2 of my 3 kits are fusion kits and they don't have nearly the clear sound that my standard kit has.

[QUOTE]In that case there's the Ayotte custom kit, Taye's Studio Maple, Premier's maple series, Tama's Starclassic and many others that aren't mainstream kits.[/QUOTE] None of those kits are under two grand let alone one grand.

And yes, I was comparing Maple to Maple. Seeing as you were speaking of the force 3005...

Maybe you are correct that the BRX is the best Birch kit for the price, but doing so by acting arrogantly about it makes you seem like a twelve year old.

Ive seen them in person. Who wants to touch me?

My good GOD. Are all of that guys 14 posts ALL in this thread? *edit* your posts buddy, it cleans it up and makes it easier for us to read...

As far as kit preferences, my favorite drums are DW, Sonor, and Yamaha. I don't like Pearl as a company, or Tama.

[QUOTE]My good GOD. Are all of that guys 14 posts ALL in this thread? *edit* your posts buddy, it cleans it up and makes it easier for us to read...[/QUOTE]He is new, it's expected.

[QUOTE]As far as kit preferences, my favorite drums are DW, Sonor, and Yamaha. I don't like Pearl as a company, or Tama.[/QUOTE] I actually really like pearl, Those MMX make me happy :)

(I didn't say there thrones were good ;) )

[QUOTE=Drum Phil]Ive seen them in person. Who wants to touch me?[/QUOTE]

so, ive played them in person.

I was really disappointed too. although they are good drums, they are WAY overpriced.

as for you 3005-SMX/other maple kits in that range, its all in the tuning. there are too many people here who lick Sonors corperate as[SIZE="2"]s[/SIZE] because they READ about how good sonors are on here, but never try them. never play them, just read about them.

i'm sure if you did a side by side comparison between 3005s and any other intermediate level maple kit that had the same heads on with the same tensioning, you wouldn't notice too much of a difference between them.

The Sonor 3005s are the most reccomended in the mid range kits, but he was about to buy a referance, I thought? There is a bit of a discrepancy in quality. Very few people would reccomend a 3005 over a Referance.

My opinion, and what seems to be the opinion of many others on here, is that all really high end kits sound GREAT, but different, and its entirely personal preferance what you like. I was considering getting a Reference or Masters kit, along with DWs, Sonor Designers, and Yamaha Maple Customs. Eventually, after playing all the drums I could find, I setteled on the Gretsch USA Customs. No qualifiable reason, it just sounded best to me. If I had been a different player, I probably would have gone with a differnet set.

Whatever people!! i thought a message board was for messages or comments. I didn't know I was taking up your precious space, idiots!!

I do like Gretsch kits myself, even the Renown series is a high quality series with a good sound.

We were speaking in Price ranges, and what you get for the price.

[QUOTE]i'm sure if you did a side by side comparison between 3005s and any other intermediate level maple kit that had the same heads on with the same tensioning, you wouldn't notice too much of a difference between them.[/QUOTE]Besides the fact you will pay 500 bucks more.

I think you could have the same size drum from all intermediate priced maple kits...Pearl, Tama, Yamaha, Sonor, Pacific and whatever else. As long as they were all 100% maple kits with the same head same tension, they would sound different from drum to drum.

[QUOTE=rockdrummer7]I think you could have the same size drum from all intermediate priced maple kits...Pearl, Tama, Yamaha, Sonor, Pacific and whatever else. As long as they were all 100% maple kits with the same head same tension, they would sound different from drum to drum.[/QUOTE]

it would, but it wouldnt be a major difference that would make you love or hate it much more than any of the others.

Lets clear up a few things
[quote]But there is no drum IMO the can keep up with the Force 3005, Thats' cost is in the 1000 range.[/quote]
Mapex ProM would be the closest.

[quote]i'm sure if you did a side by side comparison between 3005s and any other intermediate level maple kit that had the same heads on with the same tensioning, you wouldn't notice too much of a difference between them.[/quote]
The sound would be the only similarity. Sonors have their own distinctive kick drum sound, which is probably the biggest thing Ive noticed about them, but the hardware stands miles above similar classed kits.

The other point is that there simply arent any other large scale serious maple kits in that price range, aside from (once again) the Mapex Pro M.

[quote]Oh yeah, about the fusion size thing. It sounded cold because you can't always get the great tone out of a fusion tom (floor) versus an actual floor tom that stands independantly. 2 of my 3 kits are fusion kits and they don't have nearly the clear sound that my standard kit has.[/quote]
Thats just a ridiculous statement - Mounted toms will give you a slight bit more resonance, depending on what heads you use and how you tune, but that has nothing to do with clarity. I have floor toms that absolutely thunder. Floor toms that stand independently are usually deeper which gives them a slightly boomier sound than a hanging tom, but dont often cut too well with bands. Hanging toms are punchier in sound due to their lesser depth. They are alsoy more forgiving with tuning and are more portable. Thats why fusion kits are outselling standard kits 3:1 currently.

[quote]Sonor huh? Well, let's look at this from the best for your buck overall cost to the consumer. Where is Sonor made? [/quote]
Force Series = China
S-Class, Delite, Designer = Germany
[quote]Why does it cost sooo much?[/quote]
The high end gear costs a lot because of the quality. The Force series stuff is not expensive at all. In fact its better prices than most competitors when you consider the quality of what you get.
[quote]Why can't you get the same thing here in the states (so to speak)?[/quote]
You can, you just have to look a little harder. Unfortunately not all companies are going to thrust a catalogue into your mailbox for you - youll have to go for a bit of a hunt. Hohner is the distributor for Sonor in the US.

[quote]however what about ordering parts,[/quote]
Not a problem.
[quote]hardware design[/quote]
Sturdy and attractive
[quote]mounting design?[/quote]
Attractive, practical, minimal and diverse
[quote]These are things that should also be taken into consideration as well as sound quality and tone. Don't you think? [/quote]
Very much so, which is why I have bought Sonor over any other company - dw, Pearl, Tama, Ayotte, GMS... You name it.

True. It just all depends on the sound you want.

I happen to like the big rock sound of the 80's.

^As do I - Im a child of the 80s after all...

But I can get just as big a sound on either kit - standard or fusion. The difference is that the fusion kit will have the extra punch on a live stage.

geezus, even after people explain to him he still doesnt go and just edit his million little posts into a larger, more relevant post. i would point out some flaws in the arguments of his but they've been pointed out a dozen times by them time im done reading this thread..

oh and proMs/cx's are kinda close to 3005...

and i havent played a 3005, but a band just played with one in an amazing finish out in the memorial union at ASU, and it was thunderous. i believe the snare was a designer though. too bad he had pinstripes on the rig..