1st Kit

[xtanha1rrmx]

Hi all,
I am new to drumming and want a first kit. I don't want to get a really noob set that I'll have to upgrade soon, yet not too expensive.
Drum Shells:
1. Pearl Forum - Swee Lee promotion - 5/6/7 pc $1150/1230/1300
2. Mapex QR - My Drum School - $1300 (anyone knows how much their student/facebook discount is?)
Cymbals:
1. (with Mapex QR) - MDS - $300 (paiste), $580 (zildjian ZBT)
2. Sabian - Swee Lee - $380 (B8), $560 (XS 20)
3. Zildjian ZBT 4 Rock Cymbal Packl - online from musician's friend - USD$260
Any help/recommendations (not just those I've listed) is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[johannlow]

Mapex QR is now being replaced by their Horizon series. Price not sure, u can check with MDS.

Personally I will recommend a Tama Superdrive or a Yamaha Stage Customs Birch now at $1550 @ Yamaha Sale.

Cymbals, I do recommend Istanbul Mehmet Samatya series boxset at around $600+ from Drumsresources. IMO, they sound better than ZBT series. Good cymbals do cost a bit, best is not to choose a boxset IMO but rather individual cymbals. Sometimes it is good to spend a little more to have something good so that you dun need to upgrade so soon. Again, besides Zildjians (they do sound great especially their hybrid series), Sabians and Paiste, Istanbul Mehmet cymbals sound excellent as well.

My 2 cents, HTH.

 

[Dark Heart]

i heard from fellow softies that XS20 cymbals is quite good. ZBT i can say that it surely isnt worth $580. Too much.

 

[xtanha1rrmx]

Anyone here bought the Pearl Forum promotion? Also does it also have 20% discount (i.e. 1300*0.8 = 1040 for 7 pc)?
I also found Tama Superstar but its $1900. Yamaha Stage Custom I consider also, anyone know how it compares to Pearl Forum?

For cymbals, I will check out Istanbul, although I'm leaning towards Sabian XS20. Swee Lee's xs20 pack only has 1 HH and 1 Crash for $560 though, so I'm not too sure.

 

[7earsDoFall]

hey
Just want to share my own views.
If I were you, getting my first set is very important.
I personally would choose a set which I think I deserve based on my skill level/experience
(i.e. do I deserve a new drumkit that is worth $xxxx? or do I deserve a secondhand drumkit)
In terms of cymbal choices, I'll first myself - am I able to appreciate the different quality of sound produced by the cymbals?

Remember, drums is not any kind of box where we bang on. It's a designed musical instrument to either perform on its own or to complement other instruments. It is a long term investment which you must make sure you do not regret.

Well of course, there are a couple of drum gears which I bought on impulse and I end up feeling attached to it, that I do not want to sell it off.
Besides, I doubt there will be a ready buyer for your drums should you sell it off one day, unless you are giving it away at a very low price.

This is just my personal opinion and hope may help you in a way or another

 

[johannlow]

Anyone here bought the Pearl Forum promotion? Also does it also have 20% discount (i.e. 1300*0.8 = 1040 for 7 pc)?
I also found Tama Superstar but its $1900. Yamaha Stage Custom I consider also, anyone know how it compares to Pearl Forum?

For cymbals, I will check out Istanbul, although I'm leaning towards Sabian XS20. Swee Lee's xs20 pack only has 1 HH and 1 Crash for $560 though, so I'm not too sure.

Many times it is about the sound and the stuff that u get like drumshells and hardware, not only the price. I understand that many people like myself have tight budgets. But base on my own experience, it is always good to save up a little bit more to have something decent than having to upgrade again and again. Pearl Forum IIRC is poplar wood, while Superstar and Stage Customs are birch. IMO, birch sounds better but of cos this is up to individual's taste. Superstar gives pretty good hardware too.

For cymbals, Istanbul really sound great (IMO) and affordable. Personally I like their traditional series better. I have changed my Samatya besides my ride to traditional series. BTW, the Samatya boxset comes with hihats, 1 crash and 1 ride.

HTH.

 

[xtanha1rrmx]

I went to Swee Lee/Yamaha/Ranking today, noted down some prices. I'll probably be getting a new one, mainly because I haven't seen many 2nd hand offers in the ads, and also its not that much cheaper. I love the cleanliness and nice feeling of a new kit anyway
1. Ludwing Accent CS - $850
2. Pearl Forum - $1300
3. Tama Imperialstar - $1250
4. Tama Superstar - $1480
5. Yamaha Stage Custom - $1550
6. Pearl VSX/VBX - $1800/1950
I'm leaning towards the Tama Superstar, or the Ludwing cause its way cheaper. Any opinions?
Also, I popped by Ranking and noticed they had a Pearl Forum for $1000, didn't know they sold Pearl?
As for cymbals still looking for good second hand deals so I guess thats out of the picture for now.

 

[johannlow]

I went to Swee Lee/Yamaha/Ranking today, noted down some prices. I'll probably be getting a new one, mainly because I haven't seen many 2nd hand offers in the ads, and also its not that much cheaper. I love the cleanliness and nice feeling of a new kit anyway
1. Ludwing Accent CS - $850
2. Pearl Forum - $1300
3. Tama Imperialstar - $1250
4. Tama Superstar - $1480
5. Yamaha Stage Custom - $1550
6. Pearl VSX/VBX - $1800/1950
I'm leaning towards the Tama Superstar, or the Ludwing cause its way cheaper. Any opinions?
Also, I popped by Ranking and noticed they had a Pearl Forum for $1000, didn't know they sold Pearl?
As for cymbals still looking for good second hand deals so I guess thats out of the picture for now.

Tama Superstar will be a good choice. Ludwig I dunno, u can compare the type of hardware, type of drum shells they offer. Personally I will say Tama Superstar will be the better choice.

 

[xtanha1rrmx]

Yep ok. One strange incident was when I went into Yamaha at PS, asked about the Stage Custom (they had a promotional poster right outside advertising it), and this guy went to the computer to check for it. He replied something along the lines of "Not many customers order this. If you want it we have to specially order it for you." I found it really funny, i guess their product knowledge really speaks for itself

 

[johannlow]

Yep ok. One strange incident was when I went into Yamaha at PS, asked about the Stage Custom (they had a promotional poster right outside advertising it), and this guy went to the computer to check for it. He replied something along the lines of "Not many customers order this. If you want it we have to specially order it for you." I found it really funny, i guess their product knowledge really speaks for itself

The guy went to check the stock availability? I guess that is ok. But dun be surprised some of these sales men really do not know their stuff.

 

[Frummer]

Ages since I last posted here.Anyway heres some insight...

...for yamaha PS, they've not much stock...of course they have to order it.And being a salesman...he probably wants to upsell and sell those tour customs etc. still in stock.Its their job man.

...I'd know...I have a stage custom 4 piece shell pack coming in tomorrow(I believe quite alot of people ordered the standard set this time round).Excellent customer service from this guy named Ghalid. He went beyond the call of duty so many times to satisfy this customer.

*post number 1001...nice.