The Gazillionth Post About New Drumset Advice

[gibs]

Hey guys, I know this question has been asked at least a million times, and I almost feel bad to ask it, but, which drumset should I get?

Been down to Swee Lee and Music Talent, and this is what I have come up with...

Looking at Pearl Rythm Traveller, Gretsch BlackHawk, Ludwig Accent, Pearl Legion... how do these models stack up against each other?

Also, is the Tama Imperialstar and the Pearl Forum a class above the ones i've listed above?

I'm actually concerned about the quality of the hardware, cos I've heard of cases with bad hardware and it's quite unsettling...

It would be great if you guys could help me out on this one! And I would certainly appreciate it if you could recommend a few drumsets listed above for me, or even others that aren't listed here, if your preferences dictate so!

Thanks a million guys!

gibs.

 

[Softwaremaker]

Looking at Pearl Rythm Traveller, Gretsch BlackHawk, Ludwig Accent, Pearl Legion... how do these models stack up against each other?

Also, is the Tama Imperialstar and the Pearl Forum a class above the ones i've listed above?

I assume you mean Peace Legion and not Pearl Legion ?

I wouldnt put the Blackhawk, Accent or Legion in the same league at the Pearl RT. In fact, if you consider entry-level series, the Blackhawk, Accent or Legion are in the same class as the ImperialStar and the Forums.

Hardwares haven gotten better with each new refresh. For example, the very old Pearl Forum I have now have the tom mounts protruding into the shells. Not the new Pearl Forums today. They are of the suspension type which results in "freer" vibration and better resonance

Also, I believe the Accent and Legion uses "more-expensive" wood shells, if I am not wrong. Accent Custom CS uses Birch while Legion uses 9-ply mahogany.

Ultimately, like any music instruments, whatever sounds good to your ears is what you should buy

I believe if you set it up correctly and hit it the way it is supposed to hit, most of what you listed above can take any form of beating you will be dishing out.

 

[gibs]

I assume you mean Peace Legion and not Pearl Legion ?

Oops, my bad. haha

I wouldnt put the Blackhawk, Accent or Legion in the same league at the Pearl RT.

So is the RT actually better than the others listed above?

In fact, if you consider entry-level series, the Blackhawk, Accent or Legion are in the same class as the ImperialStar and the Forums.

So not much differs between all these models?

Also, I believe the Accent and Legion uses "more-expensive" wood shells, if I am not wrong. Accent Custom CS uses Birch while Legion uses 9-ply mahogany.

So do they necessarily last longer?

Thanks for the reply man!

gibs.

 

[Softwaremaker]

@gibs:
> So is the RT actually better than the others listed above?
No, RT is of a different architecture. It is based on half-shells and single heads. I hope you know what that does to the sound. The appeal and the demographics of the RT is for people who cannot afford the space and also cannot afford to make too much noise.

> So not much differs between all these models?
The difference is the manufacturer's rendition of how they cut their shells, how they cut their edges, their suspension system, etc. IMO, at entry level, makes no difference as it is all mass-produced. It makes much more difference at the higher-end custom series.

> So do they necessarily last longer?
NO. They just sound different. Warmer, bigger are some of the sounds I would describe the sounds of the more expensive wood.

There is no right or wrong in this. Go bang on those sets and let your ears and eyes be the judge. Someone here would say: One man's meat is another poision. The same applies to Cymbals.

One advice I have is for you to define the sounds and the looks of the set you want and then define a budget (assuming you have a limit ) then go from there and see what fits. You may want to proportion part of that budget to better tom heads, cymbals, snares, pedals, stands, etc as those will definitely hit you deep in the pockets

Good Luck.

 

[Beansprouts]

Pearl Vision!
I have that kit and it sounds awesome. Hehehe.

But then again, it's my ears which are listening so like what SoftwareMaker said, what sounds nice to me may not to you.

 

[Composer of Requiems]

One suggestion I have- spend a little bit less on the drumset, spend a little bit replacing the skins on the drums....

 

[gibs]

One suggestion I have- spend a little bit less on the drumset, spend a little bit replacing the skins on the drums....

So, what drum skins are the better ones? Or is it depending on the user's perception of what sounds good?

Thanks again!

gibs.

 

[gibs]

Pearl Vision!
I have that kit and it sounds awesome. Hehehe.

But then again, it's my ears which are listening so like what SoftwareMaker said, what sounds nice to me may not to you.

I don't know man; it seems quite costly...over my budget already...

gibs.

 

[Beansprouts]

Hmmm, mind letting us know what your budget is?

Btw, I got mine on a sale so yeah. :l

 

[Shagg]

Replies above know their stuff. Hardware is important if you are packing and unpacking regularly (as opposed to leaving your kit in one place), or like everything super tight or continually adjusted (although most hardware will not endure this over time).

Kits seem to be priced in ranges: beginners, budget, semi-pro, pro, and custom. The link below will give you an idea of what to look for for say a beginners kit (apologies if you are in one of the other categories):

http://www.musicradar.com/tuition/drums/buyers-guide-how-to-buy-beginner-drum-kits-176105

Keep it loud.

 

[gibs]

Hey guys, I was wondering, can you stuff fibre into a drum set till there's no more sound?

gibs.

 

[Softwaremaker]

Please do a quick search: http://soft.com.sg/forum/how-drums/...taining-feel-touch-sound-avoid-complains.html

 

[gibs]

Please do a quick search: http://soft.com.sg/forum/how-drums/...taining-feel-touch-sound-avoid-complains.html

Erm, I read it before, but I'm not sure whether it can completely silence it, that's why...

gibs.

 

[Softwaremaker]

That is the sole reason of having an accoustic set - the flex (in every sense of the word, skin, muscles, arms, etc) and the sound. Simplistic definition of an accoustic means being able to make sound on its own.

If you want complete silence, you should think about an electronic set. Even an electronic set will have some noise of the stick beating the pad.

There are ways to mitigate - get mutes, etc. or just get a Pearl RT. Even those will have some sound.

Which brings me back to my initial post - define what you need, how much you can afford, etc There is really no point asking a comparison between maple and poplar when you cannot have the sound in the first place.

So first steps - what is the sound, and more importantly, the sound level you can accept ?

Do refer to the previous posts about all these in the forum. There are really good nuggets in there and most importantly, feedback from people who have been there and done that.

Hope this helps

 

[gibs]

That is the sole reason of having an accoustic set - the flex (in every sense of the word, skin, muscles, arms, etc) and the sound. Simplistic definition of an accoustic means being able to make sound on its own.

If you want complete silence, you should think about an electronic set. Even an electronic set will have some noise of the stick beating the pad.

There are ways to mitigate - get mutes, etc. or just get a Pearl RT. Even those will have some sound.

Which brings me back to my initial post - define what you need, how much you can afford, etc There is really no point asking a comparison between maple and poplar when you cannot have the sound in the first place.

So first steps - what is the sound, and more importantly, the sound level you can accept ?

Do refer to the previous posts about all these in the forum. There are really good nuggets in there and most importantly, feedback from people who have been there and done that.

Hope this helps

Yeah thanks man, although it's a bit critical...

Budget: Around 1.2k for everything.

Sound: Hope that I can muffle it till the neighbours don't complain and/or the sound level's soft enough for me to play without ear plugs.

gibs.

 

[Softwaremaker]

Yeah thanks man, although it's a bit critical...

Budget: Around 1.2k for everything.

Hello, I apologize. It wasnt my intention. My point was that you need to stay focus on what you want, instead of what is out there first. There is too much to debate on the whole world. Once you get to what can actually fit, then I think the community here can give you some pointers, feedback on what you have decided.

I hope this explains.

 

[gibs]

Hello, I apologize. It wasnt my intention. My point was that you need to stay focus on what you want, instead of what is out there first. There is too much to debate on the whole world. Once you get to what can actually fit, then I think the community here can give you some pointers, feedback on what you have decided.

I hope this explains.

Ok, I have narrowed down my options...

Ludwig Accent CS
+ Birch
+ Remo Heads
- Small Kick Drum
(doesn't come with cymbals)

Gretsch Blackhawk
+ Gilbratar Hardware
+ Bigger than the other sets
- Basswood/Poplar
(doesn't come with cymbals either)

Pearl Rythm Traveller
+ Most portable of the 3.
+ Mesh heads
+ Nautrally sounds softer (due to lack of bottom cover of toms.)
+ Cymbals and throne included
- Can't use stuffing method for toms
- Plywood
- Cymbals aren't exactly fantastic

It only sounds too familiar, but, which set should I buy?
And did I miss any pros/cons? Any if you don't mind, you can add on to it!

Thanks!

gibs.

 

[jukebox]

Yeah thanks man, although it's a bit critical...

Budget: Around 1.2k for everything.

Sound: Hope that I can muffle it till the neighbours don't complain and/or the sound level's soft enough for me to play without ear plugs.

gibs.

The ludwig accent is the best kit out of your 3 options. I've heard one and if tuned well, they sound good.

But it seems like your greatest concern is the sound issue so IMO, if you're gonna be muffling your drums that much, just go with the RT. Whether you get a plywood kit or a birch kit isn't really going to make a difference since you will hardly be able to hear it anyway. Unless you know you'll be gigging or from time to time you'll practice without the mufflers, get the RT.

You should try playing on an RT though. You might not like it. To me, it felt like a toy. I'm suggesting it only because it seems to suit your needs best. If I were you, I'd get the ludwig accent or a tama stagestar. Hope I helped.

Have you gotten a price quote on all 3 sets? That would be helpful too.

 

[gibs]

The ludwig accent is the best kit out of your 3 options. I've heard one and if tuned well, they sound good.

But it seems like your greatest concern is the sound issue so IMO, if you're gonna be muffling your drums that much, just go with the RT. Whether you get a plywood kit or a birch kit isn't really going to make a difference since you will hardly be able to hear it anyway. Unless you know you'll be gigging or from time to time you'll practice without the mufflers, get the RT.

You should try playing on an RT though. You might not like it. To me, it felt like a toy. I'm suggesting it only because it seems to suit your needs best. If I were you, I'd get the ludwig accent or a tama stagestar. Hope I helped.

Have you gotten a price quote on all 3 sets? That would be helpful too.

Yep, got a quote for each of them already, but I'm living in a HDB, so noise is a problem :x

Yep, I'll definitely take note of the advice, thanks!

Went to Drums Resources, and Nigel (the store owner) was kind enough to share his experience of intolerant neighbours... so I'm quite wary...

Oh ya, I wanna ask, what's the difference between the Alesis DM5 Pro Kit and the Alesis DM6?

gibs.

 

[kazuki]

actualy the pearl RT isnt that bad. especially for HDB users. personally i live in HDB and i got one myself. if you main goal is to be able to practice on a true feel acoustic drum without that much concern bout the quality of sound produce it is really the one to go. cause smaller volume small space.

Personally i think in HDB, such a small confine area even expensive drum kits full kits will not sound that fantastic due to all the reflection of sounds waves (are they call overtones?) in such a small area. Also if u are playin them in a room in the HDB or something, i personally find it a need to wear ear muff.. cause very loud? So once u wear ear muff the sound u 'hear' is once again altered...

So unless u are thinking of bringing the drums out to gig often or anything, i persoanlly think more money can be invested in the hardwares (like pedals, drum throne) for a better practising experience that the quality of the kit it self. =) just dont get too loust kits la haha but the RT is just fine enough =)

hope it helps!