I have $1200 to spend and I want a new drumset.

The title should give you an idea of what I want to accomplish. I've played drums for about 12 years and I've never really owned a decent kit. I had originally assumed that I would be able to pick up a nice used kit(DW, Starclassic, Masters, etc) for $1200 no sweat. I was wrong. I'm out of the loop. A few kits have been popping up here and there, but nothing I NEED to jump on. Are there any newer kits that I should be looking into for sure? Or older kits I would be stupid for passing up? Those Ludwig Centennials looked pretty awesome, but the few kits that are left aren't the green sparkle goodness that I want. I'd go for an old Ludwig, but I play really hard and I'm scared those old bass drum spurs won't hold up.

I'm looking for at the very least, a 22/12/16 set up. Kinda want a 24" kick. Also kinda really want an additional 18" floor tom. I've seen a couple solid 22/12/16 kits, but buying the additional 18" floor tom would run me another $400 bucks. Seems like ebay prices are up there for most kits. Even the used stuff. Any forums with better classifieds than here?

EDIT: The kits I currently own are an older Stage Custom in the fusion config with a broken bass drum spur and a {censored}ty 60s Japanese "Revere" in a 20/12/14 config. I'm tired of 14" floor toms. Gimme big drums.

What kind of sound are you looking for out of the drums? Do you have a particular type of wood that you're aiming for?

How about style of music you play? And used is cool, right?

Also, do you just need shells, or are you wanting new cymbals, and stands?

make due with what you have, save more and do it right. With all due respect I think 1200 bucks is still kind of on the low side of things. A great drum set costs.

Just looking at the musicians friend website in the 1000 to 1500 range...it's kind of weak.

I mean...keep looking used...cause you never know what might come your way....but if you've been playing for 12 years you've obviously committed to drumming. Why bother going with mid range? Save and get the drums you really want.

Dude!

Yamaha Rock Tour series! You can get a 22/12/16 with matching 6x14 snare for like $900.00. I'm currently playing these and they are fantastic. It's not the most expensive kit I have ever owned, but it is probably my favorite. They perform well and have a great tone. I had my choice of drums when I decided to go with Yamaha. I could have just as easily picked up a Maple Custom, but I went Rock Tour and I am really happy with my choice. In fact, I'm thinking about getting another one in a new finish.

I'll definitely look into them. I liked my Stage Customs when they were up and running.

I guess I should say this kit won't really be leaving the house much. Mostly just recording and home entertainment. I'm on tour all the time playing guitar in my main band. Still hoping for a kit that I'm excited to come home and play.

My two cents: Fix the broken bass drum spur, Get some new heads and spend the rest of the money on good quality cymbals. Older Yamaha Stage Customs will hold their own against lots of the newer kits. As far as cymbals, I'm old school and prefer the Zildjiam 'A' series, but that's just me. Let your ears decide.

I don't need cymbals, though. I just want nicer drums. My main issue with the stage custom is the 14" floating floor tom. I want a 16" and legs. Finding a matching floor tom to my older stage custom isn't going to be easy.

I'd say that if the right kit came along, I'd spend $1500. Since I'm out of the loop, what's up with these DW Performance drums? Stinks they don't make an 18", but I can deal. Looking through the Guitar Center used site and there are some awesome deals there. 24/13/16 Ludwig Classic Maple for $900? Oh word? Going to dig around a bit more, but I think GC Used might be the ticket.

Fix the bass spur, and then treat what you've got as a possible core, shop for more Stage Custom shells in matching finish and used is fine... build it out as you like. Eventually you could spin off a too-small kick (if I understand properly that's what you've got) for something larger.

Or you could look for some used Absolute or PHX shells -- if they have features you might like -- in a finish matching your Stage Customs, gradually replace the older ones later... or not.

-D44

I think I speak for everyone when I say that to consider anything other than First Act would be crazy. The quality of First Act drums makes DW look like a toy set for children. You really can't go wrong with those top shelf First Act drums!!!!! Lol

Lemme see.... you have a Yamaha Stage Custom kit that you like, but it has broken parts and dinged bearing edges. Well....

.... how about a new Stage Custom kit? If you don't mind it being Birch, it comes in the sizes you're looking for (I just checked the Yamaha website). Hard to go wrong with Yamaha. And that comes from a dw player! Well within your budget!

more input.

Found an ebony stain with black hardware DW Collector's from 2001 for $1300. And a couple of those DW Performance kits for $1600-1700 brand new. And a ton of Starclassic B/B kits around $1300. And a couple Yamaha Absolutes. And Pearl Masters. God damn it. Too many options.

Leaning towards that DW Collector's, but I not HUGE on the black/black look. I'd much prefer a nice sparkle. So I could get one of those Performance kits in Black Mirra or Titanium sparkle for a bit more. But I feel like I can't really go wrong with a Collector's for cheaper. It has a couple dings, but nothing awful. And I saw some pictures of a similar kit with a wrap on it and it looked great.

What would you do? Black/black '01 Collector's in 22/12/16 or a new Performance in titanium sparkle 24/12/16 or black mirra 22/12/16 for a few hundred more? Going to make the dive tonight.

Welp. I just bought these.

Congrats dude!!! I like the blck/black look,and I would even put some black heads on them as well.

Nice!

Those like studly. Well done!

I think I'm going to go all white on the batters and resos for the contrast. I'm really excited to have some real drums.

Beautiful kit! Sounds like you bought them at the right price, and you can always special order that 18" floor someday.

:phil:

I had a similar kit - 22 kick with 10, 12, and 14 toms.

This is what it will look like if you use ebony Ambassadors on the reso's:

Sold this kit last year. I kinda miss it sometimes.

Nice buy bud. That's a good looking set of drums. I too agree that black heads would look awesome.