Dec. 4months away

and im sure many other drums will be out just around for the Christmas season and then I'll have to break my head some more, but i can always start narrowing my options from now, i mean it is around the corner anyways!

so i have been living practically at GC and Samash, lol, and I've tried many kits and im looking to upgrade from my crappy Ludwig accent that hasn't been bad to me at all but it's def time for a change since i got brand new cymbals. I really enjoyed the sound of the Yamaha Tour Custom but the finishes blow! id have to choose the white one, its the better looking of the bunch because im picky since my fav color is red. I also tried among the many the Gretsch Catalina's and i indeed loved the sound and the look was pretty rad.

now i shall continue on my quest to choosing the right one for my taste but i wanted some recommendations from the more experienced in the forum, what others should i go try and sit behind? my price range is in the 1,000-about close to 2,000 so pretty much a good intermediate set that has good hardware because that is a main concern.

Thank you! and sorry for the long post!

I'm looking more forward to February through April for the drum-fund

( mmm, a girl drummer, sweet sexy thing)

lol - anyhow, welcome to the forum.

With that kind of funding, you have a lot of options.

If i had to do it over again, I would have gone with Tama. I used them a decade ago, then "forgot" about them when I started up again last year, because towards the end of my previous drumming life, I was using a Pearl Export, that was better.

First thing to consider, how big of a kit, and what kind of configuration do you want. It's cheaper to get a kit that comes with the configuration you want rather than to piece it together, but if it's close, it's not so bad.

So many to choose from, huh. Well, your disclaimer of good hardware makes me think of Tama right away. I've had an Iron Cobra single pedal for 13 years and never touched it and it's still my favorite pedal. Tama makes all around good hardware that lasts. The kits, if you like birch and wood laquered finishes, the Tama Starclassic Performer is a nice choice. The Perfomer EFX has some killer wraps. (I'm partial to the Gold Glass Glitter and the glitter looks great under the lights.) I also own a Superstar EFX kit(its wrapped), nice kit, a little less money and the quality of the wood is a little less than the Performers.)

I don't know if you can get a Yamaha Absolute Birch Nouveau in that price range but those kits have an incredible selection of finishes. I'm partial to the Candy Apple Sparkle Fade.

I noticed the other day browsing on Ebay that many drum shops put their slow movers on there at great prices. I saw the above Yamaha kit on there for such a great deal that I had to resist the urge to buy it. It's sooo painful.

One last thing. I don't have any experience with Ddrum, but they had a nice article in Modern Drummer this month and they are really putting out some cool looking drums.

Miamigirl, shop used.

troll Craigslist and ebay for deals.

there are lots of kits out there that you'll love. don't just pick one and pay retail for it.

Once you find the kit you want, keep in mind that often the same kit is available in a different finish/color..... you can have a dealer order you the kit you want in the finish you want!

If you're just looking for a regular 5 piece kit, your budget opens many avenues for you.

Being the Pearl devotee I am, I'd say to check out the new Visions or ECX series kits. Great new options, new woods (maple in the ECX's or Birch in the Visions), some killer finishes, and generally good prices all around.

Just my $0.02

I'd agree with a few above and say that with that budget, I would go with a Starclassic Performer.

if you want to pay through the nose.

For the first time in a long time, I have to disagree with. I'm sorry all but to me, the old fart, 1000.00 to 2000.00 is a lot of change to be putting out for used. If I'm dropping that much cake, I'm wanting something brand spankin' new, with warranties, customer service, replacement options...the whole boat. You have to ask some questions first:

1) What kind of stuff are you playing NOW?

2) What kind of stuff will you plan on playing in say 5 years? After all, these kits are not going to be throw aways, they need to last!

3) Do they need to be road worthy or will they be stationary

And now some questions on the kit themseleves

1) Do you like a classic look, modern look, naturals, glitters etc. What look appeals to you on stage from both front and back. This will be your home for a while. Where do you want to live?

2) What kind of tom suspension do you like and how stable does it need to be. Some brackets look beefier and massive while others do the job but are barely noticeable next to the outstanding wood finishes.

3) (new concept not asked very much) Will you be under a ton of lighting. Some kits take on different characteristics under differnt lighting. As an example: I used 5 1000 watt white par lamps directly overhead in the big rooms (It's probably why I'm bald now...scorched all the hair right off ) I wanted the "Close Encounters" lighting effect scheme when it came time for my bit in the show.You saw my big natural maple kit in the other posts- that kit lit up like a Christmas tree in the dark club/concert venue. Just like my white harley...not Ringling Bros bright, but classy enough to be noticed in a sea of black and red bikes. So think about the look you want to generate.

Once you get things nailed down, then you can get into the particulars. Because you have a good price range, the classic warm vs punch arguments maple/birch etc can come later beacuse there are so many varieties to pick from. Get you aesthetics nailed down first, then look for those that meet you inner you...

Hey whats up? So I work for SamAsh up in Atlanta, I totally agree with you, Im not too happy with the color selection of the Yamaha tour customs, we had the blue in which was my favorite. What kinda music are you playing? I know some of our stores are carrying Sonars, and we are also getting a bunch of DDRUM stuff in. Message me sometime.

Untrue. If you see a kit in RED, but want the same kit in BLUE, and it's offered in BLUE, a reputable dealer would order the kit in BLUE and sell it to you for the price they're asking for for the RED kit. Obviously if we're talking an exotic/fancier level of finish, there are price differences and a dealer would be justified in asking for a higher price....as they would be paying a higher price.

Quick question you and Carmine. What's the best outdoors in the daytime finish?

Lighter colors with shapes or grains, to not blend in with all the black and grey equipment around you. The naturals look very good or even an eye popping candy reddish. That is if you wana get noticed. Subtler is the aquamarines like the Gretches and the DWs...like the Buddy Rich Models. Look good under lights and outdoors.

Most people don't think about the "distance" factors from outdoors. Usually people can't get very close to the stage, espcially of it's like a porta stage (trailer that opens from the side) You gotta be different, stand out because all the focusing lighting elements are gone by the widespread light from outdoors.

Frames of refernce are diffent as well. Ever seen one of those big green Beltway Type roadway signs? Most people think those letters are pretty samll. Well I used to make those signs in our state when I worked for MD Highway Admin as summer help when I was a kid. Those letters are 18" to 2' tall!. But as you go whizzing by, they appear tiny. My point is, you have to use size, color and design to attract attention outdoors, or you just get lost in the shuffle very easily...You see, there IS a method to my madness...

With that kind of money, you might as well step up to the plate and buy a professional level set. For two thousand, you can play Ayotte Custom or DW if you shop and pick them up used. Theres lots of guys with nice kits and cant keep them.>>>>>

Ayotte Custom 4 piece, I landed for .......... 750.00 with Humes and Berg Enduro Cases. The 14x14 is a Mapex Pro M I found for 100.00. Good color match. I bought these in April 2001, they were 5 years old at the time and in very very good condition. The original owner had pawned them.

I drool over Ayottes, but I need the wood hoops.