Yamaha Drums

Ok so I was wondering from those who own yamaha's or have had experience with their sets, I wanted to know which is Yamahas best sounding drum set? Is it the Maple sets, Birch sets, Beech set, or the Oak set? I would like opinions evethough I will go out&test it myself but this is what the forum is for, to ask. Any 411 will be greatly appreciated! =) and yes I was thinking in getting some yammies by XMas '07 that's why I was wondering, I wanna get rid of my sucky Ludwig Accents. Thanks!

Yammie's are great. I've only owned their lowest level set, the Rydeen, which is still nothing short of amazing. As for their best set, some of their "Custom" sets might be it. I think. Like the Oak Custom, Tour Custom, Beech Custom, etc... Might be worth checkin' out. Good luck!

I bought a set of Stage Customs in 1997. They are very nice drums. I have no idea what kind of wood they are made of and I don't care. They sound very good. I've been told at some gigs that my bass drum sounds miced even when it's not. I don't use the snare drum that came with it as I have 1972 Slingerland wood drum which is awesome. My kit came with a metal drum. The newer Stage Custom kits come with a wood snare. Run em wide open and their loud and resonant. Anyway, find a Stage Custom kit that's tuned well and it will be hard to pass up. I know it was for me.

Recording customs (maple) are world renowned. All of Yammy's top-end stuff is of the highest quality, so it really just comes down to what kind of wood you like...oak, birch, or maple.

Hard to miss with Yamaha.

later this year they're coming out with the Pine Custom Absolutes.

get those.

Maple, Birch, Beech, Oak... all personal preference they are all good sounding good quality sets. You can do a search about some of the qualities of Maple and Birch. Oak is a good sounding kit as well, but they are definably loud.

Birch and Phillipine Mahogany.

They sound great in both fusion and rock sizes. Use em with any type of head as well. Really you can't go wrong with any Yamaha set. Look into them all. The maple custum and Oak Custom might be a little pricey but way worth it. Yamaha or nothin'.

I'm waiting for the Balsa Absolutes. They're similar to the Cork Absolutes, just a little lighter.

Glad to see you survived your trip to NY. How'd the gig go?

Recording customs (maple)...th real deal in drums

i had a yamaha stage custom a few years ago. at the time i thought they were pretty good (after i changed the heads).then i bought a gretsch catalina birch kit, for about the same money.no contest.gretsch!!!

Yammie's are great. I've only owned their lowest level set, the Rydeen, which is still nothing short of amazing. As for their best set, some of their "Custom" sets might be it. I think. Like the Oak Custom, Tour Custom, Beech Custom, etc... Might be worth checkin' out. Good luck!

Tour customs are actually considerably lower than the others you listed its around the Stage Custom mark, the custom tag just pulls you into the buy.

I bought a Stage Custom set new in 01' but I think the set was Mgf. in 99'-00' Very nice semi-pro set. I changed the generic heads and kick pedal with better than average ones. The tom arm "ball-clamp" design is genuis but don't over tighten, I think that's why mine wore out after five years.

Off the cuff (meaning I might not be totally right) here is some info:

*Pre-late 90's Stage Customs were Yamaha's cheaper drums (mid-level) with the older designs.

*YDs were your generic set with the Yamaha name on it. Something to bang on. Not sure what kind of wood.

*Rydeens, an Excellent student/gig set. I believe made from Magohany/Popular woods. AWESOME set for the money. I've heard such rave reviews, heard tracks and played this set some in a store. Outstanding$500 student kit!

*Stage Custom/SC Advantage/ SC Nouvou- A cheaper version of the Recording Custom. Philipene Magohany on the inner plys with an outer layer of Birch. Excellent Mid-level, semi pro kit. Outstanding gig kit. This kit has more of the pro like hardware and deeper bass depth.

Originally came with the high tension lugs, SC advantage came in more fusion sizes and split lug design, Nouvou came with plastic lug housings that allowed for quick change head design. made so once you had enough slack on the lug, you could "unlatch" the lug much like the old door latches. Tom mounts and hardware more pro like and deeper bass and normal 5 piece retails for around $1,000.

* Tour Customs- Fairly new on the Yamaha web site- Are said to be 100% Maple but I'm not sure what grade of wood. Maybe to replace the Stage Customs? They "look" to me like a Maple sent in to replace the Birch Stage Customs or Gretch Maple Catalina's????

* Recording Custom- 100% Birch shells with high tension lugs with grade A heads and hardware right out of the box. From the late 70's through the early 90s... This was the GO TO set in the studio. You have heard this set recorded so many times!! All Birch shells allows for great attack and fast decay with a full body sound which is great in a studio. To me this is Yamaha's greatest sounding set. I like the attack and focus and quick decay on stage as well as in the Studio. This is a Professional's set

* Abosute Maple, Birch, Oak etc. These are sets made from 100% respectfully from each of the woods. These are all Professional sets. Top of the line heads, pedals and hardware comes with each set mostly with split style lugs. Birch is like we said earlier, good attack, good body, fast decay.

Maple is a warmer, more "rounded" sound. Oak is a hard wood and from what I've read, make the drums loud and BOOM! Beech I THINK is a mix between the woods???

All Yamaha hardware is top notch in my books. The best Yammie set is the one that sounds right to YOU! What kind/type of music do you play?? I'm sorry this so long!! I tried to give as much info as I can. Please check out Yamaha drums.com for more info. BUT when you go into to buy. shop and play on as much as you can and let YOUR ears be your guide. Hope this helps...

I always thought the recording customs were birch and the maple customs were the maple ones. ?? Anyway I prefer the cedar slabolutes. They're hard to find anymore...

1001 pardon my mispeak.. the "Maple Customs" You are correct. I've always used and heard them in recording so I inadvertantly use the name incorrectly. Thanks for reminding me...

Twosticks, that's the best synopsis of the Yamaha line-up ever. You're awesome!

I think a Yamaha Birch Custom will be my next set!

I gotta get me one of those Cork Absolute kits!! I've got a gig in the water coming up and I think that be PERFECT!..

Would also work well for a video :-0

The best name in cork shells is First Act. 4-piece with tinplate hardware and pot lids at Wal-Mart Vision Center; $189. They've recently upgraded to cork from corrugated without a price increase. Great value.

Yamaha maple customs are sweeeet. I played them at a recent outdoor show and was blown away by their punchy attack and full resonance (clear ambs batter and reso)

I haven't played the maple, beech, or birch sets, but the oak customs are fantastic. the stage custom nouveau sets are also excellent. Yamaha has the best tom mounting system.

I'm sorry but I'm very biased...speaking from owning nothing but Ludwigs and TAMAs, there is no such thing as a bad Yamaha drum! I wish I was still gigging because I'd be right there! Sudzy...I envy you!

I think the Tour Customs was Yamaha's response to other company's inexpensive Maple sets (Gretsch Catalina Maple and PDP's maple sets in particular).

twosticks, great breakdown of the Yamaha lines!

I play in an Acoustic/Indie/Pop band but in general I play every type of music but if I had to limit to the one I play the most it is Rock/Pop/Punk type. So which yammie?

Miami, if you can afford it...the Recording Customs...birch is rock and punch. And thank 1001gear for setting me straight on the kit name... I'm a maple guy but punk is not me. I do play (excuse me...used to) rock and pop in cover showbands for a lot of years.

By the way, I'm grooming my granddaughter for playing, so she'll be in good company. That's her in my avatar on my old Ludwigs...

Hi! Starting to look like the post police here. Just an anomaly. Sorry.

The high end Yamaha stuff is seriously expensive and I believe only comes in lacquer. For a working punk band maybe the loudest wrapped kit might be in order.

Speaking of loud, Rydeen is a Japanese thunder god or something. Just a thought.