[ProMark08]

Hey guys, looking for some people who have possibly heard these 4 kits or own them and are looking for an unbiased opinion as to what you think would suit what I am looking for best. I am looking for shorter sustain than an all maple drum, lower pitch with a shorter note or faster decay when hit(hence the harder wood on the inside of all of these choices) and of course which is the best bang for my buck, i.e. a 6 piece kit versus a 4 piece for the same money. Thank you so much for your insight and thoughts, I will be ordering in a couple of weeks and can't make up my mind and are unable to go and play them all.

The choices are
Mapex Saturn Birch/Walnut Limited edition $1850 22,10,12,14,16 Ebay Sale
Mapex Saturn Studioease 6 piece $1599 22,10,12,14,16 5.5x14 Ebay Link
Tama Birch/Bubinga Performer 4pc $1499 22,10,12,16 Ebay Link
Ludwig Keystone Series $1650 22,10,12,16 Ebay Link

This post has been edited by ProMark08: 10 January 2012 - 06:25 PM

[FourPieceMetal]

Mapex Saturn Studioease 6 piece $1599 22,10,12,14,16 5.5x14

^
+1

[Poco Askew]

[tamajama]

I'm considering getting a new set myself and after I saw the following video of the Tama B/B's my jaw dropped when I heard the sound from those drums. It's also very interesting how only one overhead mic was used to capture this sound.

This post has been edited by tamajama: 10 January 2012 - 10:12 PM

[ProMark08]

tamajama, on 10 January 2012 - 10:11 PM, said:

I'm considering getting a new set myself and after I saw the following video of the Tama B/B's my jaw dropped when I heard the sound from those drums. It's also very interesting how only one overhead mic was used to capture this sound.

This is exactly why this decision is so tough, I have heard nothing but great things about the B/B's and I actually saw this same video recently too. They sound totally sick!

[Poco Askew]

ProMark08, on 11 January 2012 - 12:59 PM, said:

This is exactly why this decision is so tough, I have heard nothing but great things about the B/B's and I actually saw this same video recently too. They sound totally sick!

Recordings don't mean squat. You have to hear them in person. Anything can sound like anything with enough processing.

[ProMark08]

Poco Askew, on 11 January 2012 - 01:02 PM, said:

Recordings don't mean squat. You have to hear them in person. Anything can sound like anything with enough processing.

I agree, have you heard any Tama B/B's Poco, any opinions on them?

[Poco Askew]

ProMark08, on 11 January 2012 - 02:01 PM, said:

I agree, have you heard any Tama B/B's Poco, any opinions on them?

No - sorry. They never have them in the shops around my place.

[tamajama]

Poco Askew, on 11 January 2012 - 01:02 PM, said:

Recordings don't mean squat. You have to hear them in person. Anything can sound like anything with enough processing.

In most cases that is true but when using no processing and using a single condenser mic the sound you hear in this particular video should be very close to what you would hear behind the drum kit. The kit in the video posted had the drums tuned perfect for my tastes and there was no processing of any kind other than the mic itself. It's amazing how this simple setup for recording the whole kit sounds better than some close mic'd setups I've heard with processing.

[Poco Askew]

tamajama, on 11 January 2012 - 04:28 PM, said:

In most cases that is true but when using no processing and using a single condenser mic the sound you hear in this particular video should be very close to what you would hear behind the drum kit. The kit in the video posted had the drums tuned perfect for my tastes and there was no processing of any kind other than the mic itself. It's amazing how this simple setup for recording the whole kit sounds better than some close mic'd setups I've heard with processing.

Good to know there was no processing involved. Still every mic has built in EQ and compression. There is also the changes in sound the room and placement of the drums make. These are more minor but can still have a profound effect.

[Lenkrad]

I personally own a TAMA Starclassic B/B in the hyperdrive version and I have to say, that they do really sound awesome.

At first I wanted to try out the Mapex Saturn set as well, but the shop assistant at my local music store told me that several customers complained about the badly manufactured rims they shoud have, so they do net sell any mapex sets more since then.

So I chose the TAMA and I'm very happy with this decision

[ProMark08]

Lenkrad, on 13 January 2012 - 05:17 AM, said:

I personally own a TAMA Starclassic B/B in the hyperdrive version and I have to say, that they do really sound awesome.

At first I wanted to try out the Mapex Saturn set as well, but the shop assistant at my local music store told me that several customers complained about the badly manufactured rims they shoud have, so they do net sell any mapex sets more since then.

So I chose the TAMA and I'm very happy with this decision

Thanks man, I am actually leaning that way also, I keep hearing that there quality and sound is second to none, especially for the money.

[abacacus]

I'd go for the Mapex Studioease personally. LOVE the sound of those drums.

[tamajama]

I just got back from Guitar Center and they had a marked down birch bubinga setup and tuned perfectly. It was a four piece shell kit for $1299. That thing stole my heart except the color. The color was a black to silver sparkle which wasn't bad, just can't get any add on drums for it since that color is not even listed on the tama site.

I also played a PDP X7 kit that sounded suprisingly good. There was too many folks there to really do all the tesint I wanted to. Didn't have time to test out any of the Mapex or Pearl sets since they required tuning.

[ProMark08]

I want to thank everyone for their opinions towards purchasing a new drumset, tonight I ended up putting a deposit on a set that wasn't even on my list that i asked you guys about, I will be picking it up next saturday, I ended up choosing a Pearl Masters MCX in the Mocha Tamo color. I got it in, virgin 22x18,10x8,12x9,16x16 and a pearl sensitone snare, with tom holders and clamps out the door for $1550. Real picks to come soon, here is a stock pick for ya. Thanks again. Ahh, some serious G.A.S. has been relieved, stressful, lol

[ProMark08]

ProMark08 said:

I want to thank everyone for their opinions towards purchasing a new drumset, tonight I ended up putting a deposit on a set that wasn't even on my list that i asked you guys about, I will be picking it up next saturday, I ended up choosing a Pearl Masters MCX in the Mocha Tamo color. I got it in, virgin 22x18,10x8,12x9,16x16 and a pearl sensitone snare, with tom holders and clamps out the door for $1550. Real picks to come soon, here is a stock pick for ya. Thanks again. Ahh, some serious G.A.S. has been relieved, stressful, lol

I have reached the end of a journey with my Pearl VMX Maple drums, they have been great for the past 2 years, been very gig worthy and have never let me down. also a great sound from an intermediate kit. This weekend they are going bye bye to move it on up to the next level, can't wait to play the new ones. For those who have never seen here is a pic of the VMX's.

[tamajama]

That's a beautiful finish on that set. I haven't played that set yet, how did you like the sound of that particular kit?

[ProMark08]

tamajama, on 24 January 2012 - 07:51 AM, said:

That's a beautiful finish on that set. I haven't played that set yet, how did you like the sound of that particular kit?

It was very good, the only heads I never tried on it were Aquarians, I wish I did,they make a lot of heads for overtone issues, I like my batter heads pretty tight for stick response, which then creates more overtones, the best heads I used on it were Evans EC2's, they lasted the longest and stayed in tune the best, I recently put REMO Pinstripes on it and I don't like em, they always need to be re tuned and wear very fast compared to the EC2's.
The lacquer finish is sweet, especially under lights, and the construction is second to none, no complaints for this kit at all in this price range, got many compliments about the sound of this kit too at gigs from other drummers. You know how it is, and everyone else does too, it is just time to move on to the next stage or level of kit, and the next level is comin saturday, whoo hoo!

[Tamatrainee]

The lugs and rims on the Tama certainly looked sturdy.

[ProMark08]

Hey guys check out the new pics of my new set at my band page. Pearl Masters MCX 10, 12, 16 & 22x18 virgin bass. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge. I have had the set for 3 weeks, tried to dial ambassadors that it came with and was never happy with the sound. I switched the whole set over to Aquarian, Super 2's on the toms, Classic Clears on the reso's, textured reverse dot on my snare batter. What an instant difference, beautiful sound from these heads. I have found a home. and no cracking and farting and going out of tune like the remo's. Let me know what you guys think.

P.S. I got Everything from a local Sam Ash store. I got the 4 piece shell pack, sensitone elite steel snare 5.5x14. all clamps and arms to mount the toms on my cymbal stands, Aquarian Heads for the entire set, batters and reso's. moongel & a double bass patch. Out the door for $1,650 us. I am one happy camper
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This post has been edited by ProMark08: 15 February 2012 - 06:00 PM