AndyC
12-10-2008, 07:00 PM
Hiya.
I was looking to get back into playing after a long layoff, didn't want to spend a lot of money and didn't need the pro quality I used to have. I spent some time on t'internet and in local music shops, and after a lot of deliberation, decided on a set of Yamaha Gigmaker Studios. I had my cymbals and Bass pedal from my playing days, and apart from an extra Cymbal stand and a mini boom clamp, I have resolved not to spend any more on it till it starts paying for itself.
Sizes BD 20x16, Snare 14x5 and 10, 12 and 14 inch Toms.
So far only played these quickly at a friend's house, but am REALLY impressed.
Bass Drum, solid, punchy, with good tone as well, not totally convinced about the durability of the head though and will probably put something a bit thicker on soon.
Snare, didn't have a lot of time to tune properly, the head will probably be the first thing I replace on the kit, sounds a bit, "boingy" with the standard head supplied. Improved with damping, and with time I may be able to get a good sound out of it, but will invest some of first gig fee in a new batter head. It is responsive at all volume levels.
Toms, I only play a 4 piece, so used the 10 and 14. even with the heads supplied they sounded really good. they had impact and definition, but still with plenty of tone.
Hardware. The supplied hardware is obviously cheap and light, but certainly up to the job. The Tom holder keeps everything in place and doesn't rattle, I've used the now spare hole on the holder to mount the boom arm for my ride cymbal. The Hi-hat isn't adjustable for tension, and felt a little light for me at first, but after a few minutes playing was fine. The cymbal stand is lightweight, but plenty stable enough for anything I'll want, (and I'm not a light hitter.:icon_lol:) The snare stand feels a little flimsy, but doesn't move when played. The star of the proceedings is the Bass pedal. Lightweight, strap drive, and only the spring tension is adjustable, but it's light, smooth, silent and responsive. Put it this way, I initially only set it up to see if it worked ok, I was planning on putting my DW pedal on to have some fun, but I kept the Yammy on all the time.
Overall. There are obviously compromises to get down to this price, but overall the kit seems solid, and sounds good. Apart from a couple of changes of head, I can't see me wanting to upgrade this for a long long time.
Cheers
Andy
I was looking to get back into playing after a long layoff, didn't want to spend a lot of money and didn't need the pro quality I used to have. I spent some time on t'internet and in local music shops, and after a lot of deliberation, decided on a set of Yamaha Gigmaker Studios. I had my cymbals and Bass pedal from my playing days, and apart from an extra Cymbal stand and a mini boom clamp, I have resolved not to spend any more on it till it starts paying for itself.
Sizes BD 20x16, Snare 14x5 and 10, 12 and 14 inch Toms.
So far only played these quickly at a friend's house, but am REALLY impressed.
Bass Drum, solid, punchy, with good tone as well, not totally convinced about the durability of the head though and will probably put something a bit thicker on soon.
Snare, didn't have a lot of time to tune properly, the head will probably be the first thing I replace on the kit, sounds a bit, "boingy" with the standard head supplied. Improved with damping, and with time I may be able to get a good sound out of it, but will invest some of first gig fee in a new batter head. It is responsive at all volume levels.
Toms, I only play a 4 piece, so used the 10 and 14. even with the heads supplied they sounded really good. they had impact and definition, but still with plenty of tone.
Hardware. The supplied hardware is obviously cheap and light, but certainly up to the job. The Tom holder keeps everything in place and doesn't rattle, I've used the now spare hole on the holder to mount the boom arm for my ride cymbal. The Hi-hat isn't adjustable for tension, and felt a little light for me at first, but after a few minutes playing was fine. The cymbal stand is lightweight, but plenty stable enough for anything I'll want, (and I'm not a light hitter.:icon_lol:) The snare stand feels a little flimsy, but doesn't move when played. The star of the proceedings is the Bass pedal. Lightweight, strap drive, and only the spring tension is adjustable, but it's light, smooth, silent and responsive. Put it this way, I initially only set it up to see if it worked ok, I was planning on putting my DW pedal on to have some fun, but I kept the Yammy on all the time.
Overall. There are obviously compromises to get down to this price, but overall the kit seems solid, and sounds good. Apart from a couple of changes of head, I can't see me wanting to upgrade this for a long long time.
Cheers
Andy