Intermediate Drum Kit

[groovearteest]

cant find that PDP in birch, i do find it in maple, but out of my budget



i want a versatile kit because i like a lot of styles, but to begin i maybe play metal, prog rock and fusion (i would like to play jazz as well but is out of my skill tree, at least for now). i would like a 20-10-12-14 kit, but i have no problems buying a bigger config.



Thanks!, the difference between the regular and the custom is the lacquer finish. The Catalina comes without hardware, that takes it out of my budget.



Thanks!, the lack of hardware of the catalina makes all the kit more expensive.




thank you, im getting more inclined to the tama lately.



Great, it was frustrating because i had to quote everyone like 3 times, and then the post wasnt there and i didnt understand why.



yeah, i did that, but i love the sound of the 3 options, beside listen to them in the store is not the same and i really want some guide of people who knows more than myself because i didnt play for too long and i wasnt very good anyway xD

i see everyone is really friendly, thanks for the wellcome!.





lol, i love gretsch but with the need to buy the hardware separately it gets out of my budget



im really having a hard time picking one of this 3, but im less inclined for the Mapex and a little more inclined to the Tama than the Sonor.

thanks all for your help and your wellcome!

oh, and what do you guys think of the PDP M5?, its a maple kit and its even cheaper than the other 3.

M5 is a good kit, I have the fs which is the birch version and a little cheaper. M5 is pretty well built and sounds good its a good kit to consider. But honestly you have really good choices already, so I wouldn't try to overload your mind with too many choices lol. The Tampa is a really good choice though, and this is coming from a DW/PDP man.

[Markadiddle]

Incorrect.

If applicable, I would always recommend you start completely from scratch and take the time to configure your dream set before ordering Gretsch USA Custom shells.

But that is not what the OP asked about.

To answer a question like this you have to recommend what you know.
It's impossible to recommend something you don't know.
Thus, it appears that everyone always suggests the same thing.

On the other hand, I have seen many experienced players here suggest that you can take any decent quality shell and make it sound good with the correct heads and tuning.

Sorry, diddle.
I found this post too late.

It's all good man. The point I was trying to make was this. The original poster asked specifically about:

Sonor Essential Force
Tama Silverstar Custom
Mapex Meridian Birch

A few people jumped on and started recommending Pearl, Yamaha, Gretsch, etc. I get that. I guess I should have said, there are a few individuals that will recommend their own preferences every time. My statement was too broad. I apologize.

[drumsetsnide]

I fixed your posts for you, lads.

Thanks for fixing that post. Pastor Bob must have been tired and maybe a little confused...haha

[pastor_bob]

im looking to buy a intermediate birch kit and this are the options i have in mind:

Sonor Essential Force
Tama Silverstar Custom
Mapex Meridian Birch

what do you think?, any other options?

Markaddidle, you are correct that we all have a tendency to recommend the kits with which we have experience. I thought blackmail's initial list was a good one, and since I do have some experience with the Gretsch Catalina series (although mine is maple), I thought it was worth the mention. In the end, blackmail seems like he's doing his own work on this, so he's sort through the suggestions and get the kit that's right for him.

I didn't take any offense to your pointing out our biases, as you could tell by my post. LOL I'm sure we all have them, based on our experiences. On the other hand, the cool part about Drum Chat is that we also respect each other's opinions enough to continue the dialogue.

Oh, and Matt, thank you soooooo much for fixing my post!

[Markadiddle]

Markaddidle, you are correct that we all have a tendency to recommend the kits with which we have experience. I thought blackmail's initial list was a good one, and since I do have some experience with the Gretsch Catalina series (although mine is maple), I thought it was worth the mention. In the end, blackmail seems like he's doing his own work on this, so he's sort through the suggestions and get the kit that's right for him.

I didn't take any offense to your pointing out our biases, as you could tell by my post. LOL I'm sure we all have them, based on our experiences. On the other hand, the cool part about Drum Chat is that we also respect each other's opinions enough to continue the dialogue.

Oh, and Matt, thank you soooooo much for fixing my post!

I was just hoping that people wouldn't see my response as too strongly worded. I meant no offense by it whatsoever. I was just trying to point out that sometimes when a poster is looking for recommendations on specifics they have listed, people tend to jump on what they know and it isn't what the original poster is looking for at all. And yes, there are several individuals here, G-d bless them, will suggest the exact same thing every single time. To me, that isn't helpful.

So, I apologize if anyone was offended or took any of my posts in the wrong way.

OK, time to move along, nothing to see here...

[pastor_bob]

No worries Mark, I just thought you made a fair observation.

[Pearl MCX Man]

Ok Ok we can't blackmail him lol into buying a Pearl, Tama, Ludwig, Yamaha, Mapex, Gretsch, Sonor, Premier, Sligerland etc. It is up to him and his budget and the sound he wants. So goodluck Blackmail.

[blackmail]

thank you all, after a lot of consideration im getting more inclined to the tama, but i am still open to suggestions!!

[Pearl MCX Man]

Go for the Tama kit then if you are incline on it cause all the brands have been suggested.

[groovearteest]

I was just hoping that people wouldn't see my response as too strongly worded. I meant no offense by it whatsoever. I was just trying to point out that sometimes when a poster is looking for recommendations on specifics they have listed, people tend to jump on what they know and it isn't what the original poster is looking for at all. And yes, there are several individuals here, G-d bless them, will suggest the exact same thing every single time. To me, that isn't helpful.

So, I apologize if anyone was offended or took any of my posts in the wrong way.

OK, time to move along, nothing to see here...

What you were saying wasn't too strongly worded lol it was actually sort of true to a point.

Now as for blackmail. If your leaning towards the Tama then go Tama.

[Pearl MCX Man]

And yes, there are several individuals here, G-d bless them, will suggest the exact same thing every single time. To me, that isn't helpful.

Are you referring to me Mark cause that is what it seems like. You like rattling my chain don't you. LOL

[Markadiddle]

And yes, there are several individuals here, G-d bless them, will suggest the exact same thing every single time. To me, that isn't helpful.

Are you referring to me Mark cause that is what it seems like. You like rattling my chain don't you. LOL

Why do you say that? Yes, I know you have a thing for Pearl. It's all good man!

And the short answer is no, I was not referring to you.

[Sticks4drums]

Honestly nobody makes a bad intermediate kit anymore. We all have different tastes. There are brands I will never recommend. Does that mean they are bad? No, I just don't personally dig what they do. I have drums from 7 different companies, and they all have something I like. Probably why I have so many kits!

Go to the store and try them if you can, and pic the one that moves you most. It probably won't be your last kit, so don't look at it like a life long commitment.

KHS makes both the Mapex, and the Sonors, so they will be very similar.

In short, pic the one you like, not the one we like. You will be paying, and playing! Good luck!

[blackmail]

today in one store the guy recomend me a 6 piece Ludwig Element Fusion Lcb 622 Px, what do you guys think of that kit?

[Pearl MCX Man]

Like it was mentioned before blackmail it is up to you, your ears, your budget to decide what is best for you. Any kit you decide to get you will have to live with. Good luck.

Why don't you put a poll and mention the kits you would be interested in and from there get votes on each kit. This will give you a better idea of what drummers think.

[Russ]

Tough choice! I'd say it's between the Meridian birch's and the Silverstars for me. New, they are priced similarly so you're gonna have to hear them both for yourself to decide which is really a better fit for you. Then again, if you shop used there's tons of kits you can afford.

[slowrocker]

I like the look and the sound of the silverstars, I don't know much about meridians but on the used section of Guitar center they have some for $400. I would check out the used sets unless you just really want a new drum set. You could also look at the pdp fs-5. It is also birch and I have played one many times and it sounds very good. Choose what you like though, don't feel pressured by a salesman or anyone else to get a kit when you want another one more. You will be the one to play it, so if you aren't happy, nothing else matters.

[kay-gee]

You should probably be looking at Taye, Sunlite, PDP, Pearl exports, Cadeson,... brands like that if they are available in your area. They are all decent drums but not bank book killers.

all the best...

[Russ]

Some Taye's definitely are.

[Larrysperf]

I could have told you that. You're going to find out everyone on this forum is very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. You'll also discover very quickly that everyone has their standard preferences and will suggest the same thing every time.

My suggestion is, take a look at your budget and know what you want to spend. Hit up the music stores, play on the ones that are in your range. Simple as that. Your ears and wallet are the only things that will guide you, grasshopper.

Oh and welcome to DC!

What Markadiddle said got to check them out at store. Also some used sets would be something to check into Superstars , Ludwig CS custom Accent elites, sonor list goes on Good luck

[Larrysperf]

Why do you say that? Yes, I know you have a thing for Pearl. It's all good man!

And the short answer is no, I was not referring to you.

Its was me . Come on make it me lol dam its never me

[Larrysperf]

I was just hoping that people wouldn't see my response as too strongly worded. I meant no offense by it whatsoever. I was just trying to point out that sometimes when a poster is looking for recommendations on specifics they have listed, people tend to jump on what they know and it isn't what the original poster is looking for at all. And yes, there are several individuals here, G-d bless them, will suggest the exact same thing every single time. To me, that isn't helpful.

So, I apologize if anyone was offended or took any of my posts in the wrong way.

OK, time to move along, nothing to see here...

Ludwig , Ludwig and did I mention Ludwig. But truth is all inter kids today are pretty amazing compared to 10 years ago. Markadiddle makes some very good points. Now back to Ludwig sorry couldn't resist

[Markadiddle]

Its was me . Come on make it me lol dam its never me

Ok, ya it was you.

Just kidding.

It was more of a general statement not directed at anyone in particular. My whole point was, if someone is looking for something specific, why give recommendations on other things? I know that each of us here has a strong knowledge in what we know best. That's what makes this place so damn awesome!

Like I said earlier, I apologize to anyone if I offended them. I was just trying to tell it like it is. Sorry if I was too blunt.

[blackmail]

hi again, thanks to all of you for your answers.

My questions where open to suggestions because i though you guys can give me options i didnt even know they existed, and you have, and im gratefull for that.

right now im searching for reviews for the Ludwig Element LCB622PX because its a 6 piece kit and is quite cheaper than the 5 piece Tama kit. The rough part is that i cant try this kit because no one in my region have it on display to try, i think is a Marbled birch kit. Whats the difference with this birch and the birch of the tama/mapex/sonor?

i also like the PDP M5 Maple because it is also cheaper than the others (is at the same level than the ludwig).

thanks to all and sorry for my indesicion, in my country the musical instruments are really expensive and i want to be absolutely sure that i know what im buying.

[BackStreetDrums]

Gretsch Birch Catalina..

But, if it had to be one of the three you mentioned, then for me, Meridian Birch

'Nuff Said