Anyone playing the D Drum Diablo kit?

[SLO-MAN]

Our drummer is looking at getting a new kit. We went to some of the local stores, and checked out a bunch of different brands. The D Drums Diablo kit was really impressive sounding, but neither one of us knows much about em. Anyone using them? Thoughts, good, or bad?

Thanks,
SLO

[Knastratt]

This is a spin-off of Clavia's D-Drums and it's supposed to shick kit.

Drumit 5

Cheers - Pär

[SLO-MAN]

Originally Posted by Knastratt

This is a spin-off of Clavia's D-Drums and it's supposed to shick kit.

Drumit 5

Cheers - Pär

Thanks for the reply!

The Drums we were looking at/playing though were Accoustic. No interest in an electronic kit.

The diablo kit we played sounded just phenomenal. Much better than the Pacific, Gretsch, Pearl etc stuff we played in the same price range, Of course it could have just been newer/better heads. The one thing in particular was that the Snare actually kicked butt. Most of the stock snares that come with mid priced kits kinda suck, but this thing was a monster.

SLO

[drumzealot]

Originally Posted by SLO-MAN

Thanks for the reply!

The Drums we were looking at/playing though were Accoustic. No interest in an electronic kit.

The diablo kit we played sounded just phenomenal. Much better than the Pacific, Gretsch, Pearl etc stuff we played in the same price range, Of course it could have just been newer/better heads. The one thing in particular was that the Snare actually kicked butt. Most of the stock snares that come with mid priced kits kinda suck, but this thing was a monster.

SLO

I suspect you may be falling victim to a pseudo-myth propagated by marketing campaigns: brand is the most important factor in drum sound. The following factors determine sound (listed in debatable order):
1. Drummer
2. Roundness of the shells (just about ANY round drum can sound great)
3. Heads
4. thickness of shell walls
5. Method of mounting
6. Type of material (e.g. wood type)
7. Dimension of shells
8. Room/mics/pa/sound guy (where applicable)
9. Bearing edge profile
10. Stick size
The question of brand might address such things as quality control (are the products consistent?), hardware quality (do the drums hold their tuning?), and customer service. Any more, just about all the brands are good. If you want to hunt for a used set then you need to become acquainted with certain models and their weaknesses. But if you buying a new set, you are safe with just about any brand (with the exception of some low-level “student” models).
If you would like specific advice on models I would need to know more about the type of music you play. But in general for rock, you want:
1. Drummer: a good one!!!!
2. Roundness of the shells: todays drums are very good in this aspect
3. Heads: not too thin
4. Thickness: for live rock with a limited monitoring system go for a thicker shell like Yamaha Maple Customs (not Absolutes)
5. Method of mounting: RIMMS mounts are good, Yamaha YESS system is good, avoid toms held by snare drum stands
6. Type of material: maple, birch, ash, cherry, bubinga just to name a few
7. Dimension of shells: 22 diameter x 16 or 18 bass drum
8. Room/mics/pa/sound guy: another topic
9. Bearing edge profile: more sharp (modern) than round (vintage)
10. Stick size: easier to get a big rock tone with meaty sticks

[SLO-MAN]

Originally Posted by drumzealot

I suspect you may be falling victim to a pseudo-myth propagated by marketing campaigns: brand is the most important factor in drum sound. The following factors determine sound (listed in debatable order):
1. Drummer
2. Roundness of the shells (just about ANY round drum can sound great)
3. Heads
4. thickness of shell walls
5. Method of mounting
6. Type of material (e.g. wood type)
7. Dimension of shells
8. Room/mics/pa/sound guy (where applicable)
9. Bearing edge profile
10. Stick size
The question of brand might address such things as quality control (are the products consistent?), hardware quality (do the drums hold their tuning?), and customer service. Any more, just about all the brands are good. If you want to hunt for a used set then you need to become acquainted with certain models and their weaknesses. But if you buying a new set, you are safe with just about any brand (with the exception of some low-level “student” models).
If you would like specific advice on models I would need to know more about the type of music you play. But in general for rock, you want:
1. Drummer: a good one!!!!
2. Roundness of the shells: todays drums are very good in this aspect
3. Heads: not too thin
4. Thickness: for live rock with a limited monitoring system go for a thicker shell like Yamaha Maple Customs (not Absolutes)
5. Method of mounting: RIMMS mounts are good, Yamaha YESS system is good, avoid toms held by snare drum stands
6. Type of material: maple, birch, ash, cherry, bubinga just to name a few
7. Dimension of shells: 22 diameter x 16 or 18 bass drum
8. Room/mics/pa/sound guy: another topic
9. Bearing edge profile: more sharp (modern) than round (vintage)
10. Stick size: easier to get a big rock tone with meaty sticks

Not to be a smartee pants, and I do appreciate you taking the time to reply, but when all is said, and done, isnt' the most important thing "Which ones sound the best"?

We played some Star Classics, that were just phenomenal sounding. Probably the best sounding kit we played all day, right along with the Pearl reference kit But unfortunately out of the price range we're looking at.

The DDrum Diablos were there, and I'd never even really heard of DDrum except for their triggers, and stuff. Like I said, they kicked butt.

I was just currious if anyone else is using them, what their thoughts on them was after owning them for a while.

SLO

[T_MIX]

I use one of their snares (13 x 7 ash) and like it.
Their kits may be fine, but I am not a real big fan of cast hoops on everything.

Just my preference.

They seem built as good or better as any Import type kit as far as hardware.
If you find a kit you like the sound of, I would not be afraid of the build quality.

[SLO-MAN]

Originally Posted by T_MIX

I use one of their snares (13 x 7 ash) and like it.
Their kits may be fine, but I am not a real big fan of cast hoops on everything.

Just my preference.

They seem built as good or better as any Import type kit as far as hardware.
If you find a kit you like the sound of, I would not be afraid of the build quality.

Thanks T,

Yeah, That snare really grabbed my attention. Usually the Snares that come with midprice kits sound like doo. This one sounded really great.

I think we'll be getting that set this weekend. I'm lookin forward to it.

Thanks again, SLO

[drumzealot]

Originally Posted by SLO-MAN

Not to be a smartee pants, and I do appreciate you taking the time to reply, but when all is said, and done, isnt' the most important thing "Which ones sound the best"?

We played some Star Classics, that were just phenomenal sounding. Probably the best sounding kit we played all day, right along with the Pearl reference kit But unfortunately out of the price range we're looking at.

The DDrum Diablos were there, and I'd never even really heard of DDrum except for their triggers, and stuff. Like I said, they kicked butt.

I was just currious if anyone else is using them, what their thoughts on them was after owning them for a while.

SLO

Err um,...yeah... We're addressing the same question.
What makes them sound good? The brand name on the drum? The answer is not really. You saw a band and the drums sounded great. They were brand X. You go buy the same drums. This does not mean they are going to sound great. Pearl, Tama, Gretsch, Ludwig, etc...they can all sound fabulous.

[rty5150]

i own a red shell/black hardware kit. i got it originally for looks, but was really surprised at the tone of these drums. the oem heads for this kits are really crappy, but i reheaded with evans heads all around and now it sounds great. i also own a yamaha stage custom mainly for recording and the diablo comes fairly close to the tone, but doesn't have the subtle nuances and complexities as the yamaha, but the diablo is a lot more brutal. definitely a great sounding kit on the cheap. i got mine for around $400 new from GC a few years ago with decent hardware. i would say that the diablo is one of the best bang for the buck kits out there.


rich