Need Help Selecting New Studio Kit...Please Help!

[JamesWB]

So, I'm sure this topic has been discussed before, but I have a few specific things I need / don't need, want/ don't want. Think you can help? I appreciate any help you can give.

I have been trying to find the best 4 piece studio kit for a hard rock/ hardcore band under $2,000.00. For harder rock I'd like a big sound, and I knew there are different ways to achieve a big sound. I'd really like something made in the US. I've been looking at Pork Pie, and Gretsch. I don't really need a snare. I don't want a 3 piece though. The specs on the snare just aren't really going to matter much. I'm more focused on bass drum, rack tom, and floor tom. Rack tom somewhere around 8X14. Floor tom somewhere around 14X18. And Bass drum around 20 for both dimensions, up or down. I don't know a ton about drums. I've probably contradicted myself already, so.... Thanks for any help!

[BLUElightCory]

For hard rock/hardcore I've always been really impressed with Tama Starclassic drums. They sound amazing, have great hardware, and aren't break-the-bank expensive. Look for a Starclassic Performer (birch) or Performer B/B (birch/bubinga hybrid).

DON'T buy any of the custom Keller-shell drums (Truth/Peace/Shine/etc.), they aren't worth the cash.

[yumdrum]

Originally Posted by JamesWB

So, I'm sure this topic has been discussed before, but I have a few specific things I need / don't need, want/ don't want. Think you can help? I appreciate any help you can give.

I have been trying to find the best 4 piece studio kit for a hard rock/ hardcore band under $2,000.00. For harder rock I'd like a big sound, and I knew there are different ways to achieve a big sound. I'd really like something made in the US. I've been looking at Pork Pie, and Gretsch. I don't really need a snare. I don't want a 3 piece though. The specs on the snare just aren't really going to matter much. I'm more focused on bass drum, rack tom, and floor tom. Rack tom somewhere around 8X14. Floor tom somewhere around 14X18. And Bass drum around 20 for both dimensions, up or down. I don't know a ton about drums. I've probably contradicted myself already, so.... Thanks for any help!

The drum sizes you mentioned are usually not stock sizes therefore you will pay more for them because they would have to be special ordered. I second the Starclassics for the price they are great. Actually they are great for any price. Maple will give you a deeper more round sound while birch is a more focused attack. The good thing about the Starclassics is they are available in many shell types. If you are going for a BIG sound just curios as to why you wanted a 20" kick?

[drumzealot]

Brand doesn't matter much. All the majors are a safe bet.

I recommend 8x12, 14x16, 22x16. Avoid super long BDs (longer than 18in).
Double ply heads on top singles on the bottom. tune low. great big sound.

Larger drums respond differently, especially bass drums. If you want a kit that people can come in and use and be comfortable on, you may be better off with more common sizes.

[Rolf Fiesel]

i heard good things from Saturn lately
these might be a bit more ..go for it.. Buy Mapex Saturn 6-Piece Studio Drum Set | Complete Drum Sets | Musician's Friend

[JamesWB]

Originally Posted by yumdrum

The drum sizes you mentioned are usually not stock sizes therefore you will pay more for them because they would have to be special ordered. I second the Starclassics for the price they are great. Actually they are great for any price. Maple will give you a deeper more round sound while birch is a more focused attack. The good thing about the Starclassics is they are available in many shell types. If you are going for a BIG sound just curios as to why you wanted a 20" kick?

The sizes I mentioned were some sizes I was told would help with a big sound. Like I said, I don't know a whole lot about drums. What sizes can I purchase without it being a custom order that will also help get a big sound? What size kick is best for big sound? something greater that 20"?

Also, this kit will only be used by one drummer, the drummer in my band. He is a good drummer, but he doesn't know much about quality drums or what's best for a studio kit. This is why I need your advice. Thank you for your replies already.

Honestly, I don't know what I want. And neither does our drummer. I want our studio drums to be the best they can be for $2K. I also want a big sound. I don't know what sizes are best. It now seems that maple is best for a big sound. I don't know what the different plys mean. The Gretsch new classic 4 piece Fusion (maple) set looked nice. The kick is 22X18. 10x8 rack tom. and 14x 14 floor tom. How does that rank on the big sound, studio quality scale?

Where are Tama's made?

[drumzealot]

Originally Posted by JamesWB

Where are Tama's made?

Japan. They are great drums. So are DW, Ludwig, Gretsch, Pork Pie, etc.

Seriously, don't fret over the brand. The kit you mention above will work. Its more about the heads, tuning and - OF COURSE - player, room.

Big drums do not automatically mean big sound. On the Damageplan album Vinnie Paul downsized. The biggest tom he used was 14 inches. 22 inch BDs.

This would work for you (no, I'm not the seller)
VINTAGE ROGERS 5 PIECE DRUM KIT 1970'S WMP! - eBay (item 180417115082 end time Oct-14-09 18:50:12 PDT)

Made in the USA, killer for rock. Complete set for less than your budget. Get some RIMMS mounts to make the toms sing.

[girlthatdrums]

For a hardrock / hardcore band, there's really two sounds there in terms of drumset.

Hard rock will have a deep toned thumping kick. Bigger Bonhamish sounding toms. I would opt for a 24x14 kick with a 13x10 rack and a 16x16 floor and maybe an 18x16 floor too. The 24x14 is the perfect marriage of a nice thump but not to deep to loose the punch.

Hardcore would be more cutting, a "clicky" bass drum with cutting toms. In this situation I would opt for a 22x18 kick with a 12x8 rack tom and 14x12 and 16x14 floor toms. (suspended or not) The reason you'd want shorter and smaller toms here is because they'd cut a little bit more.

I'm generalizing here, but that's what I would describe as both.

One of the groups I play in is a progressive metal project, so one of my kits is a custom built Phattie/Stauffer Percussion 8x7 / 10x8 racks with 13x12 & 15x13 suspended floors with a 22x18 kick. I keep all the drums tuned fairly low but the set up is small enough to get around and cuts through well enough. Getting around the kit is also a consideration to keep in mind.

[JamesWB]

That helps a lot. Thanks for the description of the sizes. I like the sound of the 24X14 kick. The drummer of Underoath plays a kick that size and it sounds great. I have also been looking at getting two floor toms. I'm not sure if I should get the 14x14 and 16x16 or the 16x 14 and 14x12. If I do get a set with two floor toms I'd like the rack tom to be 8x12 I think.

[chrisso]

WEird that people keep mentioning unusual depths for toms.
Almost all off the shelf toms are 8 x 12, 9 x 13", 10 x 14", 14 x 14", 16 x 16" and 16 x 18" (depth first).

You can get deep sounds with any of those sizes.
The smaller the drum, the less muddy it's likely to be, and the easier to excite (if your drummer isn't a hard hitter, or tends to play a lot of notes.

I agree with some of the above posts, just go with some standard sizes, bass drum choose between 22" or 24" diameter. 24" is definitely big sounding, 22" will get you the click attack of 'Hardcore'.
I would also buy used. You don't need a 'new' kit for studio recordings.