It seems wrong I can't find a kit like this....

[Gremson]

Maybe I'm not typing the right keywords or something, but I can't find a particular drumset I'm interested in.
I'm thinking about upgrading to a matched gigging kit. I've got a cool frankenkit out of vintage pieces.
But I think it would look nice to have a matching set for playing out. Plus I'd really like the option of of having a practice kit at home, and another kit to have at the band space.
I'm trying to find an American made 3 piece.
24" Kick
13" rack tom
16" Floor tom.
Of course I'd like to avoid poplar, and other cheap materials. But would like to keep it under $1k.

Any great ideas?
Thanks y'all

[Dr. Mordo]

Those were very common sizes in the 70s. You should probly be looking for Ludwig primarily.

But you should also realize you could buy a new cheaper kit in the those sizes for under $1k. Gretsch Catalina Club Rock or DDrum Dorian, stuff like that. Heck; you could get a new Ludwig Centennial Maple for a little over $1k in those sizes.

Check MidwestPercussion.com. Those dudes are the shit; I have spent thousands there over the years with no complaints and their prices are great.

[Gremson]

Sweet site... Lots of good prices too.
That Ddrum looked pretty nice online. Smaller tom sizes than I wanted, but still looked moderately awesome.... Then I found the Catalina Rock. Dayum. I don't why I didn't find that when I was looking yesterday. Those look awesome!
The Centennial sets have been an interest of mine, but the natural finish just looks very unattractive to me.
Thanks!

I'm not totally sure what the difference in woods really is. Between Maple, Mahogany, and Ash. What changes in tone could I expect between them?

[Dr. Mordo]

They have a ddrum Dorian kit in 24/13/14/16 - aren't those the sizes you want? Or did you want the 18" floor?

I have the Catalina Rock kit in 26/14/16/18 and I love it. I do think that the Ludwigs will probly be the highest quality of the bunch, which is something to consider.

The difference between different woods is generally pretty subtle - things like heads, tuning, sticks, the room, the cut of the bearing edges, and even the amount of sanding on the inside of the drum will have a much more significant effect on the sound. Generally speaking, Maple is the standard material which is how most drums sound. Birch is slightly brighter, Mahogany is slightly darker. I haven't heard a Ash kit, so I can't comment. I bet it's almost indistinguishable from Maple.

The wood is very low on the list of things I personally care about in a kit.

[Gremson]

Sorry... At first I thought I read a 12" rack tom... That Ddrum set seems to actually be a better quality.
I've been reading that the Gretsch series has a few quality/durability issues.
There is a Gretch Catalina rock set on Ebay right now including a gibralter hardware set as well for $850/free shipping. Awfully tempting.
Luckily they're both new kits so it shouldn't be too hard to find one in a local store to physically investigate before I commit to one.

[Dr. Mordo]

Yeah, I have talked here before about the Catalinas quality issues, but because I haven't really seen it first hand and because my info was a coupla years old I had decided that I wouldn't bring it up.

So, maybe two years ago a friend who works for a major drum store was telling me that they had a few Catalinas come thru with warped shells. So he recommended Mapex and ddrum as better alternatives for cheapish kits.

My Catalina kit does have one drum that is very slightly out of round - the snare. It is only noticeable if you are really trying to tune it perfectly, and you can still tune the drum. The tensions are just a bit off.

I love the kit, I love the tone, which I think is pretty distinctive. But if you buy one, check the shells carefully for roundness, and be ready to warranty it out if there are issues. I would certainly buy another Catalina; I'd just look it over very closely when I got it. It's been long enough that the quality problems have likely been sorted out anyhow.

[Chunkaway]

Unless I was getting something from the Custom line, I wouldn't buy a Ddrum kit-way too many issues with quality and reliability. I would shoot for the Ludwig. I don't like the depth of the kick, but I think it is the best of the ones you have mentioned. I like the vintage Luddy idea the best.

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by Chunkaway

I like the vintage Luddy idea the best.

Me too.
Often cheaper and better than a new kit!

[ludvista29]

Nice choices in sizes. I just ordered myself a Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute in 24x18, 13x10, 16x16. I would really recommend those, but those arent in your price range sadly.

[svart]

Since you seem to want a deep sound(big drums) go for a kit made from birch. It's not a cheap wood! It will give you a deeper, darker sound with smaller drums if you can't find the big ones you want.

I recorded a band with big gretsch drums and it sounded huge.