Buying new drum kit

[John1982]

Hi, I'm looking forward to buy a kit for my humble project studio. Looking for a simple classic rock drum sound. I can spend up to 1200 € for the shell set. As I like to keep things simple, I don't need more than kick, 1 floor tom, 1 tom & a snare. Cymbals will be a different story. I'm just worrying about the shell set right now. Any ideas would be a big help. Thanks

[thepilgrimsdream]

The studio standard seems to be the yamaha stage custom with a ludwig lm402, lm400, or black beauty.

I would also search for vintage ludwigs and slingerlands on craigslist. Maybe even a gretsch.

Those old metal Ludwig snares all the way.

[KickSnareHat]

You're likely not going to score a top of the line kit for less than 2000. So, I would suggest getting a really good snare (Black beauty or a high end maple snare), then getting a used mid/low-end Yamaha or Tama. Get good heads, spend some time tuning, and you'll have a kit that will likely record very well.

I've played entry level kits that, when tuned properly, sound great on tape. The only exception is the snare -- you need to invest a little dough there, but $300-$600 will get you a great snare.

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by thepilgrimsdream

The studio standard seems to be the yamaha stage custom

Really?
I think most studio drummers use a wide variety of makes.

Anyway, as to cheap, classic .... I would recommend looking for a used keystone Ludwig kit.

Above poster is right, most mainstream brands are great quality, and these days some entry level models are good with decent heads and good tuning.
If you buy used you'll get a lot more for your money though.

This kind of thing:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LUDWIG-1966-...ht_1018wt_1398

[John1982]

Thanks you for your tips.
As I don't mind buying used, I'll have a look at my local shops, cl & ebay.
I'm also thinking that you can do a lot with good heads and proper tuning. But the tuning is something, I'll have to learn. Guess that's a art in itself.
I'll also have a look at the Yamaha stage custom. My local drum shop should have one of those.
Thanks again.

[More Kick Drum]

Originally Posted by KickSnareHat

I've played entry level kits that, when tuned properly, sound great on tape. The only exception is the snare -- you need to invest a little dough there, but $300-$600 will get you a great snare.

I agree with KickSnareHat. I did some recordings last week with my really cheap Pearl Export kit that sounded amazing because of the room, drum head selections, the drum tuning, and the mic selections/placements. However, the only non-export part of my kit was my snare, the Joey Jordison Steel snare, which absolutely made the track.

I'd go with a standard Yamaha kit with a decent snare like the Black Beauty and spend most of your time developing your tuning skills and using the right mic selections/placements. Also, I hope you have some money devoted to optimizing your room's acoustics for your kit, as that will have a huge factor on your end result.

[JulianFernandez]

Originally Posted by thepilgrimsdream

The studio standard seems to be the yamaha stage custom with a ludwig lm402, lm400, or black beauty.

You mean Recording Custom, right?

[biggator6]

Originally Posted by chrisso

Really?
I think most studio drummers use a wide variety of makes.

Anyway, as to cheap, classic .... I would recommend looking for a used keystone Ludwig kit.

Above poster is right, most mainstream brands are great quality, and these days some entry level models are good with decent heads and good tuning.
If you buy used you'll get a lot more for your money though.

This kind of thing:
LUDWIG 1966 silver sparkle Super Classic drum set 22, 16, 13 kit ....NO RESERVE | eBay

This +1. I'd personally expand that list to include old Rogers (script badge) or Slingerland as well. Old Rogers kits are killer. If it's really just a studio kit, you can get one that isn't too pretty or has been re-wrapped (no 'vintage' value, but sounds great).

If you want something with a more 'modern' sound on the cheap.. 90's Premier high-end kits. Signia/Genista.. these are fantastic drums that will hang with any top-line kit, but can be picked up for a lot less money if you hunt (I paid about $500 for my Signia kit)

[kevbrowne]

Yeah those Signia kits sound amazing. They were hugely expensive back in the day.
The Premier Resonator kits are worth keeping an eye out for as well. they are a bit more particular about which heads work for them though.
But for rock and pop the Yamaha 9000(recording customs) are hard to beat(!)
Vintage kits are a whole other deal.Good drummers sound amazing on them,but modern sounding kits help average players sound more together

[biggator6]

Originally Posted by kevbrowne

Yeah those Signia kits sound amazing. They were hugely expensive back in the day.
The Premier Resonator kits are worth keeping an eye out for as well. they are a bit more particular about which heads work for them though.
But for rock and pop the Yamaha 9000(recording customs) are hard to beat(!)
Vintage kits are a whole other deal.Good drummers sound amazing on them,but modern sounding kits help average players sound more together

The problem with the resonators is.. most of them have already had the inner shells removed - and they're mostly power-tom sizes (ick!).

Nothing wrong with a set of RC's though.. I'd love a set - or Genistas (birch) to match my Signias (maple).

[chrisso]

+1 last two posts.

[Jax]

Originally Posted by biggator6

The problem with the resonators is.. most of them have already had the inner shells removed - and they're mostly power-tom sizes (ick!).

Ha! I feel the same way about modern little 10x7 and 12x8 drums. Pu-ny!

[biggator6]

Originally Posted by Jax

Ha! I feel the same way about modern little 10x7 and 12x8 drums. Pu-ny!

Mike Bordin? Is that you?
"-)

[TRCS]

I've got some good sounds from my friends Yamaha Stage Custom- which I've seen for as low as $450 here in Canada (Used). The kick and toms are very solid with good heads and tuned well. I'd definitely buy a different snare (ludwig black beauty or a custom replica? Mine is pretty diverse) because the Yammy is rough.

Spend as much as you can on cymbals... and a couple snares.

[Jax]

Originally Posted by biggator6

Mike Bordin? Is that you?
"-)

It'd be nice to have his Faith No More/Ozzy money!

[Rolf Fiesel]

bought this for a practice kit... very nice for 550

Long & McQuade - Sonor Smart Force Stage 1 5-Piece Drum Kit With Hardware - Black