buying a new drum kit for the studio - best in the $750 range?

Idiot Wind · 21st August 2006

I've been looking at the Pearl Export EX set as well as the Mapex M Birch Fusion set. My budget is pretty strict so please don't suggest $1000 kits. Oh, and the biggest problem is that I'm pretty much tied to Musician's Friend on this one as I have a lot of credit there. Which of these two do you think would be the best choice? This would be primarily for recording demos of rock bands. Thanks everyone.

Idiot Wind · 21st August 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexi

try to find a used yamaha birch or maple custom absolute....................

ch

rs

alex

did you read the whole post?

Open Sky · 21st August 2006

My advice is to buy used. If you don't know what to look for, get a drummer or friend to help you. It should be very easy to find a set in that price range and you may even get the cymbals to boot. Look through Craig's List or want ads until you find something. You will get SOOOOOOO much more for your money. Take your friend out to lunch as a thanks, and be glad you got something better than what you could have for $750 new. Best of luck.

Idiot Wind · 21st August 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Open Sky

My advice is to buy used. If you don't know what to look for, get a drummer or friend to help you. It should be very easy to find a set in that price range and you may even get the cymbals to boot. Look through Craig's List or want ads until you find something. You will get SOOOOOOO much more for your money. Take your friend out to lunch as a thanks, and be glad you got something better than what you could have for $750 new. Best of luck.

I wish I could do that but I'm tied up to Musician's friend right now. I have a lot of credit there and I'm starting college tomorrow so money is going to be pretty damn tight. Thanks for the suggestions though.

True North · 21st August 2006

Buy something from Musician's Friend for $750 that you think you can resell for around the same price, sell it on Ebay and buy a used kit locally

Seriously, if you can swing it somehow, buy a used kit as you will get way better value out of it.

BUT to actually answer your question..

If given the choice between a Birch Shell (Mapex) and a Poplar Shell

(Pearl) - I would chooe the birch especially for recording applications. Birch sheels tend to be less ringy and have a more focused sound that make them easier to tune. The Mapex seem to be a little better deal , The Pearl series you are looking at are their bottom of the line drums.

Good Luck

idylldon · 21st August 2006

I have a Gretsch Catalina Birch set in my studio and it has worked out very well. Every drummer who has played it has commented on how great it sounds in the room and how well that sound translates to the recordings. Yeah, I'm sure many would consider it a cheap, useless kit, but my experience suggests otherwise.

Cheers,
--
Don

unsilpauly · 21st August 2006

i would go for either a pacific(dw) or mapex birch. i bought a pacific birch in march and it is really good sounding in a it should cost alot more kinda way. i have had many sets in my 20+ years of drumming and it is one of my favorites. i also own a custom maple grover drumset which is really nice and cost ALOT more. when tuned properly the pacific sounds as good but different. i would go with a birch and at some point get a maple as well then youll have alot of options for people.

redddog · 21st August 2006

Another vote for the Pacifics. I have a Maple LX that I pieced together for around $600 with Vintage Zildjians. They are as good as any drums I've heard. You can get those at MF.

lynyrd · 21st August 2006

Personally I would go used and get better shells but between the Pearl Exports and the Mapex, I think I would swing toward the Mapex. I have never found Pearl Exports to have much warmth of tone. On the other side of it, the fellow who shares a rehearsal space with me has a lower end Mapex kit and it sounds ok.

davenutz · 21st August 2006

the new pearl exports are bad....bad bad bad. mostly its the shell construction quality and bearing edges. ive seen new exports that came from the factory with splintered edges and separating plies.
And ive seen 1980's export series drums that sound great and are in excellent physical shape...but the new production ones just dont hold up.

the new production middle of the market mapex and pacific kits are still good...especially considering that while pearl is cutting the quality of the low end kits to promote super high end drums like Reference and Masterworks...mapex is increasing the sound quality and value of its low end kits by using more expensive wood that also allows for an increase in stability and durability.

Pacific kits are the same deal as mapex. good value, good sound.

thermos · 21st August 2006

Get a Gretsch kit in that price range. Someone mentioned the Catalina Birch. Good. They sound good and don't get in the way.
Pacifics are horrible to play on, as are DWs. They are slow to respond and can only do 1 sound, thus are real limited and uninspiring. I hate walking into a studio and having to play a DW or a Pacific.

digibird · 21st August 2006

Go with the Mapex. Very impressive quality for the $$. Even their little popcorn snare is built like a small tank. I think you'll be impressed with the hardware as well as the drums.

Given your budget, I'd go with this one:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...Tom?sku=449728

Comes with Remo heads (probably Ambassadors all the way around) so you don't have to change the heads out as soon as you buy the kit. You just need someone that can tune the drums and they will sound great. I would gladly play that kit tonight, with a big smile.

digibird · 21st August 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by idylldon

I have a Gretsch Catalina Birch set in my studio and it has worked out very well. Every drummer who has played it has commented on how great it sounds in the room and how well that sound translates to the recordings. Yeah, I'm sure many would consider it a cheap, useless kit, but my experience suggests otherwise.

Cheers,
--
Don

I'd bet it sounds great. Drum head choice and tuning ability are critical to making any drum sound good - more important than brand names, really, if you count out the truly crap drums - and no one on this thread is discussing anything that would be considered truly crap.

I prefer $$$ Ludwig classic maples, but I can make any $500 kit sound great with some decent heads and some time to tune them. Tuning is key (weak drum humor).

AdamJay · 21st August 2006

i love Ludwig Standards from the late 60's and early 70's

same maple shells as the Classics, just with lugs that used a less expensive machining process. But they were available in far funkier wraps.

i picked up a 1968 4 piece (20/12/14 + 14" matching snare) for around $360 and it sounds so good i would have spent twice that on it. I really did luck out on the price though. You can find 4 and 5 piece Std.'s on eBay for anywhere from $500 to $800 and they are well worth it. They record very well, and everyone i've had in to play on mine just loves it.

On Std.'s, i like Remo Suede Emperor heads with Powerstroke kick heads.

good luck!

nadsatrebel · 21st August 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by thermos

Get a Gretsch kit in that price range. Someone mentioned the Catalina Birch. Good. They sound good and don't get in the way.
Pacifics are horrible to play on, as are DWs. They are slow to respond and can only do 1 sound, thus are real limited and uninspiring. I hate walking into a studio and having to play a DW or a Pacific.

DW have got to be the most overrated drums, ever. I just plain don't like them. But I will look past that if the drummer is good or great.

I second the Gretsch Catalinas.

**toolskid** · 21st August 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idiot Wind

I've been looking at the Pearl Export EX set as well as the Mapex M Birch Fusion set. My budget is pretty strict so please don't suggest $1000 kits. Oh, and the biggest problem is that I'm pretty much tied to Musician's Friend on this one as I have a lot of credit there. Which of these two do you think would be the best choice? This would be primarily for recording demos of rock bands. Thanks everyone.

I often post this and its often ignored, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE try the budget tamburo range! Its ASTONISHING for the money!

All the best

Rednose · 21st August 2006

I've had the Pearl Export in my studio.
They sound great in the room, but don't translate well through the mics like top end kits.
The Pearl master series is great, but its alot of $.
I would buy used.
Yahmaha, for the money there excelent.

Shandy · 21st August 2006

I have a Gretsch Catalina Birch kit in my studio... I bought the shells used, nice'n'cheap. Forget how cheap, exactly, but definitely under 500 for the shells.

Then I found a used set of 14" Zildian New Beats (fantastic hats), and a couple other random cymbals & stands on the cheap. The only thing I bought new was a full set of Remo pinstripe heads. It's sitting in a pretty tight room, and sounds good in there. Once in a while I'll bring it into the tracking room where it can breathe (and run, and play and dig) and a decent drummer can really make it sound like a great kit.

Makes me wish I could play drums, actually.

David Brown · 21st August 2006

For the price range you mentioned get a set of Gretsch Catilina Birch.

David Brown

firby · 21st August 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by idylldon

I have a Gretsch Catalina Birch set in my studio and it has worked out very well. Every drummer who has played it has commented on how great it sounds in the room and how well that sound translates to the recordings. Yeah, I'm sure many would consider it a cheap, useless kit, but my experience suggests otherwise.

Cheers,
--
Don

Another vote for Catalina Birch. I have recordings of those that a friend made and they are really really good for the cash.

Tuga · 21st August 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by nadsatrebel

DW have got to be the most overrated drums, ever. I just plain don't like them. But I will look past that if the drummer is good or great.

I second the Gretsch Catalinas.

I agree!

TheArchitect · 21st April 2007

I just picked up a Mapex M birch 6 pc kit today. I think its one hell of a deal myself

Blindside · 23rd April 2007

Stay away from Pearl Export!!!!

A friend of mine just got a Pacific Maple set and it sounds AWESOME with the exception of the snare drum.

The toms absolutely sing. The bass drum cuts. The snare is decent, but not the highlight of the set.

I think he got the shell pack for like $550 at GC. That leaves $200-300 for a snare.

I'm a REALLY picky drummer and I sometimes get jealous when I play his set. It sounds crazy (I play Ayotte), but his toms are unbeatable.

danranges · 27th April 2007

mapex.

hands down.

21st August 2006	#1
Idiot Wind Gear interested Joined: May 2006 Posts: 6 Thread Starter	buying a new drum kit for the studio - best in the $750 range? I've been looking at the Pearl Export EX set as well as the Mapex M Birch Fusion set. My budget is pretty strict so please don't suggest $1000 kits. Oh, and the biggest problem is that I'm pretty much tied to Musician's Friend on this one as I have a lot of credit there. Which of these two do you think would be the best choice? This would be primarily for recording demos of rock bands. Thanks everyone.

21st August 2006	#5
True North Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario (Canada) Posts: 3,213	Buy something from Musician's Friend for $750 that you think you can resell for around the same price, sell it on Ebay and buy a used kit locally Seriously, if you can swing it somehow, buy a used kit as you will get way better value out of it. BUT to actually answer your question.. If given the choice between a Birch Shell (Mapex) and a Poplar Shell (Pearl) - I would chooe the birch especially for recording applications. Birch sheels tend to be less ringy and have a more focused sound that make them easier to tune. The Mapex seem to be a little better deal , The Pearl series you are looking at are their bottom of the line drums. Good Luck __________________ "In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey" - Beck, Loser "I do use compressors/limiters but not for controlling dynamics, I use EQ for that!" Jp22 (damn I miss him) "Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance." -- Will Durant, historian (1885-1981) "I try to get a boom out of the bass drum, in one of my albums, my CD, boom, I try to get that big boom, I could not get a big boom, I paid bucks, and could not get the boom" - Recording Expert, Tad Donley

21st August 2006	#7
unsilpauly Gear nut Joined: Feb 2006 Location: northampton, ma Posts: 118	i would go for either a pacific(dw) or mapex birch. i bought a pacific birch in march and it is really good sounding in a it should cost alot more kinda way. i have had many sets in my 20+ years of drumming and it is one of my favorites. i also own a custom maple grover drumset which is really nice and cost ALOT more. when tuned properly the pacific sounds as good but different. i would go with a birch and at some point get a maple as well then youll have alot of options for people. __________________ Paul Maiolo Madhouse Recording Studio

21st August 2006	#14
AdamJay Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 2,825	i love Ludwig Standards from the late 60's and early 70's same maple shells as the Classics, just with lugs that used a less expensive machining process. But they were available in far funkier wraps. i picked up a 1968 4 piece (20/12/14 + 14" matching snare) for around $360 and it sounds so good i would have spent twice that on it. I really did luck out on the price though. You can find 4 and 5 piece Std.'s on eBay for anywhere from $500 to $800 and they are well worth it. They record very well, and everyone i've had in to play on mine just loves it. On Std.'s, i like Remo Suede Emperor heads with Powerstroke kick heads. good luck! __________________

21st August 2006	#17
Rednose Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,439	I've had the Pearl Export in my studio. They sound great in the room, but don't translate well through the mics like top end kits. The Pearl master series is great, but its alot of $. I would buy used. Yahmaha, for the money there excelent. __________________ www.sonicpalacemusic.com www.myspace.com/sonicpalace

21st August 2006	#3
Open Sky Gear nut Joined: May 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 145	My advice is to buy used. If you don't know what to look for, get a drummer or friend to help you. It should be very easy to find a set in that price range and you may even get the cymbals to boot. Look through Craig's List or want ads until you find something. You will get SOOOOOOO much more for your money. Take your friend out to lunch as a thanks, and be glad you got something better than what you could have for $750 new. Best of luck.

21st August 2006	#6
idylldon Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2003 Location: Idyllwild, CA Posts: 2,611	I have a Gretsch Catalina Birch set in my studio and it has worked out very well. Every drummer who has played it has commented on how great it sounds in the room and how well that sound translates to the recordings. Yeah, I'm sure many would consider it a cheap, useless kit, but my experience suggests otherwise. Cheers, -- Don

21st August 2006	#8
redddog Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,856	Another vote for the Pacifics. I have a Maple LX that I pieced together for around $600 with Vintage Zildjians. They are as good as any drums I've heard. You can get those at MF.

21st August 2006	#9
lynyrd Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2005 Location: calgary canada Posts: 963	Personally I would go used and get better shells but between the Pearl Exports and the Mapex, I think I would swing toward the Mapex. I have never found Pearl Exports to have much warmth of tone. On the other side of it, the fellow who shares a rehearsal space with me has a lower end Mapex kit and it sounds ok.

21st August 2006	#10
davenutz Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2004 Location: New York CIty Posts: 276	the new pearl exports are bad....bad bad bad. mostly its the shell construction quality and bearing edges. ive seen new exports that came from the factory with splintered edges and separating plies. And ive seen 1980's export series drums that sound great and are in excellent physical shape...but the new production ones just dont hold up. the new production middle of the market mapex and pacific kits are still good...especially considering that while pearl is cutting the quality of the low end kits to promote super high end drums like Reference and Masterworks...mapex is increasing the sound quality and value of its low end kits by using more expensive wood that also allows for an increase in stability and durability. Pacific kits are the same deal as mapex. good value, good sound.

21st August 2006	#11
thermos Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 3,654	Get a Gretsch kit in that price range. Someone mentioned the Catalina Birch. Good. They sound good and don't get in the way. Pacifics are horrible to play on, as are DWs. They are slow to respond and can only do 1 sound, thus are real limited and uninspiring. I hate walking into a studio and having to play a DW or a Pacific.

21st August 2006	#12
digibird Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 555	Go with the Mapex. Very impressive quality for the $$. Even their little popcorn snare is built like a small tank. I think you'll be impressed with the hardware as well as the drums. Given your budget, I'd go with this one: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...Tom?sku=449728 Comes with Remo heads (probably Ambassadors all the way around) so you don't have to change the heads out as soon as you buy the kit. You just need someone that can tune the drums and they will sound great. I would gladly play that kit tonight, with a big smile.

21st August 2006	#18
Shandy Gear maniac Joined: Mar 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 230	I have a Gretsch Catalina Birch kit in my studio... I bought the shells used, nice'n'cheap. Forget how cheap, exactly, but definitely under 500 for the shells. Then I found a used set of 14" Zildian New Beats (fantastic hats), and a couple other random cymbals & stands on the cheap. The only thing I bought new was a full set of Remo pinstripe heads. It's sitting in a pretty tight room, and sounds good in there. Once in a while I'll bring it into the tracking room where it can breathe (and run, and play and dig) and a decent drummer can really make it sound like a great kit. Makes me wish I could play drums, actually.

21st August 2006	#19
David Brown Gear nut Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 112	For the price range you mentioned get a set of Gretsch Catilina Birch. David Brown

21st April 2007	#22
TheArchitect Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,131	I just picked up a Mapex M birch 6 pc kit today. I think its one hell of a deal myself

23rd April 2007	#23
Blindside Gear addict Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 485	Stay away from Pearl Export!!!! A friend of mine just got a Pacific Maple set and it sounds AWESOME with the exception of the snare drum. The toms absolutely sing. The bass drum cuts. The snare is decent, but not the highlight of the set. I think he got the shell pack for like $550 at GC. That leaves $200-300 for a snare. I'm a REALLY picky drummer and I sometimes get jealous when I play his set. It sounds crazy (I play Ayotte), but his toms are unbeatable.

27th April 2007	#24
danranges Gear nut Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 133	mapex. hands down.

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