4 replies to this topic

[piggy8692]

I'm just wondering what if any name brands have any specific attributes that they are known for.

Like, what brand make the most durable drums vs what brand seems to have a lot of quality issues. I'd like to know what it is that makes certain brands stand out. What brands give you the most bang for your buck, what brands are better for what genres, who has good customer service?

I just find myself liking a lot of different brands, but don't have the info I'm looking for to make a decision that will fit what I'm looking for. Or, maybe I'm just putting too much thought into it.

[israbatista]

I'm just wondering what if any name brands have any specific attributes that they are known for.

- Yes they do , each have different woods/hardware/sizes/ bearing edges /finish/veneers

Like, what brand make the most durable drums vs what brand seems to have a lot of quality issues.

- basically most of the brands high end kits are good quality . The entry level kits are the one that you will have qualitiy issues , just cause your paying less

I'd like to know what it is that makes certain brands stand out.

-time in the bussiness , specific desing , price , looks , special features . Artist that used them.

What brands give you the most bang for your buck,

- usually the big companies : tama , pearl , yamaha , pdp(dw),ddrum ,gretsch,sonor ,mapex,ludwing

what brands are better for what genres?

- usually you base that on the wood / tone / looks /sizes

Example : gretsh are known for their capability to tune them high and still get a nice fat tone , thin shells , so basically for jazz/bebop they are amazing.

C&C drums focus on a vintage sound and look , they make a lot of drums of mahogany and poplar , so people mostly use them for a vintage sound.

Dw,tama,pearl,mapex are mostly designed for a more modern sound , craZy shell sizes , finishes and even the sound.



who has good customer service?

-Most big companies do , usually entry chinese level kits wont even have a customer service.

I just find myself liking a lot of different brands, but don't have the info I'm looking for to make a decision that will fit what I'm looking for. Or, maybe I'm just putting too much thought into it.

-Yes you are , just buy what it feels right to you an your budget.

I personally wont buy a brand , cause i discovered that making my own drums give me my unique sound, its cheaper , i can make them how ever i want them to be , and it feels amaZing when you hear it in the studio.

Hope it helped


-isra

[mouse]

Find at kit you like the look or sound of and read as many reviews as you can. Magazine/professional reviews and user reviews.

Most of the big companies have good after sales service, but choose the shop you buy the kit from, as service begins with them. The shop should let you try any kit they stock for as long as It takes you to be satisfied.

[KBaker]

Also talk to drummers who have used various brands over the years. Be careful asking someone at a shop what they think. They are there to make money, not necessarily find the kit that suits you best. In theory you would hope they would find the kit that suits you so they would get your repeat business, and get the word of mouth. That really isn't the case from my experience though. I did a ton of research when I bought my last kit. Took a bit of a gamble going with a company that had only been around for 1.5 years. But they had a ton of BIG artists, and won some NAMM awards. I liked the look of their drums, watched a TON of videos on people playing them and giving reviews of them. Drums are EXPENSIVE... Do as much research as you can possibly do.

[Assassin]

KBaker made some great points. Drums are expensive so make sure you purchase what you like based on sound and performance or you will never be happy. Research some of your favorite drummers that you like and make note of their style and sound they get from their kit and then you can begin to create a starting point. Either way there are alot of great drum companies out there so you have several options to get it right.