[tfondrums]

I agree with you on the cymbals. Most less expensive cymbals just don't have the tone of higher end products. Most drum makers have such good mid range kits right now that I think the money is better spent on high quality cymbals and drum heads. I happen to prefer birch drums over maple and with 2010 models now out, Pearl Vision, Tama Superstar, Mapex Merdian birch, Sonor Force 2007 would all require complete head changes but with that extra couple hundred bucks spent would pretty easily compete and even exceed the sound of many drum sets costing far more, leaving a good budget for upper end cymbals if you don't already have them.