Hello!

kelmo · #1 (**permalink**) 04-05-2007, 03:08 AM

Hello everyone, my name is kelly and i am currently a junior in highschool. I am in a band and I have been playing the drums for about three years. i currently have a pearl export kit (made out of poplar) and i feel the need to upgrade. i have kind of narrowed my search down to four different kits. the tama starclassic, a pearl masters, a DW, or a Pork Pie. All i need are the shells and mounts and i am pretty sure i want an 8x10, 9x12, and 11or12x14 toms, and either a 20x20, or a 16or18x22 kick. any advice, comments, or help would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

**skinslapper** · #2 (**permalink**) 04-05-2007, 06:30 PM

Good lord girly! That's a lot to be spending on your next kit. I'm looking to upgrade from my export after 13 years of drumming and I'm hopful I can get a pro-m or catalina maple.

Anyway, you've gone straight for the top of the line there, so I think it all comes down to your personal preferances. I'd strongly advise you go and play all these kits to know exactly what you're buying and then just just have fun with it. Colours, hardware, mounts, the world is your oyster wrapped drum kit.

kelmo · #3 (**permalink**) 04-06-2007, 12:00 AM

I guess the name threw you off a little. I am in fact a male,

haha! thanks for the advice though. i'm probably going to go to a music store this weekend and i know they will have most of the sets i'm looking for. do you know any specifics on these different sets or any other sets that are close to the quality?

shazaam · #4 (**permalink**) 04-06-2007, 12:04 AM

them brands are definatley all good. I'm sorta biased towards Pearl, dunno why, just like there kits. I didn't know that Pork Pie made sets/shells for sets... thought it was only snares and some hardware...? And I'd just do what skinslapper said , go play on the sets you're looking at if you can first

kelmo · #5 (**permalink**) 04-06-2007, 01:53 PM

yah, i've hit a few toms on a pork pie set, they sound pretty sweet. it had a 20x20 bass drum and it was a freaking cannon! it looked so little but the sound was huge. i'm definately going this weekend to play some more sets.

What is everyones preference on laquers, stains, and wraps??? I think i'll go with a wrap because they're cheaper but I don't no??

shazaam · #6 (**permalink**) 04-06-2007, 02:41 PM

I like natural wood, with some gloss coat to make that wood shine. That or some of the "prizm" designs from Pearl and Gretsch.

**skinslapper** · #7 (**permalink**) 04-06-2007, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelmo

I guess the name threw you off a little. I am in fact a male,

haha!

Well I feel sheepish.

Anyway, We don't get pork pie down under so I can't really comment on them. DW are my choice, hands down, the best drums I have ever played. After that I put all the others on an even keel. You're looking at the best of the best, it's realy just gonna come down to your preferance.

I don't about availability over there, but have you considered Brady drums. High quality, beautiful looking sets from western australia, my home state. Check them out here http://www.bradydrums.com.au/

As for finishes, anything but a wrap for me. I feel the laminate and glue detracts too much from the shell sound. I personally prefer satin finish as it hides more wear and doesn't look too flashy.

What sort of wood are you interested in?

kelmo · #8 (**permalink**) 04-12-2007, 02:08 AM

yah, pork pie has only one factory with eight workers, pretty small but they sound great. I played one at skips (a local dealer) and the toms just sang. they were soooo clear and warm. very nice kit. it was an 8x10 9x12 and 12x14 with a 20x20 kick. very intersting sound from that kick, i'm not too sure on what size i want. (any help or ideas about bass drum sizes would be appreciated!!!) i also played a DW... the kick was booming but the toms didn't sound as appealing to me as the porks??? i dont know, maybe it was the tuning. i also played at tama starclassic. i hit the kick and i didn't really like it. it was too short and not that powerfull.
i actually have heard about brady. i've looked a lot on westcoastdrums.com (which bassically has everything you could possibly need for the drums) which is where i came accross them. they look nice, i just haven't ever heard them.
as for the laquers and what not. the guy at skips told me that a wrap barely takes away from the sound and volume of a drum. he said if he had the exact same drum side by side, one with wrap and one with a finish, i wouldn't be able to tell the difference... but i'm not too sure. i also kind of want a wrap because it protects the drum from dings and scratches.
as for the wood. I am pretty sure i want a maple kit because of the warmth and even quality of tones that it has, but i have never played a birch set, so i am not too sure??? i dont think i want a mahoganny just because they're not as popular, and i'm guessing thats for a reason...
anyway i appreciate all the feedback and i hope to hear from you soon!!

Scotty_G_1080 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-14-2007, 12:28 PM

Well just to let you know i just got Pearl Masters Studio BRX and I think the birch shells sound great. If your thinking about getting pearl masters going with either maple or birch all depends on your prefrence. I think the BRX line is also slightly cheaper than the other maple lines. But whatever you end up getting you should be happy with as it sounds like you got a bit of cash to spend.

kelmo · #10 (**permalink**) 04-14-2007, 07:46 PM

hey scotty, thanks for the reply. what does your birch kit sound like? i know that birch is big in the high and low and that maple is even all around but what does that mean? do your toms resonate a lot? does the wood affect the resonation, or is that the heads? if you or anyone else knows, please fill me in.
thanks, kelly

Hello!

Hello!

haha!

thx

I played the Porks!!

Masters BRX

Birch or Maple