Pearl Rhythm Traveler advice

Buddy · #11 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gazeppe23

I want to get a good practice kit for my condo and i've tried the elctronic kits and didn't like it. Anyone have suggestions? I like the Hipgig from Yamaha but damm! 2K!

Dude! are you like loaded or what? Not a practice set. and for your condo?

Dude! do you have like other practice sets? whats your performance set?

The Rev · #12 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by escalade

My friend is a beginner and wants a set that is compact and easy to lug around. Has anyone had any experience with the pearl rhythm traveler? The thing has no reso heads and the bass is really short in depth. how's the sound on the thing? Would you be able to play gigs on it?

I can't say they're the greatest, If he wants something to lug around a lot just tell him to get the DW Go-Anywhere, And for a beginner, I'd suggest the Pearl Target, Pearl Export, or Tama swingstar :P

MTTC · #13 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 03:54 PM

I have a Pearl Rhythm Traveler and have used it on 25+ gigs.

Pros: Small enough to fit on almost any size stage. Quick set up and take down.
Fits in almost any size vehicle. The mesh heads are great for apartments.

With some quality heads (Aquarian, Evans Black), the bass drum has some quality punch to it.
Snare is a B-B+, not bad, but not overly impressive, even with high quality heads.

Cons:
As said before, the toms have a roto sound to them. . . not a very full sound.
From a presence standpoint, can look puny depending on the rest of the bands set-up.

The sound guy always gives it a once over but all have commented on the quality of the bass drum sound.

drumn00b · #14 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gazeppe23

I want to get a good practice kit for my condo and i've tried the elctronic kits and didn't like it. Anyone have suggestions? I like the Hipgig from Yamaha but damm! 2K!

The new Dixon stuff is pretty good, but of course you'll want new cymbals. It's not a bad price though. About $350 or $400, if I'm correct. Maybe a little less?(I hear the Demon is good)

slingerland · #15 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 05:15 PM

I think your friend has to really take a good look at the Rhythm Traveler and another set like a Pearl export for example, and ask himself which set can he picture himself sitting behind. If he's really stressed over lugging drums around he shouldn't be playing drums, Maybe a Harmonica is what he really needs.

Infero Exicution · #16 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 05:51 PM

Exports have been discontinued for a while. So if he wants an export, he would have to get it used. and they don't sound good heavily used. In my ears at least. Pearl redid that in there Vision line. But the prices on them aren't the best for a beginner.
So I would say avoid Rhythm Travelers, and used exports. GO for Pearl forums, or even the sound Check set. By Pearl. But tama offers The rockstar set which is similar to the Visions, but $500 and they do sound nice. My friend owns one. Nice attack on the drums, and attack is one feature to there drums Tama likes to focus on. Gretsch has there Catalina Ash as well as there other catalina drums. The ash is mellow sounding so selecting drums also needs your personal preference. Which ever drums sound the best to you and your wallet. There are a lot of drums out there. We are here to provide you with logical choices for you consider. The rest is up to you.

jazzman01 · #17 (**permalink**) 11-03-2011, 04:38 PM

Hi everyone,

I have the Pearl Rhythm Traveler as a second drum set to my main one and it's pretty good but if you are a beginner then I would have to agree with the other posts on here is learn on a proper kit. The Rhythm Traveler is good if you are already playing and want a handy kit for gigs in addition to your main set up. Miked up, this kit will sound good but the absence of a reso head makes the toms sound rather high pitched so put on some good Remo Heads and get rid of the trash can cymbals that come with the kit. The snare is pretty good sounding with a fair crack or looser sound if you want and the throw off mechanism is very smooth. The hardware is pretty solid as you would expect from Pearl and the mesh heads make for good silent practice. To sum up, a good little second kit for practice recording or light gig but don't expect it to blow your mind away