[humblehermit]

Hi Everyone,
I'm in the market for a small no-frills kit and could use some recommendations and/or advice.

Info:
- Music Style: as versatile a kit as possible would be nice as I play with many different people. In general though, the jazz-rock-funk-blues-hiphop-latin -ish describes my tastes. I usually to prefer to play quietly, but don't often use brushes (though I do often use wooden doweling sticks). I prefer a soft/warm tone to a bright/crisp...but some balance is obviously good.

- Experience: 7-years, I've only ever owned one acoustic kit (dumpy no-name), but plan to play the drums into the forseeable future and am prepared to invest around $1500 into a nice new kit that will last.

I'd like a kit that is small (4pc jazz?), compact, but doesn't sound like a toy, but unfortunately I'm not familiar with brands, wood-types etc. A little internet browsing yielded two possibles:

-Gretsch Catalina Club Jazz (mohagany I believe)
-Ludwig Epic X-Over Jazzette (some combination of walnut and maple)

Anyone played on either of these and can comment on the sound, feel, build-quality? Unfortunately, no store in my city carries either of these, so I'm unable to actually try them myself.

...or other recommendations? Mapex, Sonar?...

Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
HH

[dtxtremeiiispecial]

The Gretsch Catalina Club has a great reputation, but there is no substitute for playing the set yourself or listening to someone play it. Your ear is simply not the same as anybody else's. For a $1,500 expenditure, it might be worthwhile to get to a city where you can do that.

	Gretsch Drums Shop for Gretsch Drums at Musician's Friend

[Der Trommler]

If you want warm tone then look for a kit in Birch or Mahogany. As dtx has already mentioned the Gretsch Catalina is a good one to look at, you may also want to consider a Yamaha Stage Custom.

	Yamaha Drums Shop for Yamaha Drums at Musician's Friend

	Gretsch Drums Shop for Gretsch Drums at Musician's Friend

[humblehermit]

Yes, it would appear that the Gretsch Catalina Club Jazz kits steal the show in this category. Internet reviews for "jazz kit" invariably come back to this kit, without many consistent contenders.

...which is why I was sort of curious about other brands and their reputations when it comes to versatile compact kits. ...does Gretsch really have most of the market here?

	Gretsch Drums Shop for Gretsch Drums at Musician's Friend

[Der Trommler]

They have marketed their Catalina Jazz kit a little better than others have, I think that is why you see them the most in a search of the net. Mapex had the Meridian Jazz but I believe they don't market it that way anymore they simply call it the Meridian Birch now, and DW has their Jazz series drums.

I think that a Jazz style kit is dictated by shell material, bearing edge and shell sizes. With that in mind you really could end up with any manufacturer that sounds good to you.

	Mapex Drums Shop for Mapex Drums at Musician's Friend

	DW Drums Shop for DW Drums at Musician's Friend

[A-Ro]

I would look into PDP's Platinum Series. They offer different configurations (I personally went with the one up, one down config) and sound amazing!

North American maple and made just accross the border (in the old Fender plant). They [B]are[/B pro level kits.

[slingerland]

Both these drumsets are on E-Bay right now, if your interested.