Category 
Drums & Percussion
List of user reviews Drums & Percussion
- Product Yamaha Stage Custom By sanjuro on 10/15/2009 I would like to make music my profession
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Overall Opinion 
The Yamaha Stage Custom is a great step up from the beginner lines. It uses a great pack of birch shells that never fail to impress, and the hardware is rock solid, like in most Yamaha products. This is a common drum set I see at gigs or in studios. The number of products in a market usually isn’t an indicator of quality, but with the Yamaha Stage Custom is certainly is. I have never owned this kit, but have played on it many times and have owned similar, comparable Yamaha kits.
The birch wood shells sound really warm and bright. You can tell it is birch right away (if tuned properly), and the sound really lends itself to a recording situation. The toms are excellent, and can be tightened hard to produce a really crisp, high pitched timbale-like sound in smaller tom diameters. If left loose, they embrace deeper qualities, and the variation is surprising. The bass drum is good, especially when hollow. I really like the sound an empty birch bass drum makes in the studio. The snare is probably the weakest part, but that not saying much. It blends with the rest of the kit well.
The Yamaha hardware is one of the best parts to this kit. The ball in socket hardware is simple, but effective. It is bulky, in a good way, providing sturdy support and easy adjustment. It doesn't look super fancy, but it totally gets the job done. I have an eye for quality, so I feel that it looks great. The shells themselves are gorgeous, and the multiple shell pack options are all good. I was mostly familiar with the red/orange fade, which was great. I really suggest this product to anyone out there looking for an affordable birch kit with longevity and character. If maple is desired, spring for the tour custom. Otherwise, look no further.
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- Product Vic Firth Signature Steve Gadd By sanjuro on 10/15/2009 I would like to make music my profession
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Overall Opinion
There normally isn't a lot that can be said about drum sticks and brushes. The Steve Gadd Signature series deserves recognition because this combination has permanently worked its way into my playing. I Love both the sticks and brushes more than any other brand or line and they have serves me well for years. I am going to review both products, although the brushes are the only ones featured in the picture.
The Steve Gadd sticks are excellent. They are a little on the lighter side, if you are into that sort of thing. They have an interesting cylindrical head, not too angular or round. It produces really nice strokes on the ride and the shoulder crashes nice. There are both wood and nylon tips, I always prefer wood for sound. Nylon is better for durability. These sticks have served me well, although I have broken them on a few occasions playing live because they are light. They have a black coating which feels similar to the natural wood. It is a good balance of grip, but not too much friction. These sticks are very similar to the Dave Weckl signatures, which are also very good.
The brushes are really cool because they have a unique set of wires. The first 3/4 of the wires are angles to a different degree than the normal wires, so the ends are lifted up slightly. This helps prevent the brushes from getting caught on a really rough coating on a snare, and helps let them glide more smoothly. Of course, drummers have been playing without this technology for hundreds of years. It is just another minor improvement that is really nice to have. Other than that, these brushes are as good as the normal Vic Firth brushes. I love Steve Gadd for his playing and influence, but I also love him for the great products he has helped develop. These sticks/brushes are excellent.
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- Product Tama Iron Cobra Double Kick Powerglide By sanjuro on 10/15/2009 I would like to make music my profession
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Overall Opinion
Iron Cobra pedals (w/double kick power glide hardware) are among the best bass drum pedals on the market. I have never owned these personally but I have played them frequently and have extreme respect for their capabilities. They are all around great pedals and I see them all the time. TAMA has long been known to have extremely solid hardware, but the iron cobras really blew me away. I was never a super double bass heavy player, but most of my friends that play double bass all the time all use iron cobras.
The first thing I have got to say about these is that they are very smooth. I am not exactly sure how they worked it out, because all the springs and connectors look more or less standard, but the pedal control is immense. They are probably the best feeling pedals I have ever played, with both high and low tension being very comfortable. They are easy to adjust and quick to set up. Most models come with a case, which is extremely convenient, especially with the double pedal. There is also a holder for the tuning key underneath the footboard, which is minor but still cool. In my experience, the Iron Cobras are more prevalent in more progressive rock or metal genres of music. This is probably due to the prevalence of double bass work in these songs, but also the fact that the beaters on these pedals tend to create a more compressed sound.
The only reason why this pedal may be at a slight disadvantage is that it has slightly shorter footboards than the axis long boards or the high end pearl pedals. If you are looking for a longer footboard, it should be no surprise that the Axis Long board may be the better choice. Other than that, the Iron Cobra really pushes the envelope of great pedals.
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- Product Taye Drums Hardware Pack Z By sanjuro on 10/15/2009 I would like to make music my profession
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Overall Opinion
The Taye Drums Hardware Pack Z is a decent combination of 2 cymbal stands, a hi-hat stand, a bass drum pedal, and a snare drum stand. Most hardware packs of this level have the same contents. This came with my Taye Studio maple kit when I first bought it. The drum set was used, but the hardware in the Z pack was new. I wasn't in need of any extra hardware because I had a set of very heavy duty TAMA hardware that I was happy with, as well as my own set of pedals. However, I wasn't about to turn down the chance to try a new set of hardware for free, and I am glad I got the chance because the Taye Z Pack was actually very good.
All of these stands are double braced, which is one of the most important things to look for in hardware. They are billed as being not too heavy, but they are definitely solid. Both the crash/ride stands also have 3 points of adjustment along their body, which adds some ease and variability of adjustment. Many lower end cymbal stands only have 2 points of adjustment, and this can be a real pain. The snare stand is really convenient because of the bend it has at the neck. It is easier to raise or lower the snare head because of this and it is possible to tilt the snare at more unique angles. The hi-hat stand is pretty sturdy and the pedal is reasonable responsive. The top hi hat attachment stays in place for as long as it needs to. The only piece I wasn't totally satisfied with was the bass drum pedal, because it felt a bit clunky to play. It was slow to respond and difficult to adjust. I didn't expect much from a Taye bass pedal because that isn't their specialty. Considering that I have played extremely cheap pedals that feel better than this, it was a bit of a disappointment.Overall, this is a good hardware pack. I wouldn’t go out of my way for it, but if it comes with a purchase I recommend it.
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- Product Axis X-L2 Longboard Double Pedal By sanjuro on 10/11/2009 I would like to make music my profession
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Overall Opinion
- Axis has been making quality pedals for a long time. The Longboard double pedals are some of the best for all types of drummers because of their simplicity, ease of adjustment, and speed. I made the mistake early on in buying a more typical double bass pedal setup for a couple hundred bucks less than the Longboards. This was a mistake, and I often regret my decision because now I know how great the Longboards are since I have played them.
I originally noticed the Longboards because they have a longer foot pedal (about 2 inches). This makes it much easier to play heel toe technique if you have big feet, or experiment with slide technique. The surface is also smoother than a lot of other pedals, so this allows for quicker slide movement as well. These pedals have direct drive hardware and are extremely smooth. Both springs are side by side and it is easy to get them to a similar tension. Not many pedals are this easy to set up. The beaters are the most adjustable I have ever come across, and there are a few different types to try out depending on the situation. All these features surpass even the highest end of DW pedals, Tama pedals, and many others. The only double bass pedals that can compare to these would be the Iron Cobras.
It is amazing how important bass drum comfort and confidence is. This is quickly learned the hard way when you are forced to play on an unfamiliar pedal. Playing the Axis felt good right away, and now my DW pedals feel like some stranger's. I am looking to get the Longboards as soon as I can. I suggest these pedals, you're not going to regret a decision that will reward you time and time again.
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- Product Gretsch Catalina Birch By sanjuro on 10/11/2009 I would like to make music my profession
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Overall Opinion
- The Gretsch Catalina Birch is one of the best deals out there. It costs only a few hundred dollars more than the entry level range, but it sounds and looks miles ahead of entry level. Because of the value, I usually recommend this kit to new drummers rather than a cheaper set because even after you grow out of the Catalina Birch and look for a high end pro kit, you can still appreciate its sounds and possible use it for gigs or practice or whatever else.
The birch wood is a really nice upgrade from the cheap mahogany or mixed shells of entry level kits. The toms sound great, even with the really thin stock heads it came with. The snare is also excellent, with a broad tunable range. I could get it high pitched and poppy or loose and deep no problem, with both sides of the spectrum being acceptable. The bass drum sounded a little ringy and inconsistent. probably because of the stock heads. This was nothing that new bass drum heads or a pillow couldn't fix. It balanced with the rest of the kit, and all the toms matched as the sizes changed. More than most kits, the toms blended with the bass drum when tuning.
The shells I played had the same look as in this picture, a red glossy finish. This is another thing that the Catalina Birch line has going for it, as every model looks amazing. The beautiful, high end look goes well with the high end sound. Again, it really highlights how great of a deal this is. The mounting hardware is not super sturdy by any means, but is as good as any other comparable setup. The toms are sort of hard to get where you want them to go initially, but they stay there when you tighten them up. Unless you are going to be taking this hardware apart all the time and reassembling it, it is not necessary to upgrade the hardware at all. In general, the Catalina Birch seemed exceptionally durable. This is one of the best deals available.
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- Product Gretsch Catalina Club 16'' By sanjuro on 10/11/2009 I would like to make music my profession
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Overall Opinion
- The Gretsch Catalina Club is an extremely fun kit to play. It is so small, but can produce considerable volumes with proper technique and tuning if necessary. I first played this at my friends house, and this was the first kit he ever owned. We had a lot of fun putting on new heads and tuning it up. Because it has such small sizes, and is primarily a jazz kit, we put fiberskyn drum heads on all the drums to produce a richer jazz sound. The result was perfection. The toms sounded super warm and ringy, in a good way of course. The bass drum had just the right amount of punch, and the snare cracked like it was 30 years old. The drums were so responsive to brushes and hot rods witht he fiberskyn heads that they were all I wanted to play.
The hardware is reasonable stable, nothing amazing. One small issue I had with this setup is that because the drums are so small, if you are used to playing with a lot of space (like I am), the distances of the drums from eachother seem immense. This isn't a really big deal, especially if you like tighter set ups anyways. The kit that I played had the ebony crystal shells, and it was truly breathtaking. All the different shell variations have great, retro looking wraps. I am a huge fan of all Gretsch drums, from the beginning up. However, I think that this is my current favorite because of the affordability and uniqueness. For anyone looking to get into jazz, this is the kit for you. If you play this, it makes you feel like Joe Morello whether you like jazz or not. Truly one of the most entertaining kits I have ever played. It is also so small and convenient to travel with that it can serve the same purpose as other small gig kits. The Taye go kit is an excellent option for portability, but for a lower price and better jazz capability this is a great option.
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- Product Paiste 505 Hit-Hat 14" By sanjuro on 10/11/2009 I would like to make music my profession
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Overall Opinion
- This was the first set of hi hats I ever bought, and I still occaisionally gig with them today. The 505's are a really interesting line because people often mistake them for the 2002's. The 505's are considered lower quality, but have an extremely similar alloy and lathing make up. 505's are often really old, cus there are a lot of used models for sale at killer prices. I really liked these hi hats when I played them and they felt really great. The chick is punchy and the stick definition is really chunky. When opened, the wash is powerful and raw, but not too crazy. The only gripe I have with the sound is that the splashes don't sound very good. There is a lot of unnecessary ringing and it is difficult to get the splashes even. This is surprising considering the cymbal's other attributes. They are very versatile in a rock or funk context due to the powerful sounds and a middle ground of brigh/dark tones. It is trashy enough to groove out and really fool around with but clean enough to get in the pocket and chill.
They don't look too spectacular because they are dark and uniform. Unless you are using paiste 505's or 2002's, these might clash with the overall look of the drum set. Of course, cymbals should be purchased on sound not sight. They are very versatile, and in many years of treating these badly and kicking em around from gig to gig they never sound or look and worse. These are probably the most durable cymbals I have. Like I said earlier, they are usually very reasonable priced for what you get. Whether for a veteran looking for a gigging pair of hats to beat up or a beginner looking to upgrade their stock cymbals, the Paiste 505's are a good all around choice.
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- Product Pearl export By sanjuro on 10/11/2009 I would like to make music my profession
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Overall Opinion
- The Pearl Export series is an extremely popular drumset. It is so common that I think I have seen more of these than any other set when gigging. This is surprising, because I find the export series to be extremely overrated and overpriced. For a kit comparable to that of a Yamaha stage custom, it is way too expensive for my liking when such good kits are available at this price.
I have never owned an export, but I have played enough to know that they are not my style. The tom shells have a really deep tone to them, but are difficult to get more musical qualities out. If you like heavy toms this is ok, but they are limited in complexity. The snare is decent, but rings more than necessary even when tuned with a thick batter. The bass drum is probably the highlight, because it is extremely powerful. However, it is not consitant with the toms and does not blend well. One strong point is the hardware, which is actually pretty sturdy. It is fairly similar to the hardware in the pro Pearl lines. The drum lugs are easy to adjust and take off, though I don't like the look of them joining in the middle of the drum.
In general, I am a fan of pearl drums. The higher end maple kits are amazing, and they offer many options. However, the lower end Pearl Forum and Export can't come close to competing with the other comparable lines, such as Yamaha, Ludwig, or Gretsch. I don't mean to judge a drumset too harshly, but I have played many different exports in many sizes and have not been impressed. I would not recommend this, but for a similar price would spring for a Yamaha Stage Custom or a Gretsch Catalina.
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- Product Pearl Forum By sanjuro on 10/11/2009 I would like to make music my profession
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Overall Opinion
- The Pearl Forum is my least favorite entry level kit. I have had many bad experiences with this model, and I regret to admit that at one time I had one of these in my house. The sound is bad, the hardware is low quality, the shells don't look good, and wost of all, there are many better options out there.
The pearl forum starts the Pearl drumset lines. This is a shame because it can give a really bad impression of a very solid drum company. First, the toms don't sound good. I don't even know what kind of wood it is made from because their website didn't say. The toms sounded pretty bad, and the snare was terrible. The bass drum was the best part, but that might have been because it was muffled. The hardware was very low quality. I was playing a gig on a pearl forum one time in high school and the snare clamp totally fell of the drum. The snare hardware literally fell apart, and i wasn't even striking it hard. The lugs are few in number, making it difficult to tune the toms and especially the snare. The look of it is pretty boring, with substandard coated shells. Overall, this kit screams entry level. of course, if you can get a good deal on a Forum than go for it, it isn't that bad. It is acceptable for a practice kit, but not much else. I would never take this to a gig.
Not much unlike the Pearl Export, the worst thing about this is the value when other comperable models are considered. The Yamaha Rydeen is a much better choice for an entry level set. Look at other reviews, and they will show this.
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