The OFFICIAL Unofficial Achewood Message Board
Trivial Pursuits => Arts & Entertainment => Topic started by: Nabubrush on March 27, 2007, 12:27:32 am
-
So, it's my sweet darling's birthday on Wednesday and I'm going to get her a kit. Her brother is going to help me. He plays professionally (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:8e61mpb39fco~T1), but what kind of advice can you give me, considering I'm going to have this kit in my basement for the rest of my life?
-
but what kind of advice can you give me, considering I'm going to have this kit in my basement for the rest of my life?
Don't...
I have a Mapex kit, which is pretty decent for the cost, but not hugely expensive. I could certainly recommend them with confidence. My mate's new Mapex kit is rather swish and all. What I'd ideally like is a Gretsch kit, but that's taking into account real quality and such. As far as the cheaper end for starting out, I really don't know... I'd have thought it'd definitely be worth looking at second hand, as you can get them for like, half the price with no noticable wear. And if noise might be an issue, take a look at split bamboo sticks.
-
The drummer in our band plays an old Ludwig kit. Another good friend of mine plays a new Gretsch kit.
Have you considered something like this (http://www.roland.com/V-Drums/)?
-
Dammit, Nabu. You win -- you have a lovely wife and she's a drummer to boot.
-
Oh man.
All my understandings of drummer jokes have been turned topsy-turvy.
How can a drummer without a girlfriend be homeless if married ladies can be drummers?
-
Married to a drummer chick? What is this, Gilmore Girls?
-
Married to a drummer chick? What is this, Gilmore Girls?
Don't get me started - it's like winning 350 million in the lottery.
-
Don't get me started - it's like winning 350 million in the lottery.
Insert "Rhythm Method" joke here....
-
Bing.
Bang.
Pow.
-
Nabu...
You Rule!!!
-
Curses! I have the perfect person to ask, but I don't know if I'll be able to talk to him before Wednesday. I'll see what I can do. :)
Happy Birthday to your lady, Nabu!
-
Well first, the mail order company I always trusted the most was American Musical Supply (http://www.americanmusical.com/). I bought a few guitars and other hardware from them and they were always flawless. Probably cost a bunch to ship a five piece kit, but if you don't want to lug it home from the music store, they're a solid way to go.
If you want a quality amateur level kit, you can't go wrong with Pearl Exports. The kit probably runs between 6-7 bills, very reasonable kit to start out with if you don't want to get a crappy entry-level set. But if you want to get something really inspiring, my favorite brand is DW (drum workshop). I don't know the names of their models, but the kit is going to run at least 2g's. Gorgeous drums though. Little overpriced, but man are they beautiful.
New kits come with cymbal stands. Perhaps you might want to pick up an extra stand if you want to get an extra cymbal. Nothing I love more than a rainbow of cymbals.
Now, buying the cymbals is the most fun part if you ask me. A great entry level set would be the 4 piece Sabian B8 Pro's. When I had a kit, I only used Sabians, but about 50% of drummers will swear by Zildjians. I hate Zildjians bad, probably because I never really played drums with a rock style. I think Sabians are alot more versatile. Anyway, B8's are their cheapest line and sound pretty bad, but the B8 Pros were very nice cymbals, I had a set of B8 Pro hats and they were great. I don't even know if they make them anymore. But a real good set of cymbals is going to be 3-4 bills, like Sabian AA's or the mid-level Zildjians (I think I'm thinking of the 'A' line).
But I'll tell you what I would get if I was making a set-up today: first off, 13" hats. Standard is 14", but the 13" would give a little better control, and be a little quieter too, considering the hats can be the loudest part of the kit. If I could find 13" B8 Pro's, that would be gold. Second, you got to have a great ride. My favorite ride in the world was Sabian AAX 20" Metal Ride. Now, it claims it was for metal, but it was alot more versatile than the name let on. Real bright, with a huge bell that really rang like a bell. I loved riding on the bell of that ride, it was really bold, but man it was sweet at the same time. Expensive cymbal, but worth it. Then, you need a 16" crash. I would put up a Zildjian A. Despite my hate for the brand, I feel their crashes were quality, but whatever, a crash is a crash, I never paid the crash too much mind. Still kind of an expensive cymbal, if you strongly agree a crash is a just a crash, then really any cymbal will do. And if you want to throw on an extra cymbal and stand, then I say get something creative, like a China cymbal. Or you can go standard, and put on a 14" crash. Or tighten up a bit and do an 8" splash. Ooh, I used to have this 8" Sabian AAX china splash, that was pimp.
Man, I loved hittin' cymbals, all kinds. I sold my kit and all my hardware and cymbals are on loan. Only got a djembe now, but that's all I need. Anyway, let us know what you decide on.
Oh, and if you want to score points with fun little stuff, make sure to get a real nice, thick, comfy throne, a cowbell, and maybe a hat-stand tamborine that you attach above the hats.
Fuck, I can't wait 'till I get a new kit.
-
Oh yeah, eBay is a great place for cymbals.
Also, if you something between amateur level and upper end, I would look at Tama, Mapex. Keep your eyes open for a set of Pearl Sessions with a Wine Red satin finish, probably would go for 1.1-1.2k.
-
Second-hand Pearl set (looks brand new). Sabian cymbals. I even got a shitty little six-string. You know what comes next, right? Worst song, played on ugliest guitar. (http://achewood.com/index.php?date=07172002)
-
Sounds like the Exports. What line of Sabians?
-
I was an all state clarinetist (sexy) and an all county guitarist before I asked my mother for a drum set. She responded by giving me a drum she found in my grandfather's attic and a rubber pad from the music store that is used for quietly practicing drum beats. Within a month I realized that I couldn't progress past basic drum beats with front lead music.
Summary: Be absolutely sure you want a drum set before you spend the $100+ on one.
-
I was an all state clarinetist (sexy) and an all county guitarist before I asked my mother for a drum set. She responded by giving me a drum she found in my grandfather's attic and a rubber pad from the music store that is used for quietly practicing drum beats. Within a month I realized that I couldn't progress past basic drum beats with front lead music.
Summary: Be absolutely sure you want a drum set before you spend the $100+ on one.
Timely as always.
-
I really want to get some cheap-ass drums and learn just basic beats. This is my summer goal.
Based on some things my friends here at school have said, my plan is to find someone whose older, formerly drum-playing brother has moved out.
Such as my friend Katie. Whose brother hasn't played his drums since he moved out when he graduated from college. If only St Louis weren't so far from Charlotte...
-
I betcha you and I could track down the shins or the decemberists and roll their drummer.
Then the set would be both professional, and have a story.
Let me know.
-
I betcha you and I could track down the shins or the decemberists and roll their drummer.
Then the set would be both professional, and have a story.
Let me know.
You know, it's funny you mention that - the drummer for Modest penis was in the shop when we bought the kit last night. I looked furtively for Johnny Marr, but he wasn't around.
And yes, RG, they are Pearl EX export series. The cymbals are Sabian B8 Pros.
-
I really want to get some cheap-ass drums and learn just basic beats. This is my summer goal.
Something cheap that is great to start out on is an electronic kit like this: this. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000KLJW3A/wwwdealticouk-ce-21/ref=nosim)
A piece like that you can easily keep and play in a dorm, but the problem will be every person in the world wanting to play it for extended periods of time. Even play 'em with headphones.
The best thing about those kits is that they come with programmed beats that you play along with and essentially the machine gives you basic to intermediate drum lessons. Good to start out on because a real kit is pretty intimidating when you don't know what to do.
And yes, RG, they are Pearl EX export series. The cymbals are Sabian B8 Pros.
Very nice. Much perfect!
-
yeah... my little brother has something like that somewhere in our basement.
my punk band will be so cool. my friend will play guitar, and I will play the electronic drum machine.
-
I kept meaning to put together some electronic drums from practice pads with piezo sensors in, and hook them up through a midi brain to use Kontakt on the computer, but I am too lazy and got a kit instead. I always wanted an electronic kit that would be well, like a real drum layout and all.
The noise levels would have been ideal mind, but still, I ended up continuing to live in the middle of nowhere...
-
I knew of a drummer who, when playing live sets in radio interviews, would bring in a 5-year-old's toy drum set because
1) It fit in radio studios easily
2) It offered more options than "Palm on guitar case" and "Edge of palm on guitar case" for these sessions
3) It made him feel like A GIANT DRUMMER HERE TO CRUSH YOU
This is not pertinent at all, but I enjoyed the thought.