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limeydog
New Contributer
United Kingdom
15 Posts |
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Muttzknuttz1
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
347 Posts |
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dan
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
548 Posts |
 Posted - 28/02/2010 : 14:03:14
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A big NO to your shortlist for exactly the reasons highlighted by Muttznuttz1.
I would look out for
- Premier APK or XPK (Cabria kits not so good generally)
- Mapex V or VX or for perhaps a little more money M Birch
- Sonor 503, 507, 2000, 2001 or 2003 (503 being the cheapest)
- Yamaha Rydeen or Power V or Gigmaker (current model but not as good IMO)
- Tama Swingstar or Rockstar or Rockstar Pro
There are plenty of other kits which would do the job but all of the above kits are well constructed, will take some punishment and with a good set of heads and some effort taken to tune well will sound very nice.
Also if looked after you should get back roughly what you payed for them a few years down the line (unlike your original choice).
Feel free to post again if you see something you like. Someone will help.
Welcome to the forum by the way and to the highly infectious world of drums!
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finn the drummer
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
539 Posts |
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limeydog
New Contributer
United Kingdom
15 Posts |
Posted - 28/02/2010 : 16:51:40
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Guys, I can't thank you enough.
We have deleted our previous short-list on your advice, looked at all the brands and links you suggested. And are now watching a Tama Rockstar, a Yamaha Power V and 2 Mapex V's. Obviously location and my son's 'don't like that colour' also playing their part.
Thanks |
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Ian Savage
Advanced Contributer
591 Posts |
Posted - 28/02/2010 : 17:09:46
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Heh, i know the feeling  just so we can point some more considered bargains your way, whereabouts in the world are you?
Oh, and be sure to keep a weather eye on the 'eBay Gum' section here, there's some ABSOLUTE bargains crop up there from time to time. |
Premier, Zildjian, (Stagg), Gibraltar - for hire! |
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finn the drummer
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
539 Posts |
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dan
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
548 Posts |
Posted - 28/02/2010 : 18:07:25
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Good man Limeydog - keep us posted - and yeah, what part of the world are you in?
Someone posted a Premier XPK which went for £120 buy it now this morning - no stands or cymbals but there are plenty of places to get those from. If it were my son starting our I would have snapped those up.
As I say - Keep us posted. |
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luke3030
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
7818 Posts |
Posted - 28/02/2010 : 22:10:27
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| Please dont let your son rule colour over the sound of any kit. Big first time buyer mistake. |
Wanted - DW Collectors in Broken Glass, Mapex Saturn in RootBeer Burst and Laser Ivory. |
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limeydog
New Contributer
United Kingdom
15 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2010 : 01:36:33
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Hey guys,
We are in the UK, specifically on the border of South London and Surrey. Most second hand kits need picking up and I am not keen to have to drive for more than about an hour to get the kit. Thanks for the support and any help is welcomed. I am so thrilled he has taken up drums. I have been gently pushing him towards musical instruments for a couple of years now, we have a guitar, a piano, a banjo and several ukuleles in the house - but none have caught his imagination (fyi - these are my instruments but I am lame at all of them). I think playing an instrument is just one of the best things you can do with your life (no matter how good or bad).
Of course, he wasn't gonna do what I suggested. It was he that turned around to me and told me he wanted to do drums. What's more, he has really stood his ground about having an acoustic kit. I tried to ween him to an electric kit so we could have them in our house (terrace), but he wasn't having it. So I have found a hall where he can practice, in addition to his 1hour week lessons with a drum teacher. All we need to do now is get him his own kit. If you spot any on Ebay that you think we should go for, do let me know. He is heavily swayed by colour, logo and name - he's only 9, but I think we will manage to reach some compromise there. These are the kits we are now watching:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320491241348&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1182
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170452186143&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1182
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190376679985&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1182
Actually, as we are talking, perhaps you could enlighten me about a couple of things we are going to have to address:
1) We will have to set the drums up at the hall everytime he practises, we can't store them at the hall. Once we have got the knack of it, how long will it take us to set it up each time?
2) My boy would dearly like to play them at home too, but if they sound like normal drums, I don't think the neigbours will be having it. I know you can get rubber dampers to put on the drums to quieten them down. Are these any good? Are there other ways (drape T-shirts over the heads?) He's only nine so he doesn't play them as heavily as an adult. Is it possible to practice, hitting the drums more lightly to keep the sound down - or does that just not work in practise?
Thanks for the support everyone, really appreciated.
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D.C.
Excellent Contributer
United Kingdom
150 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2010 : 12:01:44
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Id keep an eye on the Tama,of the three.Looks like a tidy kit and Tama stuff is generally pretty well made.Plus its a nice colour.the Yamaha has bits missing which will set you back another couple of your hard earneds for new rims and bottom skins if you wanted the kit to be complete.
As for practicing ? tea towels are fine but you loose a fair bit of response from the heads when doing this.Iv not personally tried any other methods cos when i was a kid my mum and dad were fine about the noise and my neighbours were deaf as posts ! i was also lucky enough to have my kit set up all of the time.It may take you a little while to set the kit up to start off with but it soon becomes very quick once youve done it a couple of times.I can now do mine in around 15 minutes including taking them out of the cases and also adding mic stands etc.
good luck with your search for the kit and good luck to your son on his playing.
ive found so far that this website is a great place with very helpful and knowledgeable people on it so if you have questions about anything im sure everybody would be only too happy to help. |
http://www.reverbnation.com/grinderuk |
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bERb
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
1787 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2010 : 12:18:50
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| How old/tall is he ?. These manufacturers always, in my opinion, make the mounted toms too big & are very difficult to position comfortably. I would go for 10" & 12" 'fast'sizes as opposed to power mounted toms if possible. I also agree with all above, go for good second hand & stay well clear of the FEPOS. |
The Geordie contingency. I feel sorry for people who don't drink because when they get up in the morning that's as good as they're gonna feel all day!. dw, yammy x2 ,TD8, sabian,zildjian,paiste, protection racket.stella artois, red wine, gin & tonic (lots). |
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limeydog
New Contributer
United Kingdom
15 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2010 : 15:25:26
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Thanks for the insight D.C. Sounds good. And certainly, the users of this site have been very quick to respond and very helpful indeed. You guys are literally choosing the kit for us, which is what we need. The Tama is my first choice of these too. It seems to be good value if the price doesn't go up to much, and it is actually an easy one for me to pick up. The only thing holding it back is my son sort of hmm'ed when I showed him it, even though he had gushed over another kit I showed him before which looked almost identical in all regards apart from the brand name and logo. My Have to twist arm and make him take his medicine on this one.
Hi Berb. He's about 4' 6" and growing. He uses a full size kit with his drum teacher... |
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Ian Savage
Advanced Contributer
591 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2010 : 17:18:41
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quote:
Originally posted by limeydog
Actually, as we are talking, perhaps you could enlighten me about a couple of things we are going to have to address:
1) We will have to set the drums up at the hall everytime he practises, we can't store them at the hall. Once we have got the knack of it, how long will it take us to set it up each time?
I've got an old rug that sits under my kit (something well worth having anyway, as on wooden floors drums have a tendancy to 'creep' while you're playing them at best and gouge chunks out of the floor at worst) on which I've marked out where the feet of my stands and the spurs of my bass drum should go; with this I can have my kit set up pretty much exactly as I want it in ten minutes flat.
quote:
2) My boy would dearly like to play them at home too, but if they sound like normal drums, I don't think the neigbours will be having it. I know you can get rubber dampers to put on the drums to quieten them down. Are these any good? Are there other ways (drape T-shirts over the heads?) He's only nine so he doesn't play them as heavily as an adult. Is it possible to practice, hitting the drums more lightly to keep the sound down - or does that just not work in practise?
You can indeed get rubber pads to sit over the heads, which will kill more sound and give you a more realistic feel than putting T-shirts and such over the heads (put them over the cymbals by all means, though); a company called Traps make silencer pads which have triggers built into them too. These incredibly nifty things can then be plugged into a drum 'brain' and produce sounds electronically which you can listen to through headphones - this'll obviously be more expensive than bog-standard rubber pads, but it's something worth bearing in mind for the future, maybe.
As far as kits go, from a quick mooch around eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Premier-XPK-Drum-Kit_W0QQitemZ320492718216QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Drums_Percussions_MJ?hash=item4a9edac888
It'd need a little bit of TLC, but the XPK kits were a VERY well-regarded mid-range UK-made kit in the 1990s - you'd have to budget for cymbals and stands on top of that though, which might push it over budget.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Limited-Edition-Pearl-Export-EX-drum-kit_W0QQitemZ120537185970QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Drums_Percussions_MJ?hash=item1c10937eb2
Nice, but if it goes within budget I'll be quite surprised...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PEARL-EXPORT-EXR-DRUM-KIT-HARDWARE_W0QQitemZ140387107077QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Drums_Percussions_MJ?hash=item20afb94105
maybe...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Premier-Drum-Kit-in-white-with-black-trim_W0QQitemZ330409496325QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Drums_Percussions_MJ?hash=item4cedf0cf05
Has everything you'd need, except a practise pad for the bass drum. |
Premier, Zildjian, (Stagg), Gibraltar - for hire! |
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ian-40
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
4443 Posts |
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limeydog
New Contributer
United Kingdom
15 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2010 : 19:19:20
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Man alive you guys are GREAT!!! Can't believe we getting such good help.
Okay so the Yamaha is off the list, thanks Ian 40.
Ian S. thanks so much, that's great, I have just shown these four to him and he was really into them (helped that I said they were more the real deal - rock band etc). All of these are do'able in terms of pick-up distance. The XPK would be very easy to pic up from where we are. I reckon we might be able to get the stall and cymbals on top of that in our budget - perhaps anyway.
The second one (white Pearl). Wow, looks great... this one is the furthest to pick up, and as you say perhaps brand multiplied by comprehensive set will put it out of league, but we will be watching it just in case... this was his favourite (he likes it when it looks like they have lots of bits to it).
The Silver Pearl (the maybe in your list), would be easy enough to pick up.
The last one, Pearl with bits. Again should be able to pick this one up easily enough.
So we are now watching 5. The four from your list and the Tama Rockstar I previously mentioned. His favourite (quelle suprise) is the White Pearl. The Tama is now in fifth on his list.
Thanks so much |
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Jayremedy
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
2294 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2010 : 19:23:45
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I think your right with the Tama as first choice if you get it at a good price, you hit the ground running with all he needs to start. If he's anything like my kids growing up, waiting for cymbals, stands etc is the worst thing that could possibly happen in the world ever . Besides they are really good kits and that finish looks great in the flesh. I gigged one of these for 6 years and it was in the same condition when I sold as when I bought it. Only sold it because I got a good deal on a higher end Tama kit (and I still think the rockstar bass drum sounded better). Sorry to harp on I have a real soft spot for Tama Rockstars.
Playing acoustic drums in a terraced house is a nightmare, I know. Playing quietly is great practice it teaches control. But alas this is usually too much for the neighbours as well and you can't blame them really. Maybe ask them if it's ok for him to practice 30 / 45 minutes or so after school on alternate days. Pads really do not bring the fun of drums out and fun=sustained interest. But if it's the only route it's better than nowt. |
Tama Starclassic natural birch : 92' Premier Projector white wrap : Jobeky customised alesis DM5 Pro.
http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c191/jayremedy/drum%20stuff/ |
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Hugs
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
864 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2010 : 08:40:42
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| And don't forget the earplugs - for him that is. Don't want to ruin his hearing at such a young age! |
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Brigham
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
6435 Posts |
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Jayremedy
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
2294 Posts |
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limeydog
New Contributer
United Kingdom
15 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2010 : 11:06:10
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| Okey dokey, will get him sorted out with ear protection, good advice, thanks. |
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Prog
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
14951 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2010 : 11:07:44
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quote:
Originally posted by limeydog
Okey dokey, will get him sorted out with ear protection, good advice, thanks.
Good stuff. I wish I'd cared about my ears when I was young. |
Highwood - Premier - Beverley - Slingerland - Paiste - Ufip - Bigdog - Roland - Silverfox - Protection Racket - Hardcase
Me - http://www.myspace.com/chrisleeondrums |
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limeydog
New Contributer
United Kingdom
15 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 13:24:22
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| Okay, we bid on a couple of the suggested kits, but they both went top high for our budget. If anyone spots and kits on Ebay near to Surbiton/Kingston//London that they think are good value and are likely to finish at or below £250, I would be grateful of any assistance. |
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limeydog
New Contributer
United Kingdom
15 Posts |
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barrydrum
Very Active Contributer
United Kingdom
87 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 20:01:28
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| I would go for something a little beter, heads will probably be c**p and need changing in a few months. Cant imagine what the cymbals will be like. Try and stick to used as some of the others have reccommended. |
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inmate274
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
444 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 20:09:07
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The Tornados are Mapex's BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET line. Not sure quite how FEPOS they are, but I wouldn't like to brand them as not!
For 250 beer tokens keep shopping around, second hand is always much more bang for your buck and there have been some amazing deals I've seen! |
Gretsch Catalina Club Mod (Red Sparkle/Black Stripe)
Mix of Zildjian, Meinl, Stagg pies.
Random hardware.
:D
www.myspace.com/inmate274
www.inmate274.com
nobhead |
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finn the drummer
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
539 Posts |
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finn the drummer
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
539 Posts |
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finn the drummer
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
539 Posts |
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limeydog
New Contributer
United Kingdom
15 Posts |
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finn the drummer
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
539 Posts |
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D.C.
Excellent Contributer
United Kingdom
150 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2010 : 17:06:45
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id be tempted to agree with finn.
i had the misfortune to find myself sat behind a peral forum kit at a rehearsal studio on friday and felt like crying :( say no more about it.im still upset now tbh.
the xpk would be the one to go for 'cos its the best kit out of those linked but youd have to cough up more hard-earneds for hardware but the Mapex's tend to be pretty robust and are meant to sound pretty good for a cheaper kit and that one looks pretty tidy too.If you can get that for £250 i dont think there would be too much complaining.Happy bidding :) |
http://www.reverbnation.com/grinderuk |
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Ian Savage
Advanced Contributer
591 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2010 : 18:34:47
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I'd still be tempted by the XPK (and I'll third don't touch the Pearl Forums, horrid things); for what it's worth these stands will do the job for the time being, they won't stand up (pardon the pun) to heavy playing or gigging but I guess neither will be an issue for a bit:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CB-3-PIECE-DRUM-HARDWARE-PACK-4510-4507-4509-Hi-Hat-etc_W0QQitemZ350218378116QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Drums_Percussions_MJ?hash=item518aa45b84
By the sound of it you'd still need to find a snare stand (or be able to fix the one that comes with the kit) but if you can get the hi-hat stand and a couple of cymbal stands for fifty quid delivered that leaves you with £75 for that and cymbals...I'd say JUST about do-able (look at secondhand Staggs for excellent value for money on cymbals)...and amongst the other stuff I've thrown into this thread, you might want to check the Classifieds for a 14" Stagg crash...
EDIT: my maths is crap, sorry :( |
Premier, Zildjian, (Stagg), Gibraltar - for hire! |
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John W
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
314 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2010 : 18:58:11
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The XPK is the best choice in my opinion. Premier have been using more or less the same tom mounts and hardware on their kits for a long time. It will last you another 20 years if you treat it right, probably more. The snare drum on that is a good model as well.
If you are really savvy you can probably pick up the rest in your budget. But that XPK wont depreciate, I'm going to stick my neck out and say it's more likely to gain money over time if you keep it in reasonable condition. |
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limeydog
New Contributer
United Kingdom
15 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2010 : 12:48:14
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| Such great advice, thank you so much. I will be sure to let you know how it goes. this has given me a very clear steer towards one or two of the kits we short-listed, and a strong steer away from one of them. Also very helpful Ian, for second guessing our hang-up with the XPK kit, we don't know enough about drums to know how hard or cheap it would be to fulfill this kit, but you have helped us with this immensely. Thank you thank you thank you...... |
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Diesel74
Advanced Contributer
Cyprus
18652 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2010 : 13:14:45
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He's only nine and there is an argument that he won't really care what he's playing. The FEPOS starter kits do come with rubbish cymbals, but at least they come with rubbish cymbals I suppose, and hardware including bass pedals, tom holders, cymbal stands and hi-hats.
It can be quite expensive, certainly compared to guitars, for example. A decent cymbal can and often does cost more than your current drum budget.
Have you factored in cymbals and hardware costs?
It might be your lad doesn't stick to the drums and thus it could be a costly "mistake". But with better quality stuff the chance of resale is better.
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finn the drummer
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
539 Posts |
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finn the drummer
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
539 Posts |
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thesofa
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
906 Posts |
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Drum_of_Beer
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
339 Posts |
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finn the drummer
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
539 Posts |
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finn the drummer
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
539 Posts |
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limeydog
New Contributer
United Kingdom
15 Posts |
Posted - 15/03/2010 : 10:04:20
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Hi Guys,
Thanks for forwarding suggestions. We have been looking at them, bidding and failing, and generally managing not to secure a kit yet. Annoyingly I forgot to bid on a Mapex that you guys had cleared that no one bid on and would have been in our price range and travel distance - I'm an idiot. Agree, the Grantham one looks good but really that is 3 hours trip each way and at least £50 of fuel. So I really want to look closer to home. I am watching it though. So we are watching three Mapex kits approved by this forum, and the Premier XPK without cymbals also cleared by this forum. |
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Prog
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
14951 Posts |
Posted - 15/03/2010 : 10:21:32
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| Have you contacted the seller of the Mapex kit on which you forgot to bid? If it had no bidders then they probably still have it. |
Highwood - Premier - Beverley - Slingerland - Paiste - Ufip - Bigdog - Roland - Silverfox - Protection Racket - Hardcase
Me - http://www.myspace.com/chrisleeondrums |
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limeydog
New Contributer
United Kingdom
15 Posts |
Posted - 15/03/2010 : 13:44:03
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| Hiya, yes we did, he relisted it :( We literally rebooted our comp as it had locked up, and when we went back on to bid, the auction had finished. I contacted straight-away, but he didn't take me up on the offer. I suspect that actually he wanted more money than his starting bid so felt it worth another try on Ebay. A case of you snooze you lose. If we had bid it would be ours now - doh! |
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Blakey
New Contributer
United Kingdom
1 Posts |
Posted - 20/03/2010 : 00:10:35
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| Mapex V series is good, that's what I started with. I changed all the heads, used the sound dampening o rings, 4" hole in bass drum head with some blankets inside and gigged it several times... It was brilliant, sounded good! A guy in Northampton bought it and is gigging it in his band now... Fantastic little kit... |
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John W
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
314 Posts |
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uglystix
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
522 Posts |
Posted - 20/03/2010 : 17:13:27
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Sorry I'm late! But don't worry about distance and delivery. when you find the right kit send me an email with the details and I'll arrange that through the courrier company I work for, on our account.
Have to help the young ones get started, don't you!
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Premier drums (old-ish & new), Paiste (sig) cymbals, remo heads, Vater sticks and no talent!!
Self taught. (no one else would take the blame)! |
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finn the drummer
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
539 Posts |
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finn the drummer
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
539 Posts |
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Anthra Kx
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
5616 Posts |
Posted - 20/03/2010 : 18:33:54
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quote:
Originally posted by uglystix
Sorry I'm late! But don't worry about distance and delivery. when you find the right kit send me an email with the details and I'll arrange that through the courrier company I work for, on our account.
Have to help the young ones get started, don't you!
now theres a very generous offer  |
Resonator 1|Resonator 2|Resonator 3|Resonator 4|AKx kit
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't exist |
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