hey guys, I might be able to help ya's out...

I was in the same boat too - my trap set (newish Premier white marine pearl typical 'rock' 5-piece :roll: ) was way too much to suit my needs. I spent a little time lurking around eBay and found a great little 3-piece jazz kit ('70s Premier) for next to nothing. It has a smaller footprint and is just easier to lug around. If I need that big sound, all it takes is some tweaking to tension the heads right, but it can be done...

I think Premier is highly underrated - their stuff is made really well, and it may be a rumour, but I heard that Rolls-Royce does all the chrome plating for their hardware!

just my opinion - you'd probably pay twice or three times as much for a Ludwig of the same vintage...yOUR mILEAGE mAY vARY.

I failed to stipulate that the kit must be new. I don't want to deal with someone else's problems.

Originally posted by try2break:
I failed to stipulate that the kit must be new. I don't want to deal with someone else's problems.

Premier makes new jazz kits too.

:p

Try2break -

Don't understand what you mean by "someone else's problems"... these are drums, not used cars!

If you know how to replace heads and an occasional lug casing, and check the shells to make sure there is no warpage - well then, you are simply buying somone else's discount! :D

Best set I ever bought was a 1961 Ludwig 3 pc: Silver Sparkle, all original, including cases and hardware, and 2 K series Zildjians.

$450 - never a problem.

If you are convinced you must buy new - what are these drums for? Live work? Studio? If you are interested in something for live clubbing and road work, check out Yamaha's HipGig. It's about the smallest real drumset that's out, and the whole set packs up into the bass drum and the throne.

There are also several custom drum shops that will "build to suit" whatever you may be looking for. Try DW, Orange County Percussion, Pork Pie, etc... All would make an excellent "studio" kit. You could order something with a 20" kick (I've actually heard 18" floor tom's with wooden rims and claws, set up on the floor like a kick with a pedal. You probably wouldn't believe the sound, especially close mic'ed!) and 12" and 14" toms. Small, punchy great for studio OR live work.

Well, good luck! Hope my 2 cents helped!

mG

Premier Artist Birch sounded good to me, not real expensive either. Mapex has the Manhattan kit, 14by18, 8by12, 14by14,and snare. Never heard it but its made of Maple outer plies and basswood inner plies.

If you are looking for the best kit to buy for the money, I would recommend a vintage kit. I recently picked one up and had the chance to record with it and it sounds GREAT! Much better than my Pearl masters series I bought 2 years ago. Plus, its light!!!!!

Maybe you are not a vintage guy, but at least check it out before you spend twice as much on a new kit!

Hope this helped.
Nipsy

If you have some money and you want a great sounding kit check out.

http://www.bearingedge.com/

They are the best sounding drums I've ever played on and their custom made. Recording them is a breeze. They might be more expensive but they're worth the money. I've played them since '96 and you can get no better drum for the money. I've played DW, Premier, Ludwig,Yahmaha, etc. and none of them have the same personality,tone or character that these drums posses. They're custom made by one man and his assistant you will not be disapointed. You'll pay more but you'll get the drums you want.