I'm trying to get an inexpensive kit for my home studio. I found a Pacific kit for about $299 but I will have to get a cymbal set too, like the Sabian B8 set for $180. I have a friend that has a Pearl Export kit with some Zildgian cymbals that he'll sell to me for $350. I want something that will tune well and sound good for recording.
Can anyone give their opinion on these two sets and maybe another option. I'd like to stay under $400 if possible. Thanks
Comments
Hey J.Scott that is a wonderful sight you have on tuning. Whenev
Hey J.Scott that is a wonderful sight you have on tuning. Whenever I have a student ask me about tuning I send them to your site. Invaluable stuff. Great work :)
Homer I've found great sounding cymbals in the used pile at local music shops. One of my favorite cymbals is an old K that I bought for 20 bucks. I use it all the time. Dig around and you could find a cymbal you'll use for the rest of your life.
Many times I've gone into a store and played on nearly every cymbal in the store and I didn't like any of them. And I've also had the opposite experience where there's 8 cymbals that I love but I only need two. What's a drummer to do :D
If you go to a store with a great return policy, grab the cymbals that sound good to you in the store and record them in your studio if you don't like the way the sound at home send'em back.
I would personally stay very far away from any cymbal packages, they all sound pretty horrible.
Check out used cymbals you can get a better deal.
Originally posted by homerg: I found a Pacific kit for about $2
A couple of observations:
1st, tuning is going to be important no matter what you own, and there's nothing wrong with the Exports, assuming there is nothing wrong with them? In fact, it could be argued that unless you want to move up to the Pacific CX series ($600), the Export maybe a better option? You need to look for shell problems, like bad bearing edges, rattles, warpped/out of round, etc. See below.
Second, consider the link attached at the bottom if you have not done so before as its helped many with the issue of how to tune, tips tricks and how construction makes an impact on the sound, and head choice.
Third, I do not think any pre-packaged cymbal set on the market below the likes of a Sabian B8 Pro is worth considering, which is a step above the B8. The fact that your friend has a Ziljian cymbal is meaningless without more info. If it is a ZBT series, its just junk in my book, take them if you have to but go buy something better like the B8 Pro's or Paiste 502's or better. Anything in the Zildjian line above the ZBT's, can be quality stuff. But cymbals are very personal preferance items, there are so many colors/sounds to choose from that you just have to go listen with the end result you are after in mind.
:w: