Favorite 7-pc. Drum Shell Pack Under $1500?

superdick2112

superdick2112

Mile High Bassist
Nov 20, 2010
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#1
For all of you TB'ers who also play drums, what are your favorite 7-piece drum shell packs under $1500, and why do you prefer them?
Suggestions for new and/or used welcome. I plan to use them mainly for progressive rock, classic rock and rockabilly.
Tone and good hardware design are my top two priorities.
Go!
 
#2
I’m not drumming much these days due to a knee issue, but as no one else has answered yet, i’ll chime in and say i’d like a set of these:

C2AE534C-A094-4716-92C7-490A2BD5088F.jpeg


Catalina Maple | Gretsch Drums

Why? Because they look cool, the Gretsch logo is cool, Mitch Mitchell played a Gretsch set for the Rainbow Bridge concert, a bunch of jazz cats used to use Gretsch back in the bop era, and I could possibly afford them. Note that I didn’t say because I’ve tried them and like them (unfortunately, I have no experience with this set so far).

I currently play a used Pearl Export set, which, frankly, works fine, and a Roland v-Drums set which frankly is, shall we charitably say, a compromise. In a "a bitter pill to swallow" sort of way, it should also be noted that an all mesh headed Roland set would blow your proposed budget. Anyway...

Some rockers I know caution me on my Gretsch jones, saying they’re too "pretty" sounding (whatever that means), but I’m into roots music as well as classic rock so I think they’d suit just fine.

Sweetwater has a cool demo:
 
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#3
Thanks!
These are on my short list (in silver sparkle, no less), along with the Tama Superstar Maple Classic (in dark indigo burst) and the PDP Concept Maple (in pearlescent white) kits.
I like the 30 degree bearing edges on the Gretsch kit for classic warmth when playing swing, classic rock & rockabilly, and I like the more crisp & articulate sound of the 45 degree bearing edges on the other kits for playing prog & metal - my main styles.
I plan on hitting a few Denver drum shops this weekend to help finalize my choice.
The Sweetwater videos are great - Nick can make any kit sound like a million bucks.
 
#7
that's a few too many toms for my taste :ninja: but I can confirm that the Gretsch Catalina series sound great for the money.

(I used to have the rock kit with the big 26" kick, and my current drummer has the fusion kit which sounds really nice.)
 
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#8
I don't own a set like this (but am always lusting and shopping). I've had my eye on the Gretsch & Pearl Decade. Not sure I would ever use the 2nd floor tom but these kits are sweet.

FYI my buddy sent me this video the other day for this Tama Superstar kit. This particular kit is not available, but it is possibly the BEST sounding kit I've ever heard. I realize it's all micced, but WOW. I am now seriously interested in the Tama Superstar kits.

 
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#10
Bassngtr said:
I don't own a set like this (but am always lusting and shopping). I've had my eye on the Gretsch & Pearl Decade. Not sure I would ever use the 2nd floor tom but these kits are sweet.

FYI my buddy sent me this video the other day for this Tama Superstar kit. This particular kit is not available, but it is possibly the BEST sounding kit I've ever heard. I realize it's all micced, but WOW. I am now seriously interested in the Tama Superstar kits.

Click to expand...


These were fantastic sounding shells.
It's a shame they discontinued them.
 
#13
dmt said:
Yeah, that’s the problem! He does make ‘em all sound good :D

I’d be interested to read your findings after your drum shop crawl. Good luck on finding your kit!
Click to expand...

Bassngtr said:
I don't own a set like this (but am always lusting and shopping). I've had my eye on the Gretsch & Pearl Decade. Not sure I would ever use the 2nd floor tom but these kits are sweet.

FYI my buddy sent me this video the other day for this Tama Superstar kit. This particular kit is not available, but it is possibly the BEST sounding kit I've ever heard. I realize it's all micced, but WOW. I am now seriously interested in the Tama Superstar kits.

Click to expand...


I checked all of them out, and after hearing the Tama kit live & in this video (and confirming with several experts that the all maple kit will sound just as good once re-headed with Evans heads), I ordered the Tama Superstar kit in the gorgeous Dark Indigo Burst lacquer finish.

Tama faded indigo.png

...And now I will begin sampling various Zildjian K Sweet, Hybrid, Standard & Dark cymbals to complete it, along with a Tama Iron Cobra Hi-hat stand, double bass pedal & hardware package.
Thank You guys for your advice!
 
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#15
dmt said:
Schweet.

BTW, it seemed to me that you were referencing a video we could watch in your post, but I didn’t notice any video link
Click to expand...

I was referencing the video posted by Bassngtr in post #8.
The Tama kit in that video is the same one as mine, but in a different finish.
The kit in the video has identical maple shells, but with a single thin veneer of Tamo ash that, while beautiful, doesn't really affect the tone of the kit.
Once I re-head my kit, it will sound virtually identical to the kit in the video.

 
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