Best cheap maple kit you've heard

[dum-dum-soc]

I already have a USA maple gretsch kit that Stays in my studio. The kit that I have been gigging with is a Pacific fs kit that sounds good but the kick is a little thin. I want to spend about $1100 for a kit after I sell the pacific kit. Any suggestions on cheap good maple kits? I was thinking about a renown gretsch.... What is the best "cheap" in the low grand range kit that you've played.....

[Groovissimo]

I am very impressed with the new Studio Maple Taye Drums.
I've played on several great maple Yamahas , Gretsch, and before that, Ludwigs. My latest kit is a Taye.

Suggestion: Go out and try the Taye Studio Maples. Ray Ayotte,
who is the founder of Ayotte Drums, now has developed with the Taye Drum Company in Taiwan, one of the best sounding drums on the market today. Ray designs the lugs and just about everything on the kits.

And , what you are looking for, is the really low cost of the Tayes. I sound like a salesman, but, the truth is that I tried this kit, played gigs on it, and love the sound and hardware.

[matricks]

Yeah, some lines of Ayotte were developed there. I actually just got done looking at a great Ludwig today...

[dum-dum-soc]

I will check out the taye drums. I go to Midwest percussion all the time. Next time I go I will check them out. Any other kits you guys have played.

[matricks]

So what is the 'catch' about these super cheap Mapex drums? There has to be something that makes them so cheap [img]eek.gif[/img]

[jonthibault]

Matricks,

I don't know, man. I like mine a lot. I've only played them once since getting them [img]eek.gif[/img] , but it was magical and special, and little gnomes danced all over the place. The toms sounded awesome, and I love the bass drum.

The hardware is good, though the cymbal stands are a little skinny (I happen to like lighter hardware, however, so they're fine with me). A pleasent surprise was to be had in the Mapex bass pedal. Very smooth, with a large plate for my big foot. The high-hat it came with is fine, as well, though the post is also a little on the thin side.

The bass drum has great bottom and punch, and the toms are very warm. The snare is okay for a 5 1/2 maple, though the strainer is very cheap, with a plastic knob, but what do you expect for $700 bucks?

The name plates on the drums were super cheesy-looking and taped on with double sided tape, but I was able to peel them off with the help of a credit card without damaging the finish. My drums look exactly like this:
http://www.midwestpercussion.com/gra...5225tpb_lg.jpg

The finish, incidentally, is flawless. I couldn't believe you could get a finished maple kit (bass drum hoops and all) with hardware for this price.

I emailed Mapex and let them know how cheesy the badges were (in a nice way), and they thanked me and sent me a hat and a t-shirt. How's that for customer service?

Overall, I'm very happy with them. I bought mine through Midwest Percussion, and they're also a great company to order through, with free shipping over $200.

[jonthibault]

I love my Mapex M Series. All maple for $700. Before I bought them, I told Randy about these, and he actually called the company to make sure they were all maple! They are, and they sound great.

http://www.midwestpercussion.com/dru...ex/m_prom.html

[shedder]

gretsch renown

[PocketPlayer]

Not a big name yet, but check out their site;
http://www.conawaydrums.com/about_us.htm

Newer Co's usually have good service and they try to offer high quality maple shells, willing to customize.

IMO, the T-Bo said, you are not buying these kits for the snare, or even the hardware...this is how they cut costs. If you could save $$ and NOT get the snare, just shells, that's the way to go. Most will use their own BD pedal, snare, cym's anyway. I think Conaway allows this type of thing.

[dum-dum-soc]

Interesting post Willie. Thanks for the warning on the wood. I like the stage customs ery much but, I see them too much. Everywhere you go someone is gigging with the kit or in someones church or in some club. I was looking for a different sound, that's whay the renowns cought my eye. any interesting info on any other cheap maple kits made overseas wood?