Die Cast vs. Power Hoops

[John Ritsz]

I have a Yamaha Maple Custom Vintage, I want to know if the're any chance to enhanced the drums sound bye putting Die Cast on all toms top and bottom, inthe present I have on them Power Hoops and they sound great but I want to explore my options. The person who is selling me this is asking me for $428.00 for the 8 Die Cast Hoops 2 x 10 2 x 12 2 x 14 2 x 16. They are good because they are heavy not like the Yamaha's, more like old Gretsch.

Is a good price and will make a significant improvement?

[Derek DeFields]

That's a lot of money for hoops though in the ballpark for what I'd expect to pay new. I think it's high for used.

As for the sound; I don't know what you want to change. You like the sound now though... I gotta say I'd just buy different heads as that'll be a cheaper and much more drastic change than the hoops.

Also, your Powerhoops are already thick and relatively stiff. You've got a lot of the characteristics of die-cast as it is.

I wouldn't do it personally but my logic is why spend money on changing something you like? (I know you answered this)

[Henry II]

The last time I priced out Yamaha aluminum die cast hoops they were about $120 apiece list [img]rolleyes.gif[/img] , and you can actually get them for about $75 apiece. [img]frown.gif[/img] On the other hand, I've seen Pearl (zinc?) die cast hoops at Midwest percussion for about $35 apiece. 8 of those would cost what, $280 brand new.

As for enhancing your drum sound, my understanding of the benefits of die cast hoops is that they are generally more rigid than standard pressed, flanged hoops, so they tune more easily and accurately. But, I don't know if they are more rigid that the heavy duty Dynahoops (or whatever Yamaha calls them). They will, however, dampen overtones a bit more than flanged hoops, if that's what you're looking for.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 03, 2006 04:55 PM: Message edited by: Henry II ]</font>

[troutbrooke]

Check out Tama's die-cast hoops too. I think they're lower in price.

[John Ritsz]

The die cast are brand new so I think the price is fair, another detail I think the eavier the better like gretsch die cast the older ones, this are like thouse I think the price s nice, any opinions on this matter?

[Derek DeFields]

Man, you're going to make the MCs heavier? I hope you've got a strong back.

[Morgenthaler]

I think you would be better off buying some new heads more often!!
Thats too much for such a -relatively- and most likely- small difference.

[Henry II]

Originally posted by John Ritsz:
The die cast are brand new so I think the price is fair, another detail I think the eavier the better like gretsch die cast the older ones, this are like thouse I think the price s nice, any opinions on this matter?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">MC's are fairly dry and loud because of their thickness, and the die cast hoops will dry them out just a little more. If that's what you're looking for, go for it. You can always compensate with thinner single ply heads. If you're trying to get a Gretsch sound, IMHO, the MC shells are a little to thick to be that warm.

If you get them, it will be interesting to hear what you think.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 03, 2006 07:57 PM: Message edited by: Henry II ]</font>

[Riddim]

I think you'll find that Yamaha's aluminum die cast hoops are lighter than most folk's zinc die cast hoops. I've heard that's part of their selling points - you get the tuning benefits of more rigid rims, but with less weight compared to zinc.

I agree that $428 seems a bit steep. Then again, these are new on the market, and not widely available. Other, heavier rims, are available for less (or you could buy some of mine...).

Die casts will EQ your sound a bit more toward the mid range. If you favor a Roy Haynes snare sound, that's not the way to go.

[troutbrooke]

I love heavy die cast hoops in the Gretsch style. I won't play a drum without a die cast hoop on it.