Have your say & ask the experts

Drummerdave:

I play the same Premier Crown drumkit I bought when I was 19. After 24 years it's probably time I got a new one - still looks and sounds great though

I hear you.

I bought my old Premier as a 5 piece when I was 17, and even then it was 2nd hand! (about 2/3 years old). Over the years I found 8" & 10" matching toms on a stand. Bought a Pearl 'Chad Smith' snare to replace the rubbish original. Recovered them in Cadbury Purple as I was sick of the standard white finish.

But it never let me down. With the addition of the rack and the sheer number of drums & cymbals it always got positive comments.

But in the end it just started looking dated. The trend now is for deeper depth kick drums, so the 22" x 16" kick started looking it's age. The toms were also all power sizes, and started looking old too, that and 17 years of gigging was starting to show on the overall condition.

In the end, I decided we had enough money when we moved to blow a grand on a new shell pack, new snare and some associated hardware! (Took a bit of work with the Wife, but if you go on about something long enough, they'll eventually just shout "Oh go on then!!")

I have been ask only yesterday to join a local tribute band "Mentallica", temting but every Saturday night, which is a normal gig night, I have to be at work....damm shame that as I wouldn't mind make a fool of myself again :-)

Thaiman,

I usually use the Yamaha for shows in hotels or for any formal functions. Especially if the set list requires certain additional sound effects like the tabla or when the music genre varies from jazz to funk to reggae to light rock etc. Too much of a hassle to bring different type of snare. I particularly like the portability of the kit. I usually bring along my Yamaha mixer and speaker system too for the shows which makes it easier to record all the shows into my minidisk.

One of the reason I bought the Yamaha was because between 2005 and 2007, I was working in Abu Dhabi, UAE where I was staying in a condominium. So, to avoid being a nuisance to the neigbours, I bought the Yamaha so that I can control the volume or use headphones.

However, it cant beat the feeling of playing my Pearl kit. For underground gigs, where I mainly play punk rock or metal, cant beat that adrenalin I get from an actual cymbal, hi-hat and double pedal. With the Yamaha as well, need to 'tune myself in' prior to a show because of the different reflex I get from the pads compared to the Pearl.

 

Thaiman:

I have been ask only yesterday to join a local tribute band "Mentallica", temting but every Saturday night, which is a normal gig night, I have to be at work....damm shame that as I wouldn't mind make a fool of myself again :-)

"Mentallica"...? I'd join. foregone conclusion with that name. Can't play owt, mind. maybe they need a "Bez" tho...

I started drumming about 12 months ago on a set of Mapex M Birch drums with Sabien XS20 cymbals.

I've wanted to give drumming a go for years but never had the room to do it until recently. It's the best thing I've ever done. I'm self taught but getting pretty good now. I've just been asked to play with a couple of guitarist friends so it looks like at the age of 42 the life of a rock god finally beacons.

Pete,

Its never too late to start drumming. Have fun. 

Pete Griffin:

I started drumming about 12 months ago on a set of Mapex M Birch drums with Sabien XS20 cymbals.

I've wanted to give drumming a go for years but never had the room to do it until recently. It's the best thing I've ever done. I'm self taught but getting pretty good now. I've just been asked to play with a couple of guitarist friends so it looks like at the age of 42 the life of a rock god finally beacons.

Glad you're getting into it. Drumming is great (Minus the lugging a huuuge kit around, the expense, setting up, breaking down, finding bandmates, etc, etc...........)

;-)

I always fancy a set of V drum as they can be set to sound like Roland, Pearl, Pastie (including Rude) and such like + the sound through headphone is very community friendly too.  Only thing that stop me is the cymbal feel like a rubber when hit!  it's kinna un-natural.

I prefer V-drums as well over Yamaha but unfortunately, Abu Dhabi had limited option at that time. Agree with u on the cymbals as well. Its different compared to a real cymbal. Also, my Yamaha cannot do snare rim shot.

I prefer V-drums as well over Yamaha but unfortunately, Abu Dhabi had limited option at that time. Agree with u on the cymbals as well. Its different compared to a real cymbal. Also, my Yamaha cannot do snare rim shot.

Thaiman:

I always fancy a set of V drum as they can be set to sound like Roland, Pearl, Pastie (including Rude) and such like

Mmmmmmm...........Never tried to play a Pastie before....... Doesn't it just break up and get mince, potatoes and pastry everywhere?

:-)

Paiste I mean, well you already know that!

I always have food on my mind!  While we are on this subject....The proper, traditional Cornish has turn at the size not the top

A lot of drummers and guitarists here, so let me put my hand up for the guys who are the minority! Bassists!

captain_fishpaste:

A lot of drummers and guitarists here, so let me put my hand up for the guys who are the minority! Bassists!

My both hands are up sir, Fender Jazz with Bassman 250 amp.  First gig in UK was 1989 in a pub in East Dereham.

Talking of gigs.

If anyone is near Grays in Essex (Near Lakeside shopping centre) tonight.

Pop down to the 'Fat Surfer' (Adjacent to the working mens club) at around 9 pm, and you can watch me in action with my band 'Designs of Chaos'.....Much metallic mayhem may occur!