YAMAHA: Beginner's to PRO kits, we tested four - you'll be surprised! - GEAR GEAR GEAR

[@Mike-ol7xp]

I have the PHX kit in my studio, and I've been gigging with the Stage Custom Birch kit for 3 years. I constantly get complimented on the sound of my drums after a gig, and the FOH love them. For $749 (US) for a 5 piece shell pack and $1,049 (US) with the 700 series hardware pack, is the best deal going. Yamaha have the best drums and hardware on the market.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Yamaha are absolutely a star.

[@frankspikes7858]

I also have a stage custom birch kit. Sounds wonderful!! 10, 12, Tom's, 14, and 16 floor toms. 20" bass drum. Great stuff!!

[@williemammoth11]

I bought a SCB snare on an impulse a year+ ago to see if it would be a good workhorse to use with my RCs (it was), and I went all in and grabbed a full SCB kit a month or so ago, and wow this kit really is fantastic, independent of price. Yamaha nailed it with this kit, I'm super impressed. I bought it to be a gigging workhorse so I could leave my RCs home more, and I'm so glad I did. I also grabbed the 5.5 steel snare and am loving that too. You are correct, Yamaha has the best stuff! I love this kit, can't wait to get it on stage and under some mics.

[@user-yq5od9uj3f]

I've have heard all of these kits with G2s or Emperors. What a difference it made.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Absolutely.

[@oysterhead5150]

Great video guys! I've been playing Yamaha drums for over 20 years, I used to have Rock Tour custom, lovely kit and currently still have my Beech Custom. Just picked up Stage Custom and A Tour custom. Can't wait for my Live Custom Hybrid Oaks to come in!

[@clifffitch8495]

I own and have owned a lot of Yamaha drum kits over the years. First Yammy was a Maple Custom, and then a Stage Custom, Absolute Maple, Tour Custom Maple, Absolute Hybrid Maple, and Live Custom Oaks... Build quality has always been excellent. Also, I've always liked their hardware, especially the fact that they all include a bass drum tom mounting bracket, making setups quick and easy. And their tom mounts. One can take any kit in their lineup, put pro heads on them and tune them, and can make them work in practically any situation. It's probably why Yamaha is always a top requested kit for backline, because of the consistency and ease of use. Are there better drums? Sure. Are the finishes limited? Yes, unless you are a top level artist and have access to custom options from the Japanese factory, it is limited. But generally speaking, one can not really go wrong with Yamaha drums.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Spot on mate.

[@williamperri3437]

What are the better drums? DW? NO WAY! Tama or Sonar its opinion as well as Gretsch… but better? And BTW, I like the Stage Customs as much or better than the Tour Customs but the Absolute Maple Hybrid and the Oak Customs I think are my favorites, although I have never played the updated Recording Customs but the 1994 RC kit I had had a lacking bass drum sound.

[@TessaAnderson]

We just picked up a 7 piece snare included maple absolute. It is wonderful and I really love these above other drums on the market

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Well done, you just can't go wrong with Yamaha, at any budget or level. Kind regards Tony

[@mjm5081]

Love that Stage Custom!

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Yeah, I know right!

[@mjm5081]

@@KillerDrumsTV 😃 👍 👊

[@roybeckerman9253]

One of the best drum channels on KZbin, especially being from Queensland… Great to see you guys back…😊👍🏿 Love Jackie’s drumming and knowledge..🥁

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Thanks Roy, we always like receiving your comments. Cheers Tony

[@af7119]

I actually work at a service station in Cairns.

[@Drummasterjay]

Amazing series! Very informative and enough can’t be said about the editing, videography and engineering! If it’s not too much work for you guys, might I suggest adding time stamps or segments with the different drums?

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Good suggestion Jay, will do, as soon as we learn how to do it. Really appreciate the comment. Have a great day, Tony M

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Update: Hey Jay, thanks for the suggestion, we've now added time stamps to this video and will work on adding them to previous ones!

[@rkaylor5769]

Finally, you gents have returned. It should be noted that only TAMA and Yamaha keep every line in-house among the bigs. They want 100% of QC in factories they own. The factory, purchasing, and floor managers are Japanese at TAMA’s China location. Not sure about Yammy, though.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Thanks mate! It’s good to be back doing what we love

[@panplayer]

This was a fantastic comparison! What I liked the most about it was that you didn’t do a lot of processing, which made it easier to distinguish the tone of each series. Well done!

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Thanks mate, I appreciate your ears to notice that we try to keep the capture as natural as possible. Thanks for saying.

[@justinreynolds3935]

U can easily use the stage custom in almost every setting sizes depending and make it work just fine. Probly most popular backline rental kit I've ever seen. Those and DW

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Good hear. I've never come across stage customs in backline; always recording customs.

[@joanofarc708]

Yamaha make great drums

[@nelsontorres1694]

I have the Yamaha birch custom in black raven. Very beautiful sounding drum use it at my church. The drum I buy my self and Sabian cymbals top line AA, vault, HH, B8 pro ,

[@DavidEpstein]

This was a cool comparison. I bought a Yamaha Stage Custom twenty years ago before I went off to college to study music. It was a 20, 10, 12, 14 set that came with a steel snare drum. It sounded great, was super versatile, and I used for gigging and recording t all throughout college and for 5 years after that. I recommend that kit to students and drummers who want the cheapest kit that's "good enough" for a working drummer. I really think that the Stage Custom with good heads and a professional level cymbals is all you really need, though I am disappointed that they stopped selling it with the metal snare drum. I can't really blame them for that though, as the matching snare seems to be the way all of the companies have gone.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Thanks David, we appreciate the comment and hearing about your experience with a Yammy Stage Custom.

[@musicalala]

If I were starting out,I'd be really stoked to get a Rydeen kit. They sound really good actually. My first kit was a 1975 Baxter Percussion 4 piece kit and it was trash in comparison. I have a high end custom maple kit but I also have SC Bop and I like them just as much and maybe more bcuz I feel like I stole em. Unbelievable value and they don't sound intermediate to me. Pro 100%.I actually like the lighter hoop. More resonance and lighter to schlep round.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Thanks for your thoughts mate.

[@CoachNation]

I recently bought the Yamaha SSS1455 steel snare drum ya'll liked. Got it new from Amazon for the amazing price of $109.23 (it's now going for about $136)! Thanks for the tip about this snare, it sounds great even with the stock heads. It tunes up easily. I have a number of other snares (by Tama; Premier; Rogers; Ludwig; Slingerland; Mapex; Dixon; Gretsch; etc.) and this one is punching way about its price, easily the best bargain. I will be replacing the factory heads to further improve the tone. If you're looking for a useful metal snare, this one is worth considering.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Barry, that's awesome! It's a bargain hey!

[@michaelbarady6636]

The maple sound great.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Sure does.

[@Timdrums67]

The description says "Stage Custom Maple" but (to my knowledge) Stage Customs are only made of Birch, but back in the day twenty years ago they were made of Falkata, Birch, and Mahagany.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Hey mate, yeah it's a typo. Thanks for the pick up, all fixed.

[@Steve-of8zo]

Neil Peart's famous kit from Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures was a Birch Tama Superstar kit. Back in those days the drum companies didn't tell us birch wasn't a preferred wood so we just assumed we liked the sound. Times are much better now that we understand that we should only buy birch (or luan mahogany) if we can't afford much better sounding maple , except of course when there is a special anniversary or President edition then we know by the price they are much better despite the wood.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Actually I do prefer euro birch to maple in most drums and can hear the difference acoustically or more to the point my ears prick up when it’s birch as I like it more.

[@T.Maximus]

I got a stage custom n tour custom. Yamaha are great, love em!

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Absolutely. I’ve never heard a bad Yamaha anything.

[@DadBodDrumming]

I have the Stage Custom set in Natural Finish and they are beautiful. They look amazing and sound even better. I paid $1300 for them at Guitar Center. They were used and in the drum room for demos. I played them for 15mins and bought them right off the floor. Guitar Center then gave me the cymbals that were paired with it free. Cheap Zildjens but even the cheap ones sound nice.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Very nice!

[@marcoagius6926]

I have a stage custom kit, but those paiste's 2002's you're demoing kick ass!

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Yes they do.

[@scottapthorpe6172]

Great to see u guys back 😊

[@chevyvette96]

Yes I agree! Been too long 😅

[@Polentaccio]

Had a rydeen for many years as my first kit and I got it tuned up and rocking. That said, in this demo, I'd probably take Stage custom kick and snare with Tour custom toms. Yamaha is great though. I'm currently on a Tama birch hyperdrive but looking to mix it up a little. This video was helpful. I'd lean towards the Tour custom for that maple depth. Can't afford the top of the line or for sure it would be that one.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Good thinking there. I love how you are using your ear to pick gear and not mostly your eyes or brand locality. All the best

[@Breen1s]

Great job sir. Very inspiring young man

[@kierenmoore3236]

The Rydeen sounded like total ballz, following the higher-end Oak kit , lol. Not a fair comparison, obviously … Probably why most demos work their way upwardsfrom the lower end kit … Appreciated Jackie’s insightful comments and his ability to pronounce things …

[@billytrance6893]

The Stage Custom in for the win except for the Stage Custom snare, I would use the Tour Custom maple snare with the Stage Custom set and you have an amazing drum set; just take off the heads and put on some Remo's (Powerstroke 3, Emperors-top, Ambassors-bottom). Boom-Done! Great video!

[@billytrance6893]

@fartpooboxohyeah8611 Agreed! One's genre of music, playing style, etc., all make up personal preferences and the need for a variety of musical options.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Thanks for sharing!

[@BeatsAndMeats]

I just got a Yamaha Live Custom Hybrid Oak, 22x16, 22x18, 8,10,12,14,16 and HOLY SHIT it’s incredible! Unfortunately there’s a 2yr wait for my 18” floor Tom ☹️

[@KillerDrumsTV]

I love 18's. Sounds like you e got yourself a keeper there.

[@daveyboy8907]

2 years wow..I'd be afraid I would never get it.

[@toddcapiton6285]

Love those

[@BeatsAndMeats]

It arrived 3 months ago!! Sounds absolutely incredible!!!

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

I like natural and translucent color wood finishes, acrylic kits, _copper_ kits, red wraps....white and black are ok.... Pretty cool demo; he's a groover.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

He sure is and super nice human. Cheers Tony

[@bozhidarrachev9879]

I have a stage custom with a 24 inch kick, 12 and 16 inch toms. Looking forward to getting some bigger toms.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Their 14" rack Tom is great.

[@williamperri3437]

I’ve never seen a SC with a 24” BD. 😮

[@fingerbang8256]

It's all about Yamaha... I've been thumping tubs for 30 years now and I CHOOSE to play my Yamaha Stage Custom 8 piece kit. My DW maple kit is in it's cases.... I've played on the tour Custom and back in the late 90's I played on a stage custom working with a jazz vocal group. Amazing versatility, outstanding value, unparalleled sound. Slap real Remo Ambassador coated heads on top and clear Ambassador reso heads on bottom and WOW!! .... plus throw in the fact that I was able to find add on toms, hardware, cases, etc. I'm not playing arenas or recording records (although this kit would do it) but why put the miles on the Bently?? Get you a Yamaha Stage Custom... you'll never feel the need to go with anything else. I promise you.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Hey mate, it's really hard to beat Yamaha, Pearl and Tama really. I have my 80's Gadd RC in our studio atm and it's just killer. It often makes me wonder why I'd need anything else. But like a holiday revives you, there comes a time to try other drums so that when you return home, you know why you love it so.

[@boldstardex]

very informative series! looking forward to other manufacturers drums, new subscriber here.

[@Breen1s]

great vid my dude

[@werelok1]

I'm sitting here looking at a 7 piece set of 1990s set of rock tour customs, hot red, that i bought for my drummer in 91. I got a great deal at Thoroughbred Music, in tampa, (A. J. Let me have them for $5000.00, they listed for 8 ), and when he had to quit a few years ago, i bought them AGAIN, for $2400, because a pawn shop offered him that. I don't play drums, but i figured if im still playing guitar, i want the band to sound its best. They are the best sounding rock drums i have ever heard, including the high end DW's.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Loved that hot red finish. That's a great story and good ears deserve good drums. I have my 80's Gadd recording customs set up atm, and man do they make me smile every time I play them... like every stroke. Just love them.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0111/2175/4171/products/20211125_174546_1024x1024.jpg?v=1638547148

[@werelok1]

@@KillerDrumsTV that's a bad ass set. I'm trying to figure out how to send a pic of these

[@williamperri3437]

Something’s telling me the most expensive kit is mixed the best as well just because the stage custom sounds so amazing.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Hey mate, all examples are mixed as genuinely as possible with minimal eq/compression (if at all) and no effects. So what you hear is what they sound like out of the box, no tricks. But thanks for the complement.

[@williamperri3437]

@@KillerDrumsTV 😎

[@chevyvette96]

Brilliant video!

[@craigdeloach3976]

I really wish Yamaha offered an 8" add on tom with those tour customs!!

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Craig, I'm pretty sure that you can custom order one. Maybe email them and ask.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

I started playing Yamaha kits in the 1980s. I expanded the kit until I had 16 piece with 18 cymbals. It was fantastic in looks, tones, and value. The Judge sold it to a church during my divorce. The day I lost my kit I stopped playing. Too heartbroken.

[@Goodboy0953]

The judge need to be JUDGED!!!! Sorry bud…

[@jobrothberg4679]

I dunno whether to give that a thumbs up or thumbs down. But please, start drumming again. You will play different after a long break, the mojo will come back and the bad voodoo will simply wash away.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

So sad. Buy another kit.

[@bgumbleton]

As a previous Yamaha player, on school kits mostly, the UT heads really need to be swapped out for better heads, as I know it would improve the sound greatly! Also, why are the mounted toms in reverse on all of the kits displayed? Was this a personal preferance? Just wonderin". Thanks guys!

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Hey mate, yes you are correct the UT are pretty poor heads, all drums come alive when they have quality heads on them. As far as reverse toms, a lot of people do it. Not to copy but because they prefer a larger Tom in front of their snare and use the small Tom to the right, more percussively. In my early days I played 1 up 2down; and three up, and a FT either side. But after 30 years I play all my toms chromatically in reverse, with exception of the floor toms, one each side… my smaller toms now are all reversed from the right to the left: 10, 12, 13 and then 14 on the left of my hi hat above my left hand floor Tom. It’s the oddest thing, but I’m hearing fills and groves more in those terms now, likely more orchestral.

[@bgumbleton]

@KillerDrumsTV thanks for responding to my comments! The first drummer I saw with the reverse high toms was Kenny Arnoff, and after your description of why it makes sense! Cheers!

[@martinleicht5911]

Cheers mate !! 🍺 😎 👍

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Cheers too!

[@deplorabletv3390]

Street price?.....When did purchasing drum kit become illegal?

[@mancuniancandidatem]

Why do the comparitive size of rack toms look completely different when they are set up left handed? The 12 looks so much bigger than the 10 compared to when they are set up right handed. It also works the same with 12 amd 13 toms. Maybe a dumb question but is this illusion the same or opposite for a left handed drummer.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

You're right it kinda becomes an Illusion. We are so programmed to see toms descending in size that wehen they are reversed or different we still see the same thing. I have two kits with factory double 13" toms and the other with factory twin 14" toms. Every time I set them up the second tom always looks bigger even though it's the same size. Crazy I know. The great drummers illusion! However if I put a 2nd bass drum on the other side. They look the same size.

[@ralphmercador]

Hi bros! One question, if you have the opportunity to buy one between: 1. Tama superstar(classic or hyperdrive) 2. Tama starclassic 3. Pearl export 4. Pearl decade 5. Yamaha stage custom Which of this options is worth the money ? I really love the stage custom, but idk if this stage custom can be compared with the other ones, help!

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Hey Ralph, thanks for the question. It's complicated as I always prefer an old Yamaha recording custom to a new anything, because the build quality, components, timber and design are so hard to beat or compare to modern drums and what you have to now pay for them. Out of your list I'd look for a second hand starclassic. All the best. Tony

[@abneranand8730]

Starclassic anyday over all these

[@toddcapiton6285]

A true old thin maple starclassic is a pro kit, on another level. Not those blended wood ones they fool everyone with.

[@me_boone]

I've only ever heard 2 kick drums that I thought were better than my Stage Custom's. My Live Custom's kick and a stupidly expensive one from a DW kit.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Back in the early 2000's we compared 10 kick drums, tuned the same, with the same heads, same mic and played by the same player. Three producers in a blind presentation all chose a Peavey radial pro 1000 bass drum first with a combined score of 95/100, then a masters and Yamaha recording 80/100, then a DW 75/100, the rest fell to between 40 and 60/100. Now they were producers, but from my perspective as a drummer, once I heard the Peavey in comparison to the others, I bought a Peavey. We'll make a video of it soon.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

I’m wondering how these kits would sound with CS whites with black dot heads & dead ringers? I prefer No over ring tones.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

I don't think it matters what drum shells, heads, or brand of drums you use, if you just want dead tones. Even a cardboard box kit will give you that sound, though a little bright. So maybe carpet squares over different size plastic buckets would produce a melodic dead tone. But if that's what you want just use Evans hydraulic heads and glue thick foam rings around the underside of the head about 3" x 3" like a donut and tune low. The Beatles just threw a tea towel or actual towel over the kit to get that sound.

[@johncollins5552]

If you play drums on your own, you notice the overtones but in a musical situation with other musicians playing, it usually isn't noticeable at all. Get out and jam with others.

[@ronniek7748]

The tour custom was the winner for me.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

What we learnt in this Yamaha review was that at any budget, all drummers can be winners. Thanks for your comment. Tony

[@1dudecrush]

$1300 for a Rydeen?!? Yeeeesh the Australian dollar isn’t doing so hot…those are like $500 or so USD

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Ha ha, wait til I review a DW kit; eye wateringly expensive and over priced for the sum of its parts. It kinda like buying a signed photo of someone famous. It's value is what people are willing to pay.

[@musicalala]

It's likely not only the dollar but physical location and associated shipping cost and possibly tariffs too. Australia likely has tax like us in Canada. We have tax for most provinces and federal tax. In my case, BC has total of 12% provincial and federal. It's rough being a consumer in Australia. Prices are high for everything.

[@mattmarkus4868]

Dude your mic sounds totally different as soon as you go to the Rydeen (or whatever the entry one is called). Apples and -Apples

[@KillerDrumsTV]

All mics are the same mate.

[@bradanderson1802]

the Paiste 2002 is B8 alloy

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Yes! Technically it's CuSn8 Bronze, or B8.

[@bobsondugnutt7526]

Stock heads on all? Would be curious to hear rydeen with some coated emperors or something

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Yeah. Good heads make all the difference.

[@rickboan5348]

I'm buying a new kit, what does everyone think about the tour costume for doing gigs and playing regularly

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Hey butter, the Yamaha tour custom is an awesome player's kit. You won't be disappointed . Cheers tony

[@rickboan5348]

@@KillerDrumsTV thanks Tony, been looking at a few. Likes of Tama super classic and others. Just didn't know what people thought

[@craigjohnchronicles2504]

Of all the $1,000-$1,500 USD maple kits, I love/prefer the sound of Yamaha's maple Tour Custom. The tone just sings with a beautiful punch. ...The color selection and satin finish leaves a lot to be desired - probably my least favorite. ...wait. Pearl's Decade Maple color choice (regardless of their shiny lacquer finish) is worse. If Yamaha would juice up their colors a bit, just give them some vibrancy, they could own this segment.

[@toddcapiton6285]

See Yamaha’s yt channel, I forget the guy’s name, but famous jazz drummer playing tour customs with a big side bass drum. They sound mind blowing and the solo is like nothing you’ve heard. Great kit for any situation

[@nocellajoseph]

I think the real stars of this video are those Paiste 2002's!

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Hey Joseph, love the Paiste cymbals too. Good pick!

[@joanofarc708]

Yamaha make good drums

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Yes they do

[@ShrinkRaptor]

If you're going to make a video showcasing Yamaha drums, you might want to consider using Yamaha hardware all around. Having Tama stands and a Ludwig throne doesn't really represent the brand very well.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Hey mate, to be blunt, we actually don't have the time during filming to swap out hardware to match the drums, and it's makes zero difference to the sound we are capturing. On this shoot we could have used Yamaha hardware but intentionally chose to use what we want instead. I personally have several Yamaha kits one since the 80's, which I love, and so had some of their hardware, it's excellent gear, but moved away from their hardware mostly because of a period there that their cymbal stands failed frequently. So over the decades I just preferred other brands for different things. I see hardware and even snares like cymbals, completely seperate to the drums I choose to play. I don't even keep all my hardware matching. I like two brands and models of hi hats stands and my cymbals stands are in another brand, bass pedals another brand and snare stand from another brand yet again. All because they each do that thing the best, and although I could use the matching pieces of hardware as a set. I just choose to use the best piece of gear for that purpose regardless of the brand, so sometimes my pedals don't match either. The new yamaha direct drive bass pedals look worth a try. Thanks for you comment, it raises a good conversation to have on one of our next shows perhaps about what hardware to choose and why. Thanks again.

[@toddcapiton6285]

Hardware does not impact sound fool but Yamaha hardware is the best, true

[@toddcapiton6285]

Man yall get some dumb ass comments on here FFS

[@trappp8559]

You can take a Rydeen kit and make sound like a 6,000$ kit change heads that’s all and hardware and cymbals mine does anyway 😂

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Quality heads are 70% of the sound and everything else just makes them better or worse, more sustained or more choked. The yammys were a lot of fun. Keen to get some more on the show.

[@toddcapiton6285]

No you can’t idiot, without studio magic. When you sit behind a kit that’s when you can tell

[@davidhanson5181]

1300 for a beginner kit and has poplar is a ripp off you could get a mapex kit with. Maple shells for 699.99

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Hey David, yeah it's Australian prices. On the surface poplar may seem not as good as maple, but the quality of the timber regardless of the type of timber goes a very long way to produce the tone. I've been a cabinet maker (drum maker) for 35 years and one thing that has held true all this time; that is, even the highest quality materials in the hands of fools turn to rubbish, but the poorest quality in the hands of a craftsman is often prized. But check this kit out kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6nCYmSLmqyqj7s

[@davidhanson5181]

@@KillerDrumsTV you make some very good points

[@toddcapiton6285]

Mapex drums are lame af. I’d buy used cb700 instead

[@Joethedrummer]

Guessing they all sound the same give or take if they're tuned well?

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Not really. A drum also gives off "presence" that energise the drummer and the room. Some drum set have no presence, others have so much that you feel like your in a bath tub of sound. Similarly, each kit we review could be ranked on the presence scale also. I've proven many times over now that even two toms in the same brand/size/timber and tuning can have different "presence". This is also true for drum heads. Pick up two 13" ambassadors and just hit them with your finger, often bright, moderate or dull is their tone. Then add to this a drummers touch and/or technique, and some drummers have a touch that make certain kits come alive and others' sound dead and dull. These days a lot of drummers have learnt their grip from KZbin and are choking the tone of the stick at its source or playing into the heads not off the heads. Both of these "techniques" (loosely) have a negative impact on a drums tone. Some players who use these techniques, are known by that sound. So there really are no rules these days, it just comes down to does your technique, stick tone and feel get lost in your drums or is it amplified. Have a great day, Tony Moore - KD.TV

[@larrytate1657]

@fartpoobox ohyeah I have a pdp kit that sounds much worse than my Yamaha in same room, same heads. It doesn’t have the warm resonance. Some drums do have something different going on. Not to mention it’s way faster to tune and stays in tune way longer.

[@Joethedrummer]

@@KillerDrumsTV Tip top sales chops 😁🤘

[@toddcapiton6285]

No way dude. Especially in person. Not to mention better parts, finishes, ease of tuning and the hybrid plies make them more aggressive. If your dumb statement was true we’d all be playing stagg drums, right?

[@Joethedrummer]

@@toddcapiton6285 ok. You know best.

[@davegarciaofficial]

Tour custom is maple

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Hey mate, the ’80s Tour Customs were birch/mahogany shells, but the 2017 incarnation features 6-ply, 5.6mm all-maple shells. So you’re bang on.

[@davegarciaofficial]

@@KillerDrumsTV was just pointing it out as you may want to edit your description because it says “birch” after Tour Custom :)

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Cheers, done. Thanks for the pickup.

[@johncollins5552]

I expect a rydeen kit with emperor's would sound better. Those heads will make any drum sound not so good.

[@johncollins5552]

Maple tour custom has killer bass drum sound. I have the snare but don't like it, I prefer a birch snare with my maple kit.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Cheers John, it sure did.

[@samumutka9236]

The stage custom is just too good for the money. It has the same tom mounting system as the new recording customs. The birch is asian birch but it still sounds very good. Also the tour custom has asian maple shell. So the only difference between stage custom and tour custom is that tour custom has better heads and 2.3 mm hoops. Stage custom has 1.5mm hoops wich some drummers prefer because some drummers say they are easier to tune. Other than that the harware is the same.

[@ivanbajovic3476]

And maple bass drums always sounds better than birch bass drums.

[@samumutka9236]

@@ivanbajovic3476 Thats just a matter of preference

[@ivanbajovic3476]

@@samumutka9236 Do you like birch bass drum sound more than maple?

[@samumutka9236]

@@ivanbajovic3476 I personally don't like one bass drum sound more because it's maple or birch:D It all depends on the combination of the shell, heads, tuning, bearing edges and the mic placement. There are very good birch and maple bass drums and maple can sound better on another day and birch better the next day. And you really can't say that one sound is better than the other sound and it's just a matter of preference.

[@rkaylor5769]

TC has North American maple. SC has Asian birch. Thus, the price difference. Heads aren’t the difference.

[@matthewgonano636]

Fourneen ench

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Yes, 14"

[@tonymac1257]

WHY HAVE YOU GOT THE RACK TOMS IN REVERSE ORDER?

[@KillerDrumsTV]

It's an open handed linear style of set up for a righthand lead player so a simple 4/16 note fill like 10, 12, 16, 16 is played R, L, R, L with out crossing sticks. Bernard Purdie Kenny Aronoff Don Famularo Jimmy Chamberlin Billy Cobham Mike Mangini ...and many more all play reversed toms. In my opinion it is a more musical approach (like chords) than ascending tones (like scales).

[@toddcapiton6285]

Because he wants to, douche. What do you care?

[@joerico9461]

Way cheaper in the US

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Yeah, the Australian dollar is worth only 60 cents American. So something $1000 here is only $600 there.

[@toddcapiton6285]

Never traveled out of town Joe? They are on a damn island fool

[@joerico9461]

@@toddcapiton6285 yes I know where they are jackass I'm just saying it's cheaper in the US

[@shawnrenaud2252]

Hey camera guy! When the hosts are looking at, pointing to and talking about something offscreen, TURN THE FRIGGIN CAMERA !!

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Camera guy here, thanks for noticing me 😍

[@raymondkarlsson9794]

Like a wood store

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Yes

[@paulglinz7905]

Just a suggestion but if you're going to discuss a kit how about SHOWING IT at the same time your talking about it instead of just sitting behind another kit - maybe get off the chair and point out what you're talking about or at least have it on camera - just a suggestion.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Thanks Paul, this was a departure from our normal style of Gear Gear Gear films, being that we had four at a time and only a few hours. so although I appreciate your comment and suggestion, it is what the time and space allowed. Please appreciate that there is a massive amount of time and setup required to film and move all these drums as well as cost, equipment and crew and yet we ask nothing of you, nor are we selling you anything, just sharing our passion with you for free, and yes normally we do. Feel free to watch our other films and let us know which ones you like the best. Regards Tony

[@temptingfrog2723]

$1700 for stage custom shells??? I don’t think that’s right lol

[@KillerDrumsTV]

We're in Australia mate. Tmes by .6 and you'd be close to USD.

[@theavenger3363]

And the winner is : Gretsch Renown.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Ha ha. Glad you got something out of it.

[@sharper9009]

Where are these insane quoted prices coming from? None of these kits cost anywhere close to what they are saying

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Hey Scott, these are in AUD and the kits are from www.mooloolabamusic.com.au (on the Sunshine Coast, Australia). Which currency are you referring to?

[@sharper9009]

@@KillerDrumsTV Oh I see. I was referring to USD in the states

[@rkaylor5769]

They’re in QLD, I think Brizzy, not Dallas.

[@chevyvette96]

@@sharper9009 Everything is always so much more expensive here in AUS compared to USD!

[@MrColinberrill]

The higher the price on a Drum kit the better the skins provided. So this video does not provide a true sound comparison. All these kits should have been fitted with the same skins for a true sound comparison.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Hi Colin, you're right, "the higher the price on a Drum kit the better the skins provided". What we're actually trying to accomplish is giving the viewer an out-of-the-box representation of each kit including the skins that are provided however bad or good they may be. It's about sound for the price point! Thanks or your comment, feel free to check out some of our other videos

[@toddcapiton6285]

Not a shootout numbnut! Why pose $5k kits against a Rydeen? Oh, cause that would be stupid

[@user-re6vr1up5y]

Tell Germany nothing,, surprise is better than clues

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Achtung

[@dutchschaefer4983]

$1300 for a Rydeen ?? Wtf

[@KillerDrumsTV]

That's Australia!

[@aboutthemetal8783]

Ill take birch over maple everytime .

[@KillerDrumsTV]

My late 80's RC kit just has that extra something every time, a little extra voicing, more low end and a bit more punch on the kik. I hear ya mats. Thanks for sharing. Tony

[@SheldonKreger]

You need to use the same heads on all the drums or the comparison is meaningless.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Hey Sheldon, thanks for your comment. The comparison is out of the "out of box sound", as in what you are actually buying. A comparison with the same heads over different drums (an A/B is only of use if it happens to be the head combination that you like and they are tuned precisely the same between kits. Here the goal was to present each kit's "out of the box" sound so that you can hear exactly what you are buying at each price point, not the potential of what you're if you also buy a couple of hundred dollars of heads too. That said we have some A/B's of same drums with different head combinations and the head winner will be used as the basis of an A/B between a few competing pro kits, like all maple, all birch comparisons. Thanks for watching.

[@SheldonKreger]

@@KillerDrumsTV Thank you. In my opinion, the owner will replace the heads within days or weeks after purchase. So I would still prefer to an A/B comparison as you described. Love the channel!

[@grooveroid]

@@SheldonKreger Not necessarily! I have the white Stage Custom like that one they demoed, with the stock heads UC still on after two years ownership and I've recorded two albums and an EP plus weekly rehearsals and gigs. About to record a further album with them. They still tune up well and there are no pitch bend issues. The snare is the one exception, and has had about four heads in that time, plus two snare wire sets.

[@desperationno5]

…Great drums but very underwhelming finishes…

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Ha ha, never let an underwhelming finish get in the way of a great drum sound. TM

[@desperationno5]

@@KillerDrumsTV …And I remember selling their product when they were able to pull off both…

[@banditY2K]

All Yamaha stuff sounds the same. No mojo.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Try a different pair of sticks.

[@toddcapiton6285]

Ok bandit. Stick with your stagg. With the hybrid shells several lines sound different especially in person. But you probably never played any

[@ryanfreese2031]

Well that was a waste of my time watching this video. Some advanced tune your tom drums higher. Stop trying to tune a small drum too low. It just sounds horrible. A small drum is not going to get a nice low sound ,there are naturally going to have a higher note and fundamental pitch. It’s not worth buying an expensive drum and not tuning them up high enough to allow the heads and shell to vibrate and sustain properly. A proper good sound drum is tuned higher and more tension on the heads than you think. I can’t stand detuned drums that have heads sounding wobbly warpy or buzzy because the heads are not tight enough on the shell and the shell can’t vibrate at its natural tones.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Ha ha… much like reading your comment I guess. I’m sorry if you think you can only tune a small Tom high and a low Tom low, this is not true at all. A jazz 18” bass drum is generally tuned super high, compared to an 18” rock floor purse. Equally a snare can be tuned super high and super low. But by your complaint, a tympani for example should only be tuned to one note, its fundamental most resonate pitch. Technically higher pitches resonate faster and shorter anyways, so a “most resonate” pitch in a small tom won’t be as resonate as the most resonate note in a larger Tom. That produces a problem for your theory. The truth of the matter whether you know it or not, is that drums operate as a set. Furthermore, a head diameter places a drum in a range of pitches, but that drum’s tension can lift or lower the pitch quite a range, with many sounding great. Equally a super thin shell (and also some timbers) can lower the pitch of a drum well below its range, and equally a thick shell, or a shell with re-rings and harder timber will raise it’s pitch. The reality is that any drum has several resonate pitches, not just one; and necessarily a higher pitch. Food for thought. Thanks for you criticism. Happy tuning.

[@ryanfreese2031]

@@KillerDrumsTV you’re comment doesn’t really compare apples to apples. A 18” drum can get low frequencies /sound but it’ll never reach low enough like 22” 24” etc… even if the shell was thin I down to drop the pitch down. Now if you look at a piano scale the timpani drum is at the far low end of the scale and no matter what you’ll never tune it to the high note of the other end of the scale because the design and large capacity the of the timpani shell is not design to and is beyond it’s capabilities. It’s very poor example you’re trying to point. The only thing that you mention that makes any kind of sense is a thick shell vs. a thinner shell but that’s only part of it. You forgot that the depth of the drum affects the pitch and as well as a drum having smaller diameter like a 13” vs 14” diameter can changed a note higher too. Then you didn’t mention how type of wood can affect the tone of the drum. Not a very good argumentative point from you. My comment still stands as is. Example you can’t get a 8” diameter drum to sound like a12”/13”/14” drum even if you increase the depth of the drum cause now the drum will sound more like “octabon” drums and you’re not gonna get a 13” drum to sound low like a 16” floor tom ,so just stop doing it that just sounds horrible. I’ve got 40 + yrs playing drums so it’s not an opinion it’s an observation of real application.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Sure it does. As a drum maker I can make a 20x8 sound deeper than a 24x20. I have bass drums here from 30” down to 16”, in a variety of depths and the bass drum that is the lowest pitch by far (not because of the heads) is one of my custom 20” x 8”bass drums. You see there are factors at play here that few even have realised, because most drum makers just assemble and make drums designed for profit. Few make drums for sound. Given that, generally you are listening to only the same limited examples of drum made for profit and not instruments, so I can’t expect you to know of other possibilities even with 100 years experience playing drums. I make drum prototypes to test all these notions, so I can manipulate these “fixed ideas” and know how to master their influence. Here’s one experiment you can try yourself at home to raise many points. 1.Get a length of clear 10mm (approx) pvc tubing and squish it into your floor Tom hole air hole. Make sure it tight. 2. Now place the tubing in your mouth. 3. start to play, keep playing, 4. blow as hard as you can and for as long as you can; tell me what happens to the pitch of your drum and why that’s happening. Now ponder how can a drum maker (not assembler) remove that pitch impact from a shell to lower an 8” Tom to sound like a 12” Tom? Maybe watch a few acoustic violin and guitar making videos as they often are showing you exactly that. Remember we are not talking about the feel of a drum as in the difference between playing an 8” Tom to a 16 or 18” Tom, but pitch shifting with in the bounds of a drum heads range. Also, I have not forgotten about the depth of a drum in relation to pitch, depth does not exclusively lower pitch as my 20 x8 is lower in pitch than my 20 x 18, but do you know why? We all have 40+ years experience these days, and observations galore, but many with little understanding about physics and the elements. but I think you may just like tuning drums your way and being rigid is ok if everyone one else likes that too, but on this video you appear to be one in 50,000 that don’t like the sound of the tuning. That likely suggests something worth pondering before you reply. But if you reply please put up some actual audio examples of what you do and don’t like and I’m happy to consider a challenge that make end up in a video for others to compare and comment on. Have a great day.

[@toddcapiton6285]

Stfu tune your stagg kit the way you want. Some like low dead drums, it’s preference. Gadd often played his top notch kit very low and muffled and you can’t touch his turds.

[@dmgsoultogetherness6667]

rydeen is way over priced

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Possibly.

[@asanmartinjr07]

The smallest rack tom should be closest to the high hat if set up for a right handed drummer.

[@KillerDrumsTV]

No. It's purely conditioning that we do this.

[@asanmartinjr07]

@@KillerDrumsTV What do you mean, conditioning?

[@KillerDrumsTV]

There is no musical or even practical reason that a small Tom would be closest to the hi hat. A piano is chromatically arranged from high notes on the right, to low on the left; which musically would be opposite to how a drummer arranges their drums. So by conditioning, I mean classical conditioning - as in automatically pairing something unrelated together and holding to that thinking as fact. If you think about a drum set logically, and physiologically, then our hi hat would be centre of the kit; our toms and cymbals arranged left and right, based on effiency and musicality as in most used, closest; and those drums used lest go further away. Their position should also be influenced by the tones or order in which you want to play those tones. So if you want to play snare/small Tom/2nd Tom/ floor Tom. Then a conditioned set up is fine. But it is very limiting as you add more drums and even just considering the hi hat position off the one side, when you play that 90% of the time. That said, I have a set of drums set up in an ergonomic manner of thinking and have done so since the 90's and they are so efficient to play. By breaking away from condition or breaking away from automatically assuming something should be set up in the same way as everyone else, limits our progress as it limits our thinking and physical options. Have a great day. Tony

[@grooveroid]

@@KillerDrumsTV I'm absolutely going to try this and when I can afford the extra drums I'm also going to try the conventional set up, but with sizes 8 - 12 - 14 -18 if I can obtain the SCB 18'' in Polar White. 10'' toms..who needs 'em! ;)

[@toddcapiton6285]

Ok drum lawyer. Did you hear his explanation? Millions set their toms up out of sequence for fun, you should start a class action lawsuit. You probably call it the “high” tom. What about righties that lead with their left? Are they safe from the rules?

[@rimshotdc]

WHAT A BUNCH OF BULLSHIT❗❗❗❓❓❓😡 BEGINNER DRUM SETS AND PROFESSIONAL DRUM SETS

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Is it now? LOL

[@NiceCapeHelpVids]

less talk more play

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Thanks for your comment. If you're new to the channel, this segment "Gear Gear Gear" is about discovering new or old gear and having a chat around that. As such, We value the talk as much as the playing and also realise that there are many drum channels out there that are all play no talk. And that's not us. We are about a conversation. We do however understand that as the attention spans and patience of some viewers gets less and less, that a few may not like it and complain, but we also know that most drummers like to talk, listen and play. This channel is for them. Have a great day.

[@83cat]

Stupid camera view

[@KillerDrumsTV]

Thanks Felix for your encouraging feedback, are you a guitarist? Anyways, feel free to post a link to an example of your work so any other "guitarists" can blindly and ignorantly critise. LOL,have a great day, kind regards Tony