RE: [Worship] Drum Recommendations?

["David King" <DavidKing@kclibrary.org>]

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> Our church is ready to purchase drums now.  Can anyone make some
> recommendations?  I know that we would like solid maple - seems like
the
> best quality from my research. 

Here are my recommendations - as a drummer of over 25 years (man,
where'd that time go?).
 
I'd pick some of the nice student models, like the Pearl Export, Tama
Rockstar, or DW's Pacific drums. All three are VERY good quality for the
money. My church owns a Pearl Export kit, and it sounds very nice. I
have read good reviews on the other two brands. They aren't 100% Maple
drums, but then no one's going to notice that. Really. (well, unless you
sat two kits side by side, and did a comparison). Each of those kits
will sound great, if they're properly tuned.
 
The parts that will sound bad at a lower range are snare drums and
cymbals. My church owns some of both - but I always use my own cymbals
and snare drums, so it's no problem (for me, anyway). But even then - I
don't notice bad sound coming from the stage on the Sundays I'm not
playing. I only notice bad sound (like with they cymbals) when I'm
actually playing them.
 
All this to say - buy one of the above kits (it'll run you $8-900 at
musiciansfriend.com), and buy one of the lower-ranged cymbal kits. And
then give your your drummers a choice to bring their own cymbals and
snare drums when they play.
 
David King