Need you help guys! Don't know what to choose!

[Victor Lipman]

Hi!

I want to buy a drumset for gigs in Paris, to play in small places to bigger places (sonorized), with my folk rock band.

At first I was interested by that :
http://www.baguetterie.fr/p28611/BATTER ... _info.html

Because it's maple and it's not really a "jazz kit".

A friend recommended me this Gretsch kit :
http://www.baguetterie.fr/BATTERIES-GRE ... index.html

But I think I'll not really use the 8" tom, and I'm afraid the bass drum isn't enough for having something else than a "jazz oriented sound".

And there is this one :
http://www.baguetterie.fr/BATTERIES-GRE ... index.html

18" bass drum. Would be okay. But I'm not convinced at all by the 12x8" tom.

I'm afraid I could not tune these Gretsch drumsets for having a pop/folk/rock sound... I don't want it to be "heavy rock", but not only jazz and too limited for other styles... I like quite low sounds, I know some small kits can do that without any problem.
I played recently on a Gretsch with 18" bass drum and 12" tom, and I know it was tuned a certain way, but the 12" tom was so high and so different than what I'm looking for...

Do you know these kits? What do you think of that?
Can I play some heavier stuff compared to "jazz" with it?

Thanks guys, if you can help me with that.

Victor.

[YamahaPlayer]

I would say go for the Sonor or Gretsch. Needn't worry about being able to tune the Gretsch to not be "jazz" sounding, like most high quality drums - IMO - it's 100% a matter of head selection and tuning.

The walnut gretsch looks to be around what you're looking for, sizes and configuration wise.

Is there a place you can try the drums out or something close to them?

[Victor Lipman]

Thanks for your answer.

I'll try the Gretsch Catalina 18x12x14" Friday.
Unfortunately it seems impossible to try the other kits. That's why it's difficult!

So you think that for example this 12x8" can sound in a pop/rock context with a good head?

Which Walnut Gretsch were you talking about? 16x8x10x13" or 18x12x14" ?

[YamahaPlayer]

The bigger sizes. Cause you can still tune an 18" pretty low, and it'll have some guts if you lay into it. Sound wise 12x8 for sure, that's a fairly common size now a days - drums having moved away from square sizes.

Just checked, on several of my yamaha kits, including the PHX, the it's 12x8.

[DSOP]

Have you checked out craigslist for used drums? I see amazing deals all the time.

I would go for a 20" bass drums instead of an 18".

Here are some local ads for Gretsch:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/ms ... 81093.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/ms ... 99383.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/ms ... 83936.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/ms ... 97700.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/ms ... 25402.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ms ... 50240.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/ms ... 87631.html

[Victor Lipman]

I'm in Paris.

I don't want a bigger bass drum than 18" to be able to transport the drumkit easily in Paris, without taking my car, with the help of the musicians of my band.

edit : just watched on ebay France and another famous French site for small ads... nothing!!

[DSOP]

I don't want a bigger bass drum than 18" to be able to transport the drumkit easily in Paris, without taking my car, with the help of the musicians of my band.

Have you spent much time playing an 18" bass drum? If not, I suggest trying one out at a store to make sure you'll be okay with it. A 20" by 14" is pretty small too.

[Victor Lipman]

I already played on 18" bass drums, and heard a lot, that's not a problem to have a fat sound with it (of course, it depends of which one).
I'll try a Catalina Club 18" Friday.

That's especially for the toms I worry about.

[Victor Lipman]

I don't want a bigger bass drum than 18" to be able to transport the drumkit easily in Paris, without taking my car, with the help of the musicians of my band.

Have you spent much time playing an 18" bass drum? If not, I suggest trying one out at a store to make sure you'll be okay with it. A 20" by 14" is pretty small too.

Actually you make me hesitate...

There is a cheap Gretsch Catalina Maple :
http://www.woodbrass.com/product_info.p ... 6740&af=35

What do you think of this one?

[YamahaPlayer]

You're carrying your kit through the city? Damn man. You're a drum hero.