I tried this snare at NAMM. Out of the couple hundred snares of every metal and wood combination imaginable, this one was By FAR the winner. And it's a Very Affordable drum
As someone who owns this kit in a different finish, I enjoy the kit. It does shine a lot more after changing the heads out to a G2 batter or something similar to that, or just replacing the heads all around. Once you tune it right, there's little to no muffling needed on the drums. I think the only complaint from me that it does have trouble staying in tune sometimes, but that's probably because of the temperature of the room I'm in, especially when I'm just practicing in a hot garage in the Summer. I've been using this kit for nearly two years and used it on a lot of recordings. If you're looking for an SJC kit and not pay the custom price, this kit is great.
Another very professional review once again! However, this might be the first time where I'm not totally in love with the sound (mainly the toms) and it's probably just the coated heads. I think Nolly describes it perfectly at 5:16 "very short voice and lack of overtones" probably a result of the cheaper Taiwanese evans heads that are put on it. I'd really like to hear either an G2 clear or a clear remo emperor on the toms to bring out a little more high end attack and longer sustain (my personal sound preference)... a fine kit and very handsome kit indeed, just not set up for the sound I personally would like to hear from high end maple drums.
You're right about the heads. I own this kit, but in a different finish. I was very impressed with it. The stock heads will get you going, but it really shines after you change them out to a G2 or something similar to that.
I appreciate this video is pretty old now but is there any chance the tuning of the toms and kick is noted anywhere?? I’ve picked up the same kit recently 2nd hand and am trying to get it sounding its best. Also what Evans heads are on the toms? Thank you!
I've been playing for 30+ years and I have Various kits from Tama and Yamaha.Lately I've been curious about a kit with fully Rounded bearing edge. Drum kits from the 60s and 70s. Do you have any experience with that?
Sounds good for 7ply maple but not at that price - Gretsch Catalina Maple or Renown series, Tama Imperialstar, and the Yamaha Stage Custom series are all priced below (some by hundreds) and seem to offer much more tonally (all of those were reviewed by their channel).
Not to mention they use Keller shells. Good shells but anyone can "build" their own set with all the hardware that's readily available. You're better off buying a higher end used kit from a company that makes their own shells if you're on a budget.
Jacob Martinez I didn’t know that. Don’t get me wrong Keller makes excellent shells. But in the mid 2000’s gold rush of “custom” drum builders that all used Keller shells the concept got played out. DW did use Keller shells at one point but they were a custom shell of 3 ply with 5 ply reinforcement rings and the thinnest they ever offered. I made the mistake of buying an entire set of Keller shells to make my own kit. By the time you add hardware which is generic and the same stuff dozens of companies use......you’re better off putting the money towards a used high end kit. And of course this doesn’t include the finish. I could have bought a new Starclassic Maple for maybe $500 more.
Sounds good for 7ply maple but not at that price - Gretsch Catalina Maple or Renown series, Tama Imperialstar, and the Yamaha Stage Custom series are all priced below (some by hundreds) and seem to offer much more tonally. If you're not specifically looking to get into SJC I would check out the sets mentioned above that were reviewed by this channel before pulling the trigger. While they are basic maple shells, Nolly is a pro when it comes to tuning/production where as entry to intermediate and possibly advanced players with minimal tuning expertise may struggle to achieve and/or maintain these specific results - on top of recording in a very 'lively' room at Middle Farm Studios
Tama superstar or Silverstar is better than the imperial star and still much cheAper than this kit. This is just way overpriced. I mean the 3 piece sjc navigator kit is around the same price as a Tama starclassic 4 piece which is just insane. I would pick a superstar Silverstar and especially a starclassic any day. But hey that’s just me.
Very nice review as usual. As far as the drums go, I’m really not Diggin the sound. I would like to hear them with different heads but they just sound dull to me
I would agree, I'd love to hear some clear Emperors on the toms to get a bit more tonal resonance and high end crisp attack... everyone has their preference and that's fine, but I'm with you in thinking they just sound a little dull as well.
Sounds good for 7ply maple but not at that price - Gretsch Catalina Maple or Renown series, Tama Imperialstar, and the Yamaha Stage Custom series are all priced below (some by hundreds) and seem to offer much more tonally - all of those were reviewed by their channel.
Those rubber wing nuts look very similar to OCDP Newport’s and the rubber on the claws look like the ones from the higher end Crush kits. I’m not too surprised since many brand’s import series are built under the same roof by the same people.
I tried this snare at NAMM. Out of the couple hundred snares of every metal and wood combination imaginable, this one was By FAR the winner. And it's a Very Affordable drum
This kit sounds incredible. Loving the toms especially!
I often find myself thinking “oh good I wanted those to sound as good as I had hoped” during these reviews. Great review as always!
I’m really impressed with the sound of the kit and the snare!
YES! Been wanting more review/test footage of the aluminum snare. It always shocks me how dry it is
As someone who owns this kit in a different finish, I enjoy the kit. It does shine a lot more after changing the heads out to a G2 batter or something similar to that, or just replacing the heads all around. Once you tune it right, there's little to no muffling needed on the drums. I think the only complaint from me that it does have trouble staying in tune sometimes, but that's probably because of the temperature of the room I'm in, especially when I'm just practicing in a hot garage in the Summer. I've been using this kit for nearly two years and used it on a lot of recordings. If you're looking for an SJC kit and not pay the custom price, this kit is great.
I would like to see you playing bass along with some of these reviews.
I own this kit and it’s my absolute favorite!
Difficult to fault. Wonderful sound and impressive, as usual, playing. Thank you.
Another very professional review once again! However, this might be the first time where I'm not totally in love with the sound (mainly the toms) and it's probably just the coated heads. I think Nolly describes it perfectly at 5:16 "very short voice and lack of overtones" probably a result of the cheaper Taiwanese evans heads that are put on it. I'd really like to hear either an G2 clear or a clear remo emperor on the toms to bring out a little more high end attack and longer sustain (my personal sound preference)... a fine kit and very handsome kit indeed, just not set up for the sound I personally would like to hear from high end maple drums.
You're right about the heads. I own this kit, but in a different finish. I was very impressed with it. The stock heads will get you going, but it really shines after you change them out to a G2 or something similar to that.
I love this kit. I'm soon buy one. I love purple and that brass just pops. thanks drummers review .
that kits my dream kit. I gotta save up. I want a bigger 9 piece with that exact snare alpha aluminum .
HERMOSA BATERIA Y ESE TAMBOR DE ALUMINIO ES UNA BELLEZA!!!
I appreciate this video is pretty old now but is there any chance the tuning of the toms and kick is noted anywhere?? I’ve picked up the same kit recently 2nd hand and am trying to get it sounding its best. Also what Evans heads are on the toms? Thank you!
what are the mic's on the toms? sound great!
That snare sounds amazing
Im curious about how it would sound with another type of heads
That snare is something special
So is there a 7-piece pack??
Do they use the same lugs as Mapex?
Can this kit be purchased with a 20x14 or 20x16 bass drum?
I've been playing for 30+ years and I have Various kits from Tama and Yamaha.Lately I've been curious about a kit with fully Rounded bearing edge. Drum kits from the 60s and 70s. Do you have any experience with that?
Do one on the tour series
Do shell packs come with heads someone plz tell me
ramez miskey yes they do... best wishes DR
SJC are a great custom shop company. Not a fan of those "warrior's sword" lugs, but they do have more classic lug options.
You guys should pick up and review the new Tama Walnut/Birch kit. I'd love to hear those shells under amazing microphones
Those toms!!!
Awesome work as always, keep testing drums in that price range :D
Sounds good for 7ply maple but not at that price - Gretsch Catalina Maple or Renown series, Tama Imperialstar, and the Yamaha Stage Custom series are all priced below (some by hundreds) and seem to offer much more tonally (all of those were reviewed by their channel).
Very nice crisp sound.
Would like to hear them on low tuning with Remo Ambassadors, for more warmth.
For the price, you could buy Gretsch or Ludwig.
Not to mention they use Keller shells. Good shells but anyone can "build" their own set with all the hardware that's readily available. You're better off buying a higher end used kit from a company that makes their own shells if you're on a budget.
@@Assimilator702 They don't anymore.
@@warrenoids Do they build their own shells now?
@@Assimilator702 I believe they started building their own shells in house about 2 or 3 years ago
Jacob Martinez I didn’t know that. Don’t get me wrong Keller makes excellent shells. But in the mid 2000’s gold rush of “custom” drum builders that all used Keller shells the concept got played out. DW did use Keller shells at one point but they were a custom shell of 3 ply with 5 ply reinforcement rings and the thinnest they ever offered. I made the mistake of buying an entire set of Keller shells to make my own kit. By the time you add hardware which is generic and the same stuff dozens of companies use......you’re better off putting the money towards a used high end kit. And of course this doesn’t include the finish. I could have bought a new Starclassic Maple for maybe $500 more.
is there a seperate snare?
and what cymbals were used?
superior drum sound
Sounds good for 7ply maple but not at that price - Gretsch Catalina Maple or Renown series, Tama Imperialstar, and the Yamaha Stage Custom series are all priced below (some by hundreds) and seem to offer much more tonally. If you're not specifically looking to get into SJC I would check out the sets mentioned above that were reviewed by this channel before pulling the trigger. While they are basic maple shells, Nolly is a pro when it comes to tuning/production where as entry to intermediate and possibly advanced players with minimal tuning expertise may struggle to achieve and/or maintain these specific results - on top of recording in a very 'lively' room at Middle Farm Studios
Tama superstar or Silverstar is better than the imperial star and still much cheAper than this kit. This is just way overpriced. I mean the 3 piece sjc navigator kit is around the same price as a Tama starclassic 4 piece which is just insane. I would pick a superstar Silverstar and especially a starclassic any day. But hey that’s just me.
@@andyham6094 Absolutely
Sounds nice. Would like to know what cymbals you are using here.
Looks like a 14" byzance traditional hi hat, an 18" byzance traditional thin crash, and a 21" byzance transition ride
pleasing cross stick sound :)
Very nice review as usual. As far as the drums go, I’m really not Diggin the sound. I would like to hear them with different heads but they just sound dull to me
I would agree, I'd love to hear some clear Emperors on the toms to get a bit more tonal resonance and high end crisp attack... everyone has their preference and that's fine, but I'm with you in thinking they just sound a little dull as well.
Sounds instantly like music
Liked because the beard glistening at 1:00
Thst snare sounds awesome. Not a fan of the other drums so much
Too bad they discontinued this kit. What a shame
Snare and toms sounded great ... the kick ehhhhhhhhh
Showing you don’t have to break the bank to get the sound and quality you need.
Sounds good for 7ply maple but not at that price - Gretsch Catalina Maple or Renown series, Tama Imperialstar, and the Yamaha Stage Custom series are all priced below (some by hundreds) and seem to offer much more tonally - all of those were reviewed by their channel.
Those rubber wing nuts look very similar to OCDP Newport’s and the rubber on the claws look like the ones from the higher end Crush kits. I’m not too surprised since many brand’s import series are built under the same roof by the same people.
Definitely a targeted audience as far as marketing goes. But I’m the exact audience so…. Lol needless to say I think they’re fantastic!