www.shortscale.org

[Boab]

My friend's looking at getting a drum kit for some basic practicising and playing gigs. I don't know jack about any of the stuff and don't really know where to start looking so I thought I would ask you folks here. I'm really hoping some of you can give me some advice on whether these are good deals.

I have the chance of a:

-Mapex 5 piece kit (Snare, Bass & 3 Toms) for £100

Then he's also offered

-Zildjian 17" Zcustom crash £25
-Alchemy 19" power crash £20
-Mendl 10" splash £5
-Zildjian avedis 12" splash £10
Or all for £50

Also,
-Sabian 13" AAX stage hihats £70
-Sabian 14" prosonix hihats £15.

Really we just need the basic 5 piece kit with a hi-hat, crash and a ride.
There's another offer HERE which seems like it could be decent if I bargained a bit, since £300 would be too much.

Can you offer any advice? Thanks for your time.
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[willlin]

The top one seems like a pretty good deal, particularly with those cymbals. If it doesn't go ahead I'll take them off him...

Mapex kits are ok, though it depends on the model really. I'm assuming it comes with all the hardware and stands too? You can make even a shit sounding kit sound good with new heads and duct tape anyway. I'm assuming it comes with all the hardware and stands too? Mapex are generally ok on this although you can always upgrade.

That Pearl Forum is a fusion kit, so the toms are smaller and better suited to jazz/ hip hop/ funk styles rather than rock although it's not an absolute deal breaker

If I were you/him I'd go for the Mapex and cymbals and pick up a cheap ride of t'bay or something.

[Boab]

Yeah, I'm kinda agreeing with you. It's a Mapex Venus kit, if that means anything in terms of quality. As you say, a decent set-up will leave it pretty good.

He's gonna give us the pro-sonix hihats for free too, so it'll be the five-piece kit, all the stands/hardware etc and all those cymbals for £150. Probably don't need the 2 Splashes, but it is a fantastic deal. Only slight worry is that the Zidjian Z-Custom crash has a slight crack at the centre. Is that a major/unfixable problem?
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[robroe]

unfixable.


its only a matter of time depending on if he plays like a pussy like my dad, or like dave ghrol how long the tiny crack will take to turn into a giant one


all the other shit sounds awesome though / cheap as hell
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[willlin]

I think some of the venus series kits are wrapped, ie. a plywood shell with plastic wrapped around the outside. Laquered finishes tend to sound better but for £100 you can't really go wrong. Just be a little wary if the wrap is coming off, for no other reason than it looks shit.

I did up until a few weeks ago have a spare ride which may have been handy but alas it's now gone...

Cymbal cracks are a bit of an issue, particuarly if it's in the centre/ bell section of the cymbal. It depends on the size of the crack but Z custom cymbals sound awesome anyway. They can be repaired, either by putting epoxy in the crack or by drilling or cutting out the whole section, but to be honest I would just rock the bastard until it breaks. It'll be a good sounding cymbal and for £25 cracked or not it seems pretty good.

[Boab]

Yeah, We're definetely gonna go for it. £150 for the 5-piece Mapex Venus Kit, Silencer pads and loadsa high quality cymbals does seem like a superb deal.

I'm REALLY CHUFFED!
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[willlin]

Good one mate.

If you ever need to offload a splash or two...

[Boab]

[Viljami]

A steal I'd say. Sounds like a decent kit to get started with without having to throw insane money out the window. Well done! Probably all of the cymbals etc. are pretty worn, but still.
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Wild spirit of the Eagle, Black hawk, bird of prey design

[Boab]

First of all thanks for all the advice folks. I knew NOTHING about drums but yous taught me what i needed. Man, Shortscale's awesome!

Anyway, got the kit last night and can't explain how happy we are with the deal! Found our way to his house easily too (he literally lived in a building next to Hampden Park, our National Stadium).

All in all, for £148, he gave us:
-The 5-piece Mapex Venus, RedWine Kit (looks to be in great condition too)

-The Zildjian Z-custom crash (in which the crack is barely, barely noticeable, so it should last for ages yet) and the Alchemy Crash (which can probably work as a ride)

-Sabian Pro-Sonix Hi-Hats (which seem great)

-Meidl Splash and a Zildjian Splash

-Loadsa expensive, sturdy hardware (Yamaha cymbal stands, two hi-hat stands and a bass pedal)

-A Bagfull of even more free goodies (Tuning Key, Sticks, Stick Holder, Snare Bag and a new Snare Skin)

-Finally, the icing on the cake... 3 COWBELLS

I'm sure there's other stuff I've forgotten about too, but meh. He was just wanting to clear out space since he had barely used it in the first place. I'm so, so happy though. Getting new gear is such a great feeling.
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[Rhysyrhys]

[willlin]

[Boab]