Most Underrated Drum Company?

pearl i think is overpriced, compared to say, tama. the cheapo pearl sets are made of what? the website doesn't say. the less cheap export is poplar? eww. i've use junky laminate (basswood,lauan,whatever) tamas and was amazed by the sound. ludwig also has real woods in the $5-600 range, i have birch. fit and finish is not amazing, but it is birch and lacquer for about $100 per drum. also, peace has surprised me at least once, with that hammered steel snare, haven't spent too much time on a kit though. oh almost forgot pacific, cheap, maple, and you can get one of the wrapped snares used at stores for like $70-80.

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Originally Posted by erion_929

I dunno...I never really thought much of Yamaha, and in all actuallity forget about them from time to time...but I have heard some phenomenal sounding Yamaha drums.

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Word. I've heard many say (and I agree) Yamaha high end drums virtually ALWAYS sound amazing (unless they've been neglected). I had to order Yamaha after paying attention to my ears and reading a few posts on here - people saying "I've heard and played many ...Yamaha Absolutes are the best sounding drums I've ever heard". Yes sound quality is subjective, you'll never get everyone to agree - but to my ears the Yammies sound right.

what do you guys think of dw. a lot of drummers play with dw drums now like matt sorum and neil peart.

i would say taye for sure. i guess they aren't selling well, but i would've never known had someone not told me. my drum teacher has a tour pro and it sounds top notch. i'm getting one too because i liked it so much and guess how much it cost. $850!!! everybody buy tayes, they are the best bang for your buck ever.

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Originally Posted by microkit

pearl i think is overpriced, compared to say, tama. the cheapo pearl sets are made of what? the website doesn't say. the less cheap export is poplar? eww. i've use junky laminate (basswood,lauan,whatever) tamas and was amazed by the sound. ludwig also has real woods in the $5-600 range, i have birch. fit and finish is not amazing, but it is birch and lacquer for about $100 per drum. also, peace has surprised me at least once, with that hammered steel snare, haven't spent too much time on a kit though. oh almost forgot pacific, cheap, maple, and you can get one of the wrapped snares used at stores for like $70-80.

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If you're gonna say that pearl is overpriced, please don't compare it to Tama, it's not that big of a difference.

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Originally Posted by ilovehightensiondrums

what do you guys think of dw. a lot of drummers play with dw drums now like matt sorum and neil peart.

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if anything they're a bit overrated. a while ago they used to be at the front of the industry and their high price was justified in that, but now they're really not that special and too expensive in my opinion.

and i don't think Pearl is underrated. lots of people do assume that pearl isn't that great because there are so many of them but a lot of the people like guitarists that i have talked to will be like "oh you got a pearl? (this is when i had my forum) man thats an awesome drumset." new drummers are going to feel that way too. as for experienced drummers, well, if you stay away from a brand because lots of people think they're good or because they're everywhere then you shouldn't be thinking of yourself as experienced.

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Originally Posted by ilovehightensiondrums

what do you guys think of dw. a lot of drummers play with dw drums now like matt sorum and neil peart.

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I think they are highly OVERrated...

Famous people playing a certain brand doesn't mean a thing to me to be honest. Even if it's my favorite drummer. And also the most expensive or most popular brand doesn't make it the best-soundind for YOU. I've read many threads about people being largely dissapointed by DW and finding much cheaper high-end kits to sound much better and sport better features. And I find their pricing unjustified. It's mostly the whole "made in the USA" hype, not only with their drums, but also with their hardware.

But that's just my view on them. Many drummers swear by DW and are happiest with them.


I'd also like to add that I think Sonor is highly underrated, especially in the USA. I believe they make the best looking and best sounding kits in the world, having tried out kits from most of their series. I have yet to see a company which puts more attention to details on their drums and hardware than them. I believe their Force 2005/3005 take the crown in the field of intermediate-level kits. You get so much drum for your money. Their high-end kits may cost a pretty penny, but just a few 100 more than some big names and for instance the S-Class PRO kits are even cheaper than many of the high-end kits of the big names (for instance a Pearl Referance). And their Delite and SQ2 kits can be had for less than the ridiculously-priced DW and big-name custom companies (think OCDP) and Masterworks. And I have heard many of these wonderful and pricey kits and I still think the Sonors sound far better. Many people haven't ever tried Sonor because they aren't as available as brands such as Pearl and Tama. They are missing out IMO.

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Originally Posted by ilovehightensiondrums

what do you guys think of dw. a lot of drummers play with dw drums now like matt sorum and neil peart.

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Does it really matter what a bunch of guys on a board think ?

I would take much more stock in all the first call DW studio kits and touring kits that have flooded the industry the last 10 years or so...

There is obviously a reason why the majority of producers/production facilities and touring staff use/request them...

rmv

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Originally Posted by Damo

Actually, when you consider their quality vs their popularity I believe they are EXTREMELY underrated

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I dont consider lack of popularity to equal underrated. I consider poor reviews/word of mouth about a good product underrated.

GMS is another custom company that's climbing up in popularity- I've only heard them on record (namely Fates Warning albums), but they've always sounded great!

I've never really been too fond of Mapex, basically just the look of the logo turns me off, as well as the look of the drums doesn't look appealing to me.

I believe Sonor as well, I hardly ever see them but they are great drums for a great price, right on track with Pearl.