Hi all drum sifus, I have tried a few drums around KL and these are the few drums I've narrowed down but couldn't really decide.

Tama Starclassic Performer B/B, Yamaha Live Custom, Pearl MCX, and Truth Drum.

Personally, I find the Tama unit to be unique. Birch + Bubinga does give a very fat sound with a good mid although the Pearl MCX have a better mid and high and the pearl seems to be very open while the Tama unit I find the sound very closed up.

Then went to try out my friend's Yamaha Live Custom, and oh boy! What a beast! Sounded so much fatter than the Tama and clearly outshine the Pearl as well. It kind stand out, however when contacted Yamaha don't have stock, not until April or May.

Then tried out Truth at TGS. Man, those shells sings! And the workmanship is way better than the other 3 brands.

So am pretty bumped. For economical wise - I'll go with Tama. For sound wise - The pearl might suit me, but the Yamaha sounds really really good (just need to go to friend's place to whack it again), and for workmanship wise - Truth is the bet.

I own a Yamaha Recording Custom (second hand unit), Sonor Select Force, and Ludwig Acrylic kit (hand down unit from uncle, 1980s kit)

Size wise am looking for 10 TT, 12 TT , 16 FT, 20 BD (preferable smaller like 18 if possible)
But definitely changing my skin to evans GH2, not a remo fan.

For now, am still asking around for other drummer's experiece. Of course presently the Live Custom sounds like a rather unique sound since haven't had Oak for a drumset before, but the Tama is definitely an interesting fit of bubinga and birch.


Thanks so much for the recommendation on the Starclassics, while keep it in view since am pretty much attracted to hybrid sound or unique wood tones at the moment.

So right now its really between the Starclassics and the Live Custom for me. Yet to decide, since need CNY is going to kill my pocket. LOL

Personally prefer the DTX522. Tried two units before; a DTX522 and the DTX540 (older gen). The DTX540 technically sounds bigger, especially the Oak kit - there was much more low, same goes for their Gate Kit (the iconic Roxanne drum sound) on the DTX540 sounded big.

While the new DTX522 sounded more focus. Love the Maple kit on the 522, as well as the funky one-man drummer kit. Don't quite remember the setting but the sales person at Subang Parade Yamaha was very accommodating to set up both the 522 and 540 for me to try.

For Roland, well I have a few bad experience with it (partly my fault), while experimenting how the mesh will feel like with lighting rods, it accidentally messes up some part of the mesh (wood chip/grain went in between) and had to send the unit for repair. The unfortunate part was, it was a friend's unit. He eventually sold his TD-15 and got himself a yamaha as well.

Although the limit for Yamaha I feel is the midi fields that it can read - apparently if you downloaded other midi songs, some of the instruments in the midi song might not register with yamaha. Had a smoke on the water guitar part became flute -.- when i asked from the HQ, apparently the midi fields for Yamaha is unique for Yamaha, something like an apple .aac file compared to .mp3 files.

Anyway, just an update - purchased the Live Custom instead, will arrive only on April, but paid it now so no GST.
Guess this is like the best time to get all the instruments we can before GST strikes.

Just a question, what do you guys think about the Sabian Big & Ugly?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsf9dQuAIY4

I think its pretty neat, although direct copy of the Byzance. But kinda love the HH King.

Hahaha, don't think I need to - just found out from the Subang Parade sales person that they just received one unit yesterday. Its on display. Probably drop by tomorrow night to check it out.

Hey! Congrats on your purchase!

Well for my case, my lighting rods had some chips on the size. Used it for a couple of gigs so the side were pretty worn out. Then wanted to try out some experiment. Because Roland mesh is so sensitive, you can tap it with finger and it'll sound. So was thinking if I could cheat with a single lighting rod to get a double stroke since the individual stick will hit about mili seconds apart.

After a few tries (about 3 minutes in) the mesh was not as sensitive. And eventually found out that some of the wood chips actually went in between the mesh. At first we thought it couldn't be the problem, but when we sent it for service we found out that it is. Something to do with the sensor sense the tension of the mesh to trigger, but if the chips are in between it may cut off the signal.

We read about it, but did not find anything as what the service person told us - so for now, just make sure your drum stick isn't having any chipped while playing?

Would go with the DTX450 because, TD 3 have been discontinued. Even if you manage to get a good deal of the TD3, I personally would not want to buy discontinue product (except acoustic drums) because if let say if something happened 1 year after your purchase they might not have the parts anymore. Which then the unit just become useless.

Plus Roland in Malaysia don't sell module only. Have asked before. Both Yamaha and Roland don't actually sell module only, all on indent order la, tunggu 3 bulan la. So I'd rather spend on a DTX450K than a discon TD3.

Specs wise, TD3 is much better. Actually way better. However, its the discon part I cannot take.

I don't think I hit hard, but i did a lot of ghost notes. So only the snare was affected.

Anyways, just want to check what do you guys think about Mapex drums?

Personally, I think the drum does not sound punchy. Tried the armory series.

Hahaha sadly never heard the sound before. Youtubing now.
Next on my list is to get Premier drum since they have shifted all their manufacturing back to UK instead of mass produce in china.

Hopefully budget enough in March. LOL.

Thanks for the vid! Yeah was checking a lot of videos yesterday on youtube for saturn.
They do sound really full, big and good. Like the punch.

I think the set that Anika Nilles is using is crazy good. But that's way our of budget. Haha

Personal preference: Yamaha does good introductory kit (especially the DTX450K which is really good for starters and beginners). However for the mid-range drums; I'd skewed over to Roland for the price vs value. Then again, its a perceived value.

On the mesh head, yeah I understand with you on the difference. Having that extra diameter on the mesh head makes a difference to the bounce.

Well, will be waiting for your drum!



I think the difference is in the diameter of the snare. Because the mesh snare that was used in TD11 is used in TD15 as tom, while the TD15 snare, if you notice, is a bit bigger thus giving it a better feel. Sort of like, hitting a 14" cymbal and a 22" cymbal. Difference response even both are made of the same material.

On amps, I'd go with keyboard amp - partly the design for keyboard amp is more flexible than a drum mon. I mean, what if you plan to jam and so happen the bassist didn't bring his 150w amp cause its too heavy. So a keyboard amp does a better job than a drum mon.

Then again, having satelite speaker is a plus - which on drum mon can offer. Hehehehe

But I'd rather go with keyboard amp. Used to playing with a monitor on the floor, so feels normal to me.

You're planning to hook it up onto your TD11? Personal preference is keyboard amp. Not really fond of drum mon. Tried both Roland and Yamaha's drum mon compared to a keyboard amp. Not quite remember how much is PM-10; but when I was searching for my Live Custom at Yamaha, I did give a try at their drum mon - sounded really closed and muffled.

But I prefer clarity and openness of the sound - so i tried out a keyboard amp there, I think was a Laney amp. 150watt. Sounded so much better, even the sales person also don't know how to defend how sucky their drum mon sound.

Then again, it could be the kinda sound I look for.

But my normal setup:

12 channel mixer
Headphones.
Can do mixing and balancing myself on the laptop.

Main reason as to why you won't play a bass on an electric guitar amp.
For drums we're looking for a deep bass and a cut through high for the snare. Its a bit overly demanding for an electric guitar amp to handle.

Also electric guitar handles a lot of highs, while for drums in a single bar there'd be a lot of spectrum to cover.

Although sometimes, altec Lansing computer amps are good as well. Hehehehe.

Carpet your floor man, them hi-hat stands and kick stand have spikes under them. Carpet helps since Yamaha included velcro straps under the kick stand.

Next thing to do, go download Yamaha MusicSoft apps. Can download additional songs there. And the new ver 2.0 DTX-502 touch. Am using that to teach my students. Pretty neat since they have converted their songs into either a normal music chart or either a rock band view. Pretty neat.

enjoy your yamaha dtx532k. Hahaha seen a lot of this set at my student's houses lol.

Then in the near future, my advice. Change the e-cymbals to real cymbals. The playing experience will be so much more natural.

Anyone keen on trying out the Sabian Big & Ugly Series? One of my church mate is currently Yamaha Drums Product Manager, so he's asking me to just ask around.