What's your opinion on signature kits?

  • Thread starter Chunchunchun
  • Start date
  • This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links like Ebay, Amazon, and others.
I understand what you're saying, but I know for a fact he already had an endorsement with Shine custom drums, and changed to Truth after about a year out of preference, hasn't changed since.


Not to be harsh, but that's kind of another "meh" brand, IMHO. Tarted up Keller shells. Not that this is a bad thing... but I think the fact that the raw materials are the same is very telling. The artist in question switched for some other reason.

FYI, You could build your own stuff just the same. Some of the DIY distributors will do all of the hard stuff for you for free. You just need a screwdriver and then get your IKEA on. :)


And the kits do sound great, as we all know ears don't lie, and every band I've seen live with a Truth kit has had great sounding drums!

Ears may not lie, but sound boards stretch the truth (I swear, no pun intended!). Unless you play these kits yourself, you just can't say anything about the sound.

I'm not really trying to say "Yay" or "neigh". Food for thought. :)

-Ryan
 
Ludwig will build you a set pretty much to your specs. They have enough sizes in their US made line, You would have to ask for something really weird that they wouldn't do.

Dave Huffman
occasion14.gif
 
If they're the exact sizes, finish and hardware that you've been looking for and can afford them, then why not, I say. Still, it seems that paying such a premium for a kit like that might not really be the best idea especially for someone that hasn't already owned a number of kits and therefore has really narrowed in on exactly what they want in a drum kit. I made the mistake of buying a rather expensive kit (though still not as expensive as the ones that you're looking at) that I'm now ready to sell. Not because it isn't a quality kit, but because the sizes, features and such aren't really what I like. I thought I knew what I wanted, but as it turns out, I didn't.

I tend to buy gear this way: I figure out the sizes, finishes, materials, brands that I like and then I go searching the used market to see if I can't turn up something that matches my criteria at a good price. This way, I get something that I'm happy with, don't spend more than I have to and if down the road I want to get rid of it, I can get about what I paid for it (if not more).

The other thing that I'd say is that within a given budget to buy drum gear, it seems that you'd be better off spending a little less on the drums to have some money left for upgrading cymbals, which for most folks are harder to get away using the cheap ones.
 
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links like Ebay, Amazon, and others.
may i ask what this kit will go for? my guess is well over 2 g`s. 2 g`s for parts that the builder is buying for under a grand. and when you go to sell you probably won`t get what the parts are worth.
 
The first twenty kits I owned were "signature kits" kinda. My first kit was me trying to be Ringo. The next one was me trying to be Dave Clark. The next one Keith Moon, then Ginger, etc etc. I think people purchased my Bun E signature kit because: They like my drum sound, they play those sizes, they like the look of the set, all the same reasons I bought my "signature kits" . I still buy kits cuz I liked a drummer who played that kinda set.

Oh man - now's my chance to ask you about one of your kits AND actually be on topic. What was that kit you had on the Budokan cover? A Leedy BDP? That was the first album I ever went and specifically bought with my own money, and I used to obsess over those drums. I suppose that if there were a good reissue of that as a signature line, I'd buy them in a minute. Anyway, what was the story with those drums?

And vis-a-vis the Truth drums, I have always hated that name - that's about all I know about them. But if an artist you like is playing them and it's a config that you want and you've got the dough, what the hell.
 
The other thing that I'd say is that within a given budget to buy drum gear, it seems that you'd be better off spending a little less on the drums to have some money left for upgrading cymbals, which for most folks are harder to get away using the cheap ones.
If I buy, it'll be after my hi-hats. I've already got my ideal crash, crash-ride, china and splash, so once I've got hats I can focus on drums!
mfryed2112 said:
may i ask what this kit will go for? my guess is well over 2 g`s. 2 g`s for parts that the builder is buying for under a grand. and when you go to sell you probably won`t get what the parts are worth.
Estimated price is around $1500 actually. I worked out some estimate shipping+tax costs and it's around £1300. Put it this way, I've looked at "standard" Truth kits in the UK going for £2249 for a 3-piece, and £3499 for a 4-piece! Frankly shocking prices, the sig kit would be a bargain by comparison!
 
it's odd that a sig kit would cost less. and you mentioned it would cost more to order the same sizes in a non sig kit. so as Biggator mentioned in the other thread, make sure they aren't an outsourced line made elsewhere with inferior materials or workmanship.
 
It is very likely IMO that this drummer of yours is with Truth for the Endorsment, not because, if he's honest, he thinks they are the best company. I mean, would you rather go with company you think are best but cost a bomb or the company that aren't quite as good but give you free stuff that does the job and looks neat that you couldn't otherwise afford?
I understand what you're saying, but I know for a fact he already had an endorsement with Shine custom drums, and changed to Truth after about a year out of preference, hasn't changed since. And the kits do sound great, as we all know ears don't lie, and every band I've seen live with a Truth kit has had great sounding drums! I appreciate what you mean about the dream kits, but I mean I'm interested because I use the same sizes, and I know I can trust his specs! I really can't find many good 4-piece kits out there from the "normal" manufacturers right now if I'm honest.
But thanks for putting so much thought into it! Believe me though, I'm basing this on more than "favourite drummer=WANT" as the old me would have...

Hey, thanks for the reply.

I can'tsay ANYTHING about the sound of Truth kits. I've never heard one in my life, and haven't heard many different kits. You'll do the right thing anyways, just don't let the "signature" aspect of the kit :)
 
I agree with what some of the others have said. If you like how they sound, like the way they look, the sizes work for you and you think they are well made you should go for it. That your favorite drummer plays them also which will make you enjoy them even more is a great bonus.

Barry
 
I think your assumption that this kit will be long-term for you is incorrect. I'm not going to hate on the Truth company over this, or on your favorite drummer, BUT I think it's worth considering that tastes and trends change like the wind. I predict with 100% certainty that the trendy kit from today's hot drummer won't look so fashionable in 5 years, and the resale value will be horrendous. IF you should decide that this kit doesn't suit you in the years to come, will you be stuck with it or end up losing a lot of your investment? I think definitely so. That to me makes it a bad decision to buy one.
 
Signature kits?.....I wanted to try out the mike portnoy melody master snare, cause of the three position snare throw. But, never really had an urge to just buy it.
 
I have no problem with signature kits, as long as the purchaser realises that they won't make you play like the artist whose signature they bear. However, it sounds like ChunChunChun would be buying these drums by mail order on the basis of their recorded/miked sound without actually playing a set for real, which isn't something I'd recommend.
 
For me, the sizes and quality of drum are more important than the "signature" moniker. For example, if I wanted to get the same kit as my favorite drummer (Charlie Watts) I wouldn't necessarily seek out a Gretsch kit. Instead, I would probably buy a top-of-the-line Yamaha, Pearl or Tama in the same sizes and finish as Charlie's kit.

I am suggesting that you might want to do the same thing. Look around at some of the other manufactureres and see who can provide the closest kit to your favorite drummer. You may get a better kit for less money. On the other hand, if you must have the Truth brand, then all the Yamahas and Tamas in the world won't do the trick. In that case, better just buy what you REALLY want.
 
When I saw the "signed & played by" Sonor Danny Carey (local KC guy succeeds!) kit owned by Explorer's Drums, I immediately wanted it.

I can't explain it - I'm not a huge DC fan.

I also want the BunE kit, but I'm a big fan of his.

I own a Tony Williams configuration Gretsch kit, which remains a favorite.

Name recognition has broad appeal - it is a symptom of G.A.S.
 
Of the boutique brands that I've been hearing about lately SJC is killing in the market and Truth is coming up fast on the outside.

Shine is the company that Howie got confused about in his first post. I think they'd put a pic of my new puppy Caleb up on their site if I ordered him a kit.

I happen to like the sizes and configs that Buddy and Shelley played ... I even like Louis Bellson's double bass setup ... But my interests in Slingerland and Gretsch have become stronger only because I got started here and got interested in the sounds and histories of those brands ... and others.

Me? I'm still Jonesing for a Tom Wells New Orleans Special ... and one day !!!!!

Anyway, I can see Chun's view now but I'd also place a caveat on the possible outsourcing prospect. But if it all turns out to be kosher and he can get a great price on the sizes he likes I say go for it.


Robb
 
It is very likely IMO that this drummer of yours is with Truth for the Endorsment, not because, if he's honest, he thinks they are the best company. I mean, would you rather go with company you think are best but cost a bomb or the company that aren't quite as good but give you free stuff that does the job and looks neat that you couldn't otherwise afford?
I understand what you're saying, but I know for a fact he already had an endorsement with Shine custom drums, and changed to Truth after about a year out of preference, hasn't changed since. And the kits do sound great, as we all know ears don't lie, and every band I've seen live with a Truth kit has had great sounding drums! I appreciate what you mean about the dream kits, but I mean I'm interested because I use the same sizes, and I know I can trust his specs! I really can't find many good 4-piece kits out there from the "normal" manufacturers right now if I'm honest.
But thanks for putting so much thought into it! Believe me though, I'm basing this on more than "favourite drummer=WANT" as the old me would have...

Buy whatever makes you happy...but I would put some thought into the fact that endorsements tend to be transitory. For every guy who stays loyal to a brand over the long haul (like Bun E with Ludwig) there will be other guys who move around every few years to take advantage of a better offer.

To be honest I've never even heard of the guy in question (which doesn't indicate anything in particular) but I'll almost guarantee that if his profile becomes high enough (where even people like me have heard of him) you will see him move to one of the major brands (Pearl, Tama, Yamaha, Ludwig, Gretsch, DW, Sonor, etc.). That is almost inevitable, because for an endorser at that level there is much more involved than just the drums themselves. It also has to do with advertising, money, tour support, and many other factors. Even if Truth are the "end-all-be-all" drums in his mind (which may or may not be the case) there are other realities involved which may compell him to switch...and if he is currently playing Truth drums because they offered him the best deal then it's almost a given that at some point he will move on to a better deal(which he apparently has already done once).

So, when that happens where does that leave the owner of a Truth signature kit?
I'm not sure and I guess that is up to you to decide.

Now if you'll excuse me I have to go polish my Carmine Appice signature kit (consists of one drum from every manufacturer that ever existed in the past 40 years).
 
Now if you'll excuse me I have to go polish my Carmine Appice signature kit (consists of one drum from every manufacturer that ever existed in the past 40 years).
Man alive, Carmine Appice might have a kit bigger than Bozzio's! :D
 
Back
Top