Help me find the best eDrum set for my father

[hama111]

Initially, he‘s decided to buy this set: Yamaha DTX6K3-X

At first glace, it has everything he needs although the 3/5 star review there is on the site went quite critical when it comes to its capabilities so it kinda pulls him away from buying it right way.

He’s also seen these: Yamaha DTX6K2-X , ALESIS STRIKE ZONE KIT , Alesis Crimson II SE Mesh Kit , Millenium MPS-1000 , Fame DD-One XT

The budget is around 1,5k eur.

 

[Whitten]

You haven't listed the criteria, what features you are looking for.
You have also not considered any Roland kit?

 

[Wishoot]

Roland's are pretty bulletproof. Not sure about your dad's criteria, but there probably a used one out there that would work.

I have an old TD-6 module paired with various Roland pads and they sound great (practice only).

 

[bpaluzzi]

Initially, he‘s decided to buy this set: Yamaha DTX6K3-X

At first glace, it has everything he needs although the 3/5 star review there is on the site went quite critical when it comes to its capabilities so it kinda pulls him away from buying it right way.

He’s also seen these: Yamaha DTX6K2-X , ALESIS STRIKE ZONE KIT , Alesis Crimson II SE Mesh Kit , Millenium MPS-1000 , Fame DD-One XT

The budget is around 1,5k eur.

the only one out of those I’d even consider are the Yamahas. The rest are toys. Look at Roland in your price range as well.

 

[hama111]

You haven't listed the criteria, what features you are looking for.
You have also not considered any Roland kit?

Roland's are pretty bulletproof. Not sure about your dad's criteria, but there probably a used one out there that would work.

I have an old TD-6 module paired with various Roland pads and they sound great (practice only).

Oh sorry, I apologize for that.

My dad’s gonna use it mostly to study and practice again and for fun.

About getting a used one, there are some good offers for sure. We found these in Wallapop: Roland TD17 L , Roland td-15 , Roland TD-9 , Yamaha DXTreme IIS , Roland TD-11

There are many more on that platform but these are the ones we saw in great condition. Do you think they are worth the price?

He also thought about the possibility of upgrading the used one with a newer module or pads in the future if he actually decides to purchase a used one.

Then again, when buying used items there's always a huge risk. What if the module stops working after a month? What if one of the pads stops being responsive?

If something like that happens is pretty hard to get your money back.

 

[hama111]

the only one out of those I’d even consider are the Yamahas. The rest are toys. Look at Roland in your price range as well.

Interesting. Will tell him. Why is that by the way? Why are they toys? Is it a matter of cheap module, sound reproduction, accuracy, pad sensibility, etc?

 

[bpaluzzi]

Interesting. Will tell him. Why is that by the way? Why are they toys? Is it a matter of cheap module, sound reproduction, accuracy, pad sensibility, etc?

Yes to all. Bad sounds, bad tracking, bad reliability.

The Alesis Strike is the best of the rest, and even that I wouldn’t trust for anything important.

 

[hama111]

Yes to all. Bad sounds, bad tracking, bad reliability.

The Alesis Strike is the best of the rest, and even that I wouldn’t trust for anything important.

I see. Which one of the used Rolands and Yamahas I posted earlier would you go for?

 

[bpaluzzi]

I see. Which one of the used Rolands and Yamahas I posted earlier would you go for?

My first choice would be either of the Yamaha DTX6 kits. Then the TD-17 / TD-15 Roland. Then a pretty big gap and the other Rolands / Yamaha.

 

[hama111]

My first choice would be either of the Yamaha DTX6 kits. Then the TD-17 / TD-15 Roland. Then a pretty big gap and the other Rolands / Yamaha.

Between the TD17L and TD15 I posted, which one has the better module? Is there a big gap? Which one do you think is more practical or intuitive? The TD17L comes only with one mesh pad and the rest are made out of rubber whereas the TD15 has all of them made out of mesh. Is that really important?

 

[electrodrummer]

Initially, he‘s decided to buy this set: Yamaha DTX6K3-X

At first glace, it has everything he needs although the 3/5 star review there is on the site went quite critical when it comes to its capabilities so it kinda pulls him away from buying it right way.

He’s also seen these: Yamaha DTX6K2-X , ALESIS STRIKE ZONE KIT , Alesis Crimson II SE Mesh Kit , Millenium MPS-1000 , Fame DD-One XT

The budget is around 1,5k eur.

Avg of 4.5/5.
The low review probably hadn't even read the manual, or learned how to change the settings for their playing style. That module has more functions than a bag of functional things from function town. Up to 40 samples per zone per pad - up to 120 samples on a each pad... up to 14 pads... Real samples - not models (cough, Roland). No evil proprietary cable snake.... Lovely silicone pads (no hot spots unlike typical mesh - and quieter) etc

Fame / Millenium = cheapo badged Medeli fragile avoid.
Alesis pads also fragile.

But you ****need*** to test drive whatever you go for,

 

[bpaluzzi]

Between the TD17L and TD15 I posted, which one has the better module? Is there a big gap? Which one do you think is more practical or intuitive? The TD17L comes only with one mesh pad and the rest are made out of rubber whereas the TD15 has all of them made out of mesh. Is that really important?

The TD 15 was the "mid-tier" module for its generation. The 17 is technically a "lower level" module in its generation, but it's a newer generation and has quite a few more features. Plus just the generational improvements in tech. Of those two, I'd go with the 17. I'd choose the Yamaha DTXPro module over both of them though, in a heartbeat.

For pads, it really is a personal decision. Some people really like all mesh pads, some people like the rubber. I'm not a big fan of the cheaper mesh pads. They feel very springy in a way that isn't realistic at all. They're definitely quieter than rubber, but if absolute silence wasn't a need, it's a much harder decision. I'd take the Yamaha silicone pads over either rubber or single-ply mesh, any day.

 

[Wishoot]

Pintech may be something to consider. I don't have any experience with their current offerings, but they look interesting.

 

[Whitten]

TD17 is the best value out of the whole Roland range. It's I imagine one of their biggest sellers also.
Decent sounds (you can import your own samples) plus solid construction.

 

[rlee52986]

I have a TD-17 and would recommend it to any beginner. Simple and easy to setup, triggers extremely well too. The sound become annoying after awhile but I now use VSTs.

 

[fusseltier]

Roland prices have come down and I've had a Roland td6kv vdrums since 2003 and it still works perfectly plus I have it set up as a regular drum set. Get the extra cymbal.

 

[hama111]

TD17 is the best value out of the whole Roland range. It's I imagine one of their biggest sellers also.
Decent sounds (you can import your own samples) plus solid construction.

I have a TD-17 and would recommend it to any beginner. Simple and easy to setup, triggers extremely well too. The sound become annoying after awhile but I now use VSTs.

Roland prices have come down and I've had a Roland td6kv vdrums since 2003 and it still works perfectly plus I have it set up as a regular drum set. Get the extra cymbal.

The TD 15 was the "mid-tier" module for its generation. The 17 is technically a "lower level" module in its generation, but it's a newer generation and has quite a few more features. Plus just the generational improvements in tech. Of those two, I'd go with the 17. I'd choose the Yamaha DTXPro module over both of them though, in a heartbeat.

For pads, it really is a personal decision. Some people really like all mesh pads, some people like the rubber. I'm not a big fan of the cheaper mesh pads. They feel very springy in a way that isn't realistic at all. They're definitely quieter than rubber, but if absolute silence wasn't a need, it's a much harder decision. I'd take the Yamaha silicone pads over either rubber or single-ply mesh, any day.

First of all, thank you guys for all your support. He’s still undecided about which one to get and of course it’s the "fear" of getting scammed when buying stuff used. No one likes stuff to break and have absolutely no warranty.

That being said, we are looking right now at this one: Roland TD17-KL

Is it good value? Do you guys think we can get something better around that price tag?

 

[Whitten]

829 Euros? Bargain - in terms of v-drum pricing.

 

[electrodrummer]

First of all, thank you guys for all your support. He’s still undecided about which one to get and of course it’s the "fear" of getting scammed when buying stuff used. No one likes stuff to break and have absolutely no warranty.

That being said, we are looking right now at this one: Roland TD17-KL

Is it good value? Do you guys think we can get something better around that price tag?

Go hit that and go hit a Yamaha DTX (new or 2nd user). Then you can decide.

[opinion bit - beware - but reiterating some stuff I said above]

I'll never get a kit with an evil proprietary cable snake, so that eliminates the TD17.

Rolands also use modelling for sounds which some describe as "fake" sounding and it seems no one likes (see a comment above, for example, "I have a TD-17....The sound become annoying after awhile")

Yamaha in the other hand, uses multi-layered samples - taking a current DTX6/8/10 kit for example - up to 40 samples per zone per pad - that's up to 120 samples on a 3-zone... and up to 14 pads with no cable snake. Oh and many more 3-zone pads....

But - as I've said - down to a test drive. Everyone has a different view on "best"- often driven by what they have.

---
Disclaimer, I have stuff from everyone - no axe to grind. Been gigging full ekits since '86.

 

[Whitten]

It's being used for study and practice don't forget.
But yeah, try a couple out if you can.