Mini/micro/pocket kits; whatcha got? What do you like?

[Fibes]

Relative to quality, it's a distinction without a difference.

edit: My sentiments in regards to this post/my reply are that I simply want to buy a USA kit if at all possible. I know that most companies are at best "Assembled in USA." That's why I always gravitate to vintage USA kits. At least the majority were done by USA employees.

 

[Dumpy]

edit: My sentiments in regards to this post/my reply are that I simply want to buy a USA kit if at all possible. I know that most companies are at best "Assembled in USA." That's why I always gravitate to vintage USA kits. At least the majority were done by USA employees.

Nothing wrong with that. It’s your choice and you are certainly free to exercise that freedom!

 

[Dumpy]

Yes- a floor tom is an awesome, but not overpowering woofer for a DW pancake bass drum. Want more off from your mini kit? Run it with a DW pancake bass drum behind it. People will think you’re playing a 22 or even 24”. I really didn’t think it was that powerful until an a/b comparison.

 

[Redfern]

My new Ludwig micro kit...13t/14ft/16bd...date stamped 9/41, 6/41 & 10/39 from Winship & Sons Music House in Spokane, WA.
Obviously these were mounted toms and a 16” marching snare, but they are just awesome fun to play and sound amazing.

 

[halldorl]

Tama Silverstar birch kit. 20x10” 12x6” 14x10” The bass drum is killer and an overall great litle kit.

Stay away from the Ludwig Breakbeat. Edges are a mess (unless you want to spend money on having new edges cut). Had new edges cut on a friends kit but it was difficult since the wood was so soft it splintered. Very difficult to get a decent sound from.

 

[Houndog]

Oh geez it seems everyone has a Breakbeat , you couldn’t give me one ....

 

[bob]

here's my little set .... 20 rogers bass
12 camco tom
15 big r rogers tom

 

[Houndog]

here's my little set .... 20 rogers bass
12 camco tom
15 big r rogers tom

That is not mini /micro or pocket ..
Please delete Bob .....

 

[Dumpy]

That is not mini /micro or pocket ..
Please delete Bob .....

His is more like a fanny pack set!

 

[bob]

That is not mini /micro or pocket ..
Please delete Bob .....

well it's a micro set to me , so gfy ....

 

[CAMDRUMS]

Tama Silverstar birch kit. 20x10” 12x6” 14x10” The bass drum is killer and an overall great litle kit.

Stay away from the Ludwig Breakbeat. Edges are a mess (unless you want to spend money on having new edges cut). Had new edges cut on a friends kit but it was difficult since the wood was so soft it splintered. Very difficult to get a decent sound from.

View attachment 493522

These are great, but very hard to come by in the US.

 

[Dumpy]

well it's a micro set to me , so gfy ....

You can call it whatever you want. 20” bass drums are fine here! My personal limit WAS 16”, but I have a 20” with a 16” stuffed in there.

 

[Asher]

Since the concert toms fell through, I have decided the pocket kit could be where I go. Technically, I have a kit that would kit in a cymbal case, but I think those drums would do better as add-on effect drums. My choices are as follows: Sonor AQX, Sonor AW2, Pearl Midtown, Ludwig Questlove, Pdp New Yorker, Tama; what is the consensus?

The Pearl is out because 2/3 reviews mention the wrap bubbling, unless someone can tell me something redeeming about them over the bubbled wrap. I have read mixed reviews about non-German Sonor. Tama seems to always have a winner no matter what price point, and PDP is DW junior.

But not knowing bunches about the mini kit segment, this is where I ask your likes, dislikes, and flat out values and rip offs.

I picked up an 18x8 Tempus kick years back, which sounds great, and I used it with some cheap mismatched toms for a while. I can fit kick and snare into one bag, plus a hardware bag and cymbal bag. I'm thinking of grabbing the Pearl Compact Traveler add-on toms, which would make this a pretty usable and very compact complete kit.