Only One Drum Kit?

[Sully151]

I see so many people have multiple kits, but what If you could only have one, what would it be?

Here are the parameters-

1. Mid Range (Renown, Tour Custom, Neusonic, etc. not limited to those three)

2. Five piece max (room size constraints)

3. Drum sizes- Bass Drum, Toms, Snare (depths included)

4. Mostly played in a small room for pleasure and fun. Sometimes with other people.

5. Music Genres- Alternative, Indie, Post Punk (REM, The Cure, The Decemberists, Head and the Heart, The Clash, the Smiths, etc)

I know this is very subjective and drum kits are very personal. I like that about the question, I am trying to get opinions and ideas.

 

[Jazzhead]

I see so many people have multiple kits, but what If you could only have one, what would it be?

Here are the parameters-

1. Mid Range (Renown, Tour Custom, Neusonic, etc. not limited to those three)

2. Five piece max (room size constraints)

3. Drum sizes- Bass Drum, Toms, Snare (depths included)

4. Mostly played in a small room for pleasure and fun. Sometimes with other people.

5. Music Genres- Alternative, Indie, Post Punk (REM, The Cure, The Decemberists, Head and the Heart, The Clash, the Smiths, etc)

I know this is very subjective and drum kits are very personal. I like that about the question, I am trying to get opinions and ideas.

Very common question and myself have brought up this question in the past because I really like the idea of having only one drum set if there is no NEED for more than one set. However, I really love my vintage kit so I can’t get rid of it, I have another “beater” kit to play anywhere and don’t mind to get it all dinged up and scratched. So I have 2, more than enough.

If you don’t have the bug for vintage drums and you can just own one new or modern drum set these are the sizes and drums I would suggest. I have researched a lot but it comes down to your interest as well in terms of brand, aesthetics, finish, etc.

These are brand new prices, if you go used then the whole scenario changes because options are plenty and you can get higher end drums for less money.

I think you should go with 20/16/14/12/10, it will cover all bases!!!

Budget around or below $1000
-Yamaha stage custom 20/16ft/14ft/12/10+snare

Budget around or below $2000
-Yamaha Tour Custom Maple shells 20/16/14/12/10+snare
-Sonor AQ2 maple - 20/16/14/12/10+snare

Budget below $3000
-Gretsch Renown maple 20/16/14/12/10+ snare
Gretsch renown is very solid but I don’t think it is the better value when compared to Tour customs. It’s priced higher than it should be in my opinion, it should be $200-$300 more expensive than tour custom but it’s much higher.

Myself, I would probably go with Tour customs or AQ2 in 20/16/14/12/10, AQ2 has nicer finishes and I think they feel more solid (Sonor’s entry level kits also feel very solid) but again you can NEVER go wrong with a Yamaha drum set. These two are the best values which check all the boxes!!! Forget about neusonics when there is an option from Sonor.

Here’s is the demo of the AQ2 in that same configuration!

 

[Luddite]

As a Renown owner, I would recommend checking them out. They are great drums, well made and versatile. You would have to work hard to make them sound bad.
If you’re not afraid of used, check out Sonor Phonics. They’re an older series, but far ahead of most contemporary drums as far as the utility and sturdiness of their hardware, and they sound glorious.

 

[Wxmaggot]

As a Renown owner, I would recommend checking them out. They are great drums, well made and versatile. You would have to work hard to make them sound bad.
If you’re not afraid of used, check out Sonor Phonics. They’re an older series, but far ahead of most contemporary drums as far as the utility and sturdiness of their hardware, and they sound glorious.

RN1 owner as well and they are incredible for the money in my humble opinion.

 

[Jazzhead]

As a Renown owner, I would recommend checking them out. They are great drums, well made and versatile. You would have to work hard to make them sound bad.
If you’re not afraid of used, check out Sonor Phonics. They’re an older series, but far ahead of most contemporary drums as far as the utility and sturdiness of their hardware, and they sound glorious.

Phonics are great and beautiful sounding and looking drums but very heavy as I recall. Great vintage alternative is Premier but I think the OP wants some new or modern drums.

 

[Stephen.DeBoard]

1. Yamaha Tour Custom or Ludwig Neusonics would be my choice. I would have to play them both in person and then decide.
2. 4 or 5 piece is fine.
3. 12, 13, 16, 18 toms and a 22 or 24 bass drum depending on the sounds of each. I would pick 3 of the toms and 1 of the bass drums.

 

[Stephen.DeBoard]

Forget about neusonics when there is an option from Sonor.

I don't know, these sound pretty good to me!

 

[Luddite]

Phonics are great and beautiful sounding and looking drums but very heavy as I recall. Great vintage alternative is Premier but I think the OP wants some new or modern drums.

The bass drum is a boat anchor, it’s true. Wouldn’t have been an issue 30-40 years ago—-now, it’s a rehearsal kit. I question whether I would have anything left for the gig if I used the Phonics at my age!

 

[Steech]

My vote would be for a nice Renown 2 kit in a 10/12/14/20 config and a Dunnett 2N Modeling Aluminum snare (my fave aluminum snare), a set of Yamaha Crosstown hardware and kick pedal, and either Zildjian Ks or Istanbul Agop XISTs (for a cheaper but amazing option).

 

[Jazzhead]

I don't know, these sound pretty good to me!

If you just go with sound, you can get that sound for much much less money. You need to get your money’s worth. First time I picked up that pale blue neusonic tom at a GC, I felt how low quality it was, not sure how these newer ones are with better finishes but that thing felt low quality to me, wouldn’t pay more than $500 for it brand new. Sonor’s and Yamaha’s quality is much better than neusonics.

 

[CC Cirillo]

Ludwig Classic Maple 20/14/12; 5 or 6.5 CM snare, or a 5” Supraphonic.

Doesn’t take up much room, nor do they break the bank—but it will give you a wide range of tuning options and responds well to any number of head combinations.

Perfect for the genres you have mentioned.

Recognizable AND cool when people come over, or should you ever play out, which will give you a certain amount of gravitas.

PM me and I can give you PayPal info for my Curation Fee.

Peace and Groove,
CC

 

[MillerMav]

I only own 1 kit and it fits pretty much in your requirements which is an INDe kit 18x16 bass, 10x6, 12x6 and 15x13. Works for everything.

 

[1988fxlr]

I would definitely go vintage. The same budget that would buy the renowns or nuesonics would absolutely get a nice vintage kit. Playing in a small room for pleasure, the drawbacks of vintage hardware aren’t an issue to me. So my top two choices to cover anything would be:

3 ply Ludwig Super Classics 13/16/22 with a supra.

Swivo era Rogers 12/16/20 with a wood or brass Powertone.

 

[Slowzuki1]

I would definitely go vintage. The same budget that would buy the renowns or nuesonics would absolutely get a nice vintage kit. Playing in a small room for pleasure, the drawbacks of vintage hardware aren’t an issue to me. So my top two choices to cover anything would be:

3 ply Ludwig Super Classics 13/16/22 with a supra.

Swivo era Rogers 12/16/20 with a wood or brass Powertone.

 

[Slowzuki1]

If you are mostly going to play at your place, one kit is sufficient. If you start playing out two makes it so much easier. A practice kit that seldom moves and your gig kit that live in bags/cases unless it’s under the lights. As a Renown owner can’t go wrong with that suggestion! Btw my current band plays many of the artist you mentioned, not that it matters. Buy used but you might compromise on sizes and finish. I agree that 20” BD is kinda a do all genre size. 22” will give more options used. The vintage suggestion is cool too. If it’s only going to stay in your home won’t get bashed up. There are a lot of folks on here that do regularly gig there vintage kits. Good luck!

 

[Redbeard77]

I feel obligated to recommend Gretsch Renowns at every opportunity. My only "complaint" is they still insist on 18" deep 22" bass drums, but that's obviously just a preference. My kit is a 13/16/24, but I also owned a 10/12/14/20 and they sounded great, definitely not "small" sounding drums. I was skeptical of bass drums smaller than 22 but that kit changed my mind.
Another kit worth checking out is the Pearl Session Studio Select. I've played one a couple of times (10/12/14/16/22) and they're well-made and sound big and deep. I think the 60 degree bearing edges set them apart from the more common 45 degrees.

 

[Plaid Sabbath]

I see so many people have multiple kits, but what If you could only have one, what would it be?

Here are the parameters-

1. Mid Range (Renown, Tour Custom, Neusonic, etc. not limited to those three)

2. Five piece max (room size constraints)

3. Drum sizes- Bass Drum, Toms, Snare (depths included)

4. Mostly played in a small room for pleasure and fun. Sometimes with other people.

5. Music Genres- Alternative, Indie, Post Punk (REM, The Cure, The Decemberists, Head and the Heart, The Clash, the Smiths, etc)

I know this is very subjective and drum kits are very personal. I like that about the question, I am trying to get opinions and ideas.

Sounds similar to my parameters as well. I’m also checking out various kits at this time. Setting up a corner in my garage for an acoustic kit and my current e-kit/monitors.

Yamaha Stage Customs are a good candidate. Plentiful new or used with lots of add on drums available. I’d go with a 20/12/14f/16f with my trusty old Acrolite snare.

Gretsch Catalina Club 20/12/14f would be a bit more expensive. Could also add a 16f easily. Again…the Acro works with just about anything.

In that $1500-$2000 neighborhood there are some nice kits out there. Yamaha Tour Customs, Gretsch Renown, Ludwig Neusonic, Tama SC Walnut/Birch, Pearl President, etc. Lots of good choices.

 

[bolweevil]

I haven't played the other kits listed in the OP but I recently picked up a Yamaha Tour Custom and I really dig it.

 

[RogersLudwig]

I would definitely go vintage. The same budget that would buy the renowns or nuesonics would absolutely get a nice vintage kit. Playing in a small room for pleasure, the drawbacks of vintage hardware aren’t an issue to me. So my top two choices to cover anything would be:

3 ply Ludwig Super Classics 13/16/22 with a supra.

Swivo era Rogers 12/16/20 with a wood or brass Powertone.

count me in as a Rogers swivo-era player who would add a 14x14FT and I'd take the matching wood Powertone snare.

 

[jptrickster]

The bass drum is a boat anchor, it’s true. Wouldn’t have been an issue 30-40 years ago—-now, it’s a rehearsal kit. I question whether I would have anything left for the gig if I used the Phonics at my age!

I hired a roadie when I was gigging my Phonic kit lol