Star, SQ2, or Craviotto !!

[Mapex Always]

Have played all 3 ,, have owned all 3 companies Best offerings at one time or another ,, I find all three to be equal and fantastic ,, I have all three on order for arrival at different time points in 2022, to add to my at home collection of nonstop drumming and playing!

To be clear here one cannot buy a “better” Drum set then the Mapex Saturn, as good or better than any drum set at any price.

For me the “greatest” kit in the world today is the Mapex Versatus.

As for the most “superior” kit of all time, that title goes to the Mapex Orion kits from 1998/1999/2000, To this day and prior to, there’s never been anything made near it.

With these Latest additions, I’m running seven new snare drums, a whole mess of hardware from Mapex, Sonor and Tama, all drive systems are ALWAYS Mapex and Tama (Falcon and Dyna-Sync), Along with all the best offerings from Paiste, Meinl, And Zildjian.

Tama Star Bubinga Sunny Yellow custom

Sonor SQ2 Medium Maple African Marble inside and out with all Gold hardware

Craviotto Walnut with Walnut inlay Custom

….. For this crowd, which kit takes the cake?? By the way David from Craviotto the guy is absolutely fantastic! For me I couldn’t decide, hence why all three are on order and I just called it a tie.

 

[DanRH]

Have played all 3 ,, have owned all 3 companies Best offerings at one time or another ,, I find all three to be equal and fantastic ,, I have all three on order for arrival at different time points in 2022, to add to my at home collection of nonstop drumming and playing!

To be clear here one cannot buy a “better” Drum set then the Mapex Saturn, as good or better than any drum set at any price.

For me the “greatest” kit in the world today is the Mapex Versatus.

As for the most “superior” kit of all time, that title goes to the Mapex Orion kits from 1998/1999/2000, To this day and prior to, there’s never been anything made near it.

With these Latest additions, I’m running seven new snare drums, a whole mess of hardware from Mapex, Sonor and Tama, all drive systems are ALWAYS Mapex and Tama (Falcon and Dyna-Sync), Along with all the best offerings from Paiste, Meinl, And Zildjian.

Tama Star Bubinga Sunny Yellow custom

Sonor SQ2 Medium Maple African Marble inside and out with all Gold hardware

Craviotto Walnut with Walnut inlay Custom

….. For this crowd, which kit takes the cake?? By the way David from Craviotto the guy is absolutely fantastic! For me I couldn’t decide, hence why all three are on order and I just called it a tie.

We’ll, my Crav is an awesome kit. So there’s my vote but all three, wow, just wow. Played my Crav’s at a show last night.

 

[Mapex Always]

We’ll, my Crav is an awesome kit. So there’s my vote but all three, wow, just wow. Played my Crav’s at a show last night.
View attachment 529316 View attachment 529317

Absolutely stunning kit beautiful gorgeous!

 

[Steech]

SQ2 end of story. Very glad you don’t have DW on your list.

 

[Redbeard77]

All three are obviously high quality so it just comes down to the sound you prefer (color is important, too!).
Out of curiosity, what's your goal for having so many kits? Are they different sizes so you have, for example, a rock kit, jazz kit, etc? Do you have space to keep them all set up?

 

[foxy_shazamtastic]

Have played all 3 ,, have owned all 3 companies Best offerings at one time or another ,, I find all three to be equal and fantastic ,, I have all three on order for arrival at different time points in 2022, to add to my at home collection of nonstop drumming and playing!

To be clear here one cannot buy a “better” Drum set then the Mapex Saturn, as good or better than any drum set at any price.

For me the “greatest” kit in the world today is the Mapex Versatus.

As for the most “superior” kit of all time, that title goes to the Mapex Orion kits from 1998/1999/2000, To this day and prior to, there’s never been anything made near it.

With these Latest additions, I’m running seven new snare drums, a whole mess of hardware from Mapex, Sonor and Tama, all drive systems are ALWAYS Mapex and Tama (Falcon and Dyna-Sync), Along with all the best offerings from Paiste, Meinl, And Zildjian.

Tama Star Bubinga Sunny Yellow custom

Sonor SQ2 Medium Maple African Marble inside and out with all Gold hardware

Craviotto Walnut with Walnut inlay Custom

….. For this crowd, which kit takes the cake?? By the way David from Craviotto the guy is absolutely fantastic! For me I couldn’t decide, hence why all three are on order and I just called it a tie.

What made the Orions so special? I started drumming in the late 2000s and the Orions seemed cheesy and dated and I played a few poorly tuned and cared for sets. You couldn’t pay me to play Mapex when I first started. I didn’t know anything about them but I hated their vibe. I’m more open now and you can get old Mapex drums incredibly cheap.

 

[Whitten]

What made the Orions so special?

Most modern top of the line drums are fabulous. I tend to favour small run, handmade over mainstream factory - so Craviotto....or Pork Pie.... or N&C.

 

[GretschMan61]

I am really enjoying steambent drums (Summit kit ) and they have their own vibe and sound . Lightweight shells that just have superb resonance and fullness so I am leaning towards Craviotto .

I love the Sonor Vintage series but can only imagine how much nicer an SQ2 may be . Some of their finishes are just gorgeous (regardless if they are Alpi or not ) and I really like their fittings and look .

Tama has never been on my radar , hard to believe when Murat is your friend . He loves Tama and always has a great selection of Tama Star at his shop . The Tama Star are as good as anything made today . I must admit I do find some of their finish choices puzzling , but you cannot deny these are really well made drums that sound good .

So final decision , if I had to choose between the three ? I am making my decision based solely on wanting a kit to play gigs with and rehearse with . My choice ?

Sonor SQ2- why ? I love beech shell drums , maybe even more than walnut (which was my previous favourite ). I love the Scandinavian birch veneer you can get on a SQ2 kit . I like their tom mount and I think their ply shell snares are some of the best sounding snares made today. I think the dual glide snare strainer is the best strainer made today.

Now all that being typed up , I did order a new drumset this year , so what did I order ? Gretsch USA Custom . I have a long-standing love/hate/live sentiment for Gretsch drums . When you get a good one , there is nothing like one .

 

[HalldorL]

My current kits ain’t half bad

 

[JDA]

I have all three on order for arrival at different time points in 2022, to add to my at home collection of nonstop drumming and playing!

Plant!

 

[foxy_shazamtastic]

Most modern top of the line drums are fabulous. I tend to favour small run, handmade over mainstream factory - so Craviotto....or Pork Pie.... or N&C.

Ditto, I was just curious what I might be missing.

 

[noreastbob]

Have played all 3 ,, have owned all 3 companies Best offerings at one time or another ,, I find all three to be equal and fantastic ,, I have all three on order for arrival at different time points in 2022, to add to my at home collection of nonstop drumming and playing!

To be clear here one cannot buy a “better” Drum set then the Mapex Saturn, as good or better than any drum set at any price.

For me the “greatest” kit in the world today is the Mapex Versatus.

As for the most “superior” kit of all time, that title goes to the Mapex Orion kits from 1998/1999/2000, To this day and prior to, there’s never been anything made near it.

With these Latest additions, I’m running seven new snare drums, a whole mess of hardware from Mapex, Sonor and Tama, all drive systems are ALWAYS Mapex and Tama (Falcon and Dyna-Sync), Along with all the best offerings from Paiste, Meinl, And Zildjian.

Tama Star Bubinga Sunny Yellow custom

Sonor SQ2 Medium Maple African Marble inside and out with all Gold hardware

Craviotto Walnut with Walnut inlay Custom

….. For this crowd, which kit takes the cake?? By the way David from Craviotto the guy is absolutely fantastic! For me I couldn’t decide, hence why all three are on order and I just called it a tie.

And nothing...absolutely nothing beats McDonalds!!! However I was thinking of going to Ruth's Chris, Le Bernardine, and Norma over the next few days for a bite of something almost as rewarding...

 

[bellbrass]

Have played all 3 ,, have owned all 3 companies Best offerings at one time or another ,, I find all three to be equal and fantastic ,, I have all three on order for arrival at different time points in 2022, to add to my at home collection of nonstop drumming and playing!

To be clear here one cannot buy a “better” Drum set then the Mapex Saturn, as good or better than any drum set at any price.

For me the “greatest” kit in the world today is the Mapex Versatus.

As for the most “superior” kit of all time, that title goes to the Mapex Orion kits from 1998/1999/2000, To this day and prior to, there’s never been anything made near it.

With these Latest additions, I’m running seven new snare drums, a whole mess of hardware from Mapex, Sonor and Tama, all drive systems are ALWAYS Mapex and Tama (Falcon and Dyna-Sync), Along with all the best offerings from Paiste, Meinl, And Zildjian.

Tama Star Bubinga Sunny Yellow custom

Sonor SQ2 Medium Maple African Marble inside and out with all Gold hardware

Craviotto Walnut with Walnut inlay Custom

….. For this crowd, which kit takes the cake?? By the way David from Craviotto the guy is absolutely fantastic! For me I couldn’t decide, hence why all three are on order and I just called it a tie.

You have all three of these kits on order?

 

[JDA]

Max Roach Ginger Baker Elvin Jones Philly Joe Jones Buddy Rich and 75000 others
could GAS
Anthony Williams, Barrett Deems, Jon Christensen, Jack DeJohnette, Bill Bruford, Art Blakey,

it's never the drums themselves it's what the drummer does on them
that made drums famous

But as a side question coated Remo Ambassadors on all of them?

 

[Cauldronics]

You have all three of these kits on order?

... and it was timed with getting back on DFO? Wow, what a coincidence . . . .

 

[drawtheline55]

Of the three my pick, SQ2....DCP did a Paiste video of their cymbals and used a SQ2 beech kit.
Just outstanding. I have the Pro Lites, and they are terrific.

 

[Fat Drummer]

I would love to see your Versatus kit pics, I asume you have one already as it's your “greatest kit in the world today". Never seen one in the wild.

 

[SteveParadis]

Stuff is stuff. Nice stuff is nice. Too much stuff is too much. Play what sounds,feel and looks good to you. Give the rest to a music school and remember possessing is not playing imho.

 

[peter]

I would like a Sonor SQ2, 20/14/12/10+14s, vintage Beech shells, in White Sparkle lacquer finish.

Please let me know when ready, and I'll provide my shipping address. Thanks

 

[bpaluzzi]

Keep your ears open. My guess is that this guy might have a bridge for sale next.