What should the next addition to my drumset be?

[tinman717]

Hello all! I currently have a Pearl Forum drum set and I am looking at adding either cymbals or purchasing a new snare drum.

I am pretty unsatisfied with my kit at the moment. I have limited money to spend on it, because I am also a guitarist. I simply don't have enough money to spend on guitars, recording, and drums all at once! So I gradually make upgrades to each of those three sections over time...

I have upgraded my guitar rig and my recording rig several times within the past 2 years, so I am thinking its about time I get around to upgrading my drum set!

Well, the Pearl Forum isn't all that super of a kit to begin with. Kinda an entry-level, I know, but at the moment it's what I can afford. I absolutely hate my snare drum sound! The snare is a poplar snare that came with the drum set. I have an Evans Genera G2 batter head on it and the stock resonant head, and as much as I tune and tune, I cannot get a pleasant tone out of it. It just sounds like a plastic smack with some dry and horrible overtones. Muffling doesn't help much either. I definitely will want a new snare drum soon! If anyone has some tips for making the current snare sound better, by all means, let me know!

I also have Sabian XS20 rock cymbals. I have hi-hats, a ride, and a crash. I really want more cymbals! I don't really like my crash (it is really thick), although it gets the job done and I think I will at least keep it for now. Oddly enough, it sounds pretty decent when recorded. I definitely want another crash and a china cymbal, and probably later on I will add some more effects cymbals in like a splash and such. My school has Zildjian Custom A crashes and I LOVE the sound of them.

The question here is, do I buy more cymbals, or upgrade the snare? I am unhappy with both aspects of my kit. I really only have enough money to upgrade one or the other right now.

Thank you for reading! I know this was a long post!

[tjones62]

just depends what you think is more important. the snare is going to be cheaper if you want to replace the xs20's. i personally have the xs20's and a old tama swingstar steel snare. im going to upgrade my snare next... after that im going to pickup aax cymbals (i have a 19 inch aaxplosion its like an eargasim)

so look at what you can afford and what sound needs to be bettered sooner than later.

[paul999]

I am a multi-instrumentalist to. When I recorded my first album I thought I would rather play a good sounding Ringo sized set than a large crappy sounding one. I bought 2 aax studio crashes that I love $100ea. The hhx evolution hi-hats ($350) that I think are great. I could not afford the ride I wanted so no ride. I bought the slip knot signature series snare (forgot his name)$350ish . I rented a sonar kick and used two electric tom samples on midi pads as well. Under $1000. I believe snare is king. But if you have a great snare and crappy cymbal. When you put something dull beside something shiny the dull thing seems even worse.

My vote is for snare and one good cymbal.

Cheers

P.S The Ringo haircut only cost $7