Hello drumlines.org community, I have a question on what exactly is the "best" drums on the market right now? I am in the process of starting a new independent ensemble in the central Florida area, and we have decided to buy new battery instruments. So I ask you, what exactly SHOULD we buy because all of our staff has mixed feelings about it. Budget is not an issue.

I don't think there really is a "Best drum brand on the market" right now. Each brand has their strengths and weaknesses. If I was pressed to choose one brand that was best right now, I would say wait for the Tama drums to get on the market (I think they are premiering at PASIC?) and get those. Some really innovative equipment that Tom Float has been thinking up for years.

From a stand point of once equipment tech for a line, best name or price is not what you really want to only think about.

Your future cost is the most important consideration. I'll say this from experience- simplicity and ease of care. You don't want to find out that your equipment is a pain to deal with. Is the company that makes the drum, parts and customer service dependable? Are replacement parts expensive?

Drums with a bunch of parts my look cool and make the drums sound good, but parts get lost and broken in the hands of kids. And if it has a bunch of parts, that means that it takes all the parts to function properly.

Simplicity in design, ease of care, tuneability, price of parts and pieces.

I think this is an important consideration.

Yea I can't wait to see what TAMA has in store. Tom Float called my instructor and tried to get us to switch over from Yamaha to Tama. I would've loved to see how that went, but our relationship with Yamaha was just really good so we ended not taking the deal but I sure am excited for it!

I'm sure you can find a whole bunch of opinions via a search, but here's my own personal experience:

1: Pearl. Well-engineered and built, sound great, durable. I like that the metal parts of the snare have a bare aluminum finish since powder coats tend to flake. The 16-strand snares can give a very wet tuning if you desire. My favorite basses, too.

1A: Yamaha. Engineering and build quality are right up there with Pearl. Of the drums I've had my hands on, these two brands are definitely a cut above. I like that the tenor rims curve inward to protect the shells' bearing edges from errant sticks. The last time I shopped for drums, Yamaha drums were about 10-15% more expensive than Pearl.

3: Dynasty. The fit and finish are a notch down from Pearl and Yamaha, but they're not bad drums. Think Chevy versus Cadillac. Functional, but it ain't an Escalade. The last time I bought drums, the price was significantly cheaper than Yamaha or Pearl -- enough so that we went with Dynasty. The tenor mounting system is by far the best on the market. Tension rods have an annoying tendency to rust.

"Don't go there": Ludwig. I suppose they're playable and I've managed to get a decent sound from their free-floating snares so long as Mylar bottom heads were used. But it seems like they haven't done any R&D or made any improvements since 1990 or so while the rest of the world passed them by. Poor quality powder coating on the hardware and high prices don't add to their appeal. And I can't stand the snare throwoff. Disengaging the snare is easy enough, but it makes a loud thwack when you re-engage it.

"They coulda been a contender": Premier. I like what little I've seen of their recent Revolution line. But with the company running into financial problems, I wouldn't touch new Premier drums with a 10-foot pole. Who knows if you'd be able to get replacement parts.

I personally haven't gotten my hands on Mapex drums, but I'm interested. Pricing seems good, engineering looks good, they have a reputation for well-built drum sets, and there are some innovative features like aluminum bass drum hoops.

Along similar lines, I'm interested in checking out Tama's offerings. The snare mechanism is one of many interesting little design features. I have no idea how their pricing is going to compare.

I would definitely say Pearl. Others have said Tama but there a newer design, however an impressive one. I would give them some time in the market before I purchased one. Having played on both Yamaha and Pearl I like the sound of the Pearl much better. If you are not in need of dropping the snares look into there pipe snares that utilize both top and bottom snare mechanisms. They have a real crisp sound to them. Pearl has put a lot of thought into there design trying to perfect it and minimize the extras to give an easy to work on very dependable drum as well as there carriers.

Thanks for all the advice, but what if we wanted slings instead of harnesses? Will this work with any drum? Whatt attachments are needed?

If looking to side drum I am not sure of what, or if any of the other brands have anything available but I know Pearl does. you need the leg rest:

http://www.lonestarpercussion.com/Categories/Pipe-Band-Heads-Sticks-and-Accessories/Pearl-LR-40.html

the level bar:

http://www.lonestarpercussion.com/Categories/Pipe-Band-Heads-Sticks-and-Accessories/Pearl-MH-30.html

And your choice of sling. there are many available from leather, nylon to padded versions. For snares, if money was no object I would look into these. Probably the ultimate high tension snare.

http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/Cart/pc/configurePrd.asp?idProduct=3669

It's a brand most of the marching community isn't aware of, however they don't make Multi Tenors or a pitched bass line so you won't be able to keep a brand along the entire line just a thought to ponder.

Slings can be made to work with any snare drum. Along with the sling itself, you'd probably want a carry hook or angle reduction bar to attach the sling, plus a leg rest.

{EDIT} PipeStyle beat me to the punch, chiming in quickly with good info, but be aware the Pearl MH-30 level bar is designed for triple-flange hoops, not the cast aluminum rims on a high tension snare drum. If you prefer a level bar (aka angle reduction bar) to a carry hook, there are ones out there that would work. Gator (formerly XL Specialty) makes one. Look for one that clamps on to the tension ring (aka edge ring or collar) instead of one that fastens via the drum's tension rods.

Is this an traditional line or a corps line? I have never hearsd anyone say..."budget is not an issue." That sounded so..nice. Lol