Those are sleepers. I remember putting those up against a Pearl Export (which they were priced similar to) and the difference was pretty dramatic. Unfortunately, they're a bit more obscure here in the states.
Are kids and hobbyists getting priced out of drumming?
- Thread starter mikyok
- Start date
Xstr8edgtnrdrmrX
Local Boob
yeah...we do extensive care and respect training with them as they get older, and this helps stave off damage...but with 5th and 6th graders, I am just lucky that they come to school with clothes on, let alone their stuff in working order...and it is a bonus day when bath's were taken and/or deodorant is used
I never really thought about it, but the heads and sticks discussion is interesting. Those are the main things that aren't really bought 'used' and those are the things that need to be replaced from time to time. I've seen some pretty good deals on used kits and used cymbals...and they will last a lifetime. But when sticks and heads go up, that's a bit tougher to swallow.
Son of Vistalite Black
Well-known Member
As someone who remembers 10-cent wings, 50-cent beer happy hours and $3,000 new cars, there have been few eras in which prices weren't at an all-time high and older people openly questioned how young people could pay for $1-per-gallon gas or $2-per-pack cigarettes on an ongoing basis.
Xstr8edgtnrdrmrX
Local Boob
same...we were just talking about this the other day...I am old enough to remember the 70's gas crisis, 2 major recessions, and about 4 inflation scares. We managed to get through them all....I grew up in a lower middle class, working class family. My grandparents on both sides were Great Depression kids, so there was a lot of thrift, and frugal living in my life
what was different in all of them was in general, housing was affordable and the middle class wage was solid and enough....
and there was a middle class....
RVC
Well-known Member
Took a drive to see the boys at Pro Drum today. Three 14” coated Ambassadors ran me $91 and change. No typo… $91+ for three 14” drumheads. Thank goodness I can get years of use out of one, especially at the volume levels I’m usually playing.
I don’t see how heavy hitters can afford heads anymore. If I were in any kind of hard hitting situation I think I’d go for those Aquarian heads with the two-10mil plies and the center dot. As mentioned in my other post in this thread, these kind of prices make experimentation a luxury I can no longer afford. Bummer.
I don’t see how heavy hitters can afford heads anymore. If I were in any kind of hard hitting situation I think I’d go for those Aquarian heads with the two-10mil plies and the center dot. As mentioned in my other post in this thread, these kind of prices make experimentation a luxury I can no longer afford. Bummer.
vyacheslav
Senior Member
That is absolutley INSANE! At the Music City Drum Show last weekend, the Guitar Center booth was doing brand new 14" Coated Ambassador heads for $12.99 each as a show special. They were individually wrapped in plastic bags (no boxes). I know Pro Drum is a great place, but that price is VERY high and out of whack with the "current market price". Sweetwater is selling them for $20.99 each. Pro Drum is selling them for around $30 each? Yikes. You can get a 20" Powerstroke 3 Bass Drum head for $40 online at GC and Sweetwater. Again, I'm not trying to bad mouth Pro Drum, but I'm sure they probably price match? Any time I need to buy a head, I always check online prices on my phone. Any reputable store should price match. You may want to to go back there and/or call them. They are charging nearly 50% more than Sweetwater. I know it's great to support local drum shops and I do as often as I can, but not by paying 50% more! I will state again: I LOVE SUPPORTING LOCAL SHOPS and try not to buy online unless I have to, and I don't mind paying a few dollars more to support a local shop, but 50% more. Uh, no. Their prices should be generally be in line with the rest of the market.
I'm glad I'm in the same boat as many.....I have plenty of heads and can get years out of them.
One thing to mention-Attack heads are great and are way less expensive than the "Big Three". These days, it doesn't hurt to try some out at prices of what heads SHOULD cost.
RVC, you should definitley go back there and/or call them. I'm not accusing them of ripping you off by any means, but that's way higher than any reputable store is selling them for.
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RVC
Well-known Member
Thanks for your concern, @vyacheslav. Some things to consider:
Pro Drum is a mom and pop shop in LA. Everything’s more expensive there. For example, a gallon of gas at the Mobil station down the street was over $5 for reg unleaded. Also, LA County has a crazy tax rate - 9.75%. That added $8+ to the bill.
The individual price for each head was $27.84. Still a rip off, but I love supporting the boys and each trip to Pro Drum is like a pilgrimage to Mecca for me. Yesterday I got a neat history lesson from Stan about the great Redbone drummer, Danny Spanos, as well as directions to the building (right around the corner from the shop) where they filmed all those wonderful Midnight Special episodes of my youth. Got to drive by and see where the magic happened.
After several (at least 3 but I think more) recent horrible experiences with getting the “great deal” drumheads destroyed in shipping, I’m simply NEVER gonna order another drumhead online. I don’t care if I have to pay twice the amount. The last time it happened it was a high profile event and I wanted a specific front bass drum head for aesthetics. Head was unusable as shipped and I had to do the gig with something else.
Along those same lines, unless it was an absolute emergency, I’ll pay the extra $6 or $7 per head to shop with Stan & Jerry as opposed to ever stepping foot in a GC again.
Yes, I agree that $27.84 is a rip off for a coated Amb. Yes, I gladly paid it and would do it again. Stan & Jerry have treated me like gold for the last 45 years so it’s worth it to me. For example, my first ever DW Collector’s set was purchased through them in 2021. Used, great condition 13-16-22 for $1300 with name drummer provenance. That’s worth getting ripped off on heads, IMO, and that’s not the only insane deal they’ve cut me over the decades.
All that to say, I think it all evens out in the wash.
Pro Drum is a mom and pop shop in LA. Everything’s more expensive there. For example, a gallon of gas at the Mobil station down the street was over $5 for reg unleaded. Also, LA County has a crazy tax rate - 9.75%. That added $8+ to the bill.
The individual price for each head was $27.84. Still a rip off, but I love supporting the boys and each trip to Pro Drum is like a pilgrimage to Mecca for me. Yesterday I got a neat history lesson from Stan about the great Redbone drummer, Danny Spanos, as well as directions to the building (right around the corner from the shop) where they filmed all those wonderful Midnight Special episodes of my youth. Got to drive by and see where the magic happened.
After several (at least 3 but I think more) recent horrible experiences with getting the “great deal” drumheads destroyed in shipping, I’m simply NEVER gonna order another drumhead online. I don’t care if I have to pay twice the amount. The last time it happened it was a high profile event and I wanted a specific front bass drum head for aesthetics. Head was unusable as shipped and I had to do the gig with something else.
Along those same lines, unless it was an absolute emergency, I’ll pay the extra $6 or $7 per head to shop with Stan & Jerry as opposed to ever stepping foot in a GC again.
Yes, I agree that $27.84 is a rip off for a coated Amb. Yes, I gladly paid it and would do it again. Stan & Jerry have treated me like gold for the last 45 years so it’s worth it to me. For example, my first ever DW Collector’s set was purchased through them in 2021. Used, great condition 13-16-22 for $1300 with name drummer provenance. That’s worth getting ripped off on heads, IMO, and that’s not the only insane deal they’ve cut me over the decades.
All that to say, I think it all evens out in the wash.
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That's another good topic. If there was a good drum store close to me, I would probably pay a bit extra too. Though maybe not $40-50 to get all new heads. But, here and there I might stop in if it was convenient. I used to have a local store where they knew everyone by name. Those were the days.
RVC
Well-known Member
Yes, I’ve been in that GC, before and after the big remodel. It’s worth visiting if you’re not from the area, just for the scale of it and they usually have some cool piece of rock history on display (AVH’s white/black Vista set for a long time, for example). As far as buying anything from there, or any GC, never again for me unless it’s an emergency and I have no other option.
striker
Silver Member
Thanks. I am heading there in August. Usually we do not stay long and our schedule is very busy when we get there. If time permits, I will try to visit the Pro Drum or GC or both.
Also in the same vicinity there is the Drumflip shop which is close to San Diego but less than an hour drive from Orange County.
RVC
Well-known Member
If you only have time for one, I’d suggest Pro Drum. It’s like walking into a living museum.
JimmyM
Diamond Member
From now on, I’m only buying B stock sticks. I think they’re just as good as any. I went through a couple boxes of them at 2112 and thought they were fine.
B stock heads, not so much, but while I get why drummers change from a worn out head to a new one, I think it doesn’t matter as much as some think it does. I’m not cutting super sessions or anything. Heard a lot of drummers sound fantastic on old heads.
B stock heads, not so much, but while I get why drummers change from a worn out head to a new one, I think it doesn’t matter as much as some think it does. I’m not cutting super sessions or anything. Heard a lot of drummers sound fantastic on old heads.
Xstr8edgtnrdrmrX
Local Boob
so I just bought a 14" ambassador coated and a 14" snare side hazy at Columbus Pro for school, and the total bill was $31 for both. I have been a customer there since they opened in 1981, and will gladly pay a bit more to shop local...
JimmyM
Diamond Member
I wish Remo would do a twin pack with the clear snare side. There’s a difference and I like the clear’s extra crispy tones. Just not enough to buy separates for a bunch more.
Xstr8edgtnrdrmrX
Local Boob
yeah...they should do a few diffrent packs actually
14" Ambassador coated with Ambassador clear snare
14" Ambassador coateds with Ambassador hazy snare
14" ambassador coated with diplomat clear
they could sell a lot of those!
Palaeographical
Active Member
Indeed. Just find a famous endorsee to lend their name on each combo and they'll sell themselves. "Do you want the Travis Barker Snare Pack or the Manu Katché Snare Pack?"
Xstr8edgtnrdrmrX
Local Boob
I would buy the Manu Katche pack!!!!!