Classic Maple vs Maple Hybrid
- Thread starter Rolltide
- Start date
Chunkaway
Silver Member
Both are great drums. I find the Yamahas to be more neutral sounding. If they were eq’d, they would be flat. The Classic Maples tend to have a bit more distinctive sound to them, which I prefer. Ludwig used to have some quality control issues but for the most part, I think they have greatly improved.
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PorkPieGuy
Platinum Member
Classic Maple all the way.
jda
Diamond Member
The Absolute Hybrid are Die Cast hoop on toms right
like a faux Gretsch
Ludwig are tradition like the old aging Rocker
the Yamaha sound Funny
the Ludwig sound like the mid 70s
It's a tough choice Depends on what kind of player you want to be or perceive yourself be or project your self to be in the future.
the yamaha are like an Acura
The Ludwig a Ram Pickup
like a faux Gretsch
Ludwig are tradition like the old aging Rocker
the Yamaha sound Funny
the Ludwig sound like the mid 70s
It's a tough choice Depends on what kind of player you want to be or perceive yourself be or project your self to be in the future.
the yamaha are like an Acura
The Ludwig a Ram Pickup
Stroman
Diamond Member
I have not played the Maple Hybrid specifically, but I have played a couple of birch lines and a maple line in the Yamahas, and I own two Classic Maple sets. My general observation when comparing the Yamahas vs the Ludwig is that the Yamahas sound more controlled or tame. Maybe more EQ'd, as Chunkaway said.
Classic Maples sound unique and full-bodied and can sound a little wild (in a good way!) compared to Yamahas in my experience.
Classic Maples sound unique and full-bodied and can sound a little wild (in a good way!) compared to Yamahas in my experience.
Jeremy Bender
Platinum Member
I own a set of Yamaha Hybrid Maples, they replaced the Maple Custom Absolute kit I owned. They're very well made. Flawless bearing edge's from the fctory and the fit and finish is top notch. Versatile drums with good tuning range fitted with dependable and user friendly hardware.
They're a touch brighter and punchy to my ears than the MCA kit I had. The bass drum has lots of low end.
They're a touch brighter and punchy to my ears than the MCA kit I had. The bass drum has lots of low end.
TheDrummerFromAmsterdam
Platinum Member
Yamaha for the sound and hardware alone.
Ditto from a recent convert.
jda
Diamond Member
I can't own or pay $$$ for a set with Triple Flange hoops so that'd push me Yamaha 's way.
Die cast - light or heavy- you either love them or you know you don't. But you do get attached to them..
It's one of the major differences between sets- If you think about it.
Triple flange just seems cheap and generic and thin and Die cast hold set tension for years- But I like old nickle and chrome-over-brass Triple Flange. Those are as rare as hen's teeth today. Die Cast hold tension.
It's the same set every day every season every year every time of the day..
Lost trust in triple flange- tonally and in consistent reliability- in Ludwig and Tama sets I've owned.
My Premier had low profile die-cast. All my Gretsch do.
Once used to die cast it's hard to go back. Possibly could never go back. So let me look at those Yamaha's.
again
It's one of - if not the biggest practical difference- sizes being equal- between the two
I like the solidity. The rimshot on every drum. (the cross stick I believe is way easier and better with trip flange but that's it)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...e-hybrid-maple-4-piece-shell-pack-solid-black
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...aple-exotic-4-piece-shell-pack-nocturne-burst
Die cast - light or heavy- you either love them or you know you don't. But you do get attached to them..
It's one of the major differences between sets- If you think about it.
Triple flange just seems cheap and generic and thin and Die cast hold set tension for years- But I like old nickle and chrome-over-brass Triple Flange. Those are as rare as hen's teeth today. Die Cast hold tension.
It's the same set every day every season every year every time of the day..
Lost trust in triple flange- tonally and in consistent reliability- in Ludwig and Tama sets I've owned.
My Premier had low profile die-cast. All my Gretsch do.
Once used to die cast it's hard to go back. Possibly could never go back. So let me look at those Yamaha's.
again
It's one of - if not the biggest practical difference- sizes being equal- between the two
I like the solidity. The rimshot on every drum. (the cross stick I believe is way easier and better with trip flange but that's it)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...e-hybrid-maple-4-piece-shell-pack-solid-black
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...aple-exotic-4-piece-shell-pack-nocturne-burst
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Cmdr. Ross
Platinum Member
RickP
Gold Member
I have owned a Ludwig Classic Maple kit 20/10/12/15 and quite liked it . It was the classic all maple sound . My kit had the full face Birdseye inner and outer veneer . I liked this much more than the Ludwig Legacy Classic Maple kit I had also owned . See Pics below . The red burst over Birdseye is the Legacy Classic Maple kit. The other is the Classic Maple Birdseye .
My only experience with Yamaha’s Hybrid maple kits have been with backline kits . The first one I tried , no matter what I could do I could not get a good sound out of the floor Tom . I played another backline kit and it sounded great , every piece of the kit . In ga t the bass drum might have been one of the best sounding bass drums I have ever played.
One thing I did notice about the Yamaha kit that would turn me off , was when I mounted two rack toms on their Tom mount , one of them would lose resonance . I never found that issue with the L arm Ludwig mount . I also noticed this with my former Yamaha PHX, the second rack would just die resonance wise .
If I was asked to choose between the two I would go with the Ludwig Classic Maple .
My only experience with Yamaha’s Hybrid maple kits have been with backline kits . The first one I tried , no matter what I could do I could not get a good sound out of the floor Tom . I played another backline kit and it sounded great , every piece of the kit . In ga t the bass drum might have been one of the best sounding bass drums I have ever played.
One thing I did notice about the Yamaha kit that would turn me off , was when I mounted two rack toms on their Tom mount , one of them would lose resonance . I never found that issue with the L arm Ludwig mount . I also noticed this with my former Yamaha PHX, the second rack would just die resonance wise .
If I was asked to choose between the two I would go with the Ludwig Classic Maple .
Drumolator
Platinum Member
My best snare is maple and walnut, just like my toms and bass drum. Peace and goodwill.
TJK
Well-known Member
The YESS system has a lot to be desired for sure. I ended up getting RIMS type for my stage custom toms and what a difference
TheDrummerFromAmsterdam
Platinum Member
I never had issues with the yess mount in these 33 years.
But one thing that could help if you cross such an issue, is using either a shorter rod, using only two holes and no cymbal arm (or the double mount instead of the triple mount), or direct to shell mounting.
(these have 3mm die cast hoops, in the shape of triple flanged’s)
But one thing that could help if you cross such an issue, is using either a shorter rod, using only two holes and no cymbal arm (or the double mount instead of the triple mount), or direct to shell mounting.
(these have 3mm die cast hoops, in the shape of triple flanged’s)