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  • Awesome review! Would you recommend this set for Country Music? Im trying to find a drumset with sound for that style. Thank You!

  • I'm looking for a new set to replace my Pearl Forum series since I'm being more active in performances and gigs. I want to get a 6-7 piece set that plays a wide range of genres such as: Rock, Pop, R&B, Jazz, Afro Cuban, Gospel, Ballad, Latin, and etc. I'm stuck between Pearl, DW, Gretsch, and PDP because they all sound really great, any advice or preference you guys are willing to share for an upcoming drummer such as myself?

  • i need some advice on tuning my kit, iave the same model and finish, if anyone can help, or give good tips would be much apreciated :)

  • @DRUMMER1926 Not even kidding. it is the best sounding kit for the price. and i record and do drum covers and if you put a set of heads on it it sounds even better! and it already sounds awesome! I recommend it over any other drum kit under $1000!

  • i have this kit and have had it for about 6 months and it sounds much better in person. i LOVE my kit. and i HIGHLY recommend it to ANYONE

  • Don't waste your time with the catalina maple. I bought a 6pc, then returned it after less than one hour playing (both with a band and on my own w/headphones). Low volume, poor articulation, and rotten floor tom design chokes resonance. Evans EMAD2 kick, Remo coated Ambassador, Remo Emperor clear on all toms. Maybe pinstripes would work better, but I was still INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED.

  • @ynotw57

    Sorry to hear about your experience, mate. I can't help but think yours had some quality control issues. I've had mine for about a year now and am continually stunned at how incredible it is. HUGE sound, the bass is like a cannon, heck, even the snare that came with it is quality. I gotta ask though, what do you mean when you say "rotten floor tom design"? Anyhow, hopefully you found something that suited you better!

  • @dtigers27 Could be quality control. The kit sounded decent at the store, but when it got home, I was utterly disappointed. The kit I had was made with "Maple Formula," and looking at the drums, it appeared to be maple with other wood pulp pressed into fiberboard laminates. It could also have been the heads. I'm a pinstripe guy, so I wasn't used to the sound I was hearing. I replaced it with a Ludwig Epic, which is a birch/maple hybrid.

  • @ynotw57

    Man, thats wild! I don't doubt your experience, you seem to know what you're talking about. Either way, Ludwig Epics are fantastic drums. Enjoy!

  • How you tuned em ? 

  • go with the catalina birch, they are the best drums getsch has made in the last 8, 9, maybe 10 years or so....

  • Damn He is good on drums!! O.o

  • I've had my cherry red one for 3.5 years now. love it. once you get the toms off the bass drum and good heads on them, I have put it beside upper mapex kits and even a dw and it held its ground.

  • This is a good set for the money. So far played about 6 months. Changed remo emperor on the snare and sound got better and punchier. Had to tighten screws on the snare to eliminate unwanted sound and will check the toms also when i change the heads. By the way cool groove u got there Todd, great drummer.

  • my schools jazz band has one.. I played it and it's just awesome!

  • Guys, I gave up drums a few years ago but want to get back to it. I've own a Dixon (like Westbury). I've taken lessons and got allright: holding tunes with people, play triplets, left foot almost independant from right, ok basic rudiments, many beats, ostinatos, syncopations, But the kit (except for the Sabian AAs) sounds dull and feels like the village's scooter: every other kid rode it. Should the Catalina be the next? Did I just answrd myself? $ is a factor! Sggstns for other kits? ThY

  • i have mine for over 2 years now, there a brilliant kit

  • almost forgot i had this kit sitting in the basement.

    Must go play it NOW

  • Monster drummer!

  • does it come with the hardware to mount the toms?

  • @guywiththegrass yes it does, it mounts on the bass drum

  • I have both sets. Maple and Ash.

  • @KJPHLWhich one do you prefer

  • @Crazyrockerfreak96 I use both of them for different types of music, but if I had to pick one it would be the maples. I love the lows in them.

  • @KJPHL Which do you prefer? Studio, live, jam sessions give me a wrap on both.

  • @gobluteam Honestly I have never done any studio work, but I have played live and jam sessions a lot. If you are playing with a heavy bass player, the maples are the way to go. With that heavy bassline the maple set won't get drowned out due to the great low end with maple, but will match the bass. The ash set is a little more smoother with less on the low end, but brighter in sharpness. These sound good when you play jazz, funk, r&b, and different grooves. i hope this helped.

  • In terms of Maple v Ash, I went with Maple. I didn't think I would ever use two floor toms and was leaning Ash. I didn't think I had any need for a second floor tom. Then I hit it.

  • heeey ive just ordered mine.. but in the order proces you didnt tell mee when the kit wiil arrive.. i ordered form slp mexico last thursday and i reaally exited to get my new drum kit = D soo i want to know.. how much time will take to arrive here to my house = D sorry for my bad english jeje :P

  • what are you using for mics and where can u buy them??

  • im in the proccess of paying off the guitar center by my house a kit i was told was a catalina ash but the setup looks more like the catalina maple because of the 2 rack toms and 2 floor toms. do they also sell the catalina ash in 2 and 2 instead of 3 and 1? its also red wood looking and they had it available in this finish too

  • im in the proccess of paying off the guitar center by my house a kit i was told was a catalina ash but the setup looks more like the catalina maple because of the 2 rack toms and 2 floor toms. do they also sell the catalina ash in 2 and 2 instead of 3 and 1? its also red wood looking and they had it available in this finish too

  • i was wondering bout buying these drums, but i live in finland and one website sells these. i just dont know is it only drums or is there symbals or even symbal holders... daaaam :D

  • i wish the bass drum finish wasnt in reverse with the other drums, cuz on the bass drum, the black part of the fade is what u hit, but on all the others, the yellow part is what u hit. i love this fade, but that bass drum drives me crazy!

  • have u ever replaced the heads yet?

  • @xDrumsx4xLifex i heard the that remo heads sound GREAT with the kit.

  • im actually thinking of getting tis kit, but i gfirst need to decide how many toms i wana go with.

  • Gretsch Catalina Maple 6 piece

    Sonor Force 3007 5 piece

    Mapex Merdian Maple 5 piece

    Pdp X7 Maple 7 piece

    whats the best????????

  • Comment removed

  • This set would go PERFECT with my Gretsch snare. I've been looking for a set like this at such a low price for a long ass time- finally I found this

  • i have that set but with different heads

  • i own this kit and love it, but im not a big fan of the isolation mounts. Does anyone know some good mounts i could buy that would fit the 10" & 12" toms but will still let me use the bass drum mount that comes with the kit?

  • wow I much prefer the sound of the maple vs the ash ..... thats just me but i just absulutely love that sound! WOW

  • that price has this drum?

  • immigrant song at the begining =) NICE!

  • i have this kit in the dark cherry! i love it. I've been looking at the 13" and 8" add on toms....

  • how much is it to mexico , colima? i wanna buy this set

  • Hey guys, I am looking into Gretsch sets and two have definitely caught my eye. One is this set and the other is the Catalina Birch series that they've just brought back into production. The obvious advantage to this set is the extra floor tom. However, it would be wonderfully helpful if you guys could post a review on the Birch kit, because so far there is very little as far as videos to allow comparison. It would be great if you could review it! Thanks!

    ~Zach~ 8D

  • Las Catalina son realmente buenas, versátiles, con un increíble sonido y hermosos acabados. Muy recomendables.

  • I'm wondering about the kit I should buy. I started drums 10 years ago but now I want to change my kit for a Catalina. I don't know if I should take the Maple or the Ash...

    I prefer the Ash but some people told me Maple was better for rock.

    Can you give me some help ?

  • @Poulmy - It's really a preference. Yes, maple has been industry standard for drums for a long time but, with the last few years, ash has made a BIG comeback. The louder attack, and quicker decay of ash make it a perfect match for studio or live settings. My personal preference is ash.

    Thanks!

    Todd - TheMusicFarm

    330-682-5595

  • @TheMusicFarm Thank you for the answer.

    I will think about it... the 3 tom toms of the ash seem better to me than the 2 tom toms and the 2 floor toms of the maple.

  • @Poulmy I would go with ash, too. The Catalina Ash kit is great.

  • @Poulmy hey, if u play metal, and u likelow toms, then go for maple. but if not enough money, save up.

  • @Poulmy

    dude if u like ash u should get ash, shawn drover from megadeth uses a ddrum ash kit and it sound good in the music

  • has anyone had a problem using the evans torque key on this drum set???? i tried using the torque key, but it seems like the tension rods on this kit is too small compared to the key. when i try to turn the key, the tension rods wont turn....it only works on my bass drum but not the snare and toms.... and it also works on my other drum sets except this one.

  • just learn how to tune your heads to get the sound you desire. i use remo emperor black x's because i like to hit heavier, but it depends also on what style you play- some people like more finesse or play lighter. also, consider stick size, type and weight. preference to drum heads is like preference to soap or toothpaste- just depends on what you like or what you're trying to get out of it.

  • there is nothing wrong with aquarian heads i use responce2s coated best head i ever used not saying evans is bad i like them to even remo is good .just learn to tune your drums.....just dont use stock heads ......

  • do you know if the set sounds better with clear or with battered heads?

  • you mean clear or coated?

  • @DrPepperJKM yeah

  • @v2097 Dude, it depends on you're preference.. and there's a lot of types

  • @v2097 just tune it right.. and dont use aquarian heads.. try evan g2

  • Is this good for a beginner?  Or what would you recommend for a beginner drummer.

  • If you think you are going to play the drums for a while it would be worth getting this but if you are not that into drums you might want to get a cheaper drum set like a sound percussion or even a ddrum diablo

  • nice paradiddles man

  • Is this kit an ideal one for jazz/swing?

  • Sure, you could definitely use it for that. It's very versatile. Ideally, a Jazz kit has slightly smaller shells though. Have you seen the Gretsch Catalina Jazz kits? We have them in stock...

    Let me know!

    Todd - The Music Farm

    330-682-5595

  • I have seen but i'm a session drummer you see so need a very versitlie kit so that's why this one has caught my eye, been playing on a yamaha stage custom, but looks like it's been played alot! so need something to take to gigs etc. do you ship to the UK?

  • Yes, we definitely ship to the UK. Shipping on this kit would be somewhere around the $279-$319 range via UPS. You can send me a private message and i'll send you my email address..

    thanks!

    Todd

  • Wow this looks waaayyy different than the picture. Does anybody else have this color and does it actually look like this?

  • i got this set like 6 months ago, and it sounds sick when tuned good.. but my floor tom doesnt resognate like the rest which sucks, im still work on how to fix it.. i know the problem and its from the plastic on the legs, it keeps the skins from vibrating or something like that, but yeah, it does sound great

  • Try replacing the rubber tips of on the floor tom legs with a set of Pearl R40/3 Floor Tom Rubber Tips. You get three for ten bucks, and they make a lot of difference in floor tom resonance.

  • I have this set in this color, and it's just like it is on this video, just beautiful. The pictures make them look more of a yellowish look.

  • i just got this set its sound wonderful

  • Are you satisfied with the color finish ?

  • Maple has a way fuller sound then ash.

  • Hey I LOVE YOUR VIDEO! I shop for my drum stuff at "Sam Ash" and I was wondering what type of cymbals would combine with this to make a great sound like sabian b8, thanks

  • I listen to this drums recorded pro, and they are truly amazing

  • how do you get those drums sounding so amazing?

  • Thanks for answering so fast !

    According to the official Gretsch drums website, the finish "Tobacco fade" doesn't exist. So is it "tobbaco fade sunburst" ?

    Sorry i don't understand, in your video, we can not really see the "yellow sunburst".

    It would mean that in reality, this finish looks like that and not as we can see on internet ?

    Thanks for answering !

  • Well, after looking at the grestch site, I guess it is tobacco fade sunburst. Send me a private message and i'll send you a hi-res picture of this kit that we shot. The colors are very vibrant.

    Thanks!

    Todd

  • @TheMusicFarm hey, can i get a picture of this set too?

  • Is it "Tobbaco Fade Sunburst finish" ?

    Or just "Tobbaco Fade" ?

    Thanks

  • Just technically "tobacco fade" but, it has hints of sunburst colors.

    Thanks!

    Todd- TheMusicFarm

  • haha 720?? i just bought a 6 pc like that for 350 bucks.. i got a great deal... but the kit is amazing

  • these are awesome drums my friend got a 6 piece like that one for 720$

  • Thart's because mapex orions are their high end drums lol

  • Gretsch all the way!

  • What is the best brand of drum you can get?

  • dw is most expensive, but imo not the best sounding, mapex maple kits ar nice, and pearl are ok but the nicest kit ive played is a mapex orion, which sounds and feels pro without the price of a dw

  • @muffinsNsausage When your looking at some of the high end gretsch's, they don't really get much better tbh...

  • well i have seen some reallllly nice custom drums like sjc or c&c but for me it ludwig all the way

  • depends and your taste, but i have found the next brands to have the best sound and finish imho:

    -Shine drums

    -Slingerland

    -Kirchof (high end)

    -spaun drums

    -lignum drums (do a search, solid wood drums from the nehterlands, amazing!)

    -brady drums

    (very) pricey brands, but here, you get the best you can.

    although even lower end drumkits can be tuned and re-made to fit any sound taste

  • How much for this kit

  • $699

  • bought it for 589

  • check my videos to hear more of this kit.

  • i'm getting that bitch for my bday

  • You too?!?!?

  • me too ^^

  • The guy or the drumset?

  • both

  • Me2 killer sounding kit!

  • @metrognome69 im getting it for both bday and christmas :/

  • Anyone recommend this kit as a second drum kit? I already have a Tama rockstar, looking to replace it after 8 years. Also, anyone have any ideas on what the best heads are on these drums to get the the warmest sound? I like the drum to open up and ressonate well. Thanks

  • these are better than your multi wood rockstars

  • what about the merdiam mapex?? about the same?

  • for warmth, use single-ply coated (evans g1 coated)

  • 1:45 wtf?

  • i think Asia....but sounds great...

  • AFRICA. ITS BURMUDA GRASS

  • the renown has usa rock maple shells, as for the catalina, could be the same?

  • I am thinking about getting the set, too, but in ebony,....is there anybody out there who knows why its costlier in this finnish as it is in the other finnishes?

  • i have the ebony finish. The only difference between the ebony and the other finishes is the fact that all of the hardware is black...which is most likely why it's more expensive

  • thinking of getting the Gretsch Cataliina Maple ''Fusion'' Cherry kit on Thomann. going cheap at 549euro. Any suggestions or opinions please reply directly to me. thanks

  • i think that is a really good choice.....you have only to change the stock heads to have a real good sound.

  • nope, they come with evans so theyre better than your everyday stock heads

  • If you don't remember tell me the spaces between them for a drum set like this 2 toms and 2 floor toms....is it like third small or forth clear ? or something.... please tell me !!!

  • Hi guy's !!! Nice sound man basically better than mine, i have the same drum too Gretsch Catalina Maple it's very good guy's really !!! but you must have some skills as a drummer to make it sound as good as that or / and better :( i don't have these skills yet but anyway i 'm still working on it :P . Anyway i have some problem with the small tom :( so please can you tell me how are the toms tuned on this set ??? and the bass too ??? Sorry for my English.

  • Where is the music farm? Thanks.

  • We are located in Orrville, Ohio. The home of Smuckers Jelly!

    Thanks!

    Todd - The Music Farm

    330-682-5595

  • Jason, you sound very good. Nice drums and a very nice groove.

    peace.

  • the paint on my bass drum hoop is like chipping off. do any of you have this problem. and do u noe any solutions to my problem

  • just wonderin wats everyones opinion, which ones are betta these or the catalina ash

  • I have to say that this is the best sounding of all your videos here...Its hard to think that you are getting this sound with just one AT3035....I was just reading "Behind the Glass" and Eddie Kramer said there was only a few mics that he would use to record a whole drum set with...Neuman 67...47....and a shure KSM32....I think Ill send him a link to this video.

  • I have a red Gretsch Catalina set I bought this month for $770 at Sam Ash and now I'm needing hardware so I can start playing. Someone donate their old hardware or send a donation

  • Dude it's for $750 on ebay WITH hardware, some even has gibraltar hardware..

  • How are the toms tuned on this?

  • I wish they didn't use the cymbals so much. Good playing and everything but not needed if your rating just the shells!

  • From what i hear the Birch kills it...I won the Birch BTW

  • not in real life! I have a birch Catalina greatsch and a USA. Maple Custom.

  • hey does this set comes with cymbals? if it does then for sure i will purchase one?

  • No.

  • are the heads on the toms factory heads too and are you using moon gels or anything like that

  • Heads are from the factory. Jason pulled this kit right out of the box and tuned them up with no problems,

    thanks!

    Todd - The Music Farm

    330-682-5595

  • what heads are you using for the snare drum??

  • The heads on the snare drum are the factory heads which came on the drum. They are a coated one ply head on top and a regular clear bottom snare side head. It tuned right up for me out of the box. Thanks for posting.

  • wow.. thanks for replying... i just changed the batter side with a remo emperor x and didn't like the results... the snares were not responding very well so i was worried,,, then i found out that the emperor x was not in "C".. it was quite difficult to estimate because it was so thick... until i got it right and the sound was very well good enough for now... gotta wait to buy a snare side head to improve it more.. thanks a lot!!!

  • where it made? usa or china?

  • I believe they are made in Tiwain. not sure if that is the correct spelling but you get the idea.

  • Jason tough tme for a while :D

  • Which mics and how many did you use for this recording? Which cymbals are used?

  • The cymbals I used were 14" Meinl Byzance Hi Hats, 17" Meinl Byzance Med Thin Crash, and a 20" Meinl Byzance Jazz Sweet Ride. There is one room mic out front so you hear the kit as your ears would here them in a live room setting.

  • Thanks for your answer

  • can u tell me the differences between catalina maple and ash? u said they sounded way different... thx

    which one would u recommend for pop and rock?

  • Maple has a warm tone and longer sustain than the ash series. I would use them for rock. The ash series have a short decay and would be better suited for pop music. I enjoyed playing both kits.

  • is there any way u can get a virgin bass?

  • is there any way i can mount the toms on the cymbal stands and cover the bass drum hole?

  • hey!

    Ya you could probably cover the bass drum hole by taking the toms out and the thing you stick the tom mount into and then covering the hole with a piece of wood. then you would need 2 more tom holders and 2 cymbal stands with a clip on each one that will hold the toms. that would probably be the easiest way to make it a naked bass drum. if you are looking for a better sound, then you could also try to cut a small hole in the reso bass drum head. I usually do like a 4" hole in it. try that.

  • alright just wondering because pearl makes a cover for the hole if you want a virgin bass and i was just curious if grestch did the same

    thanks anyway

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  • i play rock and a bit of metal... i kinda like the sound of Hiroyuki Noritake of T-square band and Mike Johnston's kit... i wonder how could i get the same kind of sound?? a certain pitch would really help.. could you help me on this one?? i would really appreciate it.. thanks a lot!!!!

  • question... i just bought a catalina maple and i was wondering to what pitch did you tune the heads? (bottom and top) for each drum... i would really appreciate it if you would answer this.. thanks..

  • It really depends on the style of music you're playing. What style are you mostly playing??

    thanks,

    Todd - The Music Farm

    330-682-5595

  • I just bought the drums(best purchase of my life) but i want a lower pitch.or the pitch of the drums on the reiew. Did u play them out of the box.(if there was one) I play prog metal rock and funk. little jazz too.

  • Yes, we tuned the drums using the factory heads right out of the box. The bottom head has a lot to do with the tone. We usually like to tune the bottom head SLIGHTLY lower than the batter head...

    thanks!

    Todd - The Music Farm

    330-682-5595

  • ya. I just found that today. I tuned them and they sound amazing!!!!!!I like the 10 in tom the best. The 16in floor tom is a pain to get a good sound out of,but ill get there. Thanks

  • damn i want this so bad , gorgeous kit!

    how much is it? do you sel

  • We do sell it! We have it on sale now for $719 with a free Gretsch Drum Rug... Feel free to call with questions..

    Todd - The Music Farm

    330-682-5595

  • do you sell international? i want this kit next month, but i live in mexico, colima city

  • Yes! just contact me when you are ready to buy..

    thanks!

    Todd - The Music Farm

    330-682-5595

  • yes sir i will, you have very good prices!

    im just worried about the importation, do i need 2 pay an extra money or any kind of tribute?

    thanx for answering ;) really apreciate it (sorry about my english)

  • No problem! You can contact your local customs office to inquire about any import fees etc...

    thanks!

    Todd - The Music Farm

    330-682-5595

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