Yamaha Stage Custom Birch Shell Pack - Drummer's Review 

Timothy Croke that will Nick Carter.. thanks for your kind words.. best wishes, DR

Agreed. I've been lucky enough to have toured with Nick for a few years now and I can confirm that he is not only a fantastic player but an equally great guy.

Agreed. The drummer is awesome. And was he playing the Purdie shuffle for a bit?

I was thinking that too, great sounding drummer there is

Agreed! what a drumming ❤

I almost spent 1200 on a kit before I saw these.

You are so damn right

@@williamperri3437 I have the Yamaha stage custom and mapex armory. Got deals I couldn't pass up. The Yamaha does have better hardware. But the mapex armory has great hardware as well. Sound wise they both sound great. You can't go wrong with either one. I alternate every other gig between them. As far as Tom mounting on the armory, I believe the mapex Saturn bass drum floating Tom mounts will work on the armory kit as well.

@@williamperri3437 In that case I would be in the same boat as you. The Yamaha stage custom to me is punchier and the armory kit is warmer sounding. Punchiness can be obtained on the armory as well with tighter tuning I found. One thing I did notice is the armory can handle deeper tunings better than the stage custom. With the mapex you can also trade in the tomahawk snare for one of their other snares in that line. I traded for the exterminator snare. I have the studioease fast Tom kit in desert dune 10,12,4, and 16 toms.

Scott Lowell Tama SLP kits, Gretsch Special Edition Catalinas. Inexpensive, but sound great ...spend the money you save ,on top quality cymbals instead.

I bought the snare specifically to use with my RCs (I don't have an RC snare), and fits right in really nicely musically and you'd have to look close to see the very subtle difference in the lugs. Great instrument and even more so at that price point.

I would love to hear this kit with ebony emperor "suede" heads on the Tom Toms.

May I know what heads do I need to put on it to sound much more warm?

@@harshverma4042 clear emps-batter,coated Ambas for resno, coated will warm up the tone.

What you guys experimented with is something I thought about many times. Especially quizzing (in audio only) the shell snobs who claim they can tell the difference between 2 bass drums of equal quality, except 1 of the bass drums has no tom mount attachments. They think they can hear a difference between more natural tone vs unwanted resonance exchange, but in reality the shell snobs would fail the audio test difference just like your scenario with the others in the group.

No reason it wouldn't work perfectly in the studio :) As a sound engineer, I can tell you most people way underestimate the importance of the room, kit, snare, head selection, and room when recording drums. It's easier to gate everything after you had put a ton of microphones, which cause phase issues, rather than really taking the time to have the perfect sounding kit for the song, unfortunately.

The high end drums stay in tune longer, have better hardware and more finish options. But tone is comparable.

May I know what heads to put to make it have a beefier sound?

Absolutely agree. I had one many years ago and it was great. Then I bought a Mapex Orion and I used both for a while. Finally, since I didn't have room for both, I had to sell the Yamaha, but I wish I could have kept it, because it was really nice and very versatile (though I usually prefer maple to birch, anyway). And even if it is a "cheap" kit, the Stage Custom can fight with many "high end" kits on a stage. I always recommend it to someone who wants to buy a kit on a budget (begginer or not), and I myself would consider it if I needed to buy a new kit. What I don't like, however, is the lack of options concerning the depths. I know the trend today is shallow sizes, but I am one of those guys who still prefer deeper ones all the way, but I guess it's one of the reason why they can keep a low price on such a kit.

Yes! I love my stage custom. I have had it for under a year and I have already brought it up to an 8pc set.

@matthew gonano drums Totally agree with you , it's a very very versatile kit . Great sounding kit .

Nick D'Virgilio from Sweetwater has entered the conversation....

Hey could you please suggest what heads to put on the Stage Customs? I prefer warmer. So I am hoping 2ply heads. But dunno much else.

@@harshverma4042 evans ec2 clear sound great on stage custom in my opinion...also remo emperor coated and even ambassador coated are very good ...can't go wrong with either of them....! Have fun!

Hahahaaaaa

LOL

I was stuck between those two as well and also went with the armory because I found the 6 piece for 670 on reverb. I absolutely love them

This is exactly what I was thinking. I'm probably going to get this kit and slap some onyx heads on the toms.

The Tama Starclassic always had too much sustain to my taste - especially the floor tom, uncontrollable...!

I agree Joseph! I bought the 22,10,12,16 SC, Black Raven. Put new Evans heads on all around. They sound great! Actually the color is nice, I wish maybe a bit more wood grain was prevalent but for the price that's me nit picking. I own a Sonor Aq2 in black also. When the two are side by side I'm actually drawn more towards the Black Raven, kind of pops a bit more, looks great under stage lights also. My SC's are getting more gig time than the Aq2's these days but the Aq2's sound great too! Recently I gigged with the 20' Aq2 bass and used the SC toms, worked out fantastically although I had to use a tom stand because the rack pipes are different sizes ( might flip that scenario soon and see how that works) and really couldn't see the difference in finish unless you got right up on the kit..... Decisions, ...might have to think about letting one or the other go in a year or 3 but for now I'm really happy with both.

Yes they do so just imagine how much better they sound with out cheap Chinese heads .

@@01dukester *Japanese

Hopefully you read this. I'm considering cutting mine down to 14" as well. It seems like the small air port at the top pf the drum may interfere with the drum head frame. Did you have an issue with that? Also how did this affect the sound?

@@leemonster100 It's a bit longer than 14, but I could have gone a little shorter. With the head and hoop on, mark where the head hoop comes back to. Then take the head off and measure the distance from the BE to the mark. This will tell you how how far to need to keep the bearing edge from the vent hole. Once cut, you'll need to plug the old lug holes with dowels and drill new ones. The sound is shorter, punchier, more focused, less boomy.

I played this kit at a friends house and it sounded great. what really stuck me was how nice the drums looked . Beautiful.................and great punch.

What made you take such desicion? I own both kits (Yamaha SC and Gretsch New Catalina Maple) but have to sell one and I'm kinda lost on which one I should let go 😰

Same here! The Gretsche was nice and sounded great but you can't beat a birch Yamaha!

@@vjgarate I chose the Yamaha SC. The hardware is really top notch, holds better, no visible pits and so on.

Currently I own a 7-piece Catalina maple and I’m on the fence about selling it to buy a Yamaha SC. Should I?

Smart financial choice , = $ for great cymbals , and snares. lol

how the hell yamaha is underrated? Steve gadd & dave weckl, akira jimbo plays them and the recording custom is the most recorded drum set in history...

Underrated...?? Man, do you know the price (and reputation) of a Recording Custom, a Maple Custom, or a PHX...??? They're not cheap ! However, what you can get in their mid-low / economical range (like this Stage Custom) is the same, or even better, than other brands mid-high / "that bill makes me cry" range.

I love how upset you kids are getting that I called your brand underrated, which it is, regardless of Yamaha's "claims" and naming three endorsers. You know that's a complement right? Saying your brand is better than it gets credit for? and you narcissists get mad cuz it's not enough adulation for your brand. And I guess you guys missed the second part of my comment where I say they are better than what is considered the top American manufacturer and are offered at a better price.. The only thing going against Yamaha right now is their pretentious and self-righteous fans apparently, the type who get mad and feel insulted because their brand wasn't complemented enough.

@@21DaHoagie12 I think you're wrong: 1- I'm not upset. 2- Yamaha is not "my brand". Indeed I have a Mapex. I had a Yamaha 20 years ago and I sold it. 3- When you said it is underrated, I interpreted it literally. When I say it is not, is because €3000-3500 for a standard Recording Custom kit (w/o hardware) or up to €12000 for a PHX (in Europe) is anything but "underrated", and the reputation of the Recording Custom, and the fact that is the most recorded kit is anything but underrated. Also, the fact that Yamaha is the most used kit in back lines (from the economical Stage Custom to the Tour Custom or the Oak Custom), is not exactly being "underrated". They are great drums, and they have a very well earned reputation for that. So if it was meant to be a compliment I think you didn't choose the best expression, but whatever, it doesn't matter. 4- I don't care if you adulate this brand (wich ain't "my brand") or if you shit on it, as I don't care if you adulate or shit on Mapex (the brand I use, but again not "my brand")... I don't work in or own those companies and I don't have any emotional link with them, or any, as brands. I could have with my instrument because it is my instrument, regardeless its brand. I may like some brands more than others, but I don't care about other people preferences. 5- I don't care either if you (or anyone) consider Yamaha better or worse than "the top American manufacturer". I'm not even American, nor Japanesse, and I think that feeling some kind of "patriotic pride" for any brand is a nonsense. 6- I don't get mad and feel insulted because a brand (again, I don't have a "my brand") wasn't complimented enough... or nothing... or too much... or whatever. 7- However, what does bothers me a bit (not enough to keep me from sleep tonight, though) is the fact that you adress to me (and the other guy) with terms like "narcissists" or "self-righteous fans" just because you have, apparently, a problem of understanding and you interpret any disagreement as "geting mad". But hey, keep that attitude, you'll go far in life boy... Bye.

@@21DaHoagie12 Are you projecting your feelins on us...? Poor child, you must have a sad and lonely life...

You won't be disappointed. I just got my kit and I love it.

I promise you that it’ll be an amazing investment. I’ve had mine for 5 years and I’ve had ZERO issues you really can’t beat it for the price.

@@ethanhayes3474 I’ve owned this kit for a year now, same colour , never failed to deliver an amazing sound!

its a year later did u get this kit?

No Alex I have not been able to buy my Stage Custom kit yet. Last year hit me hard when the school where I was teaching was closed down due to COVID. I have been able to finally build up my student enrollment. I will keep saving and hope to get my kit later this year.

@@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348 i hope you do. covid hit us all hard, its a bummer you couldnt get it but i have high hopes for u! i am also hoping to buy my stage custom 6pc later this year. good luck!

Thank you Alex. I appreciate the encouragement. I really hope that you get your 6 piece kit this year. By the way my name is John.

@@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348 Well John, keep me posted, and I'll do the same. Good luck!

Great point any drum set will sound great with there mic setup , Why can't they just play the drums naturally

What heads did you settle on? I know this was a year ago, though I’d ask any way. Ordered one a few days ago 😬

@@louiscromwell9246 ive still got the stock heads, they suit my purpose fine. Enjoy your kit.

@@louiscromwell9246 did you like the kit? I'm thinking of getting it

Sonor make 20x15 bass drums, such a good size. I had a mapex M pro 22x18 and I cut it down to 22x15 myself, so easy to carry through doorways and into my small car.

Yep that snare sounds killer!

I also bought the bop kit recently and an add-on 10x7. How do you find the die cast on them? I was thinking of upgrading to 2.3mm hoops.

Almighty Tomato do you have any pics of that?

Really? Ever?

Definitely haha

Lol, Pearl are garbage cans, especially at the lower to mid-range price points.