Past
Sonor Force 1007 5pc (first kit)
Zenith (10, 12, 14, 20)
Slingerland Radio King (decided I didn’t like dealing with vintage drums)
Gretsch Catalina Club Jazz (have had three of these, donated one to my son’s school)
Gretsch Renown 4pc (24 kick)
Sonor Arena Maple 3pc
Sonor Bop
Yamaha Stage Custom bop
P. Ellis Custom mahogany kit (bop sizes)
Taye Studio Birch (20, 12, 14)
Taye Studio Birch (bop sizes)
Taye Parasonic (20, 10, 12, 14)
Taye GoKit (really hated this kit)
DW Performance (20, 12, 16)
Ludwig Classic Maple (20, 12, 14)
Yamaha Club Custom (22, 12, 16)
Current
Gretsch New Classic bop (I’ve had two of these, stupidly sold the first one)
Canopus Neo Vintage 60 M1
Gretsch Catalina Club Street
DW Design Series Frequent Flyer (on order)
Ramdom thoughts:
1. Taye for the most part makes really nice kits at a very good price, with a really funky mounting system for the rack toms. They are largely worthless for resale.
2. Gretsch New Classics sound amazing. Very warm and round, musical tone.
3. Best kits I’ve owned in terms of sound (very subjective) in order are: Canopus NV60 M1, Gretsch New Classic bop, Yamaha Club Custom, DW Performance, Ludwig Classic Maple
4. Best kits I’ve owned in terms of quality of construction in order are: Canopus NV60 M1, DW Performance, Yamaha Club Custom, Gretsch New Classic, Ludwig Classic Maple. And in all honesty, after the Canopus I don’t see much difference. They are all really well made.
5. Worst kit in the bunch was the Taye GoKit. Toms sounded ok, snare was horrid (and came with parts rolling around inside when I got it), and the bass drum sounded like a cardboard box (and not a very good sounding cardboard box).