I don't think I've ever heard a better verbal comparison between drum brands and the difference in the feel of heads. I'm probably like most drummers and have never had the budget to really be able to compare in such detail. Thanks Louie. Always love your playing. Your fluidity is amazing.
Louie understands the deep, visceral connection between the rhythm of life and playing the drum set. He coaxes each piece of the kit to sing in their own special voice. By employing solid time, a natural feel, patience, and dynamics, he transforms a simple drum phrase into a piece of music. To me, that's the special sauce....and something that you may not see with really hard-hitting drummers. Awesome stuff, and thanks for the great walk-thru!
WOAH ! Those first few minutes - one of the BEST sound demos I have ever heard - I expect Yamaha official to use this ! What you are saying on soft / hard hits for feel and tone is so key on finding your sound. Loving this.
Ive been playing Rogers drums for all of my life. It was the kit my dad bought me when i was a teenager. At 59, ive finally BOUGHT my first kit. I was looking at a Gretsch Catalina. Ive bought Tama hardware for years with the intention of one day owning a Tama kit. I recently got the Yamaha Stage Custom with Birch shells. The Rogers is a Maple kit. Looking forward to playing the new one to see how different it is. So, congratulations to us BOTH on our new Yamaha kits!!!
Stage customs sound very good. Birch really has a high-mid punch and nice fat lows that leave space for guitars etc. in the mid range. Pinstripes and coated ambassadors. I just picked up a recording custom (1990’s) with shallow toms. I am liking it much more than my maple custom absolute for now, because after playing maple kits since the 70’s. Loving the Birch! Enjoy!
Follow up.... Took the Yamaha out for a gig. The one thing that was really important to me while doing my research between Gretsch, Tama, Pearl and DW was the kick drum had to have punch and fatness. At the time, I hadn't even considered Yamaha. I now have that punch and fat with the Stage Custom. The toms sound incredible!!! I love the Rogers, but those concert toms were missing the full sound that a double headed drum gives. I could actually hear the toms with the Yamaha. And the customer service!!! I'm a Yamaha guy for life.
Hey Louie, welcome to the Yamaha family. I love your new kit and your playing. I have a Yamaha Recording custom, but unfortunately will be selling them soon due to the venues and events that I play frown on acoustic drum sets. I’m in a cover band and noticed I’ve yet to run across an opportunity to play my Yamahas in over 4,5 years. I now play a Roland set, though I recently transplanted the electronics in the Roland tom shells into Yamaha stage custom birch shells. So I still have Yamaha in my musical life. Enjoy your drums and have a good and safe life, Peace.
beautiful playing, and then such articulate explanation of sonic dynamics of drums and the relationship between them and playing style/technique. thanks!
I have a Yamaha recording custom kit and i think your Maple kit sounds even better ! I am astonished by the build quality of modern yamaha too - flawless
I have a Pearl kit, and a Yamaha. 😄 Love both brands. You describe things so well! Every aspect of what you said about sound of srum brands, other drummers, style, what comes out naturally... I cant even put in everything that you said that was a wow moment for me. Great video. Glad I came across it. Subscribed of course! My Pearl kit is a vintage All Fiberglass kit. I believe what you describe about playing those drums is exactly how my Fiberglass kit plays. Just a gentle tap and they come to life. If you hit them hard, wow are they loud. It makes it so much easier to play while still getting the sound. Thanks for posting this!
I've been playing this same kit in Polar White for a couple of years. Love the sound and the feel of the kit. Different colored stage lights really reflect well onto the white finish on stage. I'm sure the black will look great too. I'm partial to the Polar White because of the blue flake in the finish. When the lights hit it, the colors look amazing. 22"x18" bass drum is a monster. You will love it. SO much beefier than the 20" x16". Good luck with your new kit! I have zero regrets with mine!
I worked at my local GC for about a year back in 2004, before they were publicly traded, and still got a lot of killer stuff in the drum department. Yamaha were hands down the most consistent and best sounding kits we had in that department top to bottom. The Absolute Nouveaus were released the year prior, and we got in a birch and a maple kit, both of which were incredible. I even bought myself a brand new 6 piece Stage Custom Nouveau at cost as a secondary practice set that eventually mordred into a double bass kit. Beautiful drums, and always excellent playing, Louie. Cheers, man.
Congratulations Louie ! I was a member of Playbetterdrums ,your site back when you had the other black yamaha kit and i still have some videos but , I need to get back on again , it was amazing the content back then and probably ten fold now ! I totally agree with your switching back 👍🏻🤘🏻
Been a fan and follower for a long time… I was saddened when you first went away from Yamaha - I always thought your sound was Weckl-like with some amazingly rounded and natural sounding drums… excited you’re back with Yamaha. Great video!
Great content! Great kit. Just picked up a recording custom (1990’s). 8x8, 10x8, 12x8, 14x12, 16x14. 22x16. Love them! Also have a maple custom absolute., Love it solo, but the Toms competing in the mid range with electric guitars. The AHM is a great hybrid, warm maple tone, but also cuts through the mids with a little bit of bite. My sister worked at Yamaha in artist relations. Great company and top notch gear! Enjoy!
Nice kit and review (and playing). I was fortunate to be able to get a new Recording Custom kit a couple of years ago and love it. Sounds great, easy to play, and top quality.
Beautiful playing as always! As a fellow Yamaha man with the same snare and the older absolute customs (with the newer lugs like yours) I can’t tell you how many times sound engineers compliment how good these drums sound. I’ve played Tama Starclassic and Pearl Masters in the past and as lovely as those kits were, the quality and consistency of Yamaha drums and also the durability of the lacquered finishes is another level. I’ll be ordering a hybrid next year. I know the lead time is 6 months on new orders, so hoping Yamaha will consider scaling their operation up. I think they’ll need to!! Look forward to hearing you with the 22. Top drawer drawer stuff 😁👍🏻👌🏻
Great! I have used Yamaha for a while and recently changed up to an AHM kit. I totally agree with you about these drums. It’s difficult to pick out the best features as they are fantastic but I think the snare drum is probably the best I have ever played in all my 60 years or so of messing around with drums! The new pedals are also great and so easy to play. Good choice! 🤘😎🥁🔥👍😮
Killer setup! Tommy Igoe was an early influence for me and I have the Better Hands DVD to this day. This Maple Hybrid kit is definitely on my short list for the next kit. I really like the simplicity of the black finish.
The Yamaha kit sounds great! I have never heard anyone else verbalize my exact thoughts about 14" floor toms. You totally nailed it! Back in '94 or so I bought an early Pearl Master's Custom kit- 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 22. While they both have similar sounds (being maple), there is something more immediate about your Yamaha kit that is so right on. These days,my ideal would be 10,12, 13, 15, 16 (or 16, 18) and 22 kick. I'm curious about a 20" kick, but not sure I would commit. I like a fuller sound. I think it would be better to have a 22 in a shorter depth, say 14" instead. Anyway, great drums, amazing playing. Thank you!
I have an AHM set and they are beautiful. Agree on the the response when playing softly. Just like a cymbal that opens up easily, the toms sing even with a light touch. Great choice!!
Beautiful kit ... typical Yamaha class and quality. And lovely playing. I say this with Due Respect. I'd be interested to hear the kit without quite so much QRD style treatment on the walls. I over conditioned my drum room and found there was an aspect of the Maple highs on my SONOR and Camco kits which was being lost, which sounds evident here.
I've played every brand of drums under the sun. At the end of the day it's more about feel. I used pearl for years. Then tama. Drank the DW cool aide etc etc. they are all great makers. One kit I'll will never sell is a drumcraft series 8 birch kit. It simply sounds good under mics always. Awesome video. This guy is a monster player.
I've played on Dennis's kit (Luck of being a Baltimorean :D) I loved it (Especially the kick and floor toms) but Yamaha will always be home for me. Congrats on joining Yamaha!
I played Gretsch for a good long time and always loved them (I still play a Gretsch for Jazz) but there were some occasions when I heard Weckl playing an Oak Custom that really caught my attention. He played them in Europe on a video when he was with Mike Stern and there was a radio broadcast I heard that sounded like the same kit. Then, I caught him live here in Chicago on a Maple Custom Absolute and I was just sold on Yamaha at that point. There's just a presence acoustically that I haven't heard with other drums. I found a silver badge Oak Custom in the configuration I wanted and pulled the trigger on it. I still play that kit today and simply love the wide dynamic range. And every good sound tech I've worked with has commented on how easy they are to work with. They don't have to mess with a lot of e.q. andthe rich tone just blends so nicely with everything in a mix. More recently, I acquired an Absolute Hybrid Maple snare and instantly fell in love with it. It's now my go to for everything. It's just the most versatile snare I've ever had. Everything you describe fits my kit as well. Amazing stuff.
I treated myself to a Yahama Absolute Hybrid Maple for my 40th birthday, similar in size to this set up except with a 22x16 bd. Although they're the first pro line kit I've owned, they really are such a versatile and well rounded set of drums. They regularly receive great feedback from fellow drummers, other musicians and tech across a range of different rooms that I get to play. This is a really insightful video of the thinking behind your new drums, plus some really lovely playing too.
Anyone else just fast forwars to the playing clips?? Louis I love you bro but your playing does all the talking for you my man hahaha youre awesome man thanks for the great vid
Love the drums! Interesting thoughts on the 14x13. I actually feel that you have that really low. Almost could use more separation to bring out the 16. Appreciate you sharing your story.
The kit sounds phenomenal! Your playing is also phenomenal. Great explanation on why you switched, it’s a real personal thing so it’s nice to hear your honest thoughts rather than much of the usual marketing hype. Wondering how you feel with the mounted toms? I drilled my dw and felt the whole kit felt more open and I love the sympathetic ring you get with mounted toms. Great video
You have your first toms quite high, what's the thinking behind that . I've had recording customs for years , the original tom mounts can kill the sound the new mount is a little better but way better when each drum is isolated. The latest mount is phx yamaha uses looks more stable . I mount toms on bass drum for the ease of set up . I went for ergonomic sets ups at one point but its impractical on the road and vinnie gets around a standard kit with no problems so I just decided to get on with a standard kit .
Thank you for giving me an experienced perspective on different gear brands and what 'vibe' they bring to the player. It`s just something that comes with many many years of trial and error or just trying different things. Even Yamaha bikes are louder than the other brands. Haha, now i`m curious if you ever played a Mapex kit. I have the high end one and i find it amazing.
Yamaha is killing it, I can't believe how bad I want to trade my Pearls in for one of these bad boys lol, btw incredible playing, alot of drummers will play what you play, but it sounds pretty sloppy, you have really tightened it all up, I hope to play like this one day
You respect for the players and their gear selections comes through with warmth, appreciation, a clarifying non-judgmental POV. So fluid and melodic, and the demo so helpful. I ask which Evans head models you use. ❤
@ UV1 is remarkable, bulletproof and great sounding on snares-I have two showing no wear after 5 years. Use ‘em all around on vintage Ludwig set…I think the more lively Yamaha must benefit from the G2s. Beautiful-thank you!
Those Drums Sound So Amazing!!!! Now all you need is Paiste Cymbals!!! Lol! Drummers choice, I just think nothing beats the pure cymbal sound of Paiste!!!
Brilliant video and really interesting comparison with Pearl and Gretsch USA drums. Having played Yamaha AHM drums for 10 years I really agree with your statements and personally find the AHM's the best sounding/feeling kit I ever had, I absolutely love them. Regarding your thoughts on the 14"x13" size, having used all pro Yamaha series known to man trough the years I found a big improvement in resonance control when Yamaha changed the 14"x14" size to 13" depth. I can tune them just as low but you can more easily control unstoppable ring you sometimes get with a 14"x14" trough PA's and in recording. Also 6 air holes on each floor tom helps with that big time.
sounds amazing.the yamaha tom mount system is perfect..dont think iv ever been without a 10'.tom . currently fighting with double braced hihat/snare stand legs.way too cumbersome.anyhoo..best wishes.
👊💥 Cant go wrong with black Yamis. I had recording custom back in the day which were amazing but I recently got a new black stage custom birch kit to drag around clubs without worry and either they sound just as good or im better tuner now idk 😂. Point is yami great quality fo sho. And I have same snare, the absolute hybrid, amazing sounding.
I have always had BD mounted toms. Soooo much easier to set up.Yamaha BD tom mounts and the YESS mounts on the toms is the best. I just drilled and built up my final shell pack back when I built drums in the mid-late 90's and installed a Yamaha BD bracket and YESS mounts on the toms and they really sing. I agree with Evans heads all the way around!
Amazing video ! Thanks for all this information, it’s so interesting. Your playing is always a pleasure to listen to :) I have a question : What do you think of the Tama Star Walnut kit, if you’ve had the chance to try it ? You talked about Pearl and Gretsch but I’m curious to know your thoughts on tama :)
Thanks! Never been a Mama fan really...played a few kits and they always sound great but just not that into it to bother exploring further. The Walnut Star kits would be my choice from that range...they really sound nice. But not into the snares or hardware at all. Yamaha just does everything well imo.
Great playing, and I really enjoyed the deep dive into the different aspects of both the Pearl and Yamaha gear. Were recording customs ever a consideration for you? How do you think they stack up compared to the maple hybrids? Do you feel like you need to do a lot to get control over the hybrids or do they seem to work well for recording with minimal adaptation?
Thanks! Yes, I actually had a RC to start off with a few months ago. I recorded a bunch of Instagram vids with it. Like it a lot, but they're quite dark and a little dry, so you gotta lay into them. They have more headroom, so you can really hit them hard and they don't max out. But the Hybrid is just easier to play and more versatile IMO. I had a 20" with the RC - I think those drums need a 22 or 24, and if I was doing a lot more straight-ahead rock/pop recording then they'd be perfect drums. They have just the right amount of sustain for recording...pretty much no dampening needed. Hybrid is definitely more lively and might need a little dampening or tuning but they are so musical and effortless to play and can still handle any style of music.
Definitely made to a high standard! You make them sound fantastic! Still my least favorite mount for the Tom’s. But as long as the drums are where you want the .
It's interesting, I found the UV2 a little too dead on the Pearl kit. The G2's on the Yamaha have an airey tone which sounds almost like single ply head but with more beef. Sometimes you have to go on a big trip to end where you've started. I began with Paiste Cymbals, then tried almost every other cymbal company and the came back to Paiste.
Congratulations on the new kit! Pearl makes beautiful drums but for whatever reason it seems to me that they are the least resonant and playable of the top brands. I’ve owned many brands over my 40-ish years of playing and to me Sonor and Yamaha resonate and feel the best. They just play so nice and “easy” and open right up as soon as you touch them. In the end it’s all personal preference and that’s whats great about being a drummer!! Congrats again!
I have had pearl drums since the start of my career and the kit i had I never had to play hard and I play traditional grip , I think its the heads you use , the tuning , do you muffle the sound much or leave it open and its your touch that will determine , how good it sounds to you .
Yeah Louie, you're right, the Wenge wood center is a hardwood and adds more focus to the tone than Gum wood which Gretsch & Pearl Gum, & I think maybe even DW use on some kits. That's a big difference right there. IMHO, I aesthetically like the toms mounted on the bass drum but I don't do it, because it's an awful lot of hardware pulling on the tone from the bass and toms. Years ago, Nodar Rode explained to me very indepthly about the masculine/feminine relationship of a drum for the best tone. Every piece of hardware touching a drum wants to pull from the sound. So, what gives say a Gretsch USA 12" tom such a killer sound is the thin shell & 1 less lug top and bottom, down to 5 lugs. This renders the drum a more feminine tone, but when you add a 4mm die cast hoop that blends the masculinity perfectly for that drums sound. These Yamaha Hybrids sound really nice. I think I will take your advice and try the pedals from Yamaha. Best of luck!
Hello Louie, I'm so glad I scrolled across your channel I went past it and had to stop and I went back up to it, I'm so glad that I did I absolutely love Yamaha hybrid and your drums sound Beyond amazing. Every drummer that you named is every drummer that I have been following. However lately I have been navigating towards Dave his plane and his sound. I was watching Dave on a podcast and he brought out a Yamaha hybrid 12-inch Tom but he said it was a hybrid Birch? I was wondering if Dave possibly misspoke and meant maple not Birch his drumming lately has been speaking to me along with his sound you are the perfect person to ask if there is a birch hybrid I'm not particularly looking for a birch set however if one exists I'd like to at least hear it Ortiz Yamaha just make the Birch hybrid for Dave if you could answer this question for me I would be extremely grateful! I will be watching a lot more of you I subscribe to you thank you for all the information it was absolutely wonderful thank you again hope to hear from you soon sir.
Wise choice as Yamaha and DW are the most available drums worldwide when it comes to rental equipment ... But if Ihad a choice, I would choose SONOR anytime (Saying this as a DW owner for nearly 30 years)
I have live custom hybrid oak. And have problem with my 14x13 tom too. It's sounds not like rack tom and not like flour tom. And a lot of buzzing. But I love this kit. Especially bass drum. It's louder and punchier than other bass drums. I don't really like low volume drums. But why hybrid maple? For me exists only recording custom and live custom. What is peculiarity of maple custom?
louie nice brother !! you're very very similar to the way D. Weckl plays .. youre in the same volume as Dave... Vinnie has a much stronger hit than weckl.....but regardless of all that you got a beautiful position on the drum set.. great ..
Hello Louie, thanks for posting this video and happy new year! I got myself a Yamaha Absolutely Hybrid Maple(Autumn red) mine's 20" 10" 12" 14" and 14" snare. Quick question, did you use a bass drum riser? I cant get the beater to hit the centre of the bass drum. Thanks
Only the Recording Custom 20" has a riser....otherwise that's always the issue with 18 & 20" kicks. I might try to get another black RC 20" hoop to raise up the AHM kick as both are solid black
Hi Louie, thanks for the reply, that's a good idea, please do let me know if it works, could I also ask what is a RC 20" is it a riser or a wooden hoops size 20" Thanks very much 😊
Oh I see, ok got it. Thanks again for the reply. I enjoyed your videos, fantastic playing as always! Happy new year and all the best to you and your family this 2025 😊😊
I like the 13" depth vs the 14" depth on the 14" floor tom. I think a drum that size should have 7 lugs instead of 8 though (6 might not be enough). You're right that tensioning a 14" floor tom to get a lower pitch is difficult, but I feel that it's due to the number of lugs. Regardless, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Interesting!
A 15" Floor tom could fill a few gaps...12/15 vs.12/14...or 10/12/15/18 like garvin harrison....i wished there were more 15" around ...15"x14" to be exact.
I don't think I've ever heard a better verbal comparison between drum brands and the difference in the feel of heads. I'm probably like most drummers and have never had the budget to really be able to compare in such detail. Thanks Louie. Always love your playing. Your fluidity is amazing.
Cool, thanks!
Louie understands the deep, visceral connection between the rhythm of life and playing the drum set. He coaxes each piece of the kit to sing in their own special voice. By employing solid time, a natural feel, patience, and dynamics, he transforms a simple drum phrase into a piece of music. To me, that's the special sauce....and something that you may not see with really hard-hitting drummers. Awesome stuff, and thanks for the great walk-thru!
WOAH ! Those first few minutes - one of the BEST sound demos I have ever heard - I expect Yamaha official to use this ! What you are saying on soft / hard hits for feel and tone is so key on finding your sound. Loving this.
Ive been playing Rogers drums for all of my life. It was the kit my dad bought me when i was a teenager. At 59, ive finally BOUGHT my first kit. I was looking at a Gretsch Catalina. Ive bought Tama hardware for years with the intention of one day owning a Tama kit. I recently got the Yamaha Stage Custom with Birch shells. The Rogers is a Maple kit. Looking forward to playing the new one to see how different it is. So, congratulations to us BOTH on our new Yamaha kits!!!
Stage customs sound very good. Birch really has a high-mid punch and nice fat lows that leave space for guitars etc. in the mid range. Pinstripes and coated ambassadors. I just picked up a recording custom (1990’s) with shallow toms. I am liking it much more than my maple custom absolute for now, because after playing maple kits since the 70’s. Loving the Birch! Enjoy!
@latentsea I put on Evans G2 and G1 on toms and EMAD 2 and EMAD Reso on kick
Follow up.... Took the Yamaha out for a gig. The one thing that was really important to me while doing my research between Gretsch, Tama, Pearl and DW was the kick drum had to have punch and fatness. At the time, I hadn't even considered Yamaha. I now have that punch and fat with the Stage Custom. The toms sound incredible!!! I love the Rogers, but those concert toms were missing the full sound that a double headed drum gives. I could actually hear the toms with the Yamaha. And the customer service!!! I'm a Yamaha guy for life.
I have the same kit in classic walnut. The sound and feel of these drums are incredibly deep and musical. One of the best kits on the market!
Your playing always amazes me. Love your new kit
Hey Louie, welcome to the Yamaha family. I love your new kit and your playing. I have a Yamaha Recording custom, but unfortunately will be selling them soon due to the venues and events that I play frown on acoustic drum sets. I’m in a cover band and noticed I’ve yet to run across an opportunity to play my Yamahas in over 4,5 years. I now play a Roland set, though I recently transplanted the electronics in the Roland tom shells into Yamaha stage custom birch shells. So I still have Yamaha in my musical life. Enjoy your drums and have a good and safe life, Peace.
beautiful playing, and then such articulate explanation of sonic dynamics of drums and the relationship between them and playing style/technique. thanks!
Thanks!
I played Recording Customs for 30 years... Yamaha makes absolutely spectacular drums! Congrats!
Everything Yamaha makes is top notch.
I’ve watch your videos a lot over the years… These drums sound amazing!
Thanks!
I have a Yamaha recording custom kit and i think your Maple kit sounds even better ! I am astonished by the build quality of modern yamaha too - flawless
@@malcolmlarri8236 🙌🏻🤟🏻
I have a Pearl kit, and a Yamaha. 😄 Love both brands.
You describe things so well! Every aspect of what you said about sound of srum brands, other drummers, style, what comes out naturally... I cant even put in everything that you said that was a wow moment for me. Great video. Glad I came across it. Subscribed of course!
My Pearl kit is a vintage All Fiberglass kit. I believe what you describe about playing those drums is exactly how my Fiberglass kit plays. Just a gentle tap and they come to life. If you hit them hard, wow are they loud. It makes it so much easier to play while still getting the sound. Thanks for posting this!
Thanks for subscribing!
I've been playing this same kit in Polar White for a couple of years. Love the sound and the feel of the kit. Different colored stage lights really reflect well onto the white finish on stage. I'm sure the black will look great too. I'm partial to the Polar White because of the blue flake in the finish. When the lights hit it, the colors look amazing. 22"x18" bass drum is a monster. You will love it. SO much beefier than the 20" x16". Good luck with your new kit! I have zero regrets with mine!
Thank you for explaining in technical way on why you moved to another brand! Congrats Louie! I love my Yamaha (Xmax) lol
I worked at my local GC for about a year back in 2004, before they were publicly traded, and still got a lot of killer stuff in the drum department. Yamaha were hands down the most consistent and best sounding kits we had in that department top to bottom. The Absolute Nouveaus were released the year prior, and we got in a birch and a maple kit, both of which were incredible. I even bought myself a brand new 6 piece Stage Custom Nouveau at cost as a secondary practice set that eventually mordred into a double bass kit. Beautiful drums, and always excellent playing, Louie. Cheers, man.
Thanks!
Love the touch you play with, and the control over the ghost notes. Much respect.
Thanks!
Congratulations Louie !
I was a member of Playbetterdrums ,your site back when you had the other black yamaha kit
and i still have some videos but , I need to get back on again , it was amazing the content back then and probably ten fold now ! I totally agree with your switching back 👍🏻🤘🏻
Thanks!
You are such a refined player. It's a pleasure to hear you.
@@LDdrums20 Thanks!
Refined is an excellent descriptor
Been a fan and follower for a long time… I was saddened when you first went away from Yamaha - I always thought your sound was Weckl-like with some amazingly rounded and natural sounding drums… excited you’re back with Yamaha. Great video!
Appreciate that!
Inspiration! It’s the perfect kit to inspire you at this place in your career. Very happy for you! Great video.
Thanks!
Great content! Great kit. Just picked up a recording custom (1990’s). 8x8, 10x8, 12x8, 14x12, 16x14. 22x16. Love them! Also have a maple custom absolute., Love it solo, but the Toms competing in the mid range with electric guitars. The AHM is a great hybrid, warm maple tone, but also cuts through the mids with a little bit of bite. My sister worked at Yamaha in artist relations. Great company and top notch gear! Enjoy!
Congratulations on the new kit!! Looks and sounds amazing!!
Wow amazing video, so interesting, thank you! Obviously insane playing too!
Thank you Louie for another excellent video. Your explanation of the switch and why makes total sense. 🙏☮️
Nice kit and review (and playing). I was fortunate to be able to get a new Recording Custom kit a couple of years ago and love it. Sounds great, easy to play, and top quality.
The cymbals sound great what are they very very great video. Thanks for sharing sir
@@ronaldgenendlis6423 everything in description
Thanks for the thorough and carefully thought out explanation, Louie. Your playing sounds amazing.
@@jolyoncox thanks!
Beautiful playing as always!
As a fellow Yamaha man with the same snare and the older absolute customs (with the newer lugs like yours) I can’t tell you how many times sound engineers compliment how good these drums sound.
I’ve played Tama Starclassic and Pearl Masters in the past and as lovely as those kits were, the quality and consistency of Yamaha drums and also the durability of the lacquered finishes is another level.
I’ll be ordering a hybrid next year. I know the lead time is 6 months on new orders, so hoping Yamaha will consider scaling their operation up. I think they’ll need to!!
Look forward to hearing you with the 22.
Top drawer drawer stuff 😁👍🏻👌🏻
@@TTPDrums thanks!
Absolutely beautiful kit sir! Congratulations, they sound so good. Your practices space is fantastic too. I really like the design.
Thanks...me too. Audimute stuff is great!
@, it’s so stylish and elegant. You did a really great job and it even matches that piano black finish. But I am sure that wasn’t a coincidence. 🔥
Im a simple man, I see someone switch to Yamaha Drums I subscribe. 😅
Beautiful kit! Beautiful playing! Love it!
Thanks, appreciate it!
Great!
I have used Yamaha for a while and recently changed up to an AHM kit.
I totally agree with you about these drums.
It’s difficult to pick out the best features as they are fantastic but I think the snare drum is probably the best I have ever played in all my 60 years or so of messing around with drums!
The new pedals are also great and so easy to play.
Good choice!
🤘😎🥁🔥👍😮
I believe going with Yamaha in terms of your touch and dynamics was a right choice. Cheers bro 🥂
Killer setup! Tommy Igoe was an early influence for me and I have the Better Hands DVD to this day. This Maple Hybrid kit is definitely on my short list for the next kit. I really like the simplicity of the black finish.
The Yamaha kit sounds great! I have never heard anyone else verbalize my exact thoughts about 14" floor toms. You totally nailed it! Back in '94 or so I bought an early Pearl Master's Custom kit- 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 22. While they both have similar sounds (being maple), there is something more immediate about your Yamaha kit that is so right on. These days,my ideal would be 10,12, 13, 15, 16 (or 16, 18) and 22 kick. I'm curious about a 20" kick, but not sure I would commit. I like a fuller sound. I think it would be better to have a 22 in a shorter depth, say 14" instead.
Anyway, great drums, amazing playing. Thank you!
I have an AHM set and they are beautiful. Agree on the the response when playing softly. Just like a cymbal that opens up easily, the toms sing even with a light touch. Great choice!!
Literally have the exact same sizes coming soon myself! Can't wait for it to arrive!
Fascinating insights - thank you for sharing.
Beautiful kit ... typical Yamaha class and quality. And lovely playing.
I say this with Due Respect. I'd be interested to hear the kit without quite so much QRD style treatment on the walls. I over conditioned my drum room and found there was an aspect of the Maple highs on my SONOR and Camco kits which was being lost, which sounds evident here.
Very well explained and complete video, thank you.
I've played every brand of drums under the sun. At the end of the day it's more about feel. I used pearl for years. Then tama. Drank the DW cool aide etc etc. they are all great makers. One kit I'll will never sell is a drumcraft series 8 birch kit. It simply sounds good under mics always. Awesome video. This guy is a monster player.
Congrats! Those drums are 🔥!
You could play the boxes the drums came in. You sound fabulous on any kit. I understand the feel. 🎉congratulations 🎉
I've played on Dennis's kit (Luck of being a Baltimorean :D) I loved it (Especially the kick and floor toms) but Yamaha will always be home for me.
Congrats on joining Yamaha!
I've been playing Yamaha for over 25 years. I'm sold. They really are one of the leading drum makers out there! Enjoy!
I played Gretsch for a good long time and always loved them (I still play a Gretsch for Jazz) but there were some occasions when I heard Weckl playing an Oak Custom that really caught my attention. He played them in Europe on a video when he was with Mike Stern and there was a radio broadcast I heard that sounded like the same kit. Then, I caught him live here in Chicago on a Maple Custom Absolute and I was just sold on Yamaha at that point. There's just a presence acoustically that I haven't heard with other drums. I found a silver badge Oak Custom in the configuration I wanted and pulled the trigger on it. I still play that kit today and simply love the wide dynamic range. And every good sound tech I've worked with has commented on how easy they are to work with. They don't have to mess with a lot of e.q. andthe rich tone just blends so nicely with everything in a mix. More recently, I acquired an Absolute Hybrid Maple snare and instantly fell in love with it. It's now my go to for everything. It's just the most versatile snare I've ever had. Everything you describe fits my kit as well. Amazing stuff.
I've always seen' you as a Yamaha guy. So welcome home :)
Sold my custom absolutes a few years ago and have missed them ever since! Already plan on making the hybrids my next kit.
I treated myself to a Yahama Absolute Hybrid Maple for my 40th birthday, similar in size to this set up except with a 22x16 bd. Although they're the first pro line kit I've owned, they really are such a versatile and well rounded set of drums. They regularly receive great feedback from fellow drummers, other musicians and tech across a range of different rooms that I get to play.
This is a really insightful video of the thinking behind your new drums, plus some really lovely playing too.
Thanks!
The 18 inch floor tom in this model is an absolute beast .....
Beautiful Louie
Yay!! First! Looking forward to this 🥁
Great playing!!! :D
Thanks!!
Anyone else just fast forwars to the playing clips?? Louis I love you bro but your playing does all the talking for you my man hahaha youre awesome man thanks for the great vid
@@elcapoinca thanks!
Great video snare has a nice Crack to it Louie
Love the drums! Interesting thoughts on the 14x13. I actually feel that you have that really low. Almost could use more separation to bring out the 16. Appreciate you sharing your story.
Man love it all the kit, hardware and those cymbals based ass.
As a drummer who started with Yamaha drum, Had studied Jazz in College. And Currently play Pearl drums. You Inspired me to go back to Yamaha.
You never lnow what you had untill you go without another company. Then you realize
The kit sounds phenomenal! Your playing is also phenomenal. Great explanation on why you switched, it’s a real personal thing so it’s nice to hear your honest thoughts rather than much of the usual marketing hype. Wondering how you feel with the mounted toms? I drilled my dw and felt the whole kit felt more open and I love the sympathetic ring you get with mounted toms. Great video
@@dwdrum11 thanks! I talked about it a bit in the video…I like the mounted toms
This was 100% the right move. You can absolutely hear the difference.
Good looking and sounding set man.
You have your first toms quite high, what's the thinking behind that . I've had recording customs for years , the original tom mounts can kill the sound the new mount is a little better but way better when each drum is isolated. The latest mount is phx yamaha uses looks more stable . I mount toms on bass drum for the ease of set up . I went for ergonomic sets ups at one point but its impractical on the road and vinnie gets around a standard kit with no problems so I just decided to get on with a standard kit .
Thank you for giving me an experienced perspective on different gear brands and what 'vibe' they bring to the player. It`s just something that comes with many many years of trial and error or just trying different things. Even Yamaha bikes are louder than the other brands. Haha, now i`m curious if you ever played a Mapex kit. I have the high end one and i find it amazing.
Mapex make some great snares...haven't played their kits.
Yamaha is killing it, I can't believe how bad I want to trade my Pearls in for one of these bad boys lol, btw incredible playing, alot of drummers will play what you play, but it sounds pretty sloppy, you have really tightened it all up, I hope to play like this one day
Been playing Yamaha since 96. Nothing but compliments from bandmates and sound techs
Good video, nice insight and spot on. Welcome to the Yamaha Family
You respect for the players and their gear selections comes through with warmth, appreciation, a clarifying non-judgmental POV. So fluid and melodic, and the demo so helpful. I ask which Evans head models you use. ❤
@@robertalbiston7822 thanks! On this it’s coated G2 on top, clear G1 on bottom. UV1 on snares. More info in the video description below.
@ UV1 is remarkable, bulletproof and great sounding on snares-I have two showing no wear after 5 years. Use ‘em all around on vintage Ludwig set…I think the more lively Yamaha must benefit from the G2s. Beautiful-thank you!
Those Drums Sound So Amazing!!!! Now all you need is Paiste Cymbals!!! Lol! Drummers choice, I just think nothing beats the pure cymbal sound of Paiste!!!
Brilliant video and really interesting comparison with Pearl and Gretsch USA drums. Having played Yamaha AHM drums for 10 years I really agree with your statements and personally find the AHM's the best sounding/feeling kit I ever had, I absolutely love them. Regarding your thoughts on the 14"x13" size, having used all pro Yamaha series known to man trough the years I found a big improvement in resonance control when Yamaha changed the 14"x14" size to 13" depth. I can tune them just as low but you can more easily control unstoppable ring you sometimes get with a 14"x14" trough PA's and in recording. Also 6 air holes on each floor tom helps with that big time.
Can you place the 10"tom right in front of the snare? I can see that due to the mounting system on the Bass drum, it's towards a little to the right.
Ludwig 3ply are sensitive, i have a vintage set of them. You could try Gretsch Broadkaster, those are also thin.
Congrats!
Still got my Yamaha 9000 Recording Custom in Black from the 80's, Ludwig snare. Still like new.😊
sounds amazing.the yamaha tom mount system is perfect..dont think iv ever been without a 10'.tom . currently fighting with double braced hihat/snare stand legs.way too cumbersome.anyhoo..best wishes.
Thanks for your review, such great words! Do you also have a comparison with the Recording Custom? Also the playing is beyond words - phenomenal!
@@vojtechvaida7845 yes…recording custom is great too…drier and darker
👊💥 Cant go wrong with black Yamis. I had recording custom back in the day which were amazing but I recently got a new black stage custom birch kit to drag around clubs without worry and either they sound just as good or im better tuner now idk 😂. Point is yami great quality fo sho. And I have same snare, the absolute hybrid, amazing sounding.
Recording custom stainless steel 14x5.5 is my favourite Yamaha snare in production (followed by AHM)
It a pleasure to hear a bass drum that sounds like a bass drum
Petty!!! there's plenty that's sounds like bass drums.
They suit you beautifully
🙌🏻
Great sounding drums, and excellently tuned. Only the bass drum felt a bit underwhelming to me, being only 20". I'm certain the 22" will fix that.
I have always had BD mounted toms. Soooo much easier to set up.Yamaha BD tom mounts and the YESS mounts on the toms is the best. I just drilled and built up my final shell pack back when I built drums in the mid-late 90's and installed a Yamaha BD bracket and YESS mounts on the toms and they really sing. I agree with Evans heads all the way around!
Amazing video ! Thanks for all this information, it’s so interesting. Your playing is always a pleasure to listen to :)
I have a question : What do you think of the Tama Star Walnut kit, if you’ve had the chance to try it ?
You talked about Pearl and Gretsch but I’m curious to know your thoughts on tama :)
Thanks! Never been a Mama fan really...played a few kits and they always sound great but just not that into it to bother exploring further. The Walnut Star kits would be my choice from that range...they really sound nice. But not into the snares or hardware at all. Yamaha just does everything well imo.
@ I see, thank you for taking the time to reply 🙏🏻
Great playing, and I really enjoyed the deep dive into the different aspects of both the Pearl and Yamaha gear. Were recording customs ever a consideration for you? How do you think they stack up compared to the maple hybrids? Do you feel like you need to do a lot to get control over the hybrids or do they seem to work well for recording with minimal adaptation?
Thanks! Yes, I actually had a RC to start off with a few months ago. I recorded a bunch of Instagram vids with it. Like it a lot, but they're quite dark and a little dry, so you gotta lay into them. They have more headroom, so you can really hit them hard and they don't max out. But the Hybrid is just easier to play and more versatile IMO. I had a 20" with the RC - I think those drums need a 22 or 24, and if I was doing a lot more straight-ahead rock/pop recording then they'd be perfect drums. They have just the right amount of sustain for recording...pretty much no dampening needed. Hybrid is definitely more lively and might need a little dampening or tuning but they are so musical and effortless to play and can still handle any style of music.
Definitely made to a high standard! You make them sound fantastic! Still my least favorite mount for the Tom’s. But as long as the drums are where you want the .
It's interesting, I found the UV2 a little too dead on the Pearl kit. The G2's on the Yamaha have an airey tone which sounds almost like single ply head but with more beef. Sometimes you have to go on a big trip to end where you've started. I began with Paiste Cymbals, then tried almost every other cymbal company and the came back to Paiste.
Congratulations on the new kit! Pearl makes beautiful drums but for whatever reason it seems to me that they are the least resonant and playable of the top brands. I’ve owned many brands over my 40-ish years of playing and to me Sonor and Yamaha resonate and feel the best. They just play so nice and “easy” and open right up as soon as you touch them. In the end it’s all personal preference and that’s whats great about being a drummer!! Congrats again!
I have had pearl drums since the start of my career and the kit i had I never had to play hard and I play traditional grip , I think its the heads you use , the tuning , do you muffle the sound much or leave it open and its your touch that will determine , how good it sounds to you .
Yeah Louie, you're right, the Wenge wood center is a hardwood and adds more focus to the tone than Gum wood which Gretsch & Pearl Gum, & I think maybe even DW use on some kits. That's a big difference right there. IMHO, I aesthetically like the toms mounted on the bass drum but I don't do it, because it's an awful lot of hardware pulling on the tone from the bass and toms. Years ago, Nodar Rode explained to me very indepthly about the masculine/feminine relationship of a drum for the best tone. Every piece of hardware touching a drum wants to pull from the sound. So, what gives say a Gretsch USA 12" tom such a killer sound is the thin shell & 1 less lug top and bottom, down to 5 lugs. This renders the drum a more feminine tone, but when you add a 4mm die cast hoop that blends the masculinity perfectly for that drums sound. These Yamaha Hybrids sound really nice. I think I will take your advice and try the pedals from Yamaha. Best of luck!
Hello Louie, I'm so glad I scrolled across your channel I went past it and had to stop and I went back up to it, I'm so glad that I did I absolutely love Yamaha hybrid and your drums sound Beyond amazing. Every drummer that you named is every drummer that I have been following. However lately I have been navigating towards Dave his plane and his sound. I was watching Dave on a podcast and he brought out a Yamaha hybrid 12-inch Tom but he said it was a hybrid Birch? I was wondering if Dave possibly misspoke and meant maple not Birch his drumming lately has been speaking to me along with his sound you are the perfect person to ask if there is a birch hybrid I'm not particularly looking for a birch set however if one exists I'd like to at least hear it Ortiz Yamaha just make the Birch hybrid for Dave if you could answer this question for me I would be extremely grateful! I will be watching a lot more of you I subscribe to you thank you for all the information it was absolutely wonderful thank you again hope to hear from you soon sir.
No birch hybrid...the new Recording Custom is great if you want birch
Thank you brother 4 getting back to on that hybrid maple.dave must have mis spoke is what I thougt.
Wise choice as
Yamaha and DW are the most available drums worldwide when it comes to rental equipment ...
But if Ihad a choice, I would choose SONOR anytime
(Saying this as a DW owner for nearly 30 years)
I find that the Yamahas are a lot like Sonor in terms of making a lot of sound aside from the attack and note.
They soun lovelyyyyyyyyyy!!!
Fantastic sound and playing of course! Does the fact that they are made in China kinda turn you off at first?
@@MultiSkyman1 no, I couldn’t care less where they’re made…these are Yamahas best shell so far IMO & the quality is excellent.
@@louiepalmerdrums Cool.
I have live custom hybrid oak. And have problem with my 14x13 tom too. It's sounds not like rack tom and not like flour tom. And a lot of buzzing. But I love this kit. Especially bass drum. It's louder and punchier than other bass drums. I don't really like low volume drums.
But why hybrid maple? For me exists only recording custom and live custom. What is peculiarity of maple custom?
❤ Love Pearl....❤ Yamaha
Great video I love what you talked about but one drum you left out through your comparisons was Tama and I'm not sure if you've ever played them?
@@RCGC01 a few times…sound good just never liked them
louie nice brother !! you're very very similar to the way D. Weckl plays .. youre in the same volume as Dave... Vinnie has a much stronger hit than weckl.....but regardless of all that you got a beautiful position on the drum set.. great ..
I wonder if you like the feel of Sonors
@@MMaatthhiieeuu yeah, great drums…but don’t love the undersized shells or the fact that you can never find them & there are too many shell options.
Hello Louie, thanks for posting this video and happy new year! I got myself a Yamaha Absolutely Hybrid Maple(Autumn red) mine's 20" 10" 12" 14" and 14" snare.
Quick question, did you use a bass drum riser? I cant get the beater to hit the centre of the bass drum.
Thanks
Only the Recording Custom 20" has a riser....otherwise that's always the issue with 18 & 20" kicks. I might try to get another black RC 20" hoop to raise up the AHM kick as both are solid black
Hi Louie, thanks for the reply, that's a good idea, please do let me know if it works, could I also ask what is a RC 20" is it a riser or a wooden hoops size 20"
Thanks very much 😊
@@Tambolero32 RC = recording custom. The 20” comes with riser built-in to hoop
Oh I see, ok got it. Thanks again for the reply. I enjoyed your videos, fantastic playing as always! Happy new year and all the best to you and your family this 2025 😊😊
I like the 13" depth vs the 14" depth on the 14" floor tom. I think a drum that size should have 7 lugs instead of 8 though (6 might not be enough). You're right that tensioning a 14" floor tom to get a lower pitch is difficult, but I feel that it's due to the number of lugs.
Regardless, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Interesting!
A 15" Floor tom could fill a few gaps...12/15 vs.12/14...or 10/12/15/18 like garvin harrison....i wished there were more 15" around ...15"x14" to be exact.
@@norbertrenner9364 Definitely!