My Electric Kit and What it Cost Me

[kimmtate]

I'm sharing my costs in putting together an E kit as this might help others in deciding the best way to spend their own money. My objective was to own an E kit of high quality, reasonably portable for gigging, and somewhat resembling an acoustic kit.

Most items I purchased were in used condition and I found them on either eBay or Craigslist. The module and drum shells were bought new. I already owned all the needed hardware (throne, snare stand, cymbal stands, foot pedal, etc.). Prices do not include any shipping charges or taxes paid.

Roland TD-30 Module-$1800.
Roland TD-30 clear TRS cables-$90.
Jobeky, dual trigger, drums (includes 14x5 Snare, 12x5 rack tom, 13x5 rack tom, 14x14 floor tom with legs)-$907.
Roland Kick KD-120-$315.
Roland ride CY-15R-$200.
Roland crash CY-14-$150.
Roland crash CY-14-$150.
Roland hats CV-12-$360.
Also, just last night I edited the module as per Tommy_D's suggestions and thus far I'm very pleased with the results. My band's sound engineer will be in charge of providing a suitable monitor for the stage and PA for out front. I hope this info helps someone decide how best to jump into electronic drumming. This forum has been a valuable resource for me as I had zero knowledge regarding E drums when I started my research.

[Tommy_D]

So, that setup still cost you $4K. Nice kit, but certainly not a huge savings over buying a kit put together by Roland. Not knocking your venture (my A2E builds cost probably more than what you spent ) but as you have pointed out, and I have tried explaining to people in the past, if you are looking to do an A2E build and think you can do it for half of what Roland charges... it just can't be done. The only way it can be done is to build something out of used pizza boxes, pie crust pans, and PVC piping. But in the end you have an inferior product.

If you want to build it right, you have to spend the money.

[kimmtate]

Agreed! You're right Tommy_D! My experience certainly supports your statement. I initially thought I would find a used TD30 complete kit but changed my mind when I sat down and played one. The smaller pads where not going to work for a novice such as myself. Plus, I still lean toward the acoustic look. Maybe that will change over time. DIY consideration was on the front burner for a while. I've built engines, motorcycles, furniture and tackled serious home remodeling projects from the foundation to the roof. I knew I didn't want to convert either of my treasured Premier kits, so I shopped for a presentable used A kit to convert. I also wanted to reduce the depth of the rack toms for easier portability. What did I learn? Jobeky and others could do it cheaper than I could...plus, they had the expertise. Here's a pic of my perspective from the drummer's throne.

[Kenster]

Hope you have a blast playing that bad boy and THANK YOU for sharing the info and pic!

K

[Tommy_D]

Agreed! You're right Tommy_D! My experience certainly supports your statement. I initially thought I would find a used TD30 complete kit but changed my mind when I sat down and played one. The smaller pads where not going to work for a novice such as myself. Plus, I still lean toward the acoustic look. Maybe that will change over time. DIY consideration was on the front burner for a while. I've built engines, motorcycles, furniture and tackled serious home remodeling projects from the foundation to the roof. I knew I didn't want to convert either of my treasured Premier kits, so I shopped for a presentable used A kit to convert. I also wanted to reduce the depth of the rack toms for easier portability. What did I learn? Jobeky and others could do it cheaper than I could...plus, they had the expertise. Here's a pic of my perspective from the drummer's throne.

That's definitely a compact setup. I'm surprised you went with the KD-120 for the kick. I would think something like a 12x18 kick from Jobeky would have been similarly priced. I suppose it would take up more space for travel, so the KD-120 may be better suited. The A2E conversion is more time consuming than anything. Price wise its probably similar to what you paid for the Jobeky pieces, but you spend so much time soldering, and stripping wire, messing with connectors, stripping shells apart and re-building them, etc. Its a big time sink if you want it to be stealthy. The Jobeky's are a nice custom/pre-built setup that you can just plug and play.

[Intruder]

Yep, it again pretty much proves you get what you pay for and Edrums are not really for the cheap minded.
Nice, kimmtate.

[kimmtate]

TommyD, portability was the sole factor in choosing the KD120 over a Jobeky kick drum. On the occasion I might want to hide (disguise) the KD120, I might use my DW (22 x 8 inch) subwoofer. I plan to wrap the DW in gloss white. Who knows, one day the DW might get an electrical face-lift! Seems like a good candidate.

[Intruder]

Nice!
Also love that you were listening to Marshall Tucker Band radio!
Rock on!!

[kimmtate]

[QUOTE=Also love that you were listening to Marshall Tucker Band radio!
Rock on!![/QUOTE]

Good eye, detective!

[Macarina]

Good thread guys. Loving the discussion and ideas.

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

If you want to build it right, you have to spend the money.

This is quite correct.... big ticket items like modules can not be scrimped on.

I have tried explaining to people in the past, if you are looking to do an A2E build and think you can do it for half of what Roland charges... it just can't be done. The only way it can be done is to build something out of used pizza boxes, pie crust pans, and PVC piping. But in the end you have an inferior product.
.

This is complete BS......

Just because you couldn't do it (or maybe didn't approach it correctly to achieve this) doesn't mean it can't be done. Lots of folks have built quality kits under these circumstances over the years and there are literally hundreds of examples in our archives that bear this out.

Sure...you can build an inferior product if you like by not doing the correct research and just cobbling things together but if you are patient, do your homework, and use the correct supplies, tools and available DIY resources available(new and used)... you can do this. I did.....several times...and all based around Flagship modules. However if you are in a hurry and have no patience ...then yes... you will probly build something inferior. Compromise does not have to come in the form of a quality result, but it does have to come in the form of the perception of how one must achieve this result consistently keeping your budget at the forefront.



BTW kimmtate...Nice kit! Great job!.

..and BTW...although I'm sure you can find it a bit cheaper if you look.....4K is pretty darn close to the $7499 the TD30KV sells for at most places......and now you have a kit that suits you and not something "out of the box" that anyone/everyone else owns.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/drums-percussion/roland-td-30kv-v-pro-series-electronic-drum-kit