The Gigmakers are probably the lower tier of kits available. There are 2 versions of the Gigmaker and I have the slightly smaller one.

10, 12, ft14, sn14, bd20. Just the drums only though.

The shells and hardware are actually pretty nice. Nothing like a vintage kit though. I really like the ball tom mounts. I will probably get new/nicer heads for when I use it acoustically.

As an acoustic kit it sounds fine, and could use some extra effort to make it sound much better, but I have plans to convert it to a stealth electric kit. Most people won't even realize it's got triggers in it.

It will also be convertible. I will be able to swap heads back from mesh heads and it will be an acoustic kit within minutes.

Here's the Yamaha blurb:

> Basswood and poplar shells.

> Lowest formaldehyde content exceeds stringent global standards for adhesives.

> Distinctive Yamaha tom ball mount

> Power-depth bass drum

> Universal-depth mounted toms

> Matching wood bass drum hoops

> Matching wood snare drum

> Yamaha double-braced hardware

> Two popular 5-piece configurations

20" bass drum, 10"/12" toms, 14" floor tom, 14" snare

22" bass drum, 12"/13" toms, 16" floor tom, 14" snare

> Available as shell packs, shells with hardware, and complete kit with cymbals

> Five fantastic finishes available: Black Glitter, Blue Ice Glitter, Burgundy Glitter, Silver Glitter, White Grape Glitter

We'll see how it goes. I really like these small kits. Affordable too. :)

John in the article with ?uestlove was talking about this kit was specifically for NY drummers and having to carry their gear all over the place and how these sizes were ideal for that. All I could think about was you talking about how thats what you use to do with your bass player on public transportation.

LOL - It's all true, ask any player that grew up in NY, or any large urban area. What I meant was, I play Blues/Rock, I need the sound only a full-sized drum kit can give me. I'd probably have to beat the hell out of those tiny-tubs just to hold my own in an 'electric instrument' heavy environment. They almost look like a kids kit!

Sometimes.... size does matter! lol

John

Man, what's old is new again...

Back when I worked at a large midwestern drum shop, guys would come in espousing the virtues of 18" bass drums and that they came about because they, "blend better with acoustic pianos", along with various socio-political and zen-buddhist implications, etc.

Then I read Elvin Jones, Art Taylor, Max Roach and others saying, "I only got an 18 because it fit in the taxis easier." Fred Gretsch III echoed hearing the same statements to me later.

(They must have liked 'em, however, because some stayed with 'em when they had the opportunity to go back to something bigger.)

I think the QuestLove kit is very cool.

It inspired me to make a little breakbeat kit out of some extra 70's Slingerland Concert toms and hardware I had lying around. (16, 12, 13)

The bass drum and toms sounds pretty good. Decent punch, jazzy tone. The real nice thing is that all the drums fit into one case.

[IMG]https://n245uq.dm1.livefilestore.com/y1pNCHQMA9qlZugn4_YqrUKwyd3E5p2sr7GtwEx6e3zyZx8E1jvnlNB4Z1MTDXvPpsA7D8uQFUo4YOXAiGirjwfoLgCwCWFHb2Q/WP_20130208_011.jpg?psid=1[/IMG]

[IMG]https://pw6e3a.dm1.livefilestore.com/y1pFOshu1q4RyXimZM6s0ob266c0LtKn7S_JwkeOCEYogzBH-uSC-SdijQAxkbV7NGbiouwAsd9ryEcVLdnzAqXph20TV50QoKs/WP_20130208_002.jpg?psid=1[/IMG]

[IMG]https://pw6e3a.dm1.livefilestore.com/y1pA7x1kBdL4KJkCyH8PRNZhhTv4S5NzuOvjUe-vEtN7yBUHKbzUmOPtUfpGbGssNY8oXqNpXDOsn8FxzTS1lgxVcYP2hsMHaCM/WP_20130208_001.jpg?psid=1[/IMG]

Jespo - That is one seriously cool home-made Bop-kit! Really nice (creative) job of recycling those vintage toms. Set-up and break-down at a gig must be a breeze with those! Smart.

John

Yes, I've been checking that one out. Haven't tried it yet. Nice looking kit too!

[IMG]http://i330.photobucket.com/albums/l407/olimpass/LudwigBreakbeatsAzureSparkleQuestlove-Copy_zps14641c1a.jpg[/IMG]

"In a limited collaboration with a true drumming and hip hop pioneer,

Ludwig Drum Co. proudly presents Breakbeats by Questlove; a drum

set designed by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson. Created for sonic punch,

portability, and versatility for the urban pro, the mobile DJ, and even

the aspiring drummer, Breakbeat's 16 x 14" bass drum, 13 x 13" floor tom,

and 10 x 7" tom not only fit into tight places, but break down quickly and easily.

Use the bass drum lift to get the kit to full-size playable height,

or leave it off for easy playability by younger thumpers.

Available in Azure Sparkle with a matching 14 x 5" snare for cracking projection,

the Breakbeat by Questlove has a footprint that is original as the legend that created it."

Jespo:

Wow, that's a neat kit! I wonder - do the 12" and 13" toms give you enough spread? I tried using a 13" tom as a floor w/ 12" as a rack and I wasn't much satisfied.

what is that bass drum lifter on the slingies

pretty cool

info please im inspired

Hang on! I must be getting the wrong end of the stick here, but I thought ?uestlove was a Yamaha endorsee, what is he doing putting his name on Ludwig product? Or has he switched?