personal opinion here are some of my personal opinion, just for reference if budget is not a big issue, then the rest depends on what type of music you want to play and what's your style. Because of I play Soft Rock, and sometimes even blues/jazz something, so I like PEARL Export series, cost me almost 4000 after tax this is what I bought, 9 piece set, double bass, 4 base mount style Toms and 2 floor Toms. but i up graded the snare to the Rock Star series "deep style". The symbals I prefer to use Zildijan, however, I bought Sabian, just because of it's much thicker and stronger, because I am heavier handed from time to time, so the Zildijan is too soft for me, i always worp them quickly but i believe the Zildijan has way better sound! If I were to play hard rock, I would choose TAMA for sure, they are the best for Rock music in my opinion, the substitute of TAMA can be MAPEX Sseries, similar sound quality to Tama, but less sturdy construction for sure, but whole lot cheaper. Yamaha is also a good brand, however, I was never a fan of Yamaha drum set, friend of mine have a set, he said it was good. I think Yamaha make good guitar and trumpet/saxphone, not bad for their Keyboard. Taiwan /China branded drum, are just for entry level beginner learner, if you are serioues player, dont ever buy them, the sound quality is sooooo crapy, that is bad enough to unnnn-believe-able however, but the Taiwan and China made Pearl and Tama are very good. actually, There are another brand name of Taiwan product, I forgot the brand, but they are the 100% copycat of Tama, its exactly the same product made for TAMA, but just a re-named with Taiwan brand. that one was good, pricewise and quality wise. British made "Premier" is also good, but I dont like the British product, for no reason Above are just personal opinion, don't scream at me if you disagree, I love to share with all of you musician friends here wish all of you guys have a good time!
i will i will only go to "Steves" buy ANY musical instrument, they are good people, and their service is good, their warrenty is good...they are big, have stores in TO and MTL, if you dont find anything interesting in this store but others.. they can have them ship over for you, and their price is resonable, so, i would definitely go to them if i needed any gears. just a personal thought. if u looking for drums in Toronto, there is a store called "Just Drums", indeed they sell nothing but drums. their price is ...ok, but they have EVERYTHING u need in drums, on Young street and Finch somewhere..betwen Sheppard and Finch i think. thats where i got my drum set. you can also looking in the Buy and Sell newspaper, there are some people sell used stuff for make living, so, be aware of those people, but you should be able to figure it out whats a good deal from the asking price, just shoping around before you throw your money on the table
