Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hi all,

I just joined the group as I am considering getting a DTXpress in the 
near future. To make a long story short, I'm 51yo and returned to 
drumming after some years away. While I have been practicing on a pad 
at home daily and jamming with friends when we can find the time, I 
spend more time looking at my kit than actually playing it. I live in 
a house but with young children and a full time day job I rarely get 
to play my kit and when I do I have to share the time with my 
kids.  :-)

So, after seeing a drum clinic where they featured accoustic kits 
with triggers and add on electronic drums(Roland), in the Q&A one of 
the drummers there responded about e-drums to someones question 
that 'if you are working a full-time job and come home and just look 
at your drum kit in the evening because it is too late to play you 
should think seriously about getting a set of electronic drums.' This 
struck me as being exactly me.

After pricing mesh head sets I knew that they were just out of my 
price range. Even if I financed them I couldn't imagine how I could 
explain spending that much to my wife. I could probably get away with 
it but I would be hearing about it for a long time. So after all my 
research on the web, I could see that it would be either the V-Club 
from Roland or the DTXpress II. I went to my local drum shop, where I 
saw the clinic, and was going to try them both. Unfortunately, they 
only had the V-Club--won't have the DTXPress until at least 
January '04. I played the V-Club and could tell that I would be happy 
with a rubber pad set up like both offer, but I didn't care for the 
BD pedal trigger on the V-Club. The DTXPress BD pad looks more to my 
liking. I did also try the V-Stage set (mesh heads) and they were OK 
but I didn't feel the difference was worth the extra $$$, at least 
not for my use.

I was dissappointed that I was not able to try the DTXPress right 
then and there and I probably would have bought them if I could have. 
For now I'm waiting. I know that there are a few internet shops that 
still have them in stock but it seems I should wait for the new 
DTXPress III. At least on paper the Yammy kit looks like it will 
provide everything I am looking for in this kind of kit.

I look forward to any advice offered here and to read about the 
expiriences others have had with the DTXPress.

Thanks,

nteeman