Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	willpeach2002 [SMTP:028215@...]
> Hey guys great group and i have been scanning the messages for a few 
> weeks now. As an interested e-drummer, whose interest lies 
> specifically in the variety of sounds and the ability to practice in 
> a quieter environment than my currrent acoustic kit, I have arranged 
> to go look at a guy who is moving to the US(from the UK) Yamaha 
> DTXPRESS 2 kit. I was just wondering what kind of things i should 
> check out and ensure to ask him before committing to buying the kit 
> off him.
> 
> 
Welcome aboard,

Somethings I would do:

Determine the value:

1.Go online and get the price of the individual components new: KP65, HH65,
TP65, TP65S, PCY65, PCY65S in the UK. Get the price from Yamaha parts for
the TPL65 pad mounting bracket and the CYAT65 cymbal mounting bracket. 

2. Get on Ebay and look at want some of the Yamaha components/ kits are
selling for there.

I would take the average price on Ebay as a starting point for negotiation.
I would then start deducting from that point what it would take for me to
replace any damaged items.  Since I would know that actual cost, I would
have a strong negotiating position. Also, if the seller has some extra
components, you maybe able to get them throw them in for free, to cover a
damaged item.


Determine the accessories that you will still need to buy:

1. If you have a good set of headphones, take them with you and listen to
the kit through them. If you can't hear the sound of the kits over the
sounds of striking the kit, you will need to buy another set of headphones. 
2. If you will be playing along to music cd's, take the actually player (if
possible) and plug it into the Aux-in on the front of the module and listen
to it through the headphones. Adjust the volume on the aux-in knob. Is the
sound quality good at low/mid/high volume levels?
3. Does it come with the bass pedal? 
4. Does it come with the Throne?


Determine the functionality of the kit:

1. Don't be tempted to just listen to the sellers user programmed kits. Ask
the seller to perform a factory reset. This will put the module at the "from
the factory settings."
2. Select several pre-programmed kits to make sure all of the pads are
triggering.
3. On the Snare pad TP65S, make sure the pad, and both rims trigger, as it
is a 3zone pad.
4. On the Tom and hihat pads TP65, make sure the pad triggers properly, they
are single zone and the rims do not trigger.
5. On the Cymbal pads, the one with the extra groove/line on the edge PCY65S
is the stereo pad that should trigger the bow and the edge. Also make sure
that it chokes by grabbing the edge after striking the pad. The other cymbal
pad PCY65 is a single zone pad that does not choke.
6. On the KP65 strike it with various levels of force. There is an adjust
knob on the back. Rotate it to make sure that the sensitivity level adjusts
without cutting out.
7. On the HH65 there are really just five levels of sounds between open and
closed, it has footsplash, and footstomp. Check for all of these.
8. While you are playing each pad, jiggle the cord at the pad connect to see
if you are getting a good connection. Also, check the connections at the
back of the module.
9. There will be some wear on the bass pad's rubber cover. If there is major
wear, the foam behind is probably damaged as well. If there is just a slight
wear, you should be ok.
10. Check all the clamps, is anything strip?
11. Does the seller still have all the manual on the module and the booklets
on the pads and rack?
12. Sit down at the kit and ask the seller to start a pre-record song and
play along to one or two. 

Go to the photo section and look at the photos I took of the inside and
outside of the components, to get a better understanding of what you about
to buy. This may give you a leg up, considering the seller may not have ever
opened up the pads. IF the seller appears to know what the inside looks
likes, he/she may have had to open one up to "repair it". IF he/she goes
glassy eyed, when you start describing what's really inside, then you can be
somewhat assured, the pads have been taken apart for one reason or another.
(OK, yes I have taken some of my pads apart, rest assured these pads will
never be sold, but will be given them away for free when that time comes to
replacing them with something new/better.)

Good luck!

OGD
 
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