Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "jonddf" <jonddf@a...> wrote:
> Hi everbody. I'm a new member on DTXPRESS residing in Leeds, UK. 
I've 
> been checking out this group lately and thought it was about time 
to 
> join, particularly as I'm seriously thinking about getting an 
> electronic kit. I've been drumming since school (way back!) and my 
> two sons are interested, with the eldest(17) now playing in a band. 
> The DTX2 appeals to me because you appear to get a lot for the 
price. 
> Also - and this is only my opinion - I think the DTX sounds better 
> and is more playable than Roland V drums. I've played both down at 
> the local drum stores and the Yamaha seems to sound and feel 
> better......but I guess I'm preaching to the converted here! Any 
> comments people might have would be gratefully received. Also, has 
> anyone any thoughts on DTX2 pricing policy in view of the 
forthcoming 
> release of DTX3? A DTX2 can be had for £725 here in the UK - a 
> bargain in my opinion. Look forward to your comments.

Hi Jon,

Welcome to you and your two sons. I'll let our UK members reply about 
the relative prices and availability of the XpressII in your neck of 
the woods, but it seems to me that if you can find a II at this point 
at a good price and don't want to wait for the III, jump at it. The 
II is in short supply in the US, and I was under the impression that 
is was in the UK as well. Even if you've seen it advertised, it could 
be backordered.

Making a firm prediction about the II's pricing in light of its lame- 
duck status isn't easy (assuming that you can find one). After the 
III launches, the cost of any remaining IIs will undoubtedly go down, 
but not necessarily quickly. Since both the STD and SP versions of 
the III appear slated to have a selling price higher than the II's, 
all three kits could conceivably co-exist for a while, at least 
unofficially, as entry-level, intermediate-level, and upper-level 
Xpress options, leaving the II's price largely intact. Couple that 
possibility with a release date of apparently March at the earliest 
for the III, and the waiting game for a price break could go on a 
long time. But these are speculations on my part.

Personally, I'm intrigued about the vaunted improvement in the 
module's sounds, especially the cymbal sounds, which always seemed 
the weakest in the arsenal. Don't get me wrong; Plenty of them were 
good, but not in the same proportion as the drum and percussion ones. 
If you can live w/o the latest sonic enhancements, and aren't keen on 
having the new round cymbals and hi hat, however, the II would look 
even better in your case. 

Ed