Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Okay, I know nothing about these drums and I am looking for advice.  
My husband is a cassual drummer (used to be in a jazz band until kids 
came along).  Now he drums for personal enjoyment.  I've looked into 
the Yamaha DTexpress with a Fender amp XBR60.  Prices $1011 and $379 
consecutively.  Questions:

Would a cassual drummer be happy with this set?  Would he be able to 
use them if he went back to "for fun" jazz band playing?  Is the 
price good?  All help is so much appreciated.....thanks a million!

Hi Yelolef,

OK, questions back. 

 Is that price for the DTXpress delivered, or is it
delivery extra, and if so, how much?  Also, back in
September Yamaha introduced an upgraded model of the
DTXpress, so you'll want to make sure that you are
getting the newer version, instead of an older model
that's been sitting around a warehouse.  The new model
has two pipes across the front, while the older only
has one; and has a few other features that you do want
fot the hubby, 'cause if he knew what they were, trust
us, he'd want them.

Next, where is it going?  Although edrums are no doubt
quieter than acoustic, they do still make some noise,
and by adding an amp, this could be important to you,
and hence, to his enjoyment!  I have an amp, but I
never use it at home unless other's are over jamming. 
I use headphones, which I have hooked up to a small
mixer, so I can also play along with music from other
sources (CDs, tapes, etc.) when I'm alone.  I use a
mixer because even though the DTXpress has the
connections to hook other sources to it, the quality
of the sound suffers dramatically using that option. 
You can pick up even a cheap Radio Shack model and
have better sound quality than by using another sound
source through the DTXpress.  

My set is in the basement 'studio', with no bedrooms
near by, and in a place that I can restrict kids
somewhat.  Also, since it has a concrete floor, the
noise of the pedals does not get amplified by the
floor, as it could with a wooden floor.  Are you going
to allocate him such an area?

Finally, this, like other hobbies, can lead to a
series of upgrades.  As his wife, do you solemnly
swear to the membership of this group that if you
start this, you will indulge him as his drum kit
requirements  possibly expand in the future?  

Walt


--- yelolef <ardea@...> wrote:
> Okay, I know nothing about these drums and I am
> looking for advice.  
> My husband is a cassual drummer (used to be in a
> jazz band until kids 
> came along).  Now he drums for personal enjoyment. 
> I've looked into 
> the Yamaha DTexpress with a Fender amp XBR60. 
> Prices $1011 and $379 
> consecutively.  Questions:
> 
> Would a cassual drummer be happy with this set? 
> Would he be able to 
> use them if he went back to "for fun" jazz band
> playing?  Is the 
> price good?  All help is so much
> appreciated.....thanks a million!
> 
> 


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Dear Walt:

Thanks for the info.  The drum set is in a local music store so I 
will be the delivery for it.  I do not know if the drum set is the 
older model.  I will go to the store tomorrow and look.  What is a 
reasonable price for the new?  For the old?  Is your opinion that I 
should not both getting the older model?

He currently has his drums set up in the basement and that is okay, 
so I guess that his new drums will go there also.

Anyway, I appreciate your input and I will write again when I have 
more info.

Susan

Hi Susan,

The best prices I've seen is $999, but there is
usually delivery involved, so you are in the range,
but the extra features in the upgraded kit make it
almost a must have.  When the upgrade came out there
was not supposed to be a price increase, so I see both
new and old listed at that price.  The upgrade
substitutes a couple of the pads to dual trigger
models, and gives the rack itself a lot more
stability.  This can be accomplished after the fact,
but you'd end up spending a few hundred dollars to do
it, which could be offset by selling the pads you
replaced.  

There are online offers that include free delivery,
but as we're getting close to Christmas, you might
need to upgrade their free delivery to get it in time
anyway.  Here's a few links so you can see what's
available online:

http://drumcentral.com/navbar-electronicdrumsets.htm

http://music123.com/category/category.asp?d=6&c=263&b=Yamaha&image.x=28&image.y=8

http://marsmusic.com/store/product_new.jhtml?catid=418&prodid=15183&skuid=0&deptid=5

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=011215073024024159205016034424/search/g=home/detail/base_id/40939

Walt
--- yelolef <ardea@...> wrote:
> Dear Walt:
> 
> Thanks for the info.  The drum set is in a local
> music store so I 
> will be the delivery for it.  I do not know if the
> drum set is the 
> older model.  I will go to the store tomorrow and
> look.  What is a 
> reasonable price for the new?  For the old?  Is your
> opinion that I 
> should not both getting the older model?
> 
> He currently has his drums set up in the basement
> and that is okay, 
> so I guess that his new drums will go there also.
> 
> Anyway, I appreciate your input and I will write
> again when I have 
> more info.
> 
> Susan
> 
> 


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Hi again Walt:

I found a DTXpress for sale on e-bay.  If you are an e-bay member 
could you please take a look at it.  It is NOT the upgraded model 
however, if I can get it at a low price.....We can upgrade it 
ourselves, right?
Current bid is $620.  On ebay just type in search dtxpress.  ebay.com 

If you are not on ebay I'll tell you what the description is.  
Less Than 1 year old 
All original documentation 
Original cartons and packaging 
Excellent Condition 
Buy now and receive by Christmas 
Buyer pays actual shipping charges
 
There is a picture of it on ebay.

Again, a million "thanks".

Susan

Hi Susan,

I got mine on eBay, but knowing it as I do you are
likely to pay around $800 for that particular set. 
There is another one below it that doesn't have a
reserve price on it, which will most likely go for
less.  You can also search eBay to see what they have
sold for in the last 30 days, to arm yourself. Walt


--- yelolef <ardea@...> wrote:
> Hi again Walt:
> 
> I found a DTXpress for sale on e-bay.  If you are an
> e-bay member 
> could you please take a look at it.  It is NOT the
> upgraded model 
> however, if I can get it at a low price.....We can
> upgrade it 
> ourselves, right?
> Current bid is $620.  On ebay just type in search
> dtxpress.  ebay.com 
> 
> If you are not on ebay I'll tell you what the
> description is.  
> Less Than 1 year old 
> All original documentation 
> Original cartons and packaging 
> Excellent Condition 
> Buy now and receive by Christmas 
> Buyer pays actual shipping charges
>  
> There is a picture of it on ebay.
> 
> Again, a million "thanks".
> 
> Susan
> 
> 


__________________________________________________
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Check out Yahoo! Shopping and Yahoo! Auctions for all of
your unique holiday gifts! Buy at http://shopping.yahoo.com
or bid at http://auctions.yahoo.com