I'm considering an electronic set, and the homework is getting me nowhere. The reviews I've read are all over the place, so I thought I'd ask my good pals here at the DC. It's down to the Roland TD12 , Yamaha DTExtreme IIs and Yamaha DT Express IV.

All I'd be using the kit for is home practice and recording, but I don't want crap I have to fix or constantly fiddle with.

Anyone have any experience with these in particular, and does anyone know why the big price difference between Roland and Yamaha? I've played the Rolands at GC, but they didn't have any Yamahas on the floor to mess with.

I still have my acoustics and won't ever replace them with electronics, but I want the options that come with V drums - silent practice, all manner of effects, etc.

Thanks.

I have a Roland TD10 V-Session and it has held up very well.  You shouldn't have any problems with the TD12 V-Stage series from Roland. I assume you are talking about the V-Stage kit that comes with the TD12 as opposed to a separate TD12 with generic pads.  Others will disagree but when I did my side by side (years ago) Roland was a pretty clear winner.  A lot came down to easy of use and I like their COSM modelling technology - not everyone does. Unless you want to get into the more ellaborate programming, I'd stick with the Roland.  There is also a very good support network for the Rolands since they are so popular, including very good customer service in my experience.  I've never had to get anything repaired but when I had a question, I got someone on the phone and they knew what they were talking about.  I would think the price difference is part NAME, part mesh head technology, part COSM, etc.... 

On the other hand, I've always like the Yamaha stuff I've purchased, e.g., mixer, hardware - just not e-drums. 

For Silent Practice, I think the mesh heads are quiter. 

One feature that I did not consider at first but became important later was the computer interface.  I would compare those features carefully - it's all different now.  I got mine with an expensive and PROPRIETARY memory card for storing up to 50 different kits.  Now you should be able to do it easily but I haven't kept up.  Ask em how you share drum sets, setup midi interface etc. 

Good luck

What about amplification? Rather than a drum amp, would a bass amp work? Just wondering.

A bass amp is definately not what you want.  I picked up an old Carvin bass amp with a 15" JBL in it.  Highs?  What highs?  Cymbals sounded terrible.

Currently I'm using a Mackie 800w stereo amp which I bi-amped using an old active crossover.  I'm using the pre-amp out on the Carvin bass amp into the crossover and from there I send the lows into the 15" JBL and the high signal into an old passive Peavey floor monitor with a 12" and a horn.  The crossover is set at 200hz which basically puts the kick and low end of the toms directly into the 15" and everything else into to Peavey.

In a word (or two...) IT KICKS!  I'm very satisfied with this setup.

I ordered a Behringer ULTRATONE K1800FX 180W PA System and Keyboard Amp - 180 watts, so I think it'll be plenty for my music room! I can use it for a practice bass amp, run my guitar processor / pedals into it, and, it can double as a decent small PA for jam sessions elsewhere when we have a singer show up. Not too bulky at 44 lbs either.

Yeah, I'm pretty stoked about getting this up and running. My son (he's 23), who plays bass in a band comes over now and then to jam with me on drums and guitar, but I always drown him out with the acoustics (for some reason). Now I'll be able to record some drum tracks and play them back through the PA or phones at whatever volume works while I play guitar with him on bass...or whatever. The idea of being able to thrash the drums at midnight has me all giddy too...as well as my wife...and neighbors.

Hey Nutty...thanks for the input, but I went ahead and ordered the DTXtreme IIs kit. I had a small window of opportunity and had to take it. The price was right, and with the left over dough I can buy some more toys to annoy the neighbors with.

Thanks everybody.