Gretsch MCE825PT Catalina Maple 6-Piece Drum Shell Kit

Feature:
The tom arm mounts give you a lot of flexability which is nice. Also the maple bass drum hoops are a nice touch.

Quality:
The build of the drum set seems to be very good. I didnt find any defects in the build of scratched shells.

Value:
This is the best part about this drumset. For the money there is no better drum set on the market. Sure you can get a 6 piece for the same price but you wont get suspended toms and you for sure wont get maple shells. I cant stress enough how much of a great drumset this is for the money.

Desirability:
I think the deep amber finish on this drumset is very sexy. I wanted a natural looking finish and at first i was concerned but when they shipped to me i was pleasently suprised.

Sound:
You cant get a better kit for the money. Its impossible. You cant even get maple chells in any brand for this price.

Ease of Use:
You hit them and they make noise.

Support:
Ive never had a reason to contact Gretsch nor will i ever need to.

Overall:
This is the second kit that i have owned and it was leaps and bounds better than the first. I say this is a great set for anyone who has a cruddy entry level set who wants to take there playing to the next level. It would make a great set for someone who wants to get a very well built great sounding kit without breaking the bank.

Feature:
The best part of the maple is the tom mounts they are awsome. I wished they were put on at the factory because they are a pain to put on,you have to take the rings off the two rack toms to put them on.

Quality:
Gretsch maple is made better than any other drum out there. Gretsch is hand made by the same people every day not a plant or machine line and all kinds of differnt people making your drums. The hardware on the shells is made in china but that don't matter because the shells are what makes the sound and they are made in america and always have been. The finish of the deep amber is so fine it looks like a 2000 dollar set. They know how to laquer shells and they like a fine wine only get better with age. I do have a pearl 5 piece but don't play it anymore it sucks compared to the maple.

Value:
I believe this set is a steal at the price plus you get a free floor tom with it and it is maple. I don't think you could get a better drum for the money that is maple and gives you a free floor tom.

Desirability:
The deep amber is the best color drum i have ever seen and makes it real sexy. I would want this set even if i did not play drums just because the way it looks in deep amber.

Sound:
I have had a couple sets before this one and the maple blows the poplar sets away. I didnt know if the maple would sound good for rock and metal but it sounds better than any other set i have played on. The bad thing is the stock heads suck but are better than other stock heads i have used in the past. Evans heads bring out the beast hidden with in. If gretsch was to put evans heads on the maple or even remo it would be one of the best drum sets you could buy.

Ease of Use:
If you put evans heads on it like ec2sst it is easy to get any sound you want from this set. The stock heads suck but for first timers they are ok.My maple did not come with a manual so if you don't know how to put heads on a drum you won't know what you are doing. It is the most playable set i have ever played!!!!Gretsch

Support:
I don't think i will ever need it.

Overall:
I dont think i will ever need to look for another set. The maple Gretsch is the drum for me for the rest of my drumming day's.I wanted a tama like Lars Ulrich play's but It was to much money for me and it was not maple so when i saw the catalina maple i had to have it and the price was a steal. Maple sounds so much better than poplar and it is great with rock and metal like it was made for that style. I would buy the same drum if were stolen or lost. I have only one complaint about the set as i have said before that the stock heads suck and if they put evans or remo heads on them they would sell more of them.