Well, I had a chance to use my new Traps Drums on a gig. They were a hit. Feedback after the show was that they sounded great... just need to tweak the tuning on the snare and kick. Setup was a breeze.
Bryan Cooper
Just got my set of Traps drums, and i am proud to have it :) Sounds fantastic looks good and easy to handle.
I'm on stage at the moment with my A400 kit playing with a swing band. kick tuned high and singing along sweetly! Fair bit of brush work so am using the Ludwig 402 for a bit more swirl room. Great fun and great kit!
Dear Traps Drum Company,
I have been a drummer for 41 years and drumset instructor for 30 years. I own 3 drum kits. All professional level, maple shell kits. I also have 2 sons that play out quite frequently. When I pack up for a gig, I use my Suburban and make several trips back and forth to get my gear. Just something I'm used to being a drummer for so many years. Comes with the turf.
My young sons play out quite often and they load up their kits in several different friends cars just to get it all in. Each time they take a kit, I have to make up a inventory list of all the parts leaving the studio. This alone makes me quite nervous as sometimes it's 2 or 3 days before the entire kit makes it back home. I am equally nervous about the venues they play. There are usually several bands/drummers and I believe it's just matter of time before something "walks away".
I saw a competitive "portable" kit at our local drum shop, but was most unimpressed with the quality of sound so I gave up on the idea of a portable kit. I mean, I loved the idea of portability and having the whole kit stay together as one piece, but the sound quality has to be there.
Then I saw a small column in a drum publication written by one of their readers. It didn't speak of the quality of sound, just the various options available for your product. From there, I surfed the internet and found many testimonials about the durability and, more important, the quality of sound from your product.
There were no local dealers that offered your product, so I took a chance and purchased one online from a dealer in California. When it arrived in on small flat box, I thought to myself "this is going to be a nightmare to set up!" I followed the instructions provided and, within 1 hour, I had it all set up and tuned to my preferences.
I brought my sons into my studio and showed them the new Traps A400 kit. There first reactions was "is this some kind of toy?". I simply said, "listen to what you call a toy!".
I played the kit for them and their jaws dropped. They still can't figure out how you get the sound quality without conventional shells.
My personal kit of preference is a professional level DW kit for Rock and Big Band, and a vintage Slingerland kit for jazz combo....all with maple shells. I have to honestly say that the sound of the Traps kit rivals my maple shell kits. If anything, I like the punch of your bass drum much better!
I had read one testimonial that the toms sound much like roto-toms. Well, I have a set of roto-toms and, in comparison, the Traps kit toms have a much purer sound quality to them.
The 12" snare has a nice penetrating crack to it and even when played lightly, it rivals my expensive maple and brass shell snare drums.
The hi hat, bass drum pedal and cymbals provided with the Traps A400 kit are not up to my level of quality, but they would be very good for any entry level drummer. At the time I ordered, the online dealer did not offer this configuration. I will donate these accessories to a beginner drum student. As drummers, we all know that quality hardware and cymbals can cost much more than the drums.
Also, I help all my beginner students choose their first drum kits. Going forward, I am going to strongly recommend the Traps A400 for it's sound quality and extreme portability (not to mention the affordability!).
As for my sons, I can't get them off the new Traps A400 kit. Their bands love the unconventional drum kit appearance. They claim it makes their band standout among the rest. The drum sound is huge!
Now, they want me to get the electronic Traps kit for their recording sessions.
Thanks for great customer service and a truly wonderful product!
Best Regards,
Dan Owens - Chicago, IL