SQ2 X-Ray Acrylic: opinions?

[Justin]

What do you think of the SQ2 X-Ray Acrylic line?

Have you played it or heard it? How do you think it sounds in the DCP comparison video? Would you consider buying it over wooden shells?

I’ve trying to finalize an SQ2 order for a big kit—at the moment I’m thinking heavy beech with inner and outer veneers—but every time I go back to the DCP video to make sure I like heavy beech more than the other shell configurations, I end up liking the X-Ray Acrylic kit with lower tuning the most.

About two months ago, I came very close to ordering an X-Ray kit, thinking that if it sounds the best, that’s what I should get. But I just couldn’t finalize the order; it seems crazy to me that X-Ray Acrylic is more expensive than heavy beech with inner and outer veneers.

There is evidently not much demand for X-Ray Acrylic kits, as DCP has had the one from the video on their floor for 4-5 years now. By contrast, a Todd Sucherman-style heavy beech kit with African Marble inner and outer veneers sold in about a week. I also don’t recall seeing any artist playing them, which says something.

Thanks for all opinions.

[Jules]

I have never longed for one personally, so I can't really give an opinion about the sound. I would ask you two things:

A) Is the resell value a consideration and would the rarity make it more valuable.

B) Are you going to be as content with it in the long run as when you get it?

Seems like you are more concerned with the sound than the aesthetics, and in the case, go with whatever sounds best to you.

CAVEAT: I don't agree with all of my own opinions, so take my (lack of) wisdom with a grain of salt.

[Justin]

Thanks for your thoughts.

A) Resale is not a huge concern, but when “SQ3” comes out I imagine I’ll want a new kit, so it would be sold.

B) That’s a great question, and I suppose the honest answer is that yes, I can see myself getting tired of acrylics more quickly than Heavy Beach with African marble in red to black burst.

Aesthetics do matter, to some degree, but I guess it’s a combination of aesthetics, sound, emotional attachment, and that feeling you get when you walk into your drum room and can’t wait to start playing.

[Scott_M]

Aesthetics do matter, to some degree, but I guess it’s a combination of aesthetics, sound, emotional attachment, and that feeling you get when you walk into your drum room and can’t wait to start playing.

Rosewood SQ2 in Med Beech... gives me that feeling every time I walk into my music room.

I don't buy and sell gear often, so resale value isn't generally much of a consideration for me. I wanted something that I was going to enjoy playing for a good number of years before feeling the "need" to get another kit built (happily played my Designers for 17 years..).

For this kit I went with Medium Beech, as I like the sound of the later Teardrops and the Phonics, and thought it'd be the best compromise/hybrid between the two. Next one I'll likely go Heavy Beech, as I'm really enjoying the sound of the thick shells on the vintage Phonic kit I picked up more than I expected.

The finish was a much tougher choice (BIG surprise there...). Spent WAY too much time on the configurator, but eventually settled on that classic Rosewood inner/outer look and am very happy with it.

I was setting up/arranging things in these pics (still more to add), but yes - definitely qualifies as a "Happy Place" for me...

[drummermark]

Aesthetics do matter, to some degree, but I guess it’s a combination of aesthetics, sound, emotional attachment, and that feeling you get when you walk into your drum room and can’t wait to start playing.

Rosewood SQ2 in Med Beech... gives me that feeling every time I walk into my music room.

I don't buy and sell gear often, so resale value isn't generally much of a consideration for me. I wanted something that I was going to enjoy playing for a good number of years before feeling the "need" to get another kit built (happily played my Designers for 17 years..).

For this kit I went with Medium Beech, as I like the sound of the later Teardrops and the Phonics, and thought it'd be the best compromise/hybrid between the two. Next one I'll likely go Heavy Beech, as I'm really enjoying the sound of the thick shells on the vintage Phonic kit I picked up more than I expected.

The finish was a much tougher choice (BIG surprise there...). Spent WAY too much time on the configurator, but eventually settled on that classic Rosewood inner/outer look and am very happy with it.

I was setting up/arranging things in these pics (still more to add), but yes - definitely qualifies as a "Happy Place" for me...

If you had to do it over again, would you go with the Rosewood Vintage Series or do you think the medium beech comes close enough? I ponder this as my next kit (can’t believe I’m already thinking about a next) needs to be a smaller setup. 20x14, 12x8 and 14x13 (or 12). I thought about Vintage series but SQ2 in a similar config isn’t that much more. And of course the wait time.

[Scott_M]

If you had to do it over again, would you go with the Rosewood Vintage Series or do you think the medium beech comes close enough? I ponder this as my next kit (can’t believe I’m already thinking about a next) needs to be a smaller setup. 20x14, 12x8 and 14x13 (or 12). I thought about Vintage series but SQ2 in a similar config isn’t that much more. And of course the wait time.

I briefly ( a week...?) debated between the Med Beech SQ2 and a Red Oyster Vintage setup in the same diameters (Rosewood for the Vintage wasn't an option yet) but decided to go with the SQ2. In talking with a few people who have played both, the Vintage sounds extremely similar, but with a distinctly more controlled sustain (rounded edges and non-isolated hardware likely contributing to that) which can be emulated in the SQ2's with head choice, good tuning, gels, etc

That said, if I had to do it again, I think I'd go SQ2 with Heavy Beech shells for most of it as they'd have a tad bit more focus than the Med shells, but still be able to sing when I wanted them to.

As for the finish - who knows? The Yellow from the old Lite series has really been drawing my attention lately, as have the Walnut Roots, Silky Oak, and the different bursts over African Marble. I also wouldn't object to just going back to the White Sparkle I had on my Designer kit... And who knows what options will be available if/when I decide to get another kit made...?

[drummermark]

If you had to do it over again, would you go with the Rosewood Vintage Series or do you think the medium beech comes close enough? I ponder this as my next kit (can’t believe I’m already thinking about a next) needs to be a smaller setup. 20x14, 12x8 and 14x13 (or 12). I thought about Vintage series but SQ2 in a similar config isn’t that much more. And of course the wait time.

I briefly ( a week...?) debated between the Med Beech SQ2 and a Red Oyster Vintage setup in the same diameters (Rosewood for the Vintage wasn't an option yet) but decided to go with the SQ2. In talking with a few people who have played both, the Vintage sounds extremely similar, but with a distinctly more controlled sustain (rounded edges and non-isolated hardware likely contributing to that) which can be emulated in the SQ2's with head choice, good tuning, gels, etc

That said, if I had to do it again, I think I'd go SQ2 with Heavy Beech shells for most of it as they'd have a tad bit more focus than the Med shells, but still be able to sing when I wanted them to.

As for the finish - who knows? The Yellow from the old Lite series has really been drawing my attention lately, as have the Walnut Roots, Silky Oak, and the different bursts over African Marble. I also wouldn't object to just going back to the White Sparkle I had on my Designer kit... And who knows what options will be available if/when I decide to get another kit made...?

Can’t disagree with any of that. So many choices, so little $$$