S Classix

[Frank Godiva]

I’ve only ever had an SClassix snare, but I do own a few SonorLites. Sounds like the SClassix are more like a modern set of Lites then the SQ1.

[Jules]

Yeah, the SQ1's are a bit thicker, but as I posted earlier in another topic, I prefer heavy Birch shells based on the DCP comparison video of a couple of years ago. I think that turned quite a few people on to the heavy Birch, actually based on conversations, a set I sold while at DCP and a poster on my topic from earlier.

[tcbetka]

Isolation in the mount and brackets are much different, as well. And the finish options are a world apart.

IMHO, for the money, and especially if you like birch-shelled drums, the S Classix was the ultimate "great deal" in Sonor drums. I've even seen some pretty spectacular finishes in the old catalogs on the Sonor museum site. If I could find another set now in good condition, I'd likely be all over them. Well, maybe when I start playing again (post-surgery) and get the 12" vintage tom for the kit I have. I've also been considering adding a 20" and maybe 24" kick drum as well--simply because I have no idea when Sonor might stop production on these shells...or at least on this finish (wrap).

[Jules]

What finish did you get?

[tcbetka]

Yeah, the SQ1's are a bit thicker, but as I posted earlier in another topic, I prefer heavy Birch shells based on the DCP comparison video of a couple of years ago. I think that turned quite a few people on to the heavy Birch, actually based on conversations, a set I sold while at DCP and a poster on my topic from earlier.

Have you seen Aaron Holler's birch SQ2 videos on YouTube? Thin birch FTs and heavy birch rack toms. Those drums sound AMAZING!

Especially this video:

[Jules]

They sound AMAZING!!!

[tcbetka]

What finish did you get?

Marine pearl. I have the Evans low-volume dB One heads on them now, along with the dB One cymbals too. I have to build-out that space there this winter, to make a drum isolation room--and then I can go full-volume.

[Jules]

Good looking rig. It's funny that I have ended up with a Vintage series set. When they first came out I had zero interest in them. I am not nostalgic and didn't really care for the look. But, here we are and I absolutely love mine!

[tcbetka]

That's pretty much EXACTLY the same as what happened with me too...

I've owned a couple of dozen kits in the 40+ years I've played drums, including some pretty high-end stuff. Two Craviotto kits (one pushing $10k price), a high-end Gretsch kit (price-wise...certainly not quality, lol), and a couple other high-end kits. I tell you--that S Classix kit pretty much put them all to shame, to my ears. But I'm not a slave to the sound that much anymore, because there are a LOT of great-sounding kits out there. Like the vintage-series kits. Put the right heads on them for my preference, and tune them like I like to hear them...and they sound as good as the thin birch shells on the SQ2 or S Classix kit. The lugs? Well, they don't matter to me anymore. I'm 60 years old, and want to put my energy into getting better...not obsessing about little esoteric details like an SQ2 lug vs a vintage-series lug. Who cares?

Sit down, shut up, and play the drums.

[tcbetka]

Needless to say, I was NOT looking for a set of Sonor Vintage drums when I happened upon these. But it worked out like it was meant to be, and the fellow who I bought them from (manager of the drum shop where I got them) has become a friend of sorts, and the drums are in absolutely mint shape.

You don't have to hit me over the head with a 2x6...the 2x4 you're holding is plenty. May as well take advantage of a good thing when it falls into your lap.