For a few extra hundred dollars, I think the Mapex Saturn drums are a good value. They're finishes are gorgeous and the maple/walnut shells sound amazing. The bass drums sound like cannons!

I agree, though, the Catalina Maple series is a good value and nice finishes. I haven't gotten the chance to test drive any though, so I don't know how good they sound. The Catalina Jazz kits sound good, though, so I'm sure the Maple does too.

I'm with you on the Gretsch. For a couple hundred bucks you get a quality set.

I absolutely Love my jazz Catalina set. They sound fantastic! I have never seen this wrap on the Catalina line. I got them from a guy in Deerfield Beach and he got them new at Resurection Drums in Miami. They are in imaculate condition. They go for about $650. I gave $350 for mine and added the Gilbralter splash holder.

[IMG]http://www.drumchat.com/picture.php?albumid=589&pictureid=4496[/IMG]

Very nice set

slingerland; My son is on the road a lot and his road kit is a 6 piece Catalina series Maple kit with one exception, he uses my old supraphonic ludwig snare. The catalina series is not only an excellant buy but with the 18" bass length he gets the booming sound most drummers and sound men want and with the snare, well I,am partial to it as I played it for over 40 years.

The "con" for the Gretsch Catalinas is the snare drum. Its ok I guess but I feel Gretsch needs to rethink their different plys for it,maybe a different mix of woods. I,am no expert so the the old saying "with a grain of salt" applys here.

Oh; also if anyone buys a kit of the Catalina series, take them apart immediatly when you get home and retighten everything as we found a lot of loosened lug screws. Here is the road kit below. Tom

What head choices did your son make for the set? They do look nice, I like the natural maple to. G