Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Ed:
 I think you have a Pintech AX14. Is that correct?
If so, are there fundamental differences between the CC102 and the 
AX14 other than the shell type and size? I love the CC101s for toms, 
but have never really achieved a good response for the 102 as a 
snare. This despite trying evry possible trigger parameter known to 
man. In fact, I've gone back to using the Yammy snare pad.
Stephen

Stephen,

Scott and I have the AX14S. Both of us have reported liking it quite 
a bit. Sometimes when I play it, I almost get lost in the illusion 
that it's an acoustic, but I was never terribly unhappy with the 
102ST either, except for size. The only problem that I've ever had 
with the AX14S (I think Scott has had it as well) is that it is 
liable to choke itself if one stick is still lying on it when the 
other one is hitting it,especially on rolls and rudiments. It 
doesn't happen often, and a little bit of care prevents it from 
happening at all. Anyway, what I like about it is that on a separate 
stand, I can get something like positional response from it when the 
trigger settings are right. For example, I can do a tight pressed 
roll on the edge of the drum, with escalating dynamics, that reminds 
me of what can be done on an acoustic. It isn't perfect by any 
means, but it's a nice feel. The kind of woven head seems to make a 
difference to its response. A Pintech head, for example, is 
bouncier, allowing a finer, quicker touch that some people consider 
slightly inaccurate; I actually think of it as jazzier. I have a 
Hart two-ply on it now, and it behaves more like a rock snare that 
way. 

As a mid-priced high end snare, the AX`4S is certainly worth the 
money. The equivalent Roland, which is 12", may be more responsive, 
but I've only played it through the TD10. The difference in module 
may not allow for an accurate comparison. Walt says that the extra 
cash for the DTXtreme 12" snare is a genuine improvement in terms of 
trigger reliability. I've never used it, but I trust Walt's judgment 
completely. So the AX14S apparently isn't the last word, but it is a 
sound value, in every sense of the word. The DTXTU could well be the 
limiting factor in this case. As wonderful as we all know it to be, 
it is a little rough around the edges, especially as you become more 
and more familiar with it and get a better sense of what you might 
be missing.

Ed
--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "brown8700" <brown8700@a...> wrote:
> Ed:
>  I think you have a Pintech AX14. Is that correct?
> If so, are there fundamental differences between the CC102 and the 
> AX14 other than the shell type and size? I love the CC101s for 
toms, 
> but have never really achieved a good response for the 102 as a 
> snare. This despite trying evry possible trigger parameter known 
to 
> man. In fact, I've gone back to using the Yammy snare pad.
> Stephen