Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hi, I'm not a drummer myself (I'm a bass player) but I've been given 
the job of researching an electronic drumkit for my church.  We only 
have about $800 to work with, and in that range I've narrowed it down 
to either a used DTX 2.0 or a DTXpress I.  Would love the DTXpress II 
but they are a bit out of my price range.  Anyone have experience 
with the DTXpress I and the DTX 2.0, that could offer an opinion 
between the two?  Any pros and cons appreciated.

Thanks :)

> Anyone have experience 
> with the DTXpress I and the DTX 2.0, that could offer an opinion 
> between the two?  Any pros and cons appreciated.

Hi Tim,

So far as the kits are concerned, the differences aren't that great, 
especially with the DTXpressI's second incarnation, which featured a 
stereo snare and cymbal, as well as a slightly sturdier rack. The 
DTX v2.0's module is more elaborate and user-friendly, easier to 
program and re-program on the fly (representing an intermediate step 
between the Xpress and the Xtreme), though it's based on the oldest 
triggering/electronics system in Yamaha's arsenal. It slso has one 
more tom to its advantage. If you're not interested in keeping up 
with the e-drum Joneses, and the extra pad is about all you can 
imagine needing for the time being, you should be able to get a good 
deal on the DTX v2.0. You can upgrade either with impunity as you 
see fit. If the choice were between the XpressII and the v2.0, I'd 
definitely suggest that you spring for the II. But so far as 
outdated equipment goes, ergonomics and versatility may well give 
the edge to the v2.0. Anyone else?

Ed

> > Anyone have experience 
> > with the DTXpress I and the DTX 2.0, that could offer an opinion 
> > between the two?  Any pros and cons appreciated.
Tim,

I should have added that the hi hat controller and kick pedal that 
came with the v2.0 surpass the ones that came with the XpressI, 
which is a huge consideration.

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus" 
<liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> > > Anyone have experience 
> > > with the DTXpress I and the DTX 2.0, that could offer an 
opinion 
> > > between the two?  Any pros and cons appreciated.
> Tim,
> 
> I should have added that the hi hat controller and kick pedal that 
> came with the v2.0 surpass the ones that came with the XpressI, 
> which is a huge consideration.
> 
> Ed

Thanks for the information :) That is very helpful. No, we aren't 
trying to keep up with the Joneses, just want something with decent 
sounds that is reliable and as close to "plug and play" as possible.  
There is a DTX on eBay right now which is not a complete kit; it's 
missing the hihat controller pedal and cymbals.  Would these be 
difficult to obtain idividually?

Tim

> There is a DTX on eBay right now which is not a complete kit; it's 
> missing the hihat controller pedal and cymbals.  Would these be 
> difficult to obtain idividually?

Tim,

The cymbals and controller might be hard to find used. You could ask 
Drumbalaya.com if they have any. Let me take a look at the listing 
on ebay, if I can find it, and get back to you.

Ed

> The cymbals and controller might be hard to find used. You could 
ask 
> Drumbalaya.com if they have any. Let me take a look at the listing 
> on ebay, if I can find it, and get back to you.

Tim,

You have to wonder what happened to the controller and cymbals, but 
if you were able to get that kit for a good price, you should be 
able to swing a couple of the newer PCY65S cymbals instead, as well 
as a new, or used, HH80A controller from Drumbalaya. If that 
particular kit fails you, the one at 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
ViewItem&item=2545492822&category=38097

might be worth a try as well. It seems to have everything. Of 
course, the buyer-beware rider still applies. I know nothing about 
either seller, etc. If you run a search on the DTX v 2.0 on Google, 
is any e-store still selling it? Musician's Friend (bless their 
little heart) had it at a reasonable price for a while.

Ed

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "liberatusvirus" 
<liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> > The cymbals and controller might be hard to find used. You could 
> ask 
> > Drumbalaya.com if they have any. Let me take a look at the 
listing 
> > on ebay, if I can find it, and get back to you.
> 
> Tim,
> 
> You have to wonder what happened to the controller and cymbals, but 
> if you were able to get that kit for a good price, you should be 
> able to swing a couple of the newer PCY65S cymbals instead, as well 
> as a new, or used, HH80A controller from Drumbalaya. If that 
> particular kit fails you, the one at 
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
> ViewItem&item=2545492822&category=38097
> 
> might be worth a try as well. It seems to have everything. Of 
> course, the buyer-beware rider still applies. I know nothing about 
> either seller, etc. If you run a search on the DTX v 2.0 on Google, 
> is any e-store still selling it? Musician's Friend (bless their 
> little heart) had it at a reasonable price for a while.
> 
> Ed

Thanks again.  I've emailed the first seller for more details.  The 
second kit is a re-listed auction that didn't sell; his reserve price 
is more than I can afford.  Believe me, I know about buyer-beware: I 
almost lost the church's money on the eBay "DTXpress II new for $750" 
scam a few weeks ago.  Fortunately the guy was shut down before he 
cashed my check, and I got the money back.  Whew!!