Alesis are the only "other" brand I would consider aside from Roland and Yamaha. Older, less realistic soundsets, but still good. Having said that, I personally wouldn't look anywhere but Roland - and it's drum month at Bothners, so there are a few deals to be had at the moment on the Roland kits. If there is a TD-4K still available (they have been discontinued), you should find it at below R10K, but even the new TD-4KX shouldn't be too far above (I haven't checked though).

The differences are many - pad types, sound quality, connections and simply just how well they work. You ideally want something that feels and responds like the real thing, otherwise you might just as well a have a Yamaha DD or Roland SPD drum pad with a kick trigger attached.

If you can stretch to it, you need to get a kit with at least one mesh head drum for snare. Rubber works fine for toms, but the mesh heads feel a lot more natural and prevent injury from RSI, so are essential on the snare IMO.

As something that gets hit for a living, drum kits (acoustic or electric) have to be able to take punishment. A big thing in moving to electronic drums (and with any high tech device) is backup - where is it repaired and are spares likely to be available a few years down the line?

wow, thx a million for the info
it makes a whole lot of sense thank you.

on another note, the easiest way to sound proof a room, do you have any ideas that are not to pricey? i would love a real acoustic set, but a townhouse makes it a bit hard.

Soundproofing is a construction thing, so there is very little you can do that's cheap other than seal windows and doors properly - and even that means your room is airtight, so you have to invest in airconditioning so that you don't inadvertantly kill yourself.

Electronic kits make a lot of sense for the modern player, simply because they let you turn down for practice or gigging at smaller than usual venues.

I have the Roland and find it exceptionally good and true to live acoustic.

Wide range of settings, and Bothner give a good repair ans after sales service - important.

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: The differences are many - pad types, sound quality, connections and simply just how well they work. You ideally want something that feels and responds like the real thing, otherwise you might just as well a have a Yamaha DD or Roland SPD drum pad with a kick trigger attached.

If you can stretch to it, you need to get a kit with at least one mesh head drum for snare. Rubber works fine for toms, but the mesh heads feel a lot more natural and prevent injury from RSI, so are essential on the snare IMO.

As something that gets hit for a living, drum kits (acoustic or electric) have to be able to take punishment. A big thing in moving to electronic drums (and with any high tech device) is backup - where is it repaired and are spares likely to be available a few years down the line?

+1 on all Alan's comments!

I've got a Roland TD8 (2004) and still enjoy it immensely. Has been gigged a few times, served as the 'band' drumkit for 3+yrs and my amusement (I butcher guitar&bass mostly).

Had two problems,

1. Lost the power supply day before gig - phoned Roland distributors in Ottery (Cpt), then picked one up the same day.
2. Blew out a output channel on the head unit, so I'm using the live outs instead (no effects). I'll eventually book it in at above distributors or Bothner's claremont.

I'd upgrade mine with more mesh head's for toms and plug in a few more cymbal pads (I've got two spare channels), What I can't do with my 'old' model, is use the 'real' hi-hat (can't recall the serial number) from the TD-20, which is the only thing drummers really complain about when they play the kit.

Not sure about what models are offered these days - mine secondhand is 8-10k. An alternative to consider, the head unit and physical 'kit' (pads, stand) can be mixed 'n matched. I have a TD8 head unit on a TD6 'kit' - for economy I got the TD6 'kit (mesh snare + pad toms) and the TD8 head (+3channels for extra pads, much better interface, compatible with some TD10/20 hardware), saving about 8k.

But, one thing I can highly reccomend - no matter what electronic kit you do buy - is as best 'full range' amplification can you can afford. A keyboard amp works well, decent pa system, monitor speakers, etc...The Wharfdale active (self powered) Titan's look like good option - saw a 12in for 2k on gumtree or a 15in (new) around R4k-ish and since you won't be too worried about stereo, you'll only need one, which can serve as your monitor at gigs.

Of course you can buy some real nice skins for that $$$...!

? thank you very much guys, you highlighted some things i didnt know and think about.

so the Roland it should be ?

Rohan, have you started taking lessons??

Yes sir, I have started at Christo, thx man.

its going slow with only a practice pad , but I will have a set pretty soon.
i was battling to choose between electric or acoustic, hence the post, but I think the electric set will be less of a issue in the townhouse complex.

but almost there ?

Awesome ?

Maybe we bump into each other still!
Good luck with your drumming ?

? so I got myself the td9 aswell, awsome kit, Toms Braamfontein has a sale this weekend, got it for a great price.

thx for all the info anyway.

Wonderful! Enjoy!