WE SAY

Stand by all you first-time buyers. This kit's a wee stoater, a belter, a little gem. Ever wanted all the best bits of all the other brands in one cheap lump?

Roy Webster did. Roy combined his years of playing and making drums and hardware to produce the Diamond kit via his PSL drum company. Apparently he'd noted the rise of cheap kits like the Linko, and decided that he could improve on the quality, but retain the cheap price. With the Diamond, he seems to have succeeded.

And why not borrow the best? Everybody pinches shamelessly from everyone else in the diminishing world of drum design. At least PSL's version makes good structural, musical and economic sense.

Perhaps you like the smooth, simple efficiency of the twin spring and ballbearing Speed King bass pedal action? Not so crazy about the strap? Fancy a stronger, faster chain drive? You got it. You like the durability and adjustability (16½ inches worth here) of the Pearl tom holder? You got it. You like the strength and style of the Yamaha cymbal stand and its nifty nylon-bushed extension lock? You got that too.

You like the simple operation and durability of the Ludwig snare throw? The resilient Tama hi-hat clutch? The strength and shape of the Pearl footplate? The retractable Premier bass spurs and the Ludwig bass drum hoop claws? The point is that all this stuff works and will last, and the aim has been to keep the price down.

The shells aren't so thick that they don't resonate, but they aren't so thin that they won't last the pace. The one drawback? Thin heads, which don't quite create enough tonal depth and won't take much punishment. My recommendation here is to get some Remo Ambassadors on the job, you won't regret it.

I can't complain about the 5½ inch chromed steel snare: double-ended nut boxes, nickled screws, 20-strand snare. Good, basic stuff - not as flash as the Arias reviewed a few months back, but with a more sensible use of proven elements.

Overall the hardware is light (good if you tote your own) but well balanced with plenty of height (three feet on the snare stand, six feet on the cymbal stand), and memory-locks all round.

With the exception of metal bass drum hoops and the odd feeble wing nut, I think this kit offers the best value for money I've seen. OK, the name badge may not exactly be beautiful, but this Taiwanese kit has been assembled with a clever blend of engineering knowledge and musical experience. I expect some dealers may drop the price even lower than that quoted, so I can only see supply being the problem.

DIAMOND DRUMS FIVE PIECE KIT £384

PSL, (Contact Details).