So what's the deal? I saw it being discussed here: http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77643 and confirmed it's true on Sigler's site. Anyone have any more info other than what was provided there?

Oh, oh. Sounds as if Siglers manufacturers are playing hardball. It seems as if Sigler has been absorbing the cost increase for a while, but now has been forced to pass on the cost to the consumers. Wonder if this has been the case from day one, or is a recent event that has prompted them to raise their prices. Or maybe this is actually a class "A" Birch kit, with the problems worked out which would kinda explain some of the cost increase, and the original is a class "B"? In any event, I hope that it doesn't price them right out of competition with kits in this class. I am worried that their name is not exactly a household brand yet. And people will go with the "name brands" instead, being real close in price now. It may have been to soon to pull this trigger. Might not have had a choice in this move, losing money is not good. Now with the problems that have been happening with the Birch kits, not sure if the price point vs. value ratio is all that strong after this. Time will tell the story. All I know is that I still love my Pro Maple 6 kit. And is still a great value I think. And am glad I pulled the trigger when I did.

I was looking into getting another PBJ but when I saw the price increase I was pretty dissapointed to say the least. I agree with customdrummer but its a shame that the value of these drums just isnt there anymore now there is so many other kits in the same price range like customdrummer said . Sigler is going to lose quite a bit of sales due to the uknowness of these drums. Most people are going to go with the trusted brand if its the same price ya know. Anyways it would be nice to get the inside scoop from sigler on whats goin on with the price increase.

Shhesh...I just caught this now. Looks as though the booming Chinese economy strikes again!

I agree that the CCs do in fact sound better. The Gretschs have them beat in the QC department. I hate to say this, but for my money.. given the increase.. I'll take the Gretsch.

Looks as though everything Custom Classic has gone up in price.. Blame the sinking American dollar and the booming Chinese economy.

I agree with your pearly i would gladly take the gretsch now

I don't see CCs being in much contention if this trend continues sorry to say.

Its a shame =0(

Sign of the times. It's not just us regular pukes that are getting squeezed out by the haves. Sorry thing about this situation is that we (being the powers that be) did it to ourselves (read: they did it to us). Let's allow more company's to take their products overseas for cheap labor and tax breaks and turn this country into an import state that creates nothing and buys everything we need from outside the U.S. If this trend concerning Sigler continues, then their run has come to an end and they will fade into obscurity.

I think that most of us have been voting. Unfortunately, when a politician says something promising, when they get into office we find out that they were either lying, or they are outnumbered and unable to make good on promises. Just have to face facts and realize that we are mainly just along for the ride and really have no say so or voice that is heard on most policy's initiated.

I hear ya there Rick... I will still vote my conscience.

PS. I can no longer afford Custom Classic drums. sad.

I know. And on top of that, if I could afford those dollars for a kit, I would probably go with a name brand given the recent problems that have been documented as of late regarding the CC Birch kits. I didn't think that I would ever be saying that. How the mighty have fallen by the wayside.

This is really sad to see!

Here are the specific prices, in case you hadn't seen:

Pro Birch 5 Piece: $619.99

Pro Birch 7 Piece: $699.99

Pro Birch Hybrid: $679.99

Pro Birch Jazz: $619.99

Still not a bad value overall for what you get (remember, these all come with very beefy hardware that you could always sell to help defray your cost), while many other comparable kits are shellpacks.

I think you can get a shell pack from Sigler for $100 less per kit, so that is an option as well. And don't forget the 10% off coupon. In my opinion though, it makes more sense to get the hardware, because you can always re-sell it for more than the $100 you would have saved by not getting it. I sold all the hardware from my PBJ (except the snare stand) for $150 on craigslist in 1 day.

I am still disappointed that this is happening. The same thing has happened with Dream Cymbals over the last two years. Instead of being a "no-brainer" decision, the higher price means that many people will now check out other, much more well known brands that are similar in price before making a decision. When that happens, most people are not going to choose an unproven brand.

It will be interesting to see what happens to Sigler's sales on these kits.

I just looked and Sigler is selling alot of "B" stock kits on ebay. It doesn't say what's wrong with them.

My question is, can't Sigler sell the "1st Generation" kits at the normal price? If the newer, upgraded kits (better castings and mounts etc) are costing them more to produce, then fine, but what about what they already have in inventory that they most likely paid a much lower price for?

Maybe that's what the "B" stock is? On the ebay page under the B stock kits, on just one of the colors for the PBJ it showed "More than 10 available" under the quantity tab.

From what I have learned from another chat site that a Sigler guy frequents, Sigler has been absorbing the last 2 cost increases pressed upon them by their manufacturer. They had to at last, and unfortunately for us, transfer that increase to the consumer. Here is their explanation of the "B" stock kits that are stated in the description blog.

"Custom Classic Pro Birch Hybrid
6 PC Drum Set w/ Hardware - B-Stock

(Cymbals and throne shown are not included)
B-Stock

B-stock means that this drum set is brand new and is guaranteed to be in perfect playing condition with all parts. It may have some minor cosmetic imperfections so we are offering it at a discounted cost. Imperfections may consist of small scratches, dings, dents, finish flaws, etc.


Haven't heard for sure that the problems that the Birch kits have been having with the tom mounts are fixed on the "A" kits which necessitated the price increases. If they did, cool. But I think the price increase is hear because of the weak American economy/dollar verses the stronger Chinese economy more than the improvement that we think might be there. Not so sure that I believe that there are more than 10 each of all the "B" stock kits. Unless they have been shipping out all the good ones, and all they are left with is the "slightly blemished" kits left. Either way, it sucks. I'm blessed that I pulled the trigger when I did and that I have been able to hold onto my kit thus far during this downturn created mostly by greedy and poor decisions.

I fear this is the death knell for Custom Classics, or at the very least, the jazz kits. Gretsch Cats can be found for under $600 all day long. I can think of no compelling reason for a drummer to choose CC's over Cats now, given the price. Even if the CC's are marginally cheaper (waiving the hardware pack, 10% discount, etc.), the consumer must consider resale value. The Gretsch's hold their value - the CC's are a total unknown to most. I'm bummed.

You have just said what most of us are fearing, and are reluctant to say. But your right on. Hopefully they will find another manufacturer that will work with them regarding costs, otherwise, I'm afraid that you are dead on.

I hope so too, CD. I still love my PBJ's (tom mount issues notwithstanding), and that I got 'em for $369 shipped was an incredible bargain. But if CC's disappear, they'll be worth very little to anyone else, I fear. Of course, i knew all this going in, but it still hurts to see this happening. When I saw the price jump this morning, my heart sank.

Right. For the price verses value, I didn't care much about re-sale value either going in. But now someone new looking at it, that would definitely be a con for sure. Bummer. They are still nice kits, but there is nothing anymore that would jump out at you and say don't buy "brand name" buy this.

I never thought CCs would be around forever. Sigler used to sell another house brand of drums (as well as mics and other items) called OSP (Official Sigler Product) and just figured that somewhere down the line the CCs would fade out and something else would take their place in the Sigler sales room. It's a shame but once someone sees something is selling like hotcakes the trend is to usually bump that price up eventually.

I'm still happy with mine...but now at the new prices I would balk. What drew me to the hybrids were the sizes. I wanted those hyperdrive sizes like Tama offered. Anyway, glad I pulled the trigger when I did.

Let me be clear with regards to posts I have prior to this one in re; recent price increases. It remains my position that for what you get with a CC drum set compared to the big names is a comparable instrument in tone and appearance.. shell hardware issues notwithstanding. the fact that the prices have jumped is what a few other posts have indicated, that is..a sign of the times. The US economy is in the toilet and inflation has been pretty steadily devaluing the American dollar. The Chinese on the other hand, have been experiencing exponential growth to their economy and as a result of these two factors, we are paying more for imported goods. This is evident across all consumer lines. Sad but true. I still love Sigler music center and Custom Classic!

Word.

Has anyone heard lately about how Sigler's sales have been on the Custom Classic kits?

Even as a fan and supporter of them, I have a hard time going back to them considering what else is out there.

Also, I looked on the Sigler website and it still looks like the Pro Birch 5 & 7 piece listings still have the Pearl style brackets drilled directly on to the shell, and the bad floor tom leg brackets. I thought that those were supposed to change to suspension mounts and L-arms and round leg brackets? Are those just old photos?

Also, I know Sigler doesn't sell "add on" drums, but since the only difference between the 5 and 7 piece kits is just an 8" tom and 14" floor tom, you would think they might sell an "add on" pack, so those who have a 5 can turn it in to a 7.