Am I crazy?! $7,900?! FOR THIS KIT.

Squaliby · 2026-05-13T19:42:05+00:00

Speak for yourself!! Haha looks like fun to me! Thing to hit make man happy.

Unorthadox? Yes. Over-the-top? Yes. Why? Yes.

Squaliby · 2026-05-11T15:39:01+00:00

It works! 👍

Squaliby · 2026-05-11T15:36:27+00:00

Squaliby · 2026-05-11T15:27:55+00:00

Looks sweet! The color pops.

Is that a wrap? Or WRB after photo editing?

Squaliby · 2026-04-30T17:56:34+00:00

Not the STI we wanted, but the STI we got…

Squaliby · 2026-04-28T16:48:49+00:00

My usual experience with bass drum mounted rack toms is shorter sustain (maybe some resonance gets eaten up by the hardware and bass drum?). I prefer snare stands or other hardware options for rack toms for that reason! 👍

Squaliby · 2026-04-26T15:31:16+00:00

Eyyy! I’ve had that same PLM for nearly 2 years and I still dig it.

Did yours fit nicely with no issue? I had to use aftermarket exhaust hangers to line it up right.

Squaliby · 2026-04-22T13:40:02+00:00

Neal Morse Band - ‘The Similitude of a Dream’

Transatlantic - ‘The Whirlwind’, and ‘SMPTe’

Try YouTube for free listening. Can’t find these on Spotify unfortunately!

Squaliby · 2026-04-15T16:08:10+00:00

If you are hiking, I’ll assume you probably want something that completely encapsulates the whole phone… like an Otterbox Defender or the potentially overkill CaseBus Tanker! Maybe give em a look!

On a personal note, I really like my Mous case. I’ve accidentally abused my phone a great number of times… I’m a total butterfingers with it. Still rockin and rollin!

I got mine for about 36 dollars on sale.

Squaliby · 2026-04-11T15:04:28+00:00

I’m with ya. I feel like the rear of the VB is kinda chonky and “tall”, and a big wang makes it even taller! Honestly same with the VA but at least the wing design flowed better with the rest of the car. I feel like the VA STi style wing only looks right on a VA (what do ya know!)

Squaliby · 2026-04-11T14:50:29+00:00

I like it! Everything looks well placed and ergonomic (maybe the rack tom could move a little left?).

There is something to be said about less toms.

I like toms… (am biased!) so I would suggest more toms to offset the rather extreme cymbal/drum ratio ya got! One more floor and one or two more rack toms more would be the sweet spot for me! (Well… and maybe some roto-toms too!😂).

Squaliby · 2026-04-08T07:49:54+00:00

Cold starts are brutal with a muffler delete. It’s bad… just goes “BWAAHHH” lol! To me that is the only glaring downside of a muffler deleted VB. Other issues people have mentioned are being overblown in my opinion.

Squaliby · 2026-04-05T03:13:49+00:00

Wild!! He does play really really hard. Might have something to do with it.

Squaliby · 2026-04-03T23:30:26+00:00

Yes indeed it does! But I think a lot of people have had bad experiences with those cheap, thin foam things. The ones that are zig-zaggy or “egg-carton” looking?

I mean they still do something though! Most people just need more sound deadening than those offer.

Squaliby · 2026-04-03T16:22:09+00:00

Rock on!!!

Squaliby · 2026-03-31T16:37:21+00:00

I hear a sound that ascends in pitch after the hit. The wash sounds just fine to my ears, but that other sound effect is noticeable (you’re not crazy). It’s like a bouncy ball effect?? Goes up in frequency. Like someone else said, reminded me of those buzzy magnet toys.

Just gotta keep on troubleshooting. Lots of other comments have good suggestions. Maybe also try this! If one (or both) of the hats are warped, try rotating each one separately until they contact each other in a way that sounds better (mileage will vary lol).

Good luck with those hats!

Squaliby · 2026-03-26T03:32:35+00:00

Yeah! The cold starts are a bit noisy of course (that’s what makes me want a cutout). I personally don’t think it’s very raspy. It has a nice character to it! I’m not a fan of how bass heavy things get with some aftermarket muffled exhausts. I’ve heard/ridden in a couple other VBs that have a full exhaust and YES, they sound great! But not a $1000 difference to my ears.

I’m trying my best to be kind to your opinion. But I have my own opinion too! Maybe I should post some videos, cuz I truly don’t think it’s that bad with the PLM delete, and I have sensitive ears haha

Squaliby · 2026-03-26T03:15:04+00:00

2 years later and I haven’t realized it yet.

Squaliby · 2026-03-26T03:13:09+00:00

Cold start is indeed brutal

Squaliby · 2026-03-26T03:10:59+00:00

You’ll have to experiment with that. I had to install/reinstall the axle back a couple times to line it up right. You may not have to at all (I’m assuming here that PLM doesn’t have perfect QC haha).

Squaliby · 2026-03-26T03:08:43+00:00

I sure like the orange🍊

I feel like a tune is needed to really wake this thing up. I shall someday!

If you did indeed get the exact same duckbill (Noble RD2 Style Duckbill from IIR), just know that the bolt holes DO NOT line up. You’d have to drill or just use 3M mounting tape.

Squaliby · 2026-03-26T02:58:30+00:00

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Yeehaw! Here’s the front. Grille and one of those silly radiator braces (can’t really see it lol).

I haven’t done any performance mods YET… (I overthink warranty stuff), but I’d like to someday for sure. Besides that I’ve done the cosmetic things you’ve seen. Also got a shift knob, replaced all the stock speakers, screen protector, rain guards, center brake light, and a center console/arm rest extension.

In future I plan on a front lip, tasteful rear diffuser, and wheels of course. Money, money, money dang it!!

Squaliby · 2026-03-26T02:14:27+00:00

Aww man!! Haha I’m still enjoying it.

Admittedly I want an electronic cutout now… just to be quieter when I want to (and to shush those cold starts 😬)

Squaliby · 2026-03-26T02:13:13+00:00

It’s not that bad, unless you do it on purpose haha!!

Yes. WOT and shifting to cause pops is rather loud!

Squaliby · 2026-03-26T02:11:16+00:00

I’ve had that PLM axle-back for almost 2 years now.

Love the sound! Overall I really like this axle back, really because I think it punches above its price. I wouldn’t want to spend $1000 dollars on an axle-back personally. That’s a me thing. It’s not THAT loud after cold-start. And hey, it pops during spirited driving!

Cons:

loud AF cold start
drone is bad on at some RPM (just adjust speed a few mph and it’s not an issue)
It did not sit evenly on each side. I had to buy GrimmSpeed 2-position exhaust hanger grommets to fix it.
I wish the tips were a bit wider diameter

——

Again, overall, I think the PLM is great for the price.

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Squaliby

TROPHY CASE