Any drummers out there?

K

KB3UBW

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Sep 11, 2011
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I just got into drumming and Im looking at geting a drumkit, so any advice yall have would be great...


KB3UBW
 
Assuming you're in the states, buy American made! What style of drumming are you looking to do? Jazz, latin, rock, funk? Yamaha hardware is fantastic stuff.


-Xander
 
My personal favorite is Gretch! Preferably with zildjian symbols. I have a red stained six piece with a few symbols. Awesome set.

However something that should be mentioned is that it really doesn't matter what brand or type of drum set you have, the thing you really have to look at is getting the best drum heads. My personal favorite is either Remo heads or Evans. Evans especially for the bass drum, the ones I have on my set really take a beating, but they sound crisp, yet very deep, awesome for rock or even metal style of playing. Evans is very flexible though, check out their bass batter heads, there are tons of options!!!

Another thing to look into is the snare, a lot of snares (just like the heads) that come with the sets can be complete trash. There are a couple Yamahas with crap snare drums.

Basically I guess the most important thing to remember is that you can buy a lot of different sets, but what truly matters is the ways in which you customize those sets with different heads/coatings/bottom heads/sticks/ect.

One more thing to keep in mind, is to remember what you'll be hitting the most often on your set. Most drummers hit three main pieces the most. those are the snare, the bass, and the hi-hat. Make those your best sounding pieces, AND your most durable pieces.

This was a long response.... hope it was helpful.
 
royce drumset here. I dont know how it compares to others... although I have played alot of various drumsets. I agree with the drum head comment above. I had to look at what I currently have. Looks like remo weatherking with black center on the toms. Snare has a remo but it has a silver center. The silver center, if I remember correctly was an awesome head but discontinued. The set has seen a lot of use, from pro to beginner (beginners are hard on heads). I highly recommend graphite drum sticks. Have fun with it.
 
I'm not much of a set drummer, but I have a couple of comments.

First of all, a lot of this depends on your price range and what your willing to spend. You mention being new to drumming - I would suggest getting somewhat of a starter kit, if your going to buy new. If you decide down the road that you don't like it or aren't interested in it, your wallet won't be too far drained. I have heard a few stories about guys starting out buying 1000 dollar kits (or more :eek:) and wind up selling for a loss after figuring out it wasn't for them. Also, I would avoid an electronic kit. They tend to be expensive and lack the feel of an acoustic set - Plus, you learn alot about drums by owning and taking care of an acoustic kit - tuning, maintenance, etc. Electric kits have some plus's though - Good for volume control and apartment like settings.

That said, I have seen a lot of nice kits - If you find something you like in a major brand, you should be fine. I had a Pearl Export series that was a great kit for me - I don't know if they are still producing them though. I have played on a couple different kits - By far my favorite is Mapex. I would really suggest going through craigslist and looking for a kit that someone is selling, rather than buying new. With any luck you should be able to find something decent at a price range of a new "budget" kit. Lower end kits tend to have cheaper wood (basswood and mahogany vs. maple), hardware, cymbals - They still work just fine but you will lack in sound and durability that "nicer" kits tend to have. Most of the time, you pay for what you get.

The cool thing is that if you really get into it, you can always upgrade - Either buy purchasing a brand new kit or by adding on cymbals, a new snare, etc. Sabian and Zildjian both produce great cymbals.

BeardTamer mentioned a lot of good things - customization, cymbals, heads - Don't worry too much about buying the nicest kit out there (unless you have the extra cash :D). Buy something and use it! Alot of the "know how" will come over time. Once you get into it, you'll get a feel for what you like and what you don't.

If you find something you like and have questions, feel free to send me an email or PM. I'd be glad to help you out, give advice, etc. Like I said, I haven't played on a set in a while but I'm regularly involved in marching percussion. I also have a buddy/co-worker who knows way more than I do. If you have questions, I can get a hold of him and get you answers I may not have.

Good luck and let us know what you decide to get!
 
I'm a percussionist, but i've heard good things about Sonor Drums, and also Pearl. My kit's a little different though, here's what my set looks like:

2e1b9028.jpg


Cheers and Regards,
Nick
 
Been playing off and on for over 30 years..Great hobby and kept me out of trouble,some great advice given but I'll add my two cents...

Buy the best quality drum kit you can afford,,I've seen killer deals on Craigslist,, a "used" good quality kit is better than a "new" cheap kit (wood shells=good,,particle board looking stuff=cheap)..I started out with a set of used Premier and played that kit for 20 years..All I could aquire when I was a kid was cheap cymbals (hats,ride,1crash,1splash) but when your 10 yrs old money is tight..My cymbals got upgraded one at a time and I slowly replaced my cheap cymbals with Zildjians.(x-mas,summer jobs,overtime ,etc..)I had friends start with cheap Pearl CB700s and other cheap kits,, a bunch of cheap cymbals only to upgrade as soon as possible taking a loss on everything...

Build your skills with a smaller kit and master the single bass first... Had friends jump to a double kick as soon as they could and never really develope good (in the pocket) bass drum skills....

Most important thing is enjoy it and don't get frustrated..I've been playing off and on for a long,long time..Took 1-2 year breaks with them but,,as soon as I retire in my early 50s,drumming will hopefully be a little part time gig on the side...I hope anyways..

CD
 
I've been a beginner for about fifteen years now, but I'm getting better. I got my first kit from a kid who just got his first car and needed money for insurance. Look into the Yamaha Hip-Gig if you want a full sized, portable kit for mobile gigs.
.
 
Don't worry too much about the quality of the kit you get. When I was studying jazz at the conservatory, I was jealous of all the fancy sets my fellow students brought along to the yearly camp week of the school. DW's, Gretsch, Ludwig, all maple drums with all Zildjian K's and whatnot...while I was there every year with an old Pearl Export kit (the first one I ever bought and played on for 15 years, what can I say...I was not exactly rich :D) and a couple of old Paiste cymbals. At one of those camps we had a jam with the teachers and when one of them sat down behind mine, I couldn't believe the sound he got out of that crappy tuned set...a true epyphany! And that crappy set didn't hold me back from getting chosen to play the yearly showcase concerts three years in a row...
Learn how to play first on whatever kit you can afford...then decide on what nice kit you want, when you know how to get a good sound out of a drum.
 
I feel badly for novices who spend enormous amounts of money to get the finest they can afford, and then decide drums are not for them and sell them for fifty cents on the dollar. I can see the want ad now:

For sale. New Gretsch Drums. Vinnie Colaiuta Signature Drum Set and six Zildjian Cymbals, hardly ever used. $2500 OBO.

To the OP, your best bet for a starter set would probably be a $300-$600 set off Craig's List. Then when you get good, look for the fancy kits.
 
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