Drum Set

[TNT]

I have always had an interest in drumming and have done some but i want to get a set of my own. the price needs to be around 3-400 dollars for the whole set, perfered. any suggestions on brands?

[SFDMALEX]

hmm can you get a drumset that cheap?

Buddy drums, and afaik he paid 150$ for a base drum pedal alone.

[TNT]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com

[unwilling]

I drum and I have a pretty good set. I recommend CB Percussion. Later, if you want a little cleaner, crisp sound, go for a cymbal upgrade. Zildjian makes excellent cymbals. Yamaha is great but finding a set under 400$ is damn near impossible. Good luck with the purchase. If you have any other drum questions, feel free to ask.

Edit: After further research, Yamaha has a set at musician's friend for 500$. I would highly recommend that set.

[TopGearNL]

My brother had a Drumcomputer and that sucked big time, so don't get anything like that :x

I drum a little bit, I always do it at a mates house and he has a Yamaha set I believe, paid about 600 Eur.. But its a good set!

[ZfrkS62]

probably be better to get a used set if 400 is your price cap.

[Mattk]

For cymbals, I believe Avedis Zildjian is the maker of choice. Apart from that, I don't really know.

[ZfrkS62]

For cymbals, I believe Avedis Zildjian is the maker of choice. Apart from that, I don't really know.

The problem is, he's looking for under 400 bucks, and Zildjian isn't cheap. Yeah, they sound good, but just starting out, i do'nt know if you'd want to spend that kind of scratch :|

[dutchmasterflex]

Yeah, definitely look for a used set on Craigslist or ebay.

My Dad has been a drummer since he was 12.. A few years ago he started buying new stuff for his old setup. All of his stuff is Ludwig.

And make sure you got a place you can practice with out pissing everyone off ;)

[Mers]

Send me a PM with any questions, or post them here if you'd like

Been a drummer since 8 years old...thats 9 years solid

Currently own a 1962 Gretsch Round Badge kit with old zildjian cymbals and a buncha other stuff...i'll post some pictures sometime this week...

If you ask me, i'd look around Craigslist for a set for that price...second hand drumsets aren't bad...and depending on what musical style you prefer, i'll point you to some specific companies and models..

Still, for that money, you wont be able to buy cymbals, or even snare probably (at least not a decent one)...that's about a good price on some basic starter shell packs...

Anyways, i'll help you as much as I can if you want...

[TNT]

Well there is a brand called pulse on that one website that i can get a whole set with black hardware and drums with cymbals for 330.

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/4/7/5/433475.jpg

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Pulse-Pro-5Piece-Drum-Set-with-Cymbals-and-Black-Hardware-?sku=445369

[Mers]

Well there is a brand called pulse on that one website that i can get a whole set with black hardware and drums with cymbals for 330.

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/4/7/5/433475.jpg

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Pulse-Pro-5Piece-Drum-Set-with-Cymbals-and-Black-Hardware-?sku=445369

OK, here's a Nice comparison..

That drumset above, in car terms, is equal to:

http://www.cars-directory.net/pictures/nissan/sunny/pic_nissan_sunny_2548.jpg
Nissan Sunny


I trust you saw the TG episode

Would not even start on those, they might make you lose your enthusiasm...really...unless you don't really care for the sound, and just want to beat stuff up...then that'll do

[TNT]

well what about this set.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Pacific-Drums-by-DW-EZ-5Piece-Drum-Set-with-Cymbals?sku=445144

the qaulity still that bad?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ludwig-Ludwig-Accent-5PC-Kit-and-Zildjian-ZBT-Cymbal-Set-Bundle?sku=443278

how about this?

lastly a big costly for what i maybe looking at

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tama-Imperialstar-5pc-Standard-Drum-Set-With-Cymbals?sku=443214

[Mers]

Take the Ludwig..

It's a great starter's kit (sounds much better than other in it's price range), and Zildjian ZBT cymbals, although still not very good, are much better than the ones coming with the TAMA...

Steer the hell clear from the Pdp unless it's a much better model..

Your safe bet is the Ludwig+Zildjians...great price and a surprisingly good set for that price...

[TNT]

cool thanks, would it be cheaper to just build one from nothing, just piece it together?

[unwilling]

Also, with drum sets, as with any other instrument, at any price level there are numerous different brands with multiple options. It comes down to personal choice, with a few exceptions. In general, both Ludwig and Yamaha have great sets.

[Mers]

cool thanks, would it be cheaper to just build one from nothing, just piece it together?

No chance in hell...

You're paying for premium asian workload when buying these drums (ok not that premium)...

For you to build one, it would mean buying shells, lugs(little metal things that hold the hoops), hoops, skins, lacquer oil or wrap finish, hardware, plus a whole bunch of hardware tools to cut snare beds, drill holes in shells etc...

Probably end up about 1300 dollars... No shitting..

[TNT]

but going back to the Pulse or PDP sets, what is wrong with them? sounds? quality (fall apart, poor build, etc)?

[Mers]

but going back to the Pulse or PDP sets, what is wrong with them? sounds? quality (fall apart, poor build, etc)?

Here's the thing.... The kits at the price range you are looking to buy, are basically Generic kits, made somewhere in east asia, from a huge storeroom full of poor wood shells (basswood usually...).. They are simply money makers for the companies, who stick them with their Lugs and badges, and charge a price premium on the name, mostly. Comparing the pulse and pdp is like comparing a to a... They're basically the same, except the pdp drums have a better known brand, and different hardware, doing the exact same job...no improvement. This not really mattering since they are basically made by the same companies. It's the same with a plethora of entry level kits. Corporate greed's everywhere. Both pdp and pulse probably have better drums (pdp I know for a fact they do) made in a better way, and with more finishing options etc.

The ludwigs, however, are just about a notch above. Those Tama's as well i believe. They maintain their own factories in east asia (taiwan and china mostly), where the wood shells go through a better process of selection... it's like the good basswood or asian mahogany shells are sent to them, and the bad ones, to the pulse etc type companies, for their most simple entry level drums. They manufacture their own, better quality hardware, and usually fit heads that tune properly on their drums. So they sell a little more expensive, but are usually better. The Accent is a surprisingly good sounding kit, and consistently so, too. The Tamas probably sound even better, but in your case, the ludwig + zildjian combo is a great deal.

So, what suffers with the bad shell, hardware and heads on the pdp and pulse models? Well, the sound coming out of your drums consists of a combination of Head vibration, and Hoop and Shell resonance. You can imagine what a shitty shell will sound like, compared to a nicer one. you can further imagine what a drumhead that limits its vibrations due to poor quality will help in making the shell sound better, And finally you can imagine how lugs and hoops which cannot hold tension helps with keeping the heads tense enough to vibrate.....

That's basically it.. But like I said, if you just want to play around with the idea, bash some anger on the drums, then put them aside without worrying to take care of them, or continue to pursue a carreer in music, they'll do fine.

If you do want to take it seriously, though, I'd say this:

Never mind buying a set now. All you need is a pair of sticks, a Practice pad, and a decent teacher. The first two items will probably cost you about 35 dollars total. With the other 365 dollars left from not getting a drumset, you'll be able to pay for about 3 months of lessons, enough to either make you hit or miss (pun intended). In a decent music school, you should have a whole set to practice, and with your practice pad, you'll be able to practice the absolute essentials you'd have to learn anyways, before you could express yourself around the kit without being embarassed.

Hope this clarifys some doubts...sorry about the small essay, but it'll help anyone else who wants to start playing the drums, and just happens to pass by...

[TNT]

yeah that helps a lot, and as of right now it is kind of just a play it once in a well, and learn some basics. I am not to worried about the sound quality per-say as of yet. but i am more or less worried about how they will hold up during play. Although i will take of care my drums. but with my skill level i am kind of worried about paying to much and not having time to use the set like i feel it should. that is why i am looking at the cheap entry sets b/c I wouldn't worry to much if i let them sit for a week or more without me touching them.

[Mers]

yeah that helps a lot, and as of right now it is kind of just a play it once in a well, and learn some basics. I am not to worried about the sound quality per-say as of yet. but i am more or less worried about how they will hold up during play. Although i will take of care my drums. but with my skill level i am kind of worried about paying to much and not having time to use the set like i feel it should. that is why i am looking at the cheap entry sets b/c I wouldn't worry to much if i let them sit for a week or more without me touching them.

They can sit for years without you touching them...as long as they are in a relatively dry environment and hoops on... Because they aren't so good, you needn't worry about the finish or anything too special, because they're a beat em up kit, anyways...

[TNT]

^^^ that is kind of what i am looking for, something to just listen to music and attemp to play along and maybe hold a beat when my friend comes over.

[Mers]

^^^ that is kind of what i am looking for, something to just listen to music and attemp to play along and maybe hold a beat when my friend comes over.


Then get the ludwigs

[TNT]

Is DDrum a good brand?

[Mers]

Is DDrum a good brand?

I think it's swedish....and it's mostly for electronic drumkits....

at least that's the ddrum i've seen...