So, You Want to Buy a Drumset?

When I was 14 years old, I decided I wanted to buy a drumset. My uncle, who had played when he was younger, wrote me a long letter with some advice, what to look for, etc. I think it was titled “So, You Want to Buy a Drumset?” I didn’t listen to a word. Hopefully you’ll be smarter than I was.

To parents: Thank you so much for being open minded enough to allow this wonderful instrument into your home! Although you may spend some evenings clenching teeth and wincing, your child will thank you . . . some day.

What do I need?

This is a loaded question. If you’re an intermediate or an advanced player, you already know enough about what you want that you won’t need this little write-up. I’ll continue under the assumption that you’re a beginner, or at least new to the world of drumsets.

You need a four or five-piece kit to start out. When someone refers to a five-piece, seven-piece, etc., they’re talking about the number of drums. Cymbals don’t count. Your average starter kit will be a five-piece, but don’t let an overzealous salesman try to convince you in all your wide-eyed wonder that a twelve-piece drumset is what you need.

Can I buy one piece at a time?

This is sort of an old school approach, and to be honest, it’s just not cost-effective. In my experience, few students have the patience to wait six birthdays until they finally have an entire set. Plus, you’ll have trouble matching hardware and color, since drum manufacturers change their model lines about as often as auto makers.

What brand(s) should I look for?

This depends on your budget. Expect to spend at least $300. You can't get a decent, durable entry-level kit for less. For years, Pearl had the market cornered for affordable beginner drumsets. This is no longer the case. Their cheapest kits are now at least $600. For half the price (and the same drum quality--seriously), you can't beat a Pacific EZ. This comes with everything you need (including starter cymbals) except for a drum stool. Unfortunately, the included bass drum pedal is junk, and should be replaced within a few months, if the student continues to show interest. I recommend Pearl's affordable P120 as a replacement.

Pulse offers asimilar deal, but I've never seen one of their kits in person, so I can't speak for their quality.

For a little more money, you can invest in a Ludwig Accent. Keep in mind, this includes all the hardware (minus the throne), but NO CYMBALS. The craftsmanship is superior to the Pacific.

Finally, if you've budgeted around $400 BEFORE cymbals, then the Tama Stagestar is a good drumset for the money.

Should I look at used kits?

Absolutely! Used kits are a great way of saving money. Drawbacks? If something breaks, you probably won’t be able to return it. Plus, a used kit often doesn’t come with a snare drum, because people become attached to their snare drums. A store-bought kit will usually come with a hi-hat stand and a bass drum pedal, and all the necessary hardware for mounting the drums. A used kit may be missing any or all of these items. Also keep in mind that you’ll need a throne—this is a seat specifically designed for a drummer to sit on. No, your desk chair will not do.

What cymbals do I need?

The big three cymbal manufacturers, Zildjian, Paiste and Sabian all make starter packs of cymbals. These are attractively priced cymbals that will do just fine for the beginner. You probably only need hi-hats (the pair) and a ride cymbal. A crash cymbal will come in handy, but it’s not absolutely necessary. Don’t buy no-name!

What about practice pad kits?

These are great for noise concerns, but aren’t necessarily cheap, and are virtually useless in performance situations.

What about electronic kits?

These contraptions have come a long way over the past decade or so. Even so, only the most expensive ones (to the tune of thousands of dollars) will feel anything like a real acoustic drumset. If you’ve got the money to burn, I must admit it’s nice to be able to plug in some headphones and not worry about waking up the neighbors.

Any other advice?

Don’t feel like you have to buy at the first store you visit. This is a sizeable investment, and it’s in your best interest to take your time. Try out a bunch of different kits and decide what you like. Be an informed shopper, and do some research on-line before you go in, so you at least sound like you know what you’re talking about. Have fun!

My first drumset lasted me over ten years, and yours should, too, provided you perform minimum maintenance on it, and don’t leave it out in the rain.