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Should I get a drumset?

#21
What's your definition of cheap? For me, that would be either a Pearl Export model... best bang for the buck IMO, or a Tama Rockstar, which I used.

A double bass pedal will work on most bass drums, of course with anything there will be some things that just don't work with others, but I don't forsee any problems as every one I've used has mounted just like a standard kick pedal.
 
#22
tplyons said:
What's your definition of cheap? For me, that would be either a Pearl Export model... best bang for the buck IMO, or a Tama Rockstar, which I used.

A double bass pedal will work on most bass drums, of course with anything there will be some things that just don't work with others, but I don't forsee any problems as every one I've used has mounted just like a standard kick pedal.
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200-300 bucks?
 
#27
tplyons said:
$200-300 won't get you anything worth while.

My budget kit cost me about a grand with cymbals and hardware.
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Wow. I guess 100 bucks for mine and an investment of 30 bucks for a cymbal stand isn't worthwhile then? While not the norm, not uncommon either. I think you could get a decent beginner kit with moderately decent cymbals (at least hats) for around 2-300. As long as you're not too proud to rock an old CB kit, or an older Pearl Export or something. Mine is a "sound percussion", and it's all wood shells. Ooops, I forgot the 40 I spent on bearing edges and the 15 bucks on top heads... and my set rocks.

The deals are out there, look on craigslist. look in want ads. think used.
 
#28
Mon Rominee said:
Wow. I guess 100 bucks for mine and an investment of 30 bucks for a cymbal stand isn't worthwhile then? While not the norm, not uncommon either. I think you could get a decent beginner kit with moderately decent cymbals (at least hats) for around 2-300. As long as you're not too proud to rock an old CB kit, or an older Pearl Export or something. Mine is a "sound percussion", and it's all wood shells. Ooops, I forgot the 40 I spent on bearing edges and the 15 bucks on top heads... and my set rocks.

The deals are out there, look on craigslist. look in want ads. think used.
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If you know what you're looking for, you can find great deals but it takes some legwork, testing kits, testing pieces, replacing some parts and doing a lot of work generally. IME anyway.

I've thrown together a decent set for about $350 but nothing matched, but it sounded great.
 
#29
yeah, I wasn't "callin you out" on that tpylons, sorry if I sounded that way

yeah, IF you can do that, AGP, that'd be awesome. If you don't mind if they don't match, even better. And yeah, theres the legwork or frequent searching, but often times, it's worth the effort and bit longer wait...if that is where your $mindset$ is.

That's why I love the want ads or craigslist, often chock full of decent kits that Moms wanna unload quick because their child changed their mind and went back to the xbox, knowwhaddImean?
 
#31
I bought a 2000 dollar drumkit and could barely hold a beat, it's not just a toy or a tool. It's the assurance that I don't have to lug $6000 dollars worth of bass gear to ANY practice, ANY jam, or anywhere other than a gig. It assures that nothing I own will be damaged going up and down my stairs, in and out of vehicles, etc. It's my insurance, it's my roadie. It's a recording tool, and a convenience for all sorts of drummer friends of mine. I've been practicing on it now and then, it's fun I like it. I find it hard, but I'm getting better. It definately made my timing get great!
 
#32
Also keep in mind that replacing drum heads costs considerably more than a set of bass strings. It doesn't make much sense to keep spending money on drums heads for a $300 kit, so a cheap drum kit will eventually have some really dead heads. The quality problems with lower end kits also prevent them from being in tune. A lot of times the drums won't be perfectly circular and/or the edges won't be flat so hoops and heads won't sit on the drum evenly. Cheap hardware is prone to breaking and becoming loose, so high quality hardware can be a good investment.
 
#33
A lot of drummers judge the quality of kits by the amount of teardowns it can endure before falling apart. Low quality kits in the 500 dollar range will be alright, and even though they are cheap, will sound great if you know how to set them up, but after a couple gigs it shows it's wear.

My personal opinion is to go Yamaha. Yamaha Rydeens are the newest set of entry levels and they are great. Definately bang for buck and last through many gigs. Sound great too.
 
#35
AmazingGracePlayer said:
Would it be cheaper to buy each part of the drum separately?
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If I had to guess, yes and no. Yes, if you get cheap parts, but no, because your set might end up sounding really bad. I'd rather get a cheapish set that sounds okay than a cheap set that sound bad.

I'd echo the recommendations for a quality product like Pearl Exports or Tama Rockstars. Taye is another company to look for, although they're rarer on the used market. In general, buy used, and invest a little to get a lot.
 
#36
AmazingGracePlayer said:
Would it be cheaper to buy each part of the drum separately?
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It might be worth it to buy things piecemeal if you are on a limited budget. I don't know much about buying drum parts individually, but I can imagine that buying drums individually to start with might be worth it. That way you can spend the $300 on a kick, snare, and hihat rather than a whole kit. My brother once picked up a 60s Slingerland kick missing the reso head/hoop for free at a garage sale. Paired with the 70s ludwig snare (an 'acrosonic' i believe) he bought for $75 plus some nice hats and possibly a ride - there is an okay set of drums for cheap.

Personally, if I was spending $300 on a drums set, that is the route I would take. I'd eventually add toms and a crash. Maybe get a new kick with the toms.
 

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