$450 drum set?

[cellardweller]

Sorry for bothering you guys over here in this fine percusion forum, but I need to know, and though I've already asked it, I'd like to ask again in hopes of more input. I am getting ready to finalize a loan on my 401K (no penalty) and buy my son some drums and my daughter a viola, among other things.

$450 is what I have budgeted for the drum set, and I really can not exceed this right now. So... in your opinion(s), should I go with the Tama Stagestars? How do you guys feel about Peavey drums? Pearl as opposed to Tama? Mapex? Ludwig?

So many sets.... I am only a guitar player here... please help me!!!!

[Cloneboy Studio]

Don't forget cymbals... and hardware...

That means you have about.... 100 dollars to spend on the drum kit. Ouch.

[Louddog]

Just don't let the guys at Guitar Center/Sam Ash/Mars...whoever try to sell the kits without hardware, they buy them like that and then seperate the stands. Look online at Music123 or Musicians Friend for at least $$ comparison. They sell those sets complete. With Cymbals it will be hard to stay under $500, that should be about a third of your budget. Look at used stuff, alot of good deals can be had.
Doug

[cellardweller]

The Tama Stagestar (?practice set?) has hardware, cymbals and throne I do believe (musicians friend and 8th street music) for about $390. The drums are physically smaller though...

[mshilarious]

I have the Pearl Rhythm Traveler kit, which is great if you don't mind a small kit. Comes with muffle heads which are nifty for quiet practice, cymbal stand, ride & hat, for $400. The drums (except kick) don't have bottom heads, although I modded mine to add them.

A friend of mine who is real drummer (good one too) saw my kit & bought himself one (his third) because he was tired of lugging around a full size kit . . . hey, we're getting old . . .

[cellardweller]

Forgive me for re-stating the obvious, but is it your opinion that the Pearl Rhythm Traveler is a better set overall than the Tama Stagestar? Is it just a "brand preference" for you, or are they clearly superior? They are comparatively priced..

[imissthewar]

Personally, look no farther than Taye drums RockPro series. I just purchased my little brother a 4 piece set with all the hardware for $400. Fusion sizes, too (20" kick, 12" 14" toms, 13" snare). This is easily an Export or Rockstar equivalent but hundreds less. Check out their website, www.taye.com. Modern drummer gave it this kit a glowing review.

The store I got it from is totally undercutting every other price I could find, so if you want the name and number of my guy, drop me a pm.

Of course, that's just for the drums. Cymbals are extra, and you don't want to skimp out. I'd say $700 is the least you can spend for the whole kit (drums, cymbals, hardware) without getting utter crap.

[DTBlalock]

Is this his first drumset? If so, get him something that sounds good, but doesnt cost too much money. If it doesnt sound good, he will get frustrated and quit. Try to get someone to tune the set. You can get pretty much any drums to sound decent and playable with proper tuning.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/444088/

and

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/440394/

B8's are about the cheapest cymbals you can get that have a fairly good sound. Please, dont buy him cymbals made of aluminum foil. But this would be a fair starting set. If he gets a set with cymbals, throw them away before he takes one hit at them. Sabian B8's should be the way to go.

[cellardweller]

Thanks to all.

How are the Zildjian ZDT series? They are rated much higher than the Sabian B8's, and some have an "extra free" cymbal included...?

The B8's got an abysmal rating from one guy, said they were crap, actually said the ride was unusable...

[DTBlalock]

Well, I have B8's and personally love them. I've used the ZBT's at a friends house and the ride seems to be good, the crash is gongy and and the high hats are tin canny like. The guy that left the review for the B8's is probably a guy whos been a drummer for 7 years thats buying them for a practice set, thats used to his Zildjian A series.

[DTBlalock]

Take a look at them individually:

crash/ride
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...441368/rpp=10/

and

hi-hats
http://www.music123.com/Sabian-B8-Hi-Hats-i56243.music

these are the same cymbals, just in a pack. Looks like a 4/5 on average. Not bad for a starter.

[cobradenim]

I suggest looking for a used set in the paper or on ebay. You can always sell them again for about what you purchased them for if he looses interest.

[Warhead]

+1 on the used set, try for some mahogany drums as they typically cost 1/3 of maple but have very similar sound for the most part (mahogany actually having better low end sound to me).

On the cheap end, I've found SONOR (no matter what wood they use) to have very good sounding toms which is the toughest part of a kit to get right many times. Even the cheap SONOR toms just sing compared to others costing more in my experience.

TAMA has great hardware which is something to consider, their mahogany kits ain't bad.

War

[Farview]

The differences between the entry level kits from different brand will most likely be the package. I am assuming that they are all made in the same factory in Korea, by the same people, out of the same Korean Goofwood. Just go for the best price, don't worry about the brand.

[Drummerdude1989]

im ganna have to go with those people who said to buy a used set. I got my pearl export with cymbals and everything used for around 450, and i love it, great to start with.

[bullmomma]

Check out this link: Sonor Blowout. These guys are blowing out SONOR 503 kits for $299. Includes hardware, drums, and throne. That leaves you with about $150 for cymbals... You should be able to get a pack for that.

[Bulls Hit]

Think about it from a guitarist's point of view.

If they both cost around the same, would you rather have a brand new Epiphone LesPaul or a 2nd hand Gibbo LP?

[branded]

Originally Posted by cellardweller

Thanks to all.

How are the Zildjian ZDT series? They are rated much higher than the Sabian B8's, and some have an "extra free" cymbal included...?

The B8's got an abysmal rating from one guy, said they were crap, actually said the ride was unusable...

HEY. I have a B8 20" ride, It does sound like shit. The hi-hats are not
bad, I cant comment on the crash cymbals tho I have all hand hammered
crashes.

[Bdrum]

Most kits that have hardware are not including cymbals.
You can easily spend $400 on a cymbal pack thats worth something better than what garbage can lids would produce, but were talking about Drums.If you haven't purchaced anything yet look for used to get everything!
Besides, any Kid younger than 18 will probably put stickers on it anyway!