OK Drummers, I need a beginner set.

[gatorhaus]

I am a guitarist/Amatuer engineer. I am looking to purchase a beginner drum set for my 10 year old son. I dont want to spend $1000 and him not be serious. I've seen some beginner set for under $300, and this is want I was thinking about spending. I was also tossing around the idea of getting a studio set, but was wondering when you guys go into the studio don't you usually bring your own set.

Thanks for all the feedback.
larry

[mikeh]

There are many entry level sets - Pearl Forum, Yamaha YD Series, Tama Swingstar, Mapex V-Series, Ludwig Accent, etc, etc, - however, these are all relatively low grade kits (let's say like a Squire Strat). But, if you put better heads on them (factory shipped heads are normally poor in quality) - you can get them to sound "fair". However, once you add in the cost of a couple of cymbals, a throne, etc you will likely be closer to $500 than $300. Some kits may come with some hi-hat cymbals and maybe a crash'/ride - but these are always terrible sounding cymbals.

If you move up to the next range - Pearl Export, Yamaha Stage Custom, Tama Rockstar, etc - you are at least what I consider the minimum acceptable kit (good for a "weekend warrior" type player). These would compare with say a Mexican Strat. I personnaly think the Yamaha Stage Custom is the best quality/cost kit out there!!!

The lower level kits do not maintain resale value quite as well (example a Pearl Export is probably the most sold kit - so it would be more desriable used than a Forum).

I used to sell drums, and the biggest issue I would discuss with parents looking to buy a set was exactly what you are going through - Is the kid serious? Only you and the kid can figure that out. If you don't think he's serious, get a $300 kit and if he drops it - it's not a major loss. If you think he is fairly serious - and there is a chance he will start jammin' with his buddies within the nex year or two - tale the step up to the weekend warrior kits. In addition, this level of quality kit (at a minimum) - would be better suited for a studio kit.

Regarding studio drums - many studios (maybe most - even the hobby studios) now have a "house set". Most studios prefer to work with a known factor - and once you can get the house kit sounding decent and mic'd properly you can save a couple of hours per session (vs. starting new with someone elses kit). Naturally, most drummers prefer to use "thier kit" and many drummers may try to insist on useing "thier kit". Candidly, some of the kits drummers bring into the studios (in particular younger bands and "demo studios") can be horrible sounding and have more squeeks and pedal noises than any engineer should be asked to deal with.

[gatorhaus]

Thanks mike,

Lots of valuable info, I appreciate your time in answering my question,

One more, how do I spot/find a good drum teacher?

thanks again,
larry

[boose44]

mikeh's right on. Check out

http://www.drumguru.com/aboutbuyingdrumsets.htm

for some more detail and some pricing on sets.

Most music stores will offer instruction, and I think that most of the of the bigger stores and chains have decent enough instructors for a beginner. More a matter of finding someone you like and can gel with.

I'd make sure that it's drumset oriented lessons and not just for snare drum, and ask to talk to the instructor to see what he has to offer. Try using the same criteria you'd use in picking a guitar instructor for a beginner -- attitude, patience, enthusiam, etc..

-bruce

[gatorhaus]

Thanks for the info Bruce,

Very informative website.

larry

[Darthman]

Basically I suggest looking for a good used kit....there are some great deals on really good kits that would sound, and look much better than beginer kits. Ebay is always a good start, but check the pawn shops around.

also check out www.drumcenterforum.com, it's all drummers and they know a lot and could give great advice for a good kit.

Hope this helps.

[gatorhaus]

Thanks Darthman,

I will defintely check out the website

larry

[Rickson Gracie]

i have the ludwig accent 5 piece that i just got for $319 new with the throne included and almost all the cymball stands ( i needed to buy one more.)

even with the factory heads i think it sounds great and i feel i have a pretty good ear. it might not be as durable as the pricier sets but i dont plan on playing out with it so im not really concerned about that. i am sure that if tuned and set up correctly it will sound as good as most mid level drums out there.

[brandonkrause]

i use a ludwig accent 5 piece and i've never complained... although i've put a lot of cash into this set with all hydraulic heads and a new piccolo and double bass pedal and new cymbal stands and all zildjian's. i would say the accent would be the cheapest good set. then a swingstar or something. i think pdp might make an ok beginner set.. i dunno though i haven't needed a set for a while. i would say save your money for a nice set now and you won't complain as much later! also, don't buy cheap cymbals because they WILL bend and crack and break and dent and sound like crap.

[branded]

I think the pearl forums are probably the best "entry level" kit
you can get. With new heads,cymbals and hardware, it's not
a bad kit at all. My pearl forums sound better than my freinds
"Yamaha stage customs" IMO.

[guitar junkie]

well first i would like to say that i am NOT a drummer.
but i do like to know what prices of stuff are on all kinds of stuff and here is what i would do go out and spend $0.75 and buy a newspaper check the adds
i have watched and sometimes you can find a great deal on something through there and like some other guys have said buy used i would rather buy a used high end guitar than a new low end one get my drift?
see what you can dig up used and go with something like that

[mr. monkey]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest what may well be an unpopular notion – that it doesn't really matter what you buy him. As long as it looks cool, and doesn't fall apart.

Keep in mind that the greatest rock and roll recordings EVER, (Beatles, Zeppelin, etc.) were made on drum kits that, by today's exacting standards, completely sucked. That matters little when you isten to Ringo, though. Or, those "squeaks" from Bonham's pedals, they add a timeless character to the mix. Make sure that whatever you buy him, he thinks it looks cool. That's what made the greats want to keep playing - girls, the opinions of peers, and essentially looking cool. Don't let any salesman tell you different, or steer you into some exotic hardwood fancy ass high tech unrivaled construction BS. That's all it is. Hooey. Your kid is gonna' be in Jr. High soon, and unless he thinks his kit is cool, he'll never keep playin - trust the opinion of a Middle School teacher/father of 2 boys/drummer of 25+ yrs. I've had expensive kits, and funky old vintage tubs with plenty of crusty character. The best recordings I've ever been a part of, and the kits I still keep around, are the old Slingerlands. Gretches, and Ludwigs. Like it or not, those are the sound of rock-n-roll.

I'm not recommending that you buy a vintage kit - those, unfortunately, would probably put you WAY over your $$$ ceiling. New, I'd probably recommend a DW Pacific EZ kit, or a Pearl Forum kit. Used, Pearl Export or Yamaha entry level stuff - all the way.

Abandon any fantasies about this kit having any lasting value, let alone resale value. Ask him what color he likes, and you're probably on the right track.