drumset question..............

  • Thread starter Thread starter tom18222
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If tuned properly and with good heads, you can get most any drum set to sound okay. This particular one is a very low-end beginner set. The shells are basswood (a very soft wood) and the hardware is too flimsy for heavy playing. For $400 you can do much better. Check out some used kits at Guitar Center. Some of the cheaper Tama kits are good. There is a small "gig-sized" kit from Groove Percussion that is solid maple shells and it's only $400 but it's a 4 piece kit with a small kick drum (great sound though).
Shop around a bit. Ludwig is a GREAT company, but this is not their finest hour.
 
I don't rountinely price low end kits - but $399 for a 5 piece kit with double braced hardware sounds like a reasonable price. Basswood is standard on low end kits - and you probably can't expect a better wood at that price.

Basswod tends to be a loud, bright sound, lacking the mid/low end of woods like birch and maple - so, the kit will likely cut (good for live) but will lack the warmth desired in recording.

You will likely have to invest in better batter heads at least for the toms - and I would suggest 2-ply to help warm up the tone (the stock heads tend to be crappy sounding single ply) - so add that to your cost. Also, the cymbals that come with the kit will very likely sound like crap - and you will almost immediately want better cymbals......so add that to you cost as well. Note: New heads and better cymbals would be an expected cost with any low end kit.

So....if you're just looking for something to bang on and maybe to develop some basic drum chops.....you may be satisfied with the stickkit. But, if your goal is to have a recording kit, you will find yourself wanting to make at least the upgrades I've mentioned.

Do you have access to any stores.....in particular stores that sell used gear? Or do your local newspapers or community papers have "used items" sections? Your could probably find better used gear....for not much more than you would pay for new low end gear.
 
i live in boston, so yes to all those questions


how about a tama rockstar?
 
I owned a Tama Rockstar kit and they are pretty good. Nothing special, but they were rugged and tuned up well. I used to use it for travelling around to play in the sleazier gigs.
It served me well.
 
id say DEFFINATLY spend an extra hundred and get a tama rockstar, that is a great starting kit, and perfect for rock. The other one you posted, it looks like garbage to me...not to be an asshole. So i think that the extra $100 would go such a long way, and make your drumming experience a ton better and easier.
 
yea tom, that deal looks pretty darn good, just hope it is in good condition, what makes it good to me is the fact that hes including cymbals.

that catalina kit above is also a reaaally good deal. i really dont think you could go wrong with either!
 
Everybody said:
yea tom, that deal looks pretty darn good, just hope it is in good condition, what makes it good to me is the fact that hes including cymbals.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I agree. The real selling point is that it comes with some metal. Even if it's not good grade metal, it'll give you something to play on until you can afford better. Brand new, a Tama Rockstar shell kit can be had on sale for the holidays for about $500 or less so it had better be good quality for that. I bought my 6 piece Rockstar kit used (and a bit worn) at Guitar Center in 2002 for $125. But I cleaned it up and tuned it up nice. Check them out.
 
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