by OZinOH
For the very first time, purchasing a drum set can be an overwhelming experience. Drum sets come with a wide variety of components and budgets, making it difficult to choose what you need from what you don’t and to understand the differences between drum set brands and cost choices.
The most important factors to consider when obtaining a drum set are brand, cost, the number of drum pieces needed/desired, the appearance of the drum set, and, of course, the sound quality of the drum set.
Drumming is an expensive instrument to play, especially when you factor in the hardware, cymbals, accessories, and the cost of the drum set itself. A hot 5-piece kit can cost you between $500 to $800, or you could purchase a used drum kit for $200 to $400, depending on the brand. Expect to pay an additional $500 to $800 for all other hardware, cymbals, and accessories that do not come with the drum set.
When starting out, you may consider purchasing a used drum set through your local classifieds, Craigslist.org, or your regional music shop. Buying a used drum set is much cheaper, but you will want to inspect it for any breaks or broken hardware. If you buy a used drum set, you may have to purchase new drum heads for the set, which can cost up to $200 if the drum heads need to be replaced.
Most drum sets come as a 5-piece set: the bass drum, snare drum, floor tom, and 2 rack toms. Some packages also include a snare stand, cymbals, cymbal stands, and a throne, but be sure to check with the seller as to what is included, especially if you are purchasing a drum set online. Most drum sets do not include cymbals, which can be expensive, costing $200 to $400 per cymbal, and high-hat cymbals, which can run anywhere from $100 to $200.
You will also want to ensure that you do not purchase drum components that you do not need. There are a variety of “extras,” but if you are just starting out as a drummer, it is not necessary to have 2 crash cymbals, a splash cymbal, and five tom-toms. Start with the bare minimum if cost is an important factor. If you are a beginner, too many pieces of drum equipment can be overwhelming, even if you can afford them.
In addition to buying the drum set, you will need a “throne,” or drum seat, a high-hat stand and high-hat cymbals, a bass drum kick pedal, 1 ride cymbal and stand, 1 crash cymbal and stand, a snare drum stand, and, of course, drum sticks. Yes, purchasing a drum set can get quite expensive!
A few brands of drum sets you may want to consider are Ddrums, Pearl, Percussion Plus, Tama, and Yamaha. Ddrums and Percussion Plus tend to be on the lower end of the cost scale, with Pearl and Yamaha on the higher end and Tama in the mid-range. With different brands, you can choose the color, finish, and type of wood. The type of wood you choose will play an important role in the sound quality and type of sound you’re looking for.
When purchasing a kick pedal for the bass drum, stick to a higher-end brand, such as DW, Yamaha, or Pearl. These higher-quality brands tend to last much longer. Cheaper brands may break or bend more easily.
When buying a modern drum set, you need to purchase two types of cymbals – the crash cymbal and the ride cymbal. The crash cymbal makes the sound you hear after and in-between certain song components (for emphasis), as well as during high-energy song components. The ride cymbal usually carries, or “rides” the song through the chorus, although both cymbals may serve different purposes and be combined in creative ways.
You also need a pair of high-hat cymbals. High-hats create the “tss tss” sound and are controlled by a foot pedal located on the high-hat stand, in addition to being hit with drum sticks or brushes.
Drum cymbals are made by different manufacturers who each produce cymbals with different sounds. Take your time choosing cymbals and test out the sounds of each one by playing them in the music shop to find the sound you prefer. Good brands of cymbals include Zildjian, Alesis, Paiste, and Sabian.
If you are having a difficult time choosing which drum set to purchase, many local music shops offer drum set rentals – take a test drive on a few different sets to ensure you are buying the drum set that is right for you.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME
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You’re right that brands like Pearl and Yamaha can be quite expensive (still for good quality). But if you buy online, you can cut save a lot of money by following these tips:
Buying a drum set is huge for beginner drummers. This is why i advice beginners to do some research before buying. Thanks for the article.