How do I shop for a drum set?

[mom2boys]

My budding percussionist has been campagning for a drum set for the past two years. I am considering getting him one for Christmas but don't know how to buy one.
He is 12.5 and entering the 7th grade. He plans to be in marching band in high school. I don't want to buy junk but I don't want to spend any more than I need to. I'm not opposed to a used set. My ebay check left me with more questions than answers. So how much should I anticipate paying? What does he absolutely "have to have"? Anything we should avoid?

 

[ducklite]

Must haves:

Snare
Kick
Floor Tom
High Hat
Crash
Ride
Throne
Drum Key
Spare snare head

Preferable:

A second or even third Tom
One or two more cymbals
Stickbag

Extras:

Double kick
additional Tom's and cymbals

All hardware and sticks goes without saying.

There are a lot of good brands out there. For cymbals, Zildjan has long been the gold standard, although Paiste and Sabian are both excellent as well. With cymbals you get what you pay for, and scrimping on cheaper brands is not going to pay off in the long run.

For the drums, there are a lot of great brands. Pearl was for a long time considered the gold standard, anymore there seem to be several that are on par with them, including Tama, Remo, and Ludwig. DW is a Canadian manufacturer which is becoming super popular with a lot of drummers.

You should plan on spending someplace around $1000 minimum (new) for the basics I listed in the "must haves" list for the lower end of brand name drums.

The best bet is to buy used. Any reputable music store probably has a kit or two for sale. You could also ask your sons music teacher. I would not buy an "off" name. If he decides he's not interested next year, they will be a lot harder to sell.

If you tell me where in MD you are, I can probably get a referal to a reputable music store, and possibly even find someone looking to sell a "practice kit." Too bad he wasn't a guitarist, I know of a great deal on a barely used amp that a pro guitarist is looking to sell.

Anne

 

[GeorgeG]

Get someone who knows what they are doing to go with you. Maybe his teacher can help. There are so many brands and levels within brands and gadgets and gizmos that you could spend a fortune and still have crap.

If the teacher can't go with you, a recommendation of a reputable dealer. ducklite pretty much nailed it for you. Get a fairly decent quality starter set and build from there if the interest is still there next year.

 

[lindalinda]

I bought my sons first drum set on ebay. It was an HB set, bass, snare, floor tom , 12 inch tom (I think) and cymbals set. He learned on this set and it was not very expensive (I'm thinking around 300-400$). We have replaced lots of stuff on it, but the basic set is still the same. The drums heads have to be replaced fairly regularly, this would be true of any set I think. Replacing these is not expensive, depends on size from 15-30$ usually. Bass heads are more expensive to replace. We have also replaced most of the stands over time. Bass pedals are one of those..you get what you pay for things. The one that comes with the set was fairly low quality, and we have since bought a good one. The same for the cymbals. We upgraded to Z rock cymbals and the cost was almost as much as the drum set!

Basically, why I am telling you this is...you can get a basic inexpensive drum set, and if your son , and if it becomes the love of his life.....birthday and christmas presents are planned out for years to come!

 

[Moustermind]

How do you shop for a drum set?














Beat it! Just beat it.....

Sorry, couldn't resist!

 

[Devil_Dog99]

When shopping for a drum kit, it is important to look around - you will never know when you can 'snare' a deal................................