Drum Sets

As with buying any musical instrument, there are many factors to consider when purchasing a drum set.  The skill level, genre of music, and price range are three of many different factors that can affect a final purchase.

For the Beginner

For first-time players, it is especially important to purchase a suitable drum kit  that will help the player to learn easily, provide room to expand, and be cost-effective -- as many drum kits can run from around $200  up to $5,000. 

Many high-end brands sell affordable drum sets for beginners. Included in most beginner kits are one snare drum,  one tom-tom,  one floor tom,  a bass drum,  alongside a hi-hat  and crash cymbal.  These models are usually no more than $300 dollars, and provide the beginner with a no-frills method of practice and education.

Finding the Brand that is Right for You

Many options are available for the first-time buyer. Many music stores offer a "store-brand" model that, although it comes without a brand-name, will be both durable, expandable, and affordable. Online retailers offer base models that allow the player to learn on an affordable set, and to also upgrade to more expensive hardware. Online auction sites also provide the novice player with the opportunity to purchase an affordable kit.

Though these beginner sets may not have the tonal quality of high-end brands and custom kits, they provide the player with an opportunity to learn proper techniques  and style without breaking the bank. These models also demonstrate the importance of proper maintenance of equipment, as some low-end models require routine maintenance and care from the user. The starter models provide many lessons to the novice, both in drumming form, and instrument maintenance.

For the Experienced Student

Once the beginning student becomes familiar with basic drum-kit technique, it may become necessary to upgrade aspects of the drum kit. Depending on the chosen style of playing, the experienced student may opt for a rock,  jazz,  standard,  or fusion-style  drum set, depending on the appropriate genre of music played.  There are many affordable models that cater to individual playing styles, and musical genres.


Finding the Type that is Right for You

The genre played now becomes important in the purchase of a new drum set. Many genres require specific types of drumming, and the sets used must accommodate the player. While personal preference and comfort is still the most important factor in deciding on the right drum set, it is important to consider the genre of music which for which the kit will be used.

For Jazz Drumming:

Many options exist for the beginning jazz drummer, and personal preference plays a large part in the final decision in constructing a kit. Most jazz drum sets consist of four drums: a snare, tom-tom, floor tom, and bass drum, alongside a ride, hi-hat, and crash cymbal. These drums are usually smaller than standard pieces, making them easier to transport and set up in small bars and clubs. Though the sizes of the drums tend to vary, a potential buyer might want to begin with these measurements:

• Bass Drum: 18" 
• Snare Drum: 14" 
• Rack Tom-Tom: 12" 
• Floor Tom-Tom: 16" 

Many different retailers cater to the needs of the jazz drummer. As with all percussion, chosen dimensions come from personal preferences, and pieces can be bought separately. However, pre-assembled jazz kits can be purchased from nearly any well-known percussion brand. Brands such as Ludwig,  Mapex,  Tama, all sell basic kits tailored toward the jazz drummer.

Factors to Consider when Shopping:

• Size vs. Tone. If the potential buyer is looking for a kit that can be transported to gigs easily, then size  may be more important than the volume and tone of a jazz kit. While many kits attempt to deliver the greatest amount of tone for size, some kits may sacrifice sound for portability. The best way to find a happy medium between tone and size would come from playing many different sets that vary in size.

• Different woods create different tones. For soft jazz, one may want a wood that produces a softer tone. For free-jazz, a bright, loud kit may be preferred. For any type of jazz, wood is a large factor in deciding which kit makes for the best purchase.

For Rock Drumming:

Nothing is off-limits for the Rock drummer, as any piece of percussion that can fit on a drum rack can be incorporated into the player's set. Rock sets tend to be more prevalent, and come in varying sizes as base models. Where jazz kits tend to be smaller for easy transport, rock drum sets tend to be larger in order to produce a larger sound. In these sets, there is usually a snare drum, two rack Tom-toms, one floor tom, and one bass drum. Many common sets include drums with these measurements:

• Bass drum: 22" 
• Snare drum: 12" 
• Rack tom-tom: 13" 
• Floor tom-tom: 16" 

Where many jazz kits usually have only two to three cymbals, rock sets tend to have many more, with a hi-hat, a ride, and many crash cymbals of differing dimensions. When purchasing a rock set, there are two standard setups, standard  and fusion.  Standard sets are usually bigger, producing a large, broad sound. The wide dimensions of standard-sized tom-toms open the sound of the drum set, and help the player to stand out musically. Fusion sets are typically smaller, and allow the player to move easily between different drums, lending the player to greater speed and dexterity. Many of the drums have smaller dimensions, allowing them to fit closer together.

As with any drum set, the type of wood used is a large factor one should consider when shopping for a new drum set. Among the many woods used to construct drums, maple  and birch  remain the most popular. Maple wood tends to lend to a softer sound, where birch wood creates a crisp, louder sound. Other woods, such as mahogany  and basswood, all create different sound as well, but are often more expensive as they are less common, and are not always available in pre-assembled kits.

Wood becomes a very important aspect in the decision-making process when purchasing a snare drum. Metal snare drums  create a loud, crisp sound that often stands out against the rest of the drum set. Wooden snare drums,  however provide a softer, mellower sound that some players prefer. As with all pieces in a kit, the chosen construction depends on the style of music played.

Factors to Consider When Shopping:

• The specific type of rock plays an important role in the chosen kit. If speed, volume, and power are more important than finesse and dynamics, then the buyer should consider the different dimensions available. Drums with larger dimensions provide more volume, but may not offer the same tone as a drum with smaller dimensions.

• Different woods create different tones. Choose the type of wood carefully, as every wood has different qualities. Though maple  and birch  are the most common, woods such as mahogany  and basswood create different tones that the player may be interested in exploring. Each wood has different traits that lend themselves to different playing styles and musical genres.

• Explore different kit setups. While standard rock  kits allow the player to expand the number of drums included in the set, such expansion may come at the expense of speed and dexterity. Fusion  kits provide the player with greater dexterity, but may do so at the expense of volume. The potential buyer should try many different kit setups in order to discern which fits their playing style best.

• Try not to gravitate towards the first kit that's aesthetically appealing. If a kit is in the corner of a room, the low end will be accentuated, and thus you may be tricked into thinking that your drums have too much bass. If a kit is in the open, the reverse may happen, and you may be convinced that a kit is lacking low end. Be your own judge.

For the Player Looking to Upgrade:

Every percussion company sells separate pieces for the drummer looking to upgrade, or create a custom kit. If one is looking to replace an entire kit, a shell pack  is an affordable choice for the player that already has the required hardware from a previous set. Shell packs include only the drum shells, and the hardware used to secure drum heads. With shell packs, the buyer is able to save money on hardware, as only the drums come as a part of the package.

Custom Drums

A player looking to upgrade may also consider buying custom-made drums. Many manufacturers have custom-shops that provide the player with the opportunity to build a custom piece. These manufacturers are often smaller, but give the customer the opportunity to fully customize their order. Companies like Orange County Drum and Percussion, DW Drums,  and Pork Pie Drums  all work with customers on an individual basis to create fully-customized pieces, or entire sets.

External Links

eBay Buying Guide - Another thorough guide that outlines many important factors of the decisionmaking process. A thorough guide for anyone looking to purchase a new drum set

Musician's Friend - A great buying guide from one of the internet's largest retailers of musical instruments and equipment.