General Music Chat

I'm looking at buying my first drum set. I would consider myself a beginner/intermediate player although only practicing on an electric set. My main concern is whether it's worth the money buying and building my set from a store, or buying from a private party. Seeing as how it seems that I'd have to buy cymbals and hardware separately if buying from a store. Even though I'm pretty green, I'd like 4 toms and at least as many cymbals. Any thoughts or am I just thinking too much?

The type of drums you buy is determined by "EXACTLY" how many dollars you have to spend on drums.

If you have a exact dollar amout I can give you advice on a couple of drum sets.

Or we can guess till the cows come in.

If your intent is professional level sound ... buy the very best you can't afford.

And no that is not a typo.

Not encouraging irresponsible spending ... but if you get the best you will ever need, you will never have to upgrade.

This is just "general" advice from an economic and logistic stand point.

Good equipment is mandatory, and the most expensive is not always the best.

Can I be any more confusing ? Probably not.

You can buy a $500.00 set now and a year from now buy another better for $800.00
Or buy that $1200.00 set now and be set, as well as save time. money and frustration.

Ok, based on your quoted price I have one recommendation

TAMA ROCKSTAR

When you buy your crash and ride cymbals do not buy a boxed set.
Go to a music store where they will let you set them up together. Crash them in unison. If you get a strange resonating frequency "you will hear it" keep trying different combinations untill they crash with a sweet sound.

If you happin to run into some extra cash then buy LUDWIG EPIC's

Now remember, this is based on NEW drums.

Hope this helps.

Buying Drums with Chaeya:

Pick a couple sets that have the prettiest shade of glitter, drag them into the DJ room at Guitar Center and pick the one that reflects all the pretty colors.

Next week, we'll discuss buying wine.

Chaeya

Buying Drums with Chaeya:

Pick a couple sets that have the prettiest shade of glitter, drag them into the DJ room at Guitar Center and pick the one that reflects all the pretty colors.

Next week, we'll discuss buying wine.

Chaeya

Do I detect some witty sarcasm??

RG. Those are some helpful tips. AS USUAL. Thanks.

RG wins the best answer. TAMA Rockstar. I bought a Swingstar when they came out, but they no longer make them.

I'll go as far as to say that TAMA is the best company for versatility hands down. They're the Marshall, or the Chevy of drums.

CHEVY ???

Does that mean they spend more time in the shop than the studio ??


Just jerkin yer chain man ... oh and


BUY FORD ... if they make drums

CHEVY ???

Does that mean they spend more time in the shop than the studio ??


Just jerkin yer chain man ... oh and


BUY FORD ... if they make drums

FORD? Oh, those would be Pearl drums.

I've kept out of this, not being a drummer...but from my limited experience around players, i've seen damned good bangs on TAMA kits. Not just good bang for the buck, either. Good sound all around, & road-worthy kits.

I would also have to agree with RG. My current rig is a TAMA Superstar Custom and I love it. As several folks have posted, it does depend on your budget. If you want a good, professional sounding kit, you will be spending some money. I would also add that drum heads play a major role in how your drums sound so you will want to also consider custom heads. (Evans, Remo, or Acquarian) DO NOT purchase your kit from an online store such as Guitar Center or Muscian's Friend! Buying small items like sticks or even heads are o.k. to do online, but the best way to find the kit for you is to go to a drum shop and actually sit down and play one. All this being said, for an entry level rig I would suggest the following:
TAMA (Imperial Star)
Pacific Drums (from Drum Workshop)
Mapex (Horizon or Meridian series)
Ludwig (Accent or Element series)

Good luck

It seems Tama keeps coming up. Any reason that would validate this?

Seems that drums are the most difficult instrument to truck around.

Maybe that is why great drummers are harder to find than pink piccolo players.

It seems Tama keeps coming up. Any reason that would validate this?

If you look at Tama's hardware on the rockstar as opposed to the other company's you will notice right away that it is designed to be more road worthy and not so much great studio sound. I always hear about drummers breaking ludwig and pearl parts. I toured Japan with Tama Rockstars for a couple of years because they were cheap and I didn't care if they ever made it back to the states. They took tons of abuse and never let me down. My Old Ludwigs and a friend of mine' Pearl set seemed to always have issues with bolts stripping but never on the Tama's.