A drum set should be purchased ONLY when you or your child are serious about the instrument. Buying a drum set is an expensive and daunting task that can be very confusing with all the brands, types, sizes, levels, configurations and accessories. When the time comes to take the leap, I am here to provide advice and offer help.
Much like automobile manufacturers, drum manufacturers offer many makes and models which include different series within the models. The main three series offered from the major drum companies are Beginning, Intermediate and Professional. Beginning kits and Intermediate level kits are mass produced and are therefore cheaper than their handmade, Professional counterparts. Sticking to a reputable company means even their Beginning level series will be of good quality. I've been playing Yamaha drums since 1986 and have never had a problem with their sound or quality. Other reputable companies include: Pearl, Tama, Gretcsh, Sonor, Ludwig, Mapex and PDP. I recommend steering clear of the cheap sets offered for $200-$300. A good Beginning or Intermediate series set should run between $500 and $1000 new.
I recommend buying a 5 piece drum set to start out with. Most of the companies I mentioned above offer their Beginning and Intermediate series sets in a 5 piece configuration. This refers to the number of drums in the set and not the cymbals, hardware or other accessories. A 5 piece drum set includes a bass drum, snare drum, two mounted toms and a floor tom. When purchasing a 5 piece kit, it should include the following hardware: snare stand, hi hat stand, crash cymbal stand, mounted tom holder, ride cymbal stand and bass drum pedals. Drum thrones and cymbals typically are not included when buying a new set. I'll touch on cymbals a little later.
The main two configurations that are available when purchasing a 5 piece set are Standard and Fusion. This refers to the diameter and depths of the drums. Standard sized kits have larger sized toms (12", 13" and 16") whereas Fusion sized kits have smaller toms (10", 12" and 14".) Usually Standard kits have a floor tom with legs and Fusion kits have a mounted floor tom. The bottom line here is personal preference. I recommend going to a large music store like Guitar Center or Sam Ash and playing some of their drums to get a feel for the difference. You can also base your decision on what your favorite drummer plays! One is not better or worse than the other.
Wood type plays a huge role in drum sound. The two most popular wood types are maple and birch. Maple offers a resonant, warm sound and birch provides a more controlled sound with focused attack and low end. Oak and other more exotic woods are also offered but usually not in the Beginning and Intermediate series. Some of the lower series drums offer sets with mixed wood types. If the set is from a reputable manufacturer and provides the desired sound, that is all that matters. Personal preference again is key in the decision making process.
The two types of finishes on drum sets are wraps and lacquers. Wraps are a laminate that are glued to the drum shell whereas lacquered shells are stained and finished with a clear coat. Lacquered sets tend to cost more due to the manufacturer's costs in making them. Wrapped sets can come unglued and warp if left out in the sun but they can resist dings better than a lacquered set. Lacquered sets look beautiful, but can scratch and ding easier. Personal preference plays a huge role in deciding your first drum set's color and finish.
Cymbals also come in different makes, models and series. I recommend a good entery level cymbal pre-pack from a reputable company like Zildjian, Sabian or Paiste. It should include 14" hi hats, a 16" crash cymbal and a 20" ride cymbal. Additonal cymbals and stands can be purchased as add-ons later! Typically a decent cymbal pre-pack runs just under $300.
Many of my students have had great luck purchasing used kits from places like Craigslist. They have been able to get Intermediate series sets with everything included for the price they would have paid for a new Beginning series set. I always have them send me the links to new or used sets for me to check out to see if it is a good deal or not.
The more informed you are when buying your first set, the better your chances of avoiding buyer's regret. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact me!
