how to start...

E-rock · 06-02-2007, 06:26 PM

well, im looking into buying my first set. im a beginner, but i have played and i definitely have played alot. i know its something im goning to put time into so i dont want something that will fall apart. i play a friends pulse set and i definitely dont want to go that direction. the other set i play is put together of all different companies. i played a yamaha once

ive looked at ludwig, pearl, ddrum, tama, yamaha and sonor and havent found anything that i can set my mind on.

anyways, im looking to buy but i need some guidance. anyone insterested in helping me, comment below. thanks!

bobthecockroach · 06-02-2007, 07:09 PM

What's your budget? I'm not a drummer, but this is still the first question to ask.

E-rock · 06-02-2007, 10:12 PM

well, 630.00 is prolly my budget.

i was kinda thinkin bout gettin a set without cymbals and buyin them seperate but i dunno if its a good idea.

Soap · 06-02-2007, 10:47 PM

I think it is a better idea to buy cymbals separately. I am not a drummer, but i've advised my bands drummer in many purchases and thats just my $.02

**Rainer.** · 06-02-2007, 11:04 PM

Definitely get cymbals seperate if you want quality. That is, unless you buy a used set that already has a good set of cymbals.

E-rock · 06-03-2007, 08:43 PM

fair enough. thats kinda what i thought. does anybody have any suggestions about a set to go with?

**Rainer.** · 06-03-2007, 08:46 PM

I'd look at some quality brands, in addition to those you've considered, there are also Mapex and Pacific, a couple of very nice brands.

If you go used, or even new, consider that new heads are a huge part of getting good sound. I have a cheap Pulse set, not great by any stretch, but with a set of new, tuned heads, it sounds decent.

E-rock · 06-04-2007, 03:14 PM

very well. is hardware something to be worried about?

Insane Drummer · 06-04-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E-rock

very well. is hardware something to be worried about?

Yes. If you see a kit advertised as a "shell pack" that means you get no hardware. You are going to need at least 1 cymbal stand (most likely 2), snare stand, hi-hat stand, throne, and bass pedal.

I would look into Taye RockPro (pardon the cheesiness of RockPro). From my experience, recommendations, and every review I have read these are high quality drums for low-end prices.

That or look for something from Yamaha, Mapex, or Ludwig. I would avoid Tama and Pearl for first kits, they are nice kits and reliable brands but I find that you are partly paying for a name.

Although, the used market is generally flooded with like-new Pearl Forum and Export series kits.

As far as cymbals go, I would avoid starting with Zildjian, as lower end Zildjians are highly prone to cracking.

E-rock · 06-04-2007, 06:56 PM

i had been looking at taye! they are my favorite, just a little outta my range, especially if i want cymbals too.

i like ddrum too, but a lot of people i talk to say the lower end models are prone to falling apart (and not just the hardware lol). i found new pearl export with all the essentials (i.e. 3 cymbal stands, cymbals, throne..) for 450. is that a good deal?

for the cymbals, im liking paistes. is that ok?

Insane Drummer · 06-05-2007, 10:12 AM

Exports are going for $450 now?

Back when I was shopping around they wre between $500-600. My warning against Tama and Pearl was mostly from price, I guess that is no longer the case?

I would say that is quite a deal. Paiste's are good, a decent set would run $200-250ish. You may be looking at around $700 here, but you would be getting some good stuff.

E-rock · 06-05-2007, 07:04 PM

yeah, the paiste set i want is on sale for $175. those exports are on sale too. they usually are $630.

im either going to get the exports ($450), ddrum diablo($399), or a ludwig accent.

which one of those three would you pick?

adamisrad · 06-06-2007, 01:42 AM

The Pearl Export is a solid kit, and at 450...probably the best value. I wouldn't go for the ddrum. It might look cool now, but in a few years you'll wish you hadn't.

Insane Drummer · 06-06-2007, 11:25 AM

The Export is the only one of those I really familiar with. I remember having tried out the Accent once, but not much about it. That tells me it wasn't great (I would have remembered that) and it wasn't flawed (I woulud have remembered that.)

I would take the Export.

E-rock · 06-10-2007, 09:32 PM

and now, the price on the exports is 399. new, with even more free stuff than usual.

that is definitely going to make me get them =).