Drum Kit for a Beginner (and his not-so-much beginner Dad)

Hi all,

My son who is 11 has been playing drums in the school band for a year and a half now. He's loving it. I recently walked into his room the other day and saw him with his two practice pads arranged as the high-hat and snare - along with his plastic garbage can hanging from a lamp in lieu of a ride cymbal! SO, I think it is time i start thinking about getting him a kit (I played through middle and high school as well, so, I might be a little biased in wanting to get him a kit!!! .

Anyway, where do I start. I don't want to spend a ton just yet as I am not sure this will be a hobby that will stick for him. I have considered electronic vs. acoustic - any advice on that topic?

If acoustic - does anybody have good recommendations on reasonable starter sets? I don't want a crappy kit that will not spur his interest, but, again, probably dont want to break the bank at this point until I know he's going to keep playing.

Thanks in advance for any advice/feedback...

That's awesome that your son is so into his playing. I've got a student like that who is about your son's age, and it's exciting to see them having so much fun with it.

Question: are you going to want to play at the same time as your son and teach him? You may want to consider the Ludwig Epic modular 7pc setup. It can be setup as a full single bass kit, a double bass kit, or two smaller 3 and 4 piece kits.

If you aren't looking to do that with him, then I say look for a deal on a used set, maybe on your local Craigslist. If you tell us what geographical area you're in, we'll be happy to look at your local listings and make recommendations.

Not to hijack, but that modular kit looks like a great idea for teachers, two drummer bands, father/kid households, etc. I have no use for it but kudos to Ludwig.

Ive never seen that Ludwig set before. That is pretty cool.

Also check out DDRUM's Dominion/AMX Series. Pretty well built and good sounding drums for the price! and they have some nice finishes.

agogo, I wonder how many of your 1800+ posts are simply that link?

the drumbuyingguide is very helpful and useful. That whole site is like a bible for new drummers. For the most part, any basic set from a brand name maker that you knew from back in the day will be a decent starter kit today. (Ludwig, Tama, Gretch, Yamaha, Pearl) and some new guys (PDP or Pacific drums by DW (made in Mexico) Mapex, etc)

Yes on getting used because is very easy to find used sets with better cymbals at prices that rival new entry line sets with new entry line cymbals. Also please be aware that you are not alone! Can ALWAYS post on here what sets you're looking at or post links to Craigslist or such sets and get our opinions okay?

Electronic drums that are somewhat decent are pricey, even the best elec. drums are hard to get ghost notes (hard then subtle hits) dynamics (hard then soft then hard hits) rimshots (hitting just the rim or the rim and head at the same time) Buzzrolls (fast LLRRLLLRRLLRRR or RLRLRLRLRLRLR type stuff) and elec. cymbals are like a driver simulator compared to real driving. Also except at the higher end, is hard to find different drum sounds, BUT can also find better elec. sets used for a good price as well!

yes, cheap elec drums will work for something to bang on and make decent noise, but is much better to get acoustic drums and muffle and tame before that. Only to mean that an acoustic player can adapt to elec drums easier than a elec drummer can to an acoustic set.

Are you and him into the same type of music? Basic cymbals can be a starting point, but cymbal packs are a very much an "off the rack" kind of thing and most often do not fit what most drummers are looking for, new or not. Cymbals can cost just as much as the set and almost more important, a cheap set with good heads, hardware and pedals and good cymbals can sound better than an expensive set with okay cymbals. BUT CYMBALS are very much like shoes, they have to fit YOU first! and as always.....it's the guy behind the set that can make a set sound good or bad. go shop around, hit some stuff WITH your son, find the sounds you like first!!

Just like it's NOT NIKE that makes you run faster, it's the runner, and it's not the crappy Japanese 70's kit, it's the freaking drummer that makes it sound awesome, Hope this helps and let us know what you're looking at. Hope this helps!!

Hey everybody...

Thanks a TON for your feedback. Has been very helpful. I do have a quick question on a particular drum kit. What are your thoughts on Sonar? I am looking at an entry level beginner kit for my son - the Sonar Force 507. Some of the guys at a local drum shop suggested it. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance again...

Craigslist, craigslist, craigslist. My local one has had some deals lately. There was a five piece Tama Rockstar kit with new Remo heads all around, complete with decent hardware and cymbals (crash x2/ride/hi-hat, all about Sabian B8 Pro level) for $350. Another guy was selling a complete Pearl export pro 5 piece with nice Meinl and Sabian AAX brass for $575.

Good point on Craigslist. Here are a few craigslist posts in my area. Any recommendations on any of these? It is for my son who is just learning to play.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/msg/1460029093.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/msg/1478399378.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/msg/1479678937.html (just the acoustic kit)

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/msg/1479691594.html

agogo, I wonder how many of your 1800+ posts are simply that link?

there were a LOT more than didn't carry over from before HC's collapse way back when ... you missed those!

Considering what you've observed your son doing already, I wouldn't hestitate buying him a kit. When parents are unsure of spending the money, I have a local music store that will rent you a kit with the rental going towards the purchase. You might check around locally to see if anyone will do the same.

You are almost required by law, in your position, to buy used. It's a buyer's market, and it's always a buyer's market for drums. They're too loud to play in the house, and too big to stuff under the bed when they're not being used. The 'net is flooded with drums at all levels, particularly starter to intermediate kits, at well under half of usual retail.

That said, and as noted, drums are loud, totally, impolitely loud. There is no good time for drum practice in a neighborhood, only less bad times. Electric kits are either a poor substitute, or extraordinarily expensive, and a mediochre substitute. Upkeep can be expensive on acoustic drums. Heads are pricey, and want to change a couple times a year or so. Cymbals break, and even so-so plates are $150ish new.

So anyway, whatever you get will probably have to be heavily muted to get much playing time, which will ruin the sound. I'd go with a used intermediate kit, a PDP MX or LX, Sonor 3007?2007/x00x, Gretsch Catalina, Yamaha Stage Custom, Tama Superstar, etc etc etc.

If you're patient and not into specifics, you can hit a serious deal. I got a Tama Starclassic Performer double-bass 7-piece, with five Zildjians (not their crap series either), and all hardware but a throne and pedals, for $1000. New, that would be north of $3500, maybe close to $4k.

that PDP is a really nice kit, has more drums and cymbals than pictured and is along the lines of a more intermediate kit. the Pearl Forum is a true entry level kit, nice for something to bang on but is not quite as nice as the Pearl Visons or the Exports. If I remember right the Forums were made to replace the Exports but Cheaper, the Visions were made to compete with the Yamaha Stage Customs and Tama Rockstars?? Don't quote me on all this.

Man for $1000 I would go ahead and get BOTH the acoustic and elec drums. Roland is the top dog in elec drums. Even though the TD 3 is a basic elec model, could have the best of both worlds right there! Son could play the acoustic drums during the day and elec at night, or you could play one set and let him play the other and boom, you're both jamming together!

Also what would REALLY help us help you is to define what style of music son and you play and what you're wanting a set for. For harder rock or metal I would tend to say get the bigger sizes and deeper snares. Of course heads and tuning make a huge difference in sound as well so don't get too caught up in sizes. Plus are you wanting a set he can use for band or gigging later on when he gets into high school and after?? Are you wanting to play his set as well and play gigs outside the home later on? Is this just a hobby thing for you and you want to also help him have just a real set at home to practice with?

Bottom line: IF he's been playing for a year already and going to lengths to use trash cans hanging from lamps, he's ready for a set and will most likely stick to it. Calls those places on CL and go look at the sets, take your son with you, both of you go look at music stores and hit stuff. I would say use this as a teachable moment and as a way for you both to bond. Used would be a great way to find a better set for a better price.

But even a basic set where he doesn't have to pretend would rock his world I bet. Just watch what he goes for and only buy what you can afford. I'm guessing you want to not say anything and just spring it on him, but it may be better to take him shopping with you (from your description of him, he seems to know what he's wanting) Sounds like you're great dad for even wanting to help him out. You don't have to go into major debt and it seems that just a basic set would do, but with both of you talking and discussing, sounds like he can get a good set that you both can play around on.

PS that older Tama Birch set is great set as well, it may not have all the newer hardware stuff but I bet it has a classic sound to it. Sometimes it's like old cars, they just don't make them like they used to. Good luck and hope this helps!

Could be just me, but that Tama set looks like a great deal. Definitely something he could hang on to for quite a while.

Of the four listed, I'd say the PDP is your best bet.

I started with HB predator series drums, which I still use now and they aren't terrible for a starter set. Also, Mapex are great.

Hey everybody....

I have a guy who wants to sell a Pearl Forum kit for like $350 with Pearl Hi-Hat cymbals and a Cambran(?) ride. Havent seen it outside of pictures, so, dont know its condition, but, it looks pretty reasonable.

Question I have - how does a Pearl Forum compare to say a Sonar 507 with Meinl cymbals.

Thanks a ton for all your guidance....much appreciated.

Forum = firewood. There is a house kit of Forums in a venue near me that I have reheaded and tuned like there's no tomorrow, to no avail. Junk. Avoid.

And those Camber cymbals are crap as well. Stay away.

LOL...so you're sayin i should stay away from a Pearl Forum?!?! lol.

Though, living in Minnesota at this time of the year, I very well could use the firewood!!

Excellent advice - thanks a ton!

Make sure to sign up for that giveaway from Memphis drum shop too.

Stay away

You need to go and get that PDP kit!! All the other postings on CL have been deleted by the Author. Find something and buy it, just saying this because has been some fine used sets in your area and now they're gone. Study, research about the mid line sets, go and find them and buy when the price meets what you want. Yes can still ask us questions, but as soon as you find something decent without going overboard, get it.

No matter what you get, has got to be better than a trash can on a lamp shade. Search for a set, go out and test drive. make a decision and buy. No need to make a big deal about it, but can't keep waiting. UNLESS you really want to. Is your money and can do whatever you want. All I'm saying is don't sit on the fence too long when a decent set comes along. Hope you undrstand.

Seems like your son's plan went accordingly.