Starter Kit Recommendations?

Hello Drum Forum!

I've gotten alot of help from various HC forums in the past few years (my old account has died) - now I got one for youse guyz.

My 12 year old is hanker'n for a real drum kit. I'm seriously considering telling Santa to put one under the Christmas Tree.

Being a Sax/Guitar/Key guy - I know next to nothing - although I do know that the Surf City HB Kit my church bought was awful!

Anyway - a visit to the much maligned GC is in the near future!

Requesting recommendations:

Shell Brands

Snare

Lessons

In otherwords - What Would You Do For Your Kid (err..if he wanted to play drums)?

THANKS!

What kinda bread you looking to splash out, there? There are some very solid starter offerings in the 500 dollar range, not including cymbals. So, you can get a really adequate learner outfit for total around 750-800.

There ARE drums for less than that, but quality is an issue.

/w

Thanks Willyray -

I forgot to put in the $ range.

I'm looking at $500 complete/cymbals.

Part of the reason the SurfCity was crap - the cymbals were crap. Trash can lids would sound better.

For this kit, at this price - a high-hat and one other (crash of ride) would have to do.

Might look at used stuff as well -

I recommend a Yamaha Rydeen, and Pulse 357's are IMO the cheapest cymbals with decent starter quality... The kit itself is 500 shells, while the cymbals might cost you an extra 50.