Recommendations needed: drumset for my niece

Hey everybody...

I ususally hang over in the guitar forums, but I wanted to throw a question out to all you drummers.

I want to get a drumset for my niece. She is 15 and is very musical (great piano player). I have been teaching some guitar to my nephew and of course he needs somebody to play with and we all decided that my niece needs a drumkit.

I can't blow too much cash on it, but I want to get something that will sound reasonably good and hold up at least until she gets good enough to move on to something else (or quits playing).

Would a cocktail kit be a good idea? I've always thought those looked cool, but it seems like you have to stand up to play it, which doesn't sound too comfortable.

And what about the DW kits that are on musician's friend right now? I think they are priced at around $400 (definitely in my price range).

Finally, what other extra stuff do I need to get? I'm assuming that cymbals aren't usually included, but what other stuff should I pick up to get her going?

Thanks!

No on the cocktail kit. It is a more advanced drummer instrument. You wouldn't get a beginner guitarist a lap steel guitar to learn on, and you shouldn't get a beginner drummer a cocktail kit.

Any entry level kit from any of the major manufactuers will be great. Pacific, Tama, Pearl, Yamaha, Ludwig, whatever... Just pick the one that comes in the color that she likes.

http://www.georgesdrumshop.com/t-faq1.aspx

You might think about something like the Pearl Rhythm Traveller which has both playable heads for jamming as well as mesh heads for quiet practice (and cymbal mufflers) so you don't kill your relationship with your sibling.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/product/buy_pearl_rhythm_traveler_drum_set_with_cymbals?full_sku=447876.196&src=4WFRWXX

Crash rides aren't terrific. I've never been fond of them, but it'd be enought to learn with.

You'd also need stands (hi-hat and cymbal), a throne and a kick drum pedal, assuming they aren't included. Double check before ordering anything.

And then of course you'll need sticks. You'll probably want to go to a local music store with her to find her the right pair as they really need to be suited to the size of her hands and her musculature. They should feel solid but not weighty to her and she should be able to comfortably keep ahold of them with a loose grip.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I second the no on the cocktail kit.

id say go with a pacific, they are great for a beginner because of the low price and fairly good quality. I started out with one and it lasted me for a couple of years until i got a tama starclassic.

4 or 5 piece Pearl Export. Probably 4. No cocktail kit as she'll probably want a full size down the line

Your a kick ass Uncle dude:thu:

"we all" includes your niece, right?

Thanks everybody...I really appreciate it. Yes, my niece is in agreement...she actually already plays drums a little bit with her school band. The other thing is that she lives in Wyoming (she is visiting us in Virginia), so I'll have to ship it out to her.

The Pearl Rhythm Traveler thing looks great--has anyone played one of those? The quiet, mesh head idea is probably a really good idea in these circumstances. They live in a suburban environment and I know that noise will be an issue...

The $399 Pacifica DW set on MF looks great, too--it looks like that would be more of a 'real' kit.

Now what about used stuff? As a guitarist, I always go for used stuff but I don't know if that is a good idea in the drum realm. I'm guessing that I could get all of the cymbals, throne, etc. thrown in on a used deal...and maybe a better quality kit overall.

Used is great. I've always gotten used drums.

When evaluating a used kit obviously surface damage on the wood or wrap will be an obvious price-gouge and corrosion or salt-damage to the chrome or other metal parts.

More important than the cosmetics is looking at the shell itself. Is it perfectly round? Do the rims bend unnaturally at any point (this is inconsequential in itself but may indicate deeper shell problems have occurred)? Do all the lugs turn freely and easily? Are any lugs completely loose when you try this? Then take the head off. Look for any problems on the inner ply, then check the middle plies. You can only really do this with the head off. Look for any sort of deterioration of the middle plies. Then check that the bearing edge is straight and has no bumps, burrs or other anomolies. Should be smooth, smooth, smooth. Then put the heads back on and bring it to a friend who knows how to tune drums.

I'd say shell roundness and the smoothness of the bearing edge are the two most, most imortant things to look for. Serious warpage and the drum is cooked. Anything wrong with the bearig edge and you'll need to get a new edge cut before the drum is tunable. Burrs mean you'll be dropping LOTS of dough on new heads, frequently. If you're buying a snare, incedentally, also check for burrs in the snare bed.

Rims, lugs, and all metal parts are replaceable but you can normally get the price significantly lower if you have to. Don't even worry about how the heads look. You'll probably want to replace those anyways. Just tell the seller that the heads look like junk -- no matter how they look (unless they're new, obviously) and tell them you won't pay that price for a trashed drumkit. Works everytime.

Cymbals are easier. Just look for hairline fractures around the edge, look for keyholing in the middle, look for warps in the bell, and check that none of the grooves are separating. If none of these have occurred, the cymbal should last you a good long time. Play it to make sure it's a sound you like.

I think that pretty much covers it. That's all I can think of right now anyways.

If it's an inconsequential amount, I wouldn't even worry about the above. Those are just the kinda things I'd be looking at if it was a significant amount of cash changing hands (which you can be the judge of).

Ludwig accent CS.

i thought you were better than that:cry: