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New drummer needs suggestions!


Loyalty4Life

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Hey guys.

 

I have some friends who have drum kits and they've been wanting me to try it out. I've always thought that I could be a great drummer.

 

But enough about me... What do I need to know with just starting out? What are the best places to buy a drum set? What brands are the best?

 

Preferrably, I want to get a good drum set, even if it's somewhat expensive. I'd be willing to spend $1000-$1500. What can that get me?

 

I would really appreciate any advice or tips you can offer. Many thanks!

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First of all, stick with top brands. Mapex, Tama, Pearl, Yamaha and Gretsch are all good just to name a few.

 

Second, remember that you will need cymbals as well, so you'll need to figure that into the budget. Once again, stick with top brands, like Zildjian, Sabian, Meinl, or Paiste, and try to avoid sheet cymbals, even from those brands. The cast cymbals are far superior.

 

Third, you might want to make upgrades eventually. Alot of kits come with mounting hardware, one or two cymbal stands, a hi-hat stand, snare stand, throne, and a bass drum pedal. Depending on how many cymbals you want, you might have to add some more cymbal stands. Also, as you progress, you will probably want to upgrade to things like a better bass drum pedal, hi-hat stand and throne. The ones that come with a kit will be okay for starting out, but there's always something better to move up to.

 

Finally, and most important, try before you buy. This is especially true where cymbals are concerned. Just because one person likes a certain type of cymbal from a certain manufacturer, doesn't mean you will. Go to a music store and try out as many as you can. Even the same size and type of cymbals from the same brand will have different sound characteristics, however subtle those differences may be.

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Originally posted by Loyalty4Life

Hey guys.


I have some friends who have drum kits and they've been wanting me to try it out. I've always thought that I could be a great drummer.


But enough about me... What do I need to know with just starting out? What are the best places to buy a drum set? What brands are the best?


Preferrably, I want to get a
good
drum set, even if it's somewhat expensive. I'd be willing to spend $1000-$1500. What can that get me?


I would really appreciate any advice or tips you can offer. Many thanks!

 

 

The advice i'd give anyone is to go to a reputable drumshop with an experienced drummer, and try as many kits as you can, and find a kit with quality hardware and stands, buy a basic cymbal pack (hihats, crash, ride) noting that the quality of cymbal is very important.... obviously being on a limited budget your choices are few, so buying second hand is also a good idea. If you buy brand new from a shop, NEVER PAY RETAIL. EVER. You can usually negotiate AT LEAST 15-20% off retail, or try to get some good quality remo, evans or aquarian drumheads in the price of your kit. Stock drumheads on entry level kits are usually woeful quality and should be replaced. I don't really rcommend Ebay unless you can check out your gear in person before you buy it..

 

As far as brands go, I can only give my personal opinion. I think that Yamaha and Tama both make excellent quality beginners kits. Also look at Pearl, Sonor, Premier and mapex. For cymbals, the big three are zildjian, sabian, and paiste. Meinl also make some decent stuff.

 

In my opinion beginner cymbals are a necessary evil for most budgeted beginners, but if you can buy some good quality cast cymbals, these can last a lifetime. If you buy good cymbals, you will never need to again. Try to set yourself up with the best gear you can for your money, and don't rush your decision.

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Ditto on the above points.

 

Also, here are some other things that you should think about when first starting out on the road to being a drummer. You may want to consider taking just a few lessons to learn:

 

1) Proper stick grip - learning this will help to prevent wrist and hand injury over the long haul, and will make playing easier.

 

2) The correct way to strike a drum or cymbal - believe it or not, improper technique here will actually damage your equipment (dented bearing edges, cracked cymbals). Learning proper technique will allow you to get maximum volume and tone from your drums without 'bashing' them.

 

3) Proper drumkit positioning and posture - to prevent back problems later, and help you get better faster.

 

4) and most importantly, how to tune your drums! You wouldn't think of going out on a gig without knowing how to tune a guitar. The same applies to drums. Learn how to tune and you'll save yourself a LOT of headache later.

 

The drumkit is an instrument, just like any other, and there is a right way and a wrong way to do stuff. If you pick up bad habits, it will eventually limit your progress.

 

Just stuff to think about. Have fun!

 

EDIT: Oh, and one final note: Be prepared to be taken for granted, no matter how good you get. Like the joke says "What do you call the guy that hangs around musicians? The drummer." That just about says it all. If you're looking for recognition, play guitar instead!! :D

 

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Well, I really appreciate the feedback that you guys have left for me. I'll definitely review it again and again to get some good advice.

 

Also, where is a good place to buy the drum set? I was thinking of Guitar Center. I'm not sure if there is one near you guys.

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first gretsch is the best :D not really there is no best but some very popular brands are:

 

 

STIX:

 

vic-firth

pro-mark

vater

ETC. ETC.

 

DRUMS:

 

Gretsch

pearl

tama

mapex

 

HEADS:

 

REMO

evans

aqaurian

DW (by remo)

 

CYMBALS:

 

Zildjian

Sabian

paiste

ETC.

 

 

umm if i were you and im buying my first set i'de go to some place like guitar center and pick a set and "jam" see if your any good. i like the electric sets there you can record what you played and play it back.

 

 

a good place to buy a set:

 

ROSSI MUSIC IN canandegawa NY

 

(i don't think i spelled that right. )

 

 

 

hope i was of some sort of assistance if not bad mouth me in a replie :D

 

 

(kidding)

 

 

l8tr

 

sparmann.

 

 

 

 

ps: "try before you buy" bring a buddie whos also a drummer drums sound different from the other side of the room than they do sitting behind them.

and some tiny little ring on like the snare drum or something once you get with a band they'll nvr hear it, you will but they won't.

 

 

 

:wave:

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Originally posted by Loyalty4Life

Well, I really appreciate the feedback that you guys have left for me. I'll definitely review it again and again to get some good advice.


Also, where is a good place to buy the drum set? I was thinking of Guitar Center. I'm not sure if there is one near you guys.

 

 

Where I'm currently living the closest music store is 90 miles away. When I bought my Mapex kit I travelled to the store tried a few out and settled on the Mapex. I then went home and ordered the same kit from American Music Supply. By going through them I saved a bunch of money, and got the same kit I had tried out at the store, just a different finish.

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I played a drums in junior high school....I'm now 40 yrs. old.

I've only been playing a kit for the last 5 years, with my band gigging for 4 years solid!

This is what I started out with, and haven't had to upgrade yet, but keep in mind, that my band gigs once a month, occasionally, twice a month

 

Purchased a used Pearl 5 pc. kit, picked up a new set of Sabian B8 pros, and all brand new Taye double-braced hardware, including the kick pedal and hi-hat stand. I spent $140 on my throne, as the cheap piece of crap I had, caused my thigh to hurt and my back also....NEVER sacrifice the quality of your throne!....just my 2 cents!

Oh, and my batter heads are Evans Hydros, and the EMAD on my bass....I like them

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I re-read your thread and to paraphrase:

'My friends have kits and THEY want me to try it out. I think I could make a great drummer.'

 

If YOU are getting really interested because your friends' playing has got YOU wanting to learn, then go for it.

 

But, if you're wanting a set mostly because your friends have sets and you don't, then save your money. I'm not trying to be mean.

Just that if you don't like playing that much 6 months down the road, it won't turn up like a rod and reel or surfboard collecting dust in the garage.

 

Why not play your friends' kits? Are they playing them 24-7? What kind of kits do they have? Between your friends and trips to music stores, you should find out what you like and if you like drumming. You should be able to practice on their kits??

 

Other then that I would be like the others above, take lessons and learn the basics. Shop and play on as many drums as possible and then go home and order them off the web or look for used (pawn shops, music go round, classifieds.)

 

Maybe I'm missing the boat here and if I am, i'm truly sorry. Maybe your friends are just playing around and you're for real?? Again is much great advice on here. Taking lessons would a great start and the best drums are the ones that work for YOU.

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  • 3 weeks later...
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Originally posted by twosticks

I re-read your thread and to paraphrase:

'My friends have kits and THEY want me to try it out. I think I could make a great drummer.'


If YOU are getting really interested because your friends' playing has got YOU wanting to learn, then go for it.


But, if you're wanting a set mostly because your friends have sets and you don't, then save your money. I'm not trying to be mean.

 

I have misled you with my first post. I was not trying to say that my friend's are wanting me to buy a kit for myself. Believe me, I'm not that stupid to spend a boatload of money for someone else's hobby for myself.

 

I have a great interest in drumming, and I just needed some advice, that's all. :)

 

Again, I do appreciate the advice with what brands are the best, etc. I think that trying out the kits for myself at the local guitar store then going to a place like American Music Supply online would work out the best for me.

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Best advice I can give is to try out as many as you can. Never let anyone talk you into getting a set without trying it. That as the first mistake I made. I bought a $500 off brand set (Rythym Art), that was absolute trash, the guy was just trying to unload these kits to make commission. I couldn't wait till I upgraded to my 4 piece Tama set, then later my 8 piece Pearl Export. Just remember to listen to the sounds, and also remember that heads make a HUGE diffrence in the sound.

 

As far as cymbals, never EVER buy beginners cymbals!!! Thankfully I started out with Zildjian A's so that really wasn't a problem, but a friend of mine went out and got 10-12 Sabian B8's that were also absolute trash. I'd rather have my ride crash and Hihats that ere my first Cymbals, rather then 10-12 beginner cymbals anyday. Also remmeber that the ride, and hi-hats are the most important cymbals you have, get the best you can, but also make you like them. Also don't beat the crap out of them either, its too much $$$ to replace them every few months when you don't have to replace them at all. My music teacher taught me the perfect way to get an awesome, loud, sound with hardly any effort.

 

Good luck, and remember, stay away from every beginner!

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Loyalty,

 

Cool dude! What type of music do you like or wanting to play? Certain drums and especially drum sizes can make a difference in the sound you want. Also the heads on them make a difference as well.

 

In the price range you quoted you're looking for what's called Intermediate of mid level sets. $600-$900 for the four or five piece set you want with the hardware.

 

The problem you might run into is the cymbals. Decent hi-hats are going to be around $200, a decent ride $250, and at least one 16" crash $120-150.

 

Those $ are close for NEW cymbals of a basic music web site approx with shipping etc. i Betterf you find used, classified music shop cosignment,etc.

 

So let's say the set is $750, Hats $190, Ride $220, crash $150. (new)

Your total is then $1,310 The hats may be lower and the ride and drum set cost may be higher.

 

You then need to know how to tune and dampen a set (if you want) Most heads that come with a mid set are generic and replacing at least the batter side (top side) are in order for the sound you want. ($150 to replace batter heads on a 5-piece??) so now we're at $1,460.

SO yes play and try out each set you can. Also, pick up the cymbal stands and try to set to them up, then you'll get a real feel for how good or cheap the hardware is, same for the high-hat, tinker...tinker... what good is a stand if it slides down all the time??

 

Put your feet on the pedals and act like you're playing, Does if feel good for the way you play?? The kick pedals that come with mid sets are usually generic and I upgraded mine with a good decent one for about $100 bucks so now we're at $1560.

 

But I played on My(first) $500 set with stock heads and hardware for a couple years and that was the biggest drum lesson. I learned how to tune and tinker and play for the sound I wanted. All the upgrades I mentioned made it easier. But you don't NEED them.

Is very much like your first car. Can get your basic running car and then they're are many upgrades you can get.

 

There is just so much to choose from, just have to choose what you want and works for you. same with drums. Some say Porshe is the best car, others say Mercedes, Jaguar....Basically same thing in drums...IS NO play this set with these cymbals and bam! you're have a great sounding set. Even the best sets sound crappy if not tuned right or played well.

Again, what brands do your friends play?? is there any of their sets or parts of them that you like?? Maybe they could help you shop?

Way sorry this so long..Good Luck

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just wanted to through in sonor force 3005 and 2005 kits as well.

the 2005 kit are 100% birch and are more suited for recording but don't sound bad live, and the 3005 are 100% maple and are more suited for live. out of all the others that i have seen listed i would pick the mapex pro m maple set that you can find some great deals on where you get a free floor tom or in some cases i've seen them offer a free black panther snare! both sonor and mapex are made in the same factory and have almost the same quality on the shells and hardware. don't get me wrong i do think your best bet is to go to your local music store and have a listen to what you like. as far as cymbals go i would start out with your hi hats and ride first. you can add other cymbals later and start out with cymbals you will have for the rest of your life without the need to upgrade. when starting out you don't need a lot of cymbals anyway.

 

good luck and let us know what you ended up chosing.

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You are asking what you need to know just starting out?

 

If you have not planned lessons, I suggest you do that also.

 

Find a good teacher and learn theory and technique right from the start. Don't waste any time just banging around.

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Thank you for your input, twosticks. I don't have a preference on what kind of music I want to play. I just want to focus on learning different beats for now...

 

Do you guys think the best time to buy a drum set is in the wintertime when a lot of stores have sales due to the holiday season? If so, where are the best places to go during that time?

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I think you guys are making this way too complicated....With a budget of $1500 he could just buy a midrange drumset online or at GC and a semi pro cymbal pack like Sabian XS20, Paiste Alpha, or Wuhans.

 

MORE importantl is lessons and learning to play. Will you be taking lessons? You might end up being much better if you bought a practice pad and sticks and played that for a few months.

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I also wanted to bring up the topic of drum heads. When you start of, your most likely going to get not so good drum heads. After a few months or so your going to notice that your heads arent up to par. I had that problem, i bought a sonor 1003 set and it came with very basic crappy sonor brand heads on them. I went out and bought new evans G2 coated heads for all my toms and they made a huge difference. Evans, remo, and aquarian are very versitile companies and they make a lot of different drum heads with different combinations of coating and thickness. My best advice is to figure out what sound you really like and ask around about drum heads that could get that sound.

 

good luck

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Originally posted by Majoria

Don't be afraid to buy a used kit/cymbals. This can extend your budget quite a bit.

 

 

Very true!

 

Everything on my kit except for my 14" Zildjian A Mastersounds are used, and they are still awesome. Luckily I know how to hit them without destroying them.

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HITTING CYMBALS

 

Rather than striking the cymbal, kinda flick your wrist in the same direction the shape of the cymbal goes.

 

If you are right handed and catch the left hand side of the cymbal you will be flicking off to the left of the cymbal, the opposite if you are left handed.

 

This will create a less harsh sound and also prolong the life of your cymbals

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Well I'll just say www.musiciansfriend.com has some of the best deals I've seen. I'll also say that the drummer makes the set good, not the other way around. I played on a 2 tom, 1 bass, and 1 cymbol drum set for the first 7 + years I started drumming. I then struck gold on a deal getting a 9 piece drumset, once you develope counting skills, rythm, and adding your own personal creative twists... then walla - goodness all around. But good sets... I'd say go Zildjian, around a 6 piece or higher. (double bass = fun) If budget turns out to be a problem, get the number of toms desired, and slowly build up your cymbol count... ...

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