How to Buy Drums
Buying a drum
kit can be a confusing and difficult decision for many first time buyers, but
it’s not as tricky as you may think. Always remember, you get what you pay
for, so expensive kits are never a bad idea in general. No-name cheap kits are
usually very similar to each other and also not very good, and you can often
find a brand name entry-level kit for the same price, such as Pearl or Tama. A
three-figure price is a good amount to spend on a first kit, although a more
expensive kit will retain its value better in general. Stay away from used kits
and vintage kits as your first kit, as it takes a little experience to check a
kit out for any potential problems.
Drum kits,
especially entry-level kits are usually sold as a four or five piece set,
consisting of a bass drum, snare drum, and two or three toms. Stay away from
bigger kits with lots of drums unless you are absolutely sure you require them
for your style of music, as they will generally hold you back from creative
development. Kits are usually available in ‘rock’ or ‘fusion’ sizes,
with the latter having smaller drums normally, so before setting off to the
music store, you should consider what size drums you would like. Don’t forget
to choose one in a color that you enjoy – this will most likely be your only
kit for some time.
Most drum
kits don’t come with cymbals, and beware of those that do – it’s usually a
sign of a poor quality kit, unless the cymbals are part of a special offer.
Suitable cymbals for your first kit are often sold in pre-matched packs for
reasonable prices, by brands such as Zildjian or Sabian. You should start out
with just a pair of high hats, a crash cymbal, and a ride cymbal at first - you
can go wild purchasing exotic cymbals later on. A tip for buying cymbals with a
kit is to always spend as much on cymbals as you did on drums, as although they
may seem less important compared to the kit they are half of your overall sound,
so spend plenty on good cymbals – as they can last you for years over several
kits.