Your recs on a simple drum set

[Sbbruin 21898]

I mentioned we have our daughter in the School of Rock program and she's on drums.  She's really starting to get into it and asked if there was any way we would get her a set.  Looking online, ebay has some sets for under $200, but I have no idea whether they are useless or what.  I wouldn't know my as from a hole in the ground when it comes to drum sets.  I just want something functional that she can practice on.  If she really gets into and demonstrates some ability, we can upgrade.  Just need to know if one of those $200 sets is more like a toy set or an actual legit set.

[jimmyjazz 46225]

Those are toys.  I'm not a drummer but I've recorded a shit ton of drummers, and I've purchased several kits for my daughter (no pics) as she's moved up to the point where she's now pretty proficient.

I would start at something like the Gretsch Catalina line.  If you buy right, you'll be able to resell for nearly what you paid.  Don't forget cymbals and hardware (stands, throne, kick drum pedal, sticks, etc.) -- you're very unlikely to get in for less than $700 if you don't want absolute shite.

[Sbbruin 21898]

oof.  That's more than I was hoping for.  Thanks.

[Mojo Hand 4580]

My kid's drum teacher recommends the Ludwig Jr.  sets and says they're as good as real ones, just smaller.   We have the cheaper Gammon 5-piece junior from Amazon and it's a legit set, not a toy.  The cymbals aren't great, but serviceable.  I'd buy them again. 

[Sbbruin 21898]

She's 12, so not sure what size would be right- junior or adult?

[jimmyjazz 46225]

I would look at a "jazz" configuration -- a 20" kick drum, a single rack tom (probably 12"), and a single floor tom (probably 14" or 16").  Again, Gretsch Catalina has a "Catalina Jazz".

It's not a junior size, it just happens to be small enough for an adolescent to not get swamped by a larger rock configuration.

[gsoda3 3283]

don't get a jr size for a 12 year old.  if you say all she's going to be doing is practicing, then get her any old drum set.  it doesn't have to sound good.  if she intends to take it places to perform, get a ludwig/tama/gretsch/yamaha starter set.  you can find those on craigslist for <$500 including hardware (cymbals/stands etc).  don't forget to purchase an area rug that covers the entire footprint of the drum set.  you don't want to scratch your floors.  also necessary - earplugs, a couple pairs of sticks, a metronome, music stand, and a drum key (to tune the drum heads).  also if you value your sanity or don't have a soundproof room, buy some practice pads off amazon. 

[jimmyjazz 46225]

21 minutes ago, gsoda3 said:

 if she intends to take it places to perform, get a ludwig/tama/gretsch/yamaha starter set.

Or Pearl.  Even PDP (budget conscious DW).

[jimmyjazz 46225]

One thing a great drummer taught me is that, as long as the shells aren't warped and the bearing edges aren't fucked, a fairly cheap set of shells can sound great with good heads tuned right by someone who knows what they're doing.  (That last part seems to be the wild card.  There are a shit ton of "drummers" out there who don't know how to tune their drums.)

[gsoda3 3283]

21 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Or Pearl.  Even PDP (budget conscious DW).

ah yeah.  forgot about pearl and pacific.  one of my earliest sets was a pearl, took a lot of abuse moving around.  she was a real workhorse. 

[Sbbruin 21898]

4 hours ago, jimmyjazz said:

Or Pearl.  Even PDP (budget conscious DW).

What about either of these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pearl-Roadshow-RS584C-4-Piece-Drum-Set-w-Hardware-Cymbals-Jet-Black-Used/123273371581?hash=item1cb3aa5fbd:g:w1IAAOSwIYxbWecA

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pearl-RS525SCC707-Roadshow-5-Piece-Drum-Set-w-Hardware-Cymbals-Bronze/172547979069?epid=2256086644&amp;hash=item282ca9373d:g:csMAAOSw32lYsGL-

 

obviously the 2nd one is more expensive and has more, but the first one might suffice if it isn't crap.

[Sbbruin 21898]

4 hours ago, gsoda3 said:

don't get a jr size for a 12 year old.  if you say all she's going to be doing is practicing, then get her any old drum set.  it doesn't have to sound good.  if she intends to take it places to perform, get a ludwig/tama/gretsch/yamaha starter set.  you can find those on craigslist for <$500 including hardware (cymbals/stands etc).  don't forget to purchase an area rug that covers the entire footprint of the drum set.  you don't want to scratch your floors.  also necessary - earplugs, a couple pairs of sticks, a metronome, music stand, and a drum key (to tune the drum heads).  also if you value your sanity or don't have a soundproof room, buy some practice pads off amazon. 

We have an office/back room connected to our detached garage.  We'd put it in there.

[jimmyjazz 46225]

24 minutes ago, Sbbruin said:

What about either of these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pearl-Roadshow-RS584C-4-Piece-Drum-Set-w-Hardware-Cymbals-Jet-Black-Used/123273371581?hash=item1cb3aa5fbd:g:w1IAAOSwIYxbWecA

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pearl-RS525SCC707-Roadshow-5-Piece-Drum-Set-w-Hardware-Cymbals-Bronze/172547979069?epid=2256086644&amp;hash=item282ca9373d:g:csMAAOSw32lYsGL-

 

obviously the 2nd one is more expensive and has more, but the first one might suffice if it isn't crap.

Looks like something is broken on the first one, but the description is so poorly written I can't tell exactly what he's saying.  If it were me I'd go with the 2nd one.

How tall is your daughter?  Those are very conventional sized drums, which is great for versatility but it might be kinda big for a 12 YO.

[Sbbruin 21898]

38 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Looks like something is broken on the first one, but the description is so poorly written I can't tell exactly what he's saying.  If it were me I'd go with the 2nd one.

How tall is your daughter?  Those are very conventional sized drums, which is great for versatility but it might be kinda big for a 12 YO.

She's maybe 4'11"?  The set she is using at SofR looked pretty standard sized, but what do I know.  What about this?

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/msg/d/tama-rockstar-white-4pc-drum/6673572060.html

[jimmyjazz 46225]

That's probably a better kit, as it's not Tama's bottom of the line model, but it's always a bit of a crapshoot with used drums.  Can her teacher check it out?  $25 or a case of beer would get most teachers to tag along.

Zildjian is absolutely the biggest name in cymbals, although they do make product in ALMOST every price range.  Ask him what model the cymbals are, and if they have any cracks, dents, or keyholes (hey-o).  Those kinda look like they might be pretty good.  If they're actual Zildjian "A" models in good shape the cymbals alone are probably worth $300.  Lesser models, maybe $150.  Once a cymbal is cracked it's cannon fodder on the used market.  Dents or keyholes (where the hole in the middle gets wallowed out) don't hurt the value as bad.

You'll want new heads, at least on the top side (where you hit the drums), so imagine that's probably $60 or so (pulled out of my ass).

[Deej 76946]

I'd go full Neil Peart drum kit.

[Handcruser 2805]

I'd buy used if I were you because you can stretch your money so much further. Like that Tama set..... many times they come with all the hardware and some cymbals. The cymbals are usually crap though... but fine for her for now.

I'd you could find a used gretsch Catalina series I'd hit that.

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[Handcruser 2805]

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/msg/d/gretsch-drum/6666011071.html



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[Handcruser 2805]

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/msg/d/drums-complete-set-excellent/6672324865.html

This is a good deal.

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[gasman 114]

My son is in the same boat. We got him a practice pad kit from DW on the recommendation of his instructor. It has worked well so far and was inexpensive. If he sticks with it, we will step up to a full set later on. 

[Handcruser 2805]

Shit Ive got one of those for sale. $100.

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[dcbc 14525]

Definitely don't go Junior.  My oldest son was ready to outgrow a JR set before he turned six.  Years before he was born, I bought a Pearl Export set off a friend pretty cheap when he was upgrading.  He played it for several years before he moved on to guitar.  I have used it for band get togethers and, apart from the snare, the drummer in that group uses the rest of the kit.

As someone mentioned, decent heads and good tuning is key.  Also, a good bass drum pedal over what may come with that set is a good investment as well as good cymbals.  But for a 12 year old, you can upgrade gradually. 

[Sbbruin 21898]

This looks like a good deal on a nice new set.  Thinking of pulling the trigger unless someone can talk me out of it.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Sound-Percussion-Labs/Unity-Birch-Series-5-Piece-Complete-Drum-Set-Black-Mist-1442242643059.gc?source=4GOA6CIBA&amp;fbclid=IwAR1z7LcNt6oEnu-lPxfzLJThwBU5hYoJtrbr2b3YQPjJL7EUZ5-QwtfrbHs&amp;CA_6C15C=420003230005316884

 

[Handcruser 2805]

Who is it for? And budget?

 

 

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[Sbbruin 21898]

1 minute ago, Handcruser said:

Who is it for? And budget?

 

 

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For my 12 yo daughter who is new to drums but is taking lessons.  Budget is as cheap as I can get away with and not get her a complete piece of shit.

[Handcruser 2805]

Yeah just scrolled up. Sorry, now I remember. There is another set by PDP that is $100 more (with cymbals etc) that is probably twice the set. SPL isn’t a “name” brand but it’s up to you.

I totally get wanting to minimize the financial investment at this stage. Let me look at these for a sec.


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[Grandioso 2592]

I tried searching for a miniature girl version of Mike Portnoy's 51-piece kit but couldn't find anything.

[Handcruser 2805]

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Ludwig/Backbeat-Complete-5-Piece-Drum-Set-with-Hardware-and-Cymbals-Black-Sparkle-1500000221807.gc?pfm=item_page.rrt1%7CClickCP

I trust the Ludwig name more, but sound wise they’re probably very similar.




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[Sbbruin 21898]

Interesting though how the list price for the Ludwig is $400 but the list on the one I posted is $500.  I was intrigued by the amount off of list ($200 v $70).  But that may not be a reflection on quality though.

[gsoda3 3283]

i don't think the ludwig set comes with a throne.  man $299 for everything but sticks?  i'm really curious how it sounds.

[gsoda3 3283]

i just watched a couple youtube vids on that SPL set, i'd get that one at that price for sure. 

[gasman 114]

If you go with Musicians Friend, they have the same price (on Silver and Red) and you could avoid sales tax in Texas. 

[Handcruser 2805]

He’s in Cali.


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[gasman 114]

2 minutes ago, Handcruser said:

He’s in Cali.


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That's right. Now I remember all those sail boat images SB posts.... 

 

[Sbbruin 21898]

15 hours ago, gsoda3 said:

i just watched a couple youtube vids on that SPL set, i'd get that one at that price for sure. 

Pulled the trigger.  Now to turn the garage office into her Beat Laboratory.

[Hamttx 421]

On 8/17/2018 at 12:51 PM, jimmyjazz said:

Or Pearl.  Even PDP (budget conscious DW).

In my area this is the way to go. A 5 piece sets you back about $500, and you could easily get most of that back should she decide drums ain’t her thing.

But pos rep on getting her on a throne. More girls should pick up drums.