beginning drumset

[derrickkwa]

hello...i'm new to this forum (and to drumming)....um...i'm looking to buy a cheap drumset to start on, but one that can still last even after i learn.....any recommendations? or suggestions of where to visit? thanks...

derrick

 

[shred5]

As a fellow softie and a drummer, we welcome you with an open arms.

About your qn regarding the drumset, first qn will be, what is ur budget?

If ur first priority is just to get a beginner's set without caring about the brand, any drums will do. Be it Carlos, Lazer, Inova, etc.. These sets are easy to obtain and their replacement parts are available easily.

If U are into brand concious, then I would suggest Yamaha Rydeen Series.. I have personally played them and they sound really great.

Actually, all drums are constructed to withstand constant pounding. It just depends on the player.

What one could do after getting the drums is to replace the stock heads with those available in the market. Eg; REMO, Evans, Attack, etc. These heads sounds better than the stock ones.

For cymbals, get urself either Zildjian ZXTs or Sabian's B8.. Come in packs of hihats, ride and crash. A really good investment for beginners.

Hope that I've answered some of ur doubts and best of luck in your search.

 

[Frozen]

If you want something that lasts, invest in a good brand like pearl, yamaha, ludwig, dw, etc. Don't buy brands like carlos. I heard from my friend (a beginner) that his drum kit is already breaking apart.

If your budget is around 400-500, maybe get the pearl rhythm traveller. I heard it's quite decent, compact and eay to move around. I use the Ludwig LC105 with no-brand cymbals and it is also quite a value for money except that you have to find cymbals to go with it. If you have a higher budget then I recommend getting the more expensive (but better quality) ones. For cymbals, also get good ones as crap ones (like mine) sound really awful and you can tell the difference of hearing good cymbals and cheap cymbals.

The zildjian ZXT is quite good like shred 5 recommended. It has a "clean" tone and just feels nice.

Good luck in finding one.

 

[shred5]

DW!! DW!! or MASTERWORKS!!! MASTERWORKS!!!!

Now thats my dream set!!!

 

[derrickkwa]

hm...thanks for the help....my budget is probably abt 500-600...n i'm looking for something that is like...quality-wise ok. as in after i learn n improve, the quality/sound is gd enough to last me to play for 1 or 2 years. i'm considering the pearl rythm traveller, but on swee lee's website it says $640? any suggestions on where to go? thanks

derrick

 

[shred5]

Pearl rythm traveller is definitely a good choice for those wants to maintain peace and happiness with ur surroundings..

If this is just ur practice set, then its a good choice. Furthermore, the mesh skins can be swapped with normal skins in case u want to bring it along for small outdoor performances..

Good luck!!!

 

[Frozen]

Check out the instrument stores on the prices.

I say if you can add a couple hundred $ more you can get the ludwig LC105 with decent cymbals. If you want to use rhythm traveller it is also a good choice for beginners as it is also less hassle to set up (1 skin! and the drums are light!) and quite economic in the space needed to set-up.

Yeah, I say the rhythm traveller is a good choice but I suggest trying it out first if you have the chance.

 

[nkf31]

As someone who has a rhythm traveller, here is my 2 cents worth:

It's not that great i do think - but maybe that's because i haven't got new heads. If you are planning on something that will last a long time, get double-headed drums. i heard tama stagestar/swingstars are quite good, and around the same price, and i think tama does sell mesh heads as well. they will give you the chance to really experiment with tuning.

if you have the chance to practice with acoustic drums regularly already (like in church or anything) then i would suggest saving for an electronic set. you won't disturb your neighbours, you will be able to actually hear yourself playing, and you can make use of the practice stuff on it. of course people say you may lose touch with acoustic drums, but if you have access to them regularly it shouldn't be a problem right?

as for cymbals - don't get ANY without trying them first. get cymbals you like. i regret getting a set of B8's. the only thing i ended up liking was the crash. get the best possible cymbal (note, doesn't need to be a whole set at once) you like. this might mean saving, but it's worth it. if you ask experienced drummers, i'm sure their advice will be the same. i myself am still searching - and it's been months. but after the B8's i think it's worth the time. Same for ZXTs, don't get them, unless you like them.

 

[turbochicken]

carlos is decent if your budget's 600 and below.
rhythm traveller's OHkay if you have 500 or less.
Edrums's advantages and disadvantages are huge:

pros: no noise, easy to maintain, takes up slightly less space, variety of sounds

cons: unrealistic drumming, no groundwork needed to play so it's not a good gauge of your skills(if you plan to further improve by getting a personal kit), stagnates your playing(you won't learn control and all which are darn important in drumming proficiently)


erm, perhaps it's just me, but i cringe at the sound of ZXT. it's so bright. and earpiercing. gives me the listener's fatigue in 10mins.

 

[shred5]

erm, perhaps it's just me, but i cringe at the sound of ZXT. it's so bright. and earpiercing. gives me the listener's fatigue in 10mins.

Hahahaha.. Dats right.. ZXTs are way too loud.. Dats why I prefer Sabians series cymbals.. Furthermore, IMO, Sabians categorised their cymbals easily. From beginners to intermediate to advance.

Solars, B8, B8pros (Beginners)
Pros,AA, AAX (Intermediate)
HHX, Hand Hammered,Vault, Paragon, VFX, Radia (Advance)

Feel free to mix and match..

 

[nkf31]

i don't think it's quite right to categorise cymbals like that...

 

[shred5]

i don't think it's quite right to categorise cymbals like that...

This is how Sabian categorise their cymbals from the beginners to advance. If u don't believe me, go check out their website.

Even though some of the cymbals are for beginners recommendation, some pros use it. For eg; Pros series are known for their brightness, that's why Pro's Chinas are used widely after 18" AAxplosion..

I don't understand why U said Its not quite right.

Care to elaborate.. :wink:

 

[vinyl]

If you want something that lasts, invest in a good brand like pearl, yamaha, ludwig, dw, etc. .

i am using carlos begineer set for almost quite some time and its still serving me well..for a begineer..its considered freaking cheap for bout 500to ard 600 dollars and bearing de fact in mind tt it comes wit all de cymbals. reasonably good set i should say..

 

[nkf31]

i don't quite understand either haha :wink:
i think it's like cymbals shouldn't be seperated according to beginner and advance - ANYONE can play a cymbal. Sure, beginner and advanced drummers may play cymbals differently, but it doesn't make sense that a beginner can play a "beginner cymbal" better than an advanced player and vice versa...

it's more correct to catergorise them according to sounds or to a series or cost... if you get what i mean.

just my opinion

 

[davenoy]

What one could do after getting the drums is to replace the stock heads with those available in the market. Eg; REMO, Evans, Attack, etc. These heads sounds better than the stock ones.

Anyone knows how to go about changing heads?

 

[turbochicken]

? just take out the used head and put in the new one?

 

[vx02]

hey guys, just asking, my friend's looking for a temporary set (he's in singapore for studies). he's looking for something around the 700-800 range and then spending around 200-300 on auxillaries. yep. any suggestions?

 

[davenoy]

the head's the drum skin ya? so i remove all the lugs then what would happen? Im too afraid to try it out incase i screw it up haha

 

[lepids]

oh come on!! must try!! if not u won't be changing ur skins forever!!

just screw the nuts out... make sure that u have ur nuts in the correct place when u screwing in back..
like if nut 1 is in position 1 and u have 6 lugs, then make sure u screw the nut back to position 1 and not other positions..

so just screw the nuts out, and then take out the rim, then the head... then put back head, then rim and screw back! easy!! then make sure u have 2 drum keys.. for tuning.

 

[turbochicken]

2 drum keys for tuning?
why?