drumset to start with
- Thread starter daryl
- Start date
weckl-x
New member
Hey, same here 
I'm also a guitarist who went to drums.
If you're concerned about durability, you want to STEER CLEAR of Carlos drums. I once played on a house set where 3 lugs on the snare were totally stripped out. Eugh :x
Most 2nd-hand sets are pretty good value. If you can find a set that's not abused, you're good to go for less than $400-$500. Then you can save the $600-$500, and eventually spend on better cymbals if/when you are ready to.
If you want something new in the $1k region..
Pearl Export
Tama Stagestar
Peace DNA or Demolition
Tama Imperialstar
Yamaha Rydeen
Mapex V-series
Gretsch Black Hawk SX
Gretsch Catalina Club Set
Once again, Carlos :x :? :x
:x 
:evil:
FYI, I started with a 2nd-hand Pearl Rhythm Traveller (which i'm still using) as I don't anticipate needing to gig or do recordings with my kit. Since then, I've bought 2 snares and quite a number of cymbals.
Well, to give an analogy, it's like I decided to get a 30w solid state amp (drumkit) for home practice, but spending more on a Gibby Les Paul Classic (a good snare drum) and analog pedals (quality cymbals) as I know I'm more likely to carry those key instruments to gigs.
All the best in your search.
I'm also a guitarist who went to drums.If you're concerned about durability, you want to STEER CLEAR of Carlos drums. I once played on a house set where 3 lugs on the snare were totally stripped out. Eugh :x
Most 2nd-hand sets are pretty good value. If you can find a set that's not abused, you're good to go for less than $400-$500. Then you can save the $600-$500, and eventually spend on better cymbals if/when you are ready to.
If you want something new in the $1k region..
Pearl Export
Tama Stagestar
Peace DNA or Demolition
Tama Imperialstar
Yamaha Rydeen
Mapex V-series
Gretsch Black Hawk SX
Gretsch Catalina Club Set
Once again, Carlos :x :? :x
:x :evil:FYI, I started with a 2nd-hand Pearl Rhythm Traveller (which i'm still using) as I don't anticipate needing to gig or do recordings with my kit. Since then, I've bought 2 snares and quite a number of cymbals.
Well, to give an analogy, it's like I decided to get a 30w solid state amp (drumkit) for home practice, but spending more on a Gibby Les Paul Classic (a good snare drum) and analog pedals (quality cymbals) as I know I'm more likely to carry those key instruments to gigs.
All the best in your search.
phantompong
New member
$1k for most of the above kits is the price without cymbals. For example, the Gretsch Blackhawk goes for around $950 for the set, hardware and two cymbal stands. If you want decent cymbals, you're looking at an additional $700 minimum. As a general rule, avoid brass cymbals; cymbals made from B8 alloy are cheaper but may not sound as good as B20 cymbals. Most pro-quality cymbals are made from B20 alloy.
For the set, I wouldn't worry too much about tone. A fresh set of drumheads and some good tuning will make your drums sound more than decent. For cymbals you do have to take into account the fact that you can't really alter the sound of your cymbals so if you're looking for tone, you have to take that into account, and there's a strong case for buying good quality cymbals from the start. At the same time it's almost a given that your taste in drum sounds hasn't completely settled yet and there's little point in splashing out a large sum on cymbals you may not stick with.
In guitar terms, you can see this as: an electric guitar's tone will be affected by the wood and the build, but much more heavily affected by the pickups, the effects, the amp, and the quality of the signal. This is like an acoustic drumset, where the build needs to be of good quality but the heads and tuning make or break the sound. An acoustic guitar's tone, on the other hand, really is primarily dictated by the tonal qualities of the top and body. This is like cymbals, and it's difficult to alter the tone if you don't like it. If you're in the habit of listening to the drums and know what tones you like, that will be very good because it's less likely you'll end up with quality gear you don't like. Otherwise, it's like buying a $4000 acoustic guitar with a cedar top and deciding you like spruce top guitars better. The upside, of course, is that a well-made guitar will always have resale value. Similarly, you will easily find buyers for good quality cymbals.
Anyway, having said so much, the whole point of my post is, you still need cymbals, and if the cymbals are coming out of your $1k, you won't get either durability or tone. Even then it may not be wise to dive in the deep end.
My personal recommendation - for your budget, assuming you want both drumset and cymbals within $1k, I'll put in a vote for my own drumset, the Ludwig Accent CS Combo, around $650 (not sure if Swee Lee still brings them in, though). You might also look at the Mapex Q or QR series, though I'm not sure how much they are (Drums Resources Music Place, at Excelsior). I personally have Sabian XS20s, which are good value B20 cymbals, but B8 cymbals will generally do the job. Other very low end kits such as the Pearl Forum may come with brass cymbals - depending on your needs, these may be better options. For practice only, especially in Singapore, consider the Pearl Rhythm Traveller: small, compact and you have the option of using mesh heads so you don't disturb your neighbours.
For the set, I wouldn't worry too much about tone. A fresh set of drumheads and some good tuning will make your drums sound more than decent. For cymbals you do have to take into account the fact that you can't really alter the sound of your cymbals so if you're looking for tone, you have to take that into account, and there's a strong case for buying good quality cymbals from the start. At the same time it's almost a given that your taste in drum sounds hasn't completely settled yet and there's little point in splashing out a large sum on cymbals you may not stick with.
In guitar terms, you can see this as: an electric guitar's tone will be affected by the wood and the build, but much more heavily affected by the pickups, the effects, the amp, and the quality of the signal. This is like an acoustic drumset, where the build needs to be of good quality but the heads and tuning make or break the sound. An acoustic guitar's tone, on the other hand, really is primarily dictated by the tonal qualities of the top and body. This is like cymbals, and it's difficult to alter the tone if you don't like it. If you're in the habit of listening to the drums and know what tones you like, that will be very good because it's less likely you'll end up with quality gear you don't like. Otherwise, it's like buying a $4000 acoustic guitar with a cedar top and deciding you like spruce top guitars better. The upside, of course, is that a well-made guitar will always have resale value. Similarly, you will easily find buyers for good quality cymbals.
Anyway, having said so much, the whole point of my post is, you still need cymbals, and if the cymbals are coming out of your $1k, you won't get either durability or tone. Even then it may not be wise to dive in the deep end.
My personal recommendation - for your budget, assuming you want both drumset and cymbals within $1k, I'll put in a vote for my own drumset, the Ludwig Accent CS Combo, around $650 (not sure if Swee Lee still brings them in, though). You might also look at the Mapex Q or QR series, though I'm not sure how much they are (Drums Resources Music Place, at Excelsior). I personally have Sabian XS20s, which are good value B20 cymbals, but B8 cymbals will generally do the job. Other very low end kits such as the Pearl Forum may come with brass cymbals - depending on your needs, these may be better options. For practice only, especially in Singapore, consider the Pearl Rhythm Traveller: small, compact and you have the option of using mesh heads so you don't disturb your neighbours.
smildrumez
New member
man.is carlos that bad...
i'm using it
i'm using it
noobshitdrumstick
New member
good choice ludwig accent cs combo ! im still using it and is awesome for good beginners 
Cheers
Cheerssmildrumez
New member
hay bro noobshitdrumstick and bro weckl-x
u got pics of ur Ludwig set?
u got pics of ur Ludwig set?
noobshitdrumstick
New member
Nope :lol:
phantompong
New member
phantompong
New member
Sis, bro, sis 
The $650 is for the kit only, the cymbals, soundoffs and mesh heads were bought separately.
The $650 is for the kit only, the cymbals, soundoffs and mesh heads were bought separately.
smildrumez
New member
woo dude.....nice set there........
wat cymbals u using?
nice sabians..........hehe :lol:
wat cymbals u using?
nice sabians..........hehe :lol:
noobshitdrumstick
New member
phantompong nice kit colour!
kari_convention
New member
i didnt see any pic..
marcdadrummer
New member
wicked sabians mate.
phantompong
New member
That's a darned good deal. If it's in good condition I'd go for it, if I were you. Otherwise, a Pacific Chameleon has just popped up at Ranking for $850 - definitely take a look at it. I got a glowing review of it from someone who also has a Pacific LX and a Camco set - the Chameleon has small-sized drums and comes with mesh heads so you can just flip the drums around and go from acoustic kit to practice kit.
