Drum Kit Newbie advice - cheap/small basement kit needed

**jemsite** · #1 07-20-2001, 04:55 PM

Can any drummers or studio folk offer advice on an affordable drumkit for home/basement use.

I want to get back into the drums and have a set available for anyone to jam along with. Including kids. Price under $700 desired. Does not have to please Bonzo, only a few amateurs and kids.

I've heard good things about the Tama Swingstars and Pearl Forum/Export... these are also test ridable locally. Any others to consider. No hurry to buy... looking for Sept/Oct timeframe. Thanks... glen

jeffrey · #2 07-20-2001, 05:28 PM

Glenn, I have a hookup for that sorta stuff.

He will ship to you. Give me a shout via email and I'll give you his numbers (he's a drummer too btw). He'll get you what you need.

**jemsite** · #3 07-20-2001, 06:05 PM

Thanks Jeffrey... mailing you now.

all other opinions, comments, etc welcome... glen

chromeboy · #4 07-20-2001, 10:35 PM

Hi Glen,

I would defintely look at the Pearl Exports series, they are priced under $700 and come with all of the hardware...all you have to buy are the cymbals. I recently purchsed a set for exactly the same purpose as you, with of course a chrome finish,

and I'm pleased with my purchase.

There are also Tama's and Yamaha's that can be found at around the same pricepoint, so at this point it would be a matter of personal preference.

Personally, I prefer the Pearl kit.

jay ratkowski · #5 07-22-2001, 02:47 PM

Glen - Check the used market. *The Pearl Export is a good higher-end beginner kit IMO. *You can probably find a Tama(which I think is a slight step up from Pearl, but that's just from working with lots of drummers, not personal drumming experience) kit or something similar for a price that you will greatly enjoy (and so will your check book).

One thing I can say against the Pearl kit and similar kits, is that they are larger sets, very wide and deep toms. *I think larger-shelled toms give a less defined sound and are just too loud overall. *When I think of big-tom kits, this image of your least favorite metal garage band comes to mind, just LOUDLY banging out noises completely at random. *I think smaller shells sound much better for a much cripser sound and "cleaner" playing (for lack of a better term). *That big Pearl thing might not be what you are looking for sound wise, so take it into consideration. *Then again, maybe you'll love it.

Do you have any choices for size, sound, pieces, etc? *If you do that is a great way to start, becasuse if you prefer, say a smaller-shell 5 piece kit, you can immediately throw a LOT of kits out of the running.

Who knows, maybe an old Sonar kit will be for you...

ebay has some good kits now and then, but do you really want to pay for shipping on an entire kit?

(Edited by jay ratkowski at 12:50 pm on July 22, 2001)

jay ratkowski · #6 07-22-2001, 02:52 PM

Another idea might be to search the Music Go Rounds and Guitar Centers for a runt kit. *Maybe you'll love the sound of Tama Artstar toms... but like the sound of a Yamaha kick drum... and who knows about a snare. *You might be able to assemble such a kit for the price you like... and could easily get matching finishes if you're not too picky.

revsharp777 · #7 07-22-2001, 05:09 PM

Another good beginner kit would be the Pacific line by DW. *I believe Musician's Friend carries them.

jay ratkowski · #8 07-22-2001, 05:19 PM

Good advice Sharp... I didn't know DW was selling those through mail order... I was trying to find something DW on Ebay, but they just had one of their higher end kits. *

Drum Workshop is good stuff... if you can find a deal on it, you should not regret it.

one less than none · #9 07-22-2001, 07:09 PM

on my experiance i would go with a pearl export but in the uk we have less choice. They are good 'general' kits bit crappy on hardware etc, but they are ok and good for the money.

But the best bet (as nearly always) get a good second hand bargain as you arn't in a rush

**jemsite** · #10 07-22-2001, 08:25 PM

thanks guys. most online vendors offer FREE shipping. I'm sure they just have the factory direct/drop ship to customers. Are the DW Pacifics any good? I need to find a local place to try them. If i mail order, I need to see/hear them first hand, because return policies by mail on drums would be a hassle.

I am looking at a small fusion type set for space and portability purposes. 20" bass drum max... glen

jay ratkowski · #11 07-22-2001, 09:25 PM

Glen,
I believe the maple "L" series of the Pacifics are the way to go, it's all maple as opposed to ply like the other series of Pacific.

Here is a Musician's Friend link to the basic line of the L series. *It is over your price range a bit, but it would be something to consider in the used market.

Only complaints I've heard are that the color options are limited and that the kick drum doesn't sound that great. *I guess the kick is all dependent on if you muffle it in some way or not. *A wide open DW 22" kick in a basement will probably never sound great... but it is possible to change that.

revsharp777 · #12 07-22-2001, 10:02 PM

Well, I haven't tried the DW Pacific line. *The ones I saw go for about $599, I believe, for a standard 5-piece kit. *They must be a lower series then the ones Jay linked to. *However, I heard GC advertising them on the radio. *They were having a sale on them for $199!!!!!!! *As much as I regret saying this, Check out GC.

DW has thier top of the line DW models, then their's a middle grade called Collarlock too. *My drummer plays the Collarlock line & they are just incredible!!! *A 7-piece kit ran him @ $2K. *

I know that Musician's Friend has a 30- or 45-day return policy...no questions asked. *Give 'em a shot.

(Edited by revsharp777 at 6:04 pm on July 22, 2001)

**jemsite** · #13 07-22-2001, 10:05 PM

thanks guys. I believe GC is musician's friend and i will head over there this week to see what they have. i'll post back w/ findings for sure... glen

Vaibanez · #14 07-23-2001, 12:58 AM

Yep...GC & MF are one in the same.

J>

floydJ · #15 07-28-2001, 11:21 PM

I remember when I was in a MF a while back they said something like they had been bought out by GC. *Anybody notice any differences after the buyout? *Or have they always been one in the same?

PS: I know that if you order from MF, the orders still come from their regional showrooms (Knoxville, TN is where my last one came from as opposed to my local Guitar Center in Atlanta). *Is it that they are owned by the same company but are still operating as they used to?