drum set

[andy704]

hey i wanna start playing the drums. and even though it's so expensive i still wanna buy a set. here's the thing, i know nothing about the brands, etc. and i have to buy it from sam ash because i already got store credit.
what set do you recommend? i wanna buy a full set with hardware and cymbals. remember, im just starting and dont need something as much as a few grand but i dont want something so cheap that ill have to spend more in the future for.
if possible, i want it to include the hardware and cymbals. i was really thinking about the tama swingstar set but when i saw it in person it was small (because it was for easier traveling).
oh yeah and i saw countless sets at sam ash of the brand name of Groove Percussion. i never heard of that brand and dont know if its good

[andy704]

no one? god my threads are always failures

[ChuckECheese]

hey Andy - before I start listing different kits, how much are you looking to spend in total? Spending a little more may be worth it in the long run, if you're serious about drumming. Also, what type of music are you looking to play?

For beginners, I personally recommend Pearl Exports. They're really nice for beginners and intermediate players alike, without the huge price tag. Here's a "Pearl Forum" kit you may be interested in. The Forum Series a step below the Export Series, but it'll do just fine for the situation.

Pearl Forum (http://samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemPos=33&TempID=4&STRID=142851&Method=3&CategoryID=14&BrandID=0&PriceRangeID=0&PageNum=3&DepartmentID=4&pagesize=10&SortMethod=2&SearchPhrase=&Contains=&Search_Type=Department&GroupCode=) (w/ Hardware & Cymbals... PFX725CHDW)

If you're looking to spend more than what's listed above, even better... but this will do you just fine to start off, without necessarily having up upgrade down the road. Oh, and stay away from the Groove Percussion brand... it's total shit.

[andy704]

yeah that looks nice. so anything under 600 would probably not be a good set without having to upgrade?

i was looking for any price range preferably below 700 or so (too low?) and im looking to play rock and heavy stuff. you wouldnt happen to know a forum or site i can learn more about drums would you?

also why do i see alot of bass drums with a hole cut in it and a towel/blanket inside of it? and how would i go about doing that?

thanks alot for the reply

[ChuckECheese]

so anything under 600 would probably not be a good set without having to upgrade?

Mostlikely, unless you were buying used gear. That 700 price range is a little bit low if you wanted cymbals included. Honestly, the cymbals that come "free" with the kits are never anything of quality. Even a lower-end cymbal pack (Paiste pack with 14" hats, 16" crash and 20" ride (http://samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemPos=5&TempID=6&STRID=164631&Method=3&CategoryID=321&BrandID=0&PriceRangeID=0&PageNum=0&DepartmentID=4&pagesize=10&SortMethod=2&SearchPhrase=&Contains=&Search_Type=Department&GroupCode=)) would benefit you. Not just with rock, but with all styles, cymbals are a very defining sound and can make a world of difference. A forum I used to visit regularly just happens to be the best drum forum out there... http://www.pearldrummersforum.com/

As for those holes cut in the reso head of the bass drum, they make it easier for the sound guys to get a better response from the bass drum, like while recording or live. And the towels and blankets that people throw in the bass drum is simply for muffling. A bass drum head is much larger than the other drum heads and vibrates more, creating more of a ring. I bought a bass drum head that has a built-in muffling ring, to avoid the pillow or blanket. Another muffling technique is loosely crumpled newspaper (enough to "fluff up" )in the bass drum, it's basically an experimentation thing to get the right sound. If you think your bass drum sounds too 'ringy' and wanted to do this, you should take off the front head (reso) of the bass drum and place your desired type/amount of muffling inside (making sure whatever you're using to muffle actually touches the head that the pedal strikes) From there it's all about experimentation until you find a sound you like.

Really though, man, I gotta thank you for starting up this thread... it's got me back into drums. I read that 'apple pipe' thread, made one, smoked a lil, then had myself a groove session.

[Guinevere]

Pearl all inclusive + hardware + symbols = $700
It's the best investment you'll ever make, plus you can haggle with the prices at places like Sam ash and The Guitar Center.
P.M. if you wish. I play the drums and percussion.

[st0n3r]

yeh i wud recommend pearl even though i'm a guitarist..........or even a yamaha special made kit.......but like you said it's your first kit you're prob gunna pierced the snares n etc. get a really cheap drum kit.........and if u like the heavy metal music then just pick up a double pedal for around £100. hope it's some help.

st0na

[andy704]

yeah i pretty much thought that in a cheap drum set the cymbals probably wont be good. but are the ones on that pearl drum set good? so far, thats the first drum set on my decision list.

i was also thinking about buying a drum set that came with the drums and hardware and buying cymbals. since most likely the hardware will only include one cymbal stand and the hi-hat stand, i was thinking about buying a cymbal set with just the 3 cymbals?
( http://samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemID=42599&TempID=1&departmentid=4)
i didnt really wanna get a cymbal set with a ride and a crash and have to pay more for the stand, which i believe costs pretty much?

so if i go with that decision, which drum set would you recommend? under 700 bucks, if thats no too low? ( 5 piece drum set w/ hardware )


edit: ( ludwig accent combo 5 piece drum set w/ hardware (http://samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemPos=5&TempID=6&STRID=192255&Method=3&CategoryID=14&BrandID=0&PriceRangeID=0&PageNum=0&DepartmentID=4&pagesize=10&SortMethod=2&SearchPhrase=&Contains=&Search_Type=Department&GroupCode=)

[The Piper]

yeah my drummer has a pearl drum set an he loves it

[andy704]

http://www.thefilehut.com/userfiles/andy/drum%20set%20list.xls

which and why