Drums Cymbals
A - Bass Drum E - One Ride (or Crash/Ride)
B - Snare Drum L - One crash (optional)
F & G - Tom-Toms (or Toms) C - Two Hi-Hat Cymbals
H - Floor Tom -
Stands / Accessories (the "hardware")
M - Snare Stand
I - Cymbal Stand - make sure they have wing nuts for the tops (not shown)
D - Foot Pedal for Bass Drum
J - Hi Hat Stand for Hi Hat cymbals
K - Hi Hat Clutch to hold top Hi Hat Cymbal
N - Mount for tom(s) to be mounted on Bass Drum
O - Throne or Seat (Optional: A chair may be used although it limits adjustibility)
H - Legs for the Floor Tom (if applicable, sometimes they're mounted on a stand)
Drum Key (for tuning) - Not shown
Notes
It's usually safer to go with name brand drumsets for the purpose
of reliability and re-sale value. Think of a drumset like a car.
It's common to go with lower line cymbals for the sake of affordability.
Brand name cymbals can often be very expensive.
Cymbal "packs" (in groups of 2 to 4) are a good inexpensive
way to purchase starter cymbals. You can always upgrade later.
Drum Types
Brand Names Off-Brand Names
Pearl Remo Percussion Plus
Tama Gretsch Sunlite
Yamaha Mapex Thor
DW Slingerland CB (not CB700)
Ayotte Ludwig TKO
Gretsch Sonor Maxwin
Premier CB700 Royce, Starion
*There are more name brand drumsets a href="http://store.drumbum.com/drums/drum-manufacturers-drum-companies.htm">here.
We will not attempt to list all of the off-brand drumsets at this time.
Cymbal Types
Brand Names Off-Brand Names
Zildjian Camber
Sabian Solar
Paiste CB
Meinl Zilco
Bosphorus -
Ufip -
Notes on buying "Used" Drums
Make sure both top and bottom heads are on the drums.
Make sure none of the tuning lugs on the drums are missing.
Make sure the laminate or exterior drum finish is in good condition
Hardware should appear relatively sturdy and all locking mechanisms secure.
Drumheads should be in relatively good shape.
(It's expensive to replace them all at once).
You're often safer buying from an older player that takes
better care of his equipment.
When buying drums, it is often safer to go with name brands
for the purpose of reliability and re-sale value.
Like buying a used car, you often get more for your money with a used kit.
Try to take an experienced drummer with you to check out the used set.
Trust your gut instinct. If it doesn't "feel" right, it probably isn't.
Drumset Buying Guide
A guide to help you purchase a drumset. What is the best drumset for you?
Do you need help buying a drumset? This drumset buying guide will help!
How much to spend on a Drum Set?
What you pay for a drumset depends on the quality but for a beginner,
anywhere between $200 and $500. Much of this will depend on
whether it's a used drumset and/or brand name drumset.
What drums are the best, or "What are the best drumsets?"
After you have the facts (above) it's really just a matter of
individual preference. Like buying a car, some swear by Ford and
others swear by Chevrolet. (We're actually fond of Toyotas ;).
Do I need a 5 piece drumset or will less pieces do?
A beginner can learn efficiently on a ride (or hi-hat), a bass drum,
and a snare drum. Young students will appreciate a full 5 piece drumkit
however as it makes it more fun to play drumfills down the drums.
My son is asking for a double bass pedal. What is this?
Simply put, it's two feet on the bass drum instead of one. A double bass
pedal allows you to play both feet on the kick drum at the same time, thus
creating some powerful and exciting (not to mention "bombastic") rhythms.
Double bass drumming is common in rock and heavy metal drumming but
can be used in any style (except polkas ;).
Please feel free to print this if you wish to use it as a reference for purchasing.
It may not, however, be used for publication in any manner without prior consent.
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