Any drummers here?

[Patrick Chewing]

Looking at purchasing a drum set. Any recommendations?

This is what I've been looking at lately.


http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab16/late8/DV016_Jpg_Large_H73745_001_gray_metal.jpg


On sale for $750 right now through Guitar Center.

[L.Kizzle]

A lot of toms and cymbals. Do you need 6 cymbals and two kick drums?

[Patrick Chewing]

A lot of toms and cymbals. Do you need 6 cymbals and two kick drums?


The set only comes with the drums. But I do like the set up they have in the picture with the cymbals. Not sure how much extra that would cost. Definitely need something with double-bass as most of the music I listen to uses double bass.


Never heard of this PDP company though.

[Milbuck]

Pdp's a subsidiary under DW, basically a cheaper version of DW. The last thing I remember getting from pdp was this semi-cheap double pedal when I was in like 7th grade...it really wasn't a great decision. Dealt with that for a couple years, finally got sick of it, bought a pair of Mapex Falcons and I haven't been disappointed for like 7-8 years now. Stuff like this, if you want it to last and consistently be reliable, you just have to shell out some money.

That being said I haven't played too many pdp sets, so fvck it maybe they're really good. The one you have posted is made out of poplar, which is really a beginner drum wood...it's not terrible, but you can definitely do a lot better. Pdp also sells maple sets, similar to the maple that the DW models but less quality. Still solid though. I've heard decent things about pdp drums but if you do go that route I'd recommend getting one of their maple or birch models. Poplar really isn't something you're gonna be satisfied with for a long long time, unless you're just looking to play and sound quality isn't a huge factor.

I would definitely actually go to the place and check them out. There's nothing a website or online reviews can tell you reliably about what a set sounds like and what your sound preferences actually are without you going in there and trying it out yourself. If you've actually checked it out and you dig it, by all means go for it. But if it's just a matter of the set having 2 kicks and 5 toms, you might be better off getting a higher quality 5 piece set. Unless this is just a phase or a random interest, you're probably gonna be building on your set for a while anyways, might as well start off with a really good base. I would definitely check out Ludwig, Yamaha, Gretsch, Pearl, DW, and Mapex stuff.

Another big factor is heads you get and how you tune them. Stock heads are what they are, but depending on what heads you get you can totally change the sound of a drum. So definitely look into that as well.

Same thing for cymbals as drums, it's really up to your sound preference but for the most part you'd be much better off getting a few quality line cymbals than the cheap ones. You have your beginner sets like Zildjian ZBTs, Sabian B8s, etc. Then you have your middle line stuff like ZXTs, Sabian Xs20s, Paiste Alphas. Then you have your high end ones like A customs, K customs, Meinl Byzance series, AAXs, HHXs, Paiste 2002s, etc. For all the price difference between the levels, the sound quality difference is massive, especially from beginner cymbals to the high end ones. I got this massive Sabian beginner B8 cymbal pack with my first set, and I don't use a single cymbal from that pack now. If you're just looking for budget cymbals to play and aren't looking for any serious sound quality or anything, you would be fine getting stuff like ZBTs or B8s, you can load up on them too at their price. But if you want something better that you can rely on, I would recommend getting some mix of maybe some Xs20s and 1-2 A customs. Maybe like 1 solid 16" A custom crash, another 14" Xs20s crash, a ride, a pair of hats, and maybe a Sabian AAX splash.

[KevinNYC]

See what $700 bucks by you used.

[Patrick Chewing]

Pdp's a subsidiary under DW, basically a cheaper version of DW. The last thing I remember getting from pdp was this semi-cheap double pedal when I was in like 7th grade...it really wasn't a great decision. Dealt with that for a couple years, finally got sick of it, bought a pair of Mapex Falcons and I haven't been disappointed for like 7-8 years now. Stuff like this, if you want it to last and consistently be reliable, you just have to shell out some money.

That being said I haven't played too many pdp sets, so fvck it maybe they're really good. The one you have posted is made out of poplar, which is really a beginner drum wood...it's not terrible, but you can definitely do a lot better. Pdp also sells maple sets, similar to the maple that the DW models but less quality. Still solid though. I've heard decent things about pdp drums but if you do go that route I'd recommend getting one of their maple or birch models. Poplar really isn't something you're gonna be satisfied with for a long long time, unless you're just looking to play and sound quality isn't a huge factor.

I would definitely actually go to the place and check them out. There's nothing a website or online reviews can tell you reliably about what a set sounds like and what your sound preferences actually are without you going in there and trying it out yourself. If you've actually checked it out and you dig it, by all means go for it. But if it's just a matter of the set having 2 kicks and 5 toms, you might be better off getting a higher quality 5 piece set. Unless this is just a phase or a random interest, you're probably gonna be building on your set for a while anyways, might as well start off with a really good base. I would definitely check out Ludwig, Yamaha, Gretsch, Pearl, DW, and Mapex stuff.

Another big factor is heads you get and how you tune them. Stock heads are what they are, but depending on what heads you get you can totally change the sound of a drum. So definitely look into that as well.

Same thing for cymbals as drums, it's really up to your sound preference but for the most part you'd be much better off getting a few quality line cymbals than the cheap ones. You have your beginner sets like Zildjian ZBTs, Sabian B8s, etc. Then you have your middle line stuff like ZXTs, Sabian Xs20s, Paiste Alphas. Then you have your high end ones like A customs, K customs, Meinl Byzance series, AAXs, HHXs, Paiste 2002s, etc. For all the price difference between the levels, the sound quality difference is massive, especially from beginner cymbals to the high end ones. I got this massive Sabian beginner B8 cymbal pack with my first set, and I don't use a single cymbal from that pack now. If you're just looking for budget cymbals to play and aren't looking for any serious sound quality or anything, you would be fine getting stuff like ZBTs or B8s, you can load up on them too at their price. But if you want something better that you can rely on, I would recommend getting some mix of maybe some Xs20s and 1-2 A customs. Maybe like 1 solid 16" A custom crash, another 14" Xs20s crash, a ride, a pair of hats, and maybe a Sabian AAX splash.

Excellent info. Thank you. I hope it's not a phase. I've always wanted to have this "toy" to play with and be good at it. I took drums as an elective in high school and still remember some of the basics.

Hey, question for you. Since the drum set only comes with the drums, what do you think a cymbal set up (with all those mounts) costs?? I would like to have my set up look exactly like that, but I will take your advice on the cheaper cymbals.

[DeuceWallaces]

You you took an elective in high school and want to spend 700+ on a 15 piece budget drum set?

Guess I shouldn't be surprised based on your posts. The Earth is 70% water right?

[jongib369]

Spend all your money on this


https://youtu.be/OKReThJ8Jxc

[Joyner82reload]

If you want a real recommendation, I can tell you on Sunday. One of my fraternity brothers is the drummer of a legitimate up and coming band. He's dedicated the last 10 years of his life to the instrument, I'll ask him for you tomorrow.