So, I've been thinking a lot, I wanna buy a drum set because it seems like it's a lot of fun. Also I play Rock Band/Guitar Hero, and I must say I'm pretty pro at it. My friend recently bought a guitar and he's bugging me about buying drums. I would spend a lot of time learning/playing them because I have a lot of time on my hands. I have a job so I can save money for one. If I were to buy a set, what would you recommend? I don't wanna start big but also not with a small one. I'm trying to keep the price under $800. So if you could point me into a direction where I can get a decent set, what kind, and the price, I would really appreciate it.

same thing happened to me 2 years ago


I ended up buying a cheaper electronic drum kit because of my small budget



IMO: get a decent acoustic kit


get a teacher



its easy to follow colored dots on the screen, but with real drums you need to learn the rudiments, keeping time in different tempos, various tones and techniques to be used on the drums/rims/cymbals....etc


it is a lot more intricate than you think.


But it is also very fun and very rewarding.

i know, i hav a couple of people that can help me get started, and those video games do help with rythem

they help with rhythm yeah.....but that's about it. Anyone can keep a beat in 4/4 time at a simple tempo.....

That's not really true. I know from experience.

But I will agree that rock band might slightly help with rhythm but at the end of the day, it will be holding you back. There are so many elements of playing that you cannot learn through rock band: dynamics, complex rhythms, etc.

yea i know but thats y if i do get an actual set ill spend almost all of my time on learning everything there is to know about playing it

Just buy a standard 5 piece. Go to musician's friend.com, they have some pretty basic gear. Things to look for are the type of wood, and quality of the tom holders. That's pretty important. Go for maple or birch imo for the wood type. When you look at the tom holders, the best kind do not attach to the hoop or tension rods, but rather go under the lugs themselves. Pearl vision kits are like 700ish I think.

This link will bring you to a list of drum sets that are between 500 and 750.

http://drums-percussion.musiciansfriend.com/navigation/complete-drum-sets-kits?N=100001+304831+11

This post was edited by Ghost_Smoke on Jun 27 2010 06:12pm

Well, the most important thing if you are considering an acoustic set is the noise... Believe me no one wants to hear drums even if you're really good, so make sure your neighbors/parents whoever doesn't care first.

If noise is an issue get an electronic set. The Alesis DM5 electronic kit is in your budget:

http://drums-percussion.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alesis-DM5-Pro-Electronic-Drum-Set?sku=490095

Or this Simmons, but I dono if I would recommend it personally. (I have a DM5 Module I use for triggering double bass on an acoustic set).

http://drums-percussion.musiciansfriend.com/product/Simmons-SD5K-Electronic-Drum-Set-?sku=443369

If you happen to be one of the lucky ones who can make noise any time you want... by ALL means go acoustic, there are some beautiful kits out there under $1000. My personal favs are Sonor Force 3007 series, Pacific Platinum Lacquer Series and Gretsch Catalina Maple.

http://drums-percussion.musiciansfriend.com/product/Sonor-Force-3007-Studio-1-Shell-Pack?sku=490526
http://drums-percussion.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gretsch-Drums-Catalina-Maple-Fusion-Drum-Shell-Pack-with-Free-16-Floor-Tom?sku=483246
http://drums-percussion.musiciansfriend.com/product/PDP-FS-7Piece-Double-Bass-Shell-Pack?sku=583364

Maple is hands down the best tone wood, DO NOT buy anything basswood and try to stay away from poplar as well. Birch can be nice, but for me Maple just has that perfect blend of warmth and resonance... beautiful sounding toms

If you end up having to spend a little more to get a maple kit - DO IT. You will not regret it later. Please do not buy a "Pulse" or other beginner type set, yeah you get a lot of drums for the money but they suck, believe me. I have a cheap Pacific EZ series kit, but after hearing a few maple kits at Guitar Center I was sold... I just don't have anywhere to play as often as I would like so it doesnt make sense for me to spend $2000 on a nicer drum set just yet... so I make do.

noise isnt an issue, my friend lives on a farm and he said i can set up a kit in his barn that they dont use

yeh...
dont go electric unless you can afford yamaha or roland
everything else is shit