Purchasing a Drum Set

The point of this section is to give the consumer a guide as to where certain drum-makers' lines fall in the overall hierarchy of price and quality. It is not a which set is better than which. Some of these drumsets may not be available in all countries around the globe.

Drumsets

Sub-Entry Level Drumsets -

Sets in this category often fall below $350 [£275] (street price). They often come in the standard 5-piece configuration (12", 13", and 16" toms, 14" snare, 22" bass) with cheap hardware, often a hi-hat stand, a straight cymbal stand, a throne, and occasionally brass cymbals. These drumsets are good for new students under 10 years of age where the level of commitment may not be as high as that of someone older or with a more refined ear. They have a mid-range sound and benefit from two-ply batter heads. These drums have poor bearing edges, poor stock heads, wrinkled plastic wraps, sticky lugs, and bad resale value.

CB700/CB Maxx by Kaman Music (CB Music)
Peace
TKO
Rockwood
Atomic

Note: Chances are a set is sub-entry level if it’s made in Taiwan (or a similar low-grade manufacturing country), the sales person cannot identify the wood (select hardwood is not good wood), and/or if it’s low-grade mahogany (a.k.a. lauan). The hardware packaged with these sets is cheap; although it is sometimes double-braced, flimsy looking hardware is flimsy.

Entry Level Drumsets

These kits are excellent choices for people 10-15 years of age or for those who do not have the $500 [£350](or desire to spend that money) on a student level kit. Often made of lauan, single-braced hardware comes pre-packaged and they are found mostly in the standard 5-piece configuration but manufacturers such as Pearl and Premier are now offering jazz size kits. "Jazz" kits often have 12" and 14" toms, a 14" snare, and an 18" or 20" bass. The jazz configuration is good for smaller players or those who desire a higher-pitched sound. Cymbals are rarely found packaged with these sets. Again, 2-ply batter heads help alleviate the mid-range sound of these kits.

Forum by Pearl
Swingstar by Tama
Cabria by Premier
Accent by Ludwig
Venus by Mapex
DB by Yamaha
Sunlite Brand

Student Level Drumsets

Drumsets in this class are some of the best selling models. They are good for ages 10 and up and make an excellent choice for adults who used to drum as kids, stopped playing for many years, and have decided to take up the instrument again. Shell kits (just the drums, no hardware) can be found for $400 [£275] and $600-$800 [£400- £550]with hardware, depending on configuration choices. Again, the standard 5-piece is most common but fusion kits (10", 12", and 14" toms, 14" snare, 20"-22" bass), jazz kits, and 4-piece kits (10"-13" rack tom, 14"-16" floor tom, 14" snare, 20"-22" bass) are sold in pre-packaged kits as well.

The quality improvement of these drums over entry-level kits is remarkable and their higher price is justified. The feature sturdier hardware, better wraps, and better shells. Some manufacturers offer their student-level kits in a "deluxe" style model as well. These "deluxe" models often feature upgrades such as a wood shell snare drum, lacquer finishes, and suspension mounted toms.

Rockstar by Tama
Rockstar Custom by Tama
Export by Pearl
Export Select by Pearl
XPK by Premier
Stage Custom by Yamaha
Mars by Mapex
Mars Custom by Mapex
Rocker by Ludwig
Rocker Elite by Ludwig

Semi-Pro Drumsets

The semi-pro level of drums are the happy medium between pro and student level sets. It is at this level that bearing edges are pretty good (perfect is a term I’d rather not use), lugs stop sticking, and more professional woods are used. These sets can vary in price from $800 [£550] for shell packs to $1600 [£1100]for complete sets. Pre-packaged sets are available in 4 and 5 piece sets, in standard, jazz, and fusion configurations. The separate components available in this level are greater too, featuring less popular sizes such as 8" and 15" toms. These kits can also come with lacquer or wrapped finishes, suspension mounts, and brass snare drums. At this point, drums lose that mid-range sound that is common to cheaper models, providing the player a greater choice of suitable heads.

Sonic Plus II by Sonor
Session by Pearl
Prestige Session by Pearl
Prestige Session Select by Pearl
ArtStar Esprit by Tama
Rocker Pro by Ludwig

Mass-Produced Pro Drumsets

This type of pro set is a type of kit that is mass-produced by one of the large drum makers. Most feature shells made of one tone wood, suspension mounted toms, wood snare drums, lacquer finishes, and a wide choice of options. Shell kits at this level can start at around $1200 [£800] with pre-packaged sets going as high $4000 [£2750]. The hardware that comes with these kits is top of the line; double-chain drive bass drum pedals, double-braced hardware, and low-mass lugs, among other things. Manufacturers make many different types of pro drums, with the series differing by wood type and shell thickness, among other things. These drums are played by many professional and amateur players, from basements to arenas. The player can use any type of heads he wishes but many opt for more "open" sounding heads such as one-ply, dot, and non-dampened two-ply. They make that choice because the overtones produced by these drums are often more pleasant than cheaper drums.

Signia Marquis by Premier
Signia by Premier
Genista by Premier
S-Class by Sonor
Workshop Series by Drum Workshop
Classic Series by Ludwig
Vintage Series by Ludwig
Drumsmith by Ayotte
Beech Custom by Yamaha
Maple Custom by Yamaha
Recording Custom by Yamaha
Birch Custom Absolute by Yamaha
Maple Custom Absolute by Yamaha
Masters Custom by Pearl
Masters Studio by Pearl
Saturn by Mapex
Orion by Mapex
ArtStar Custom by Tama
Starclassic Maple by Tama
Starclassic Performer by Tama

Pro Drumsets

Drums like these are at the top of their game. The best hardware, the best shells, the best quality, the best attention to detail; these are the things you find in a professional set. Drums in this range can be had in almost any finish, any thickness, and any size. The price tag on these starts at approximately $2000 [£1300] with the sky as the limit. Are you a drummer who just won the lottery? These are the drums for you.Spaun

Collector’s Series by Drum Workshop
Custom Series by Ayotte
Fibes
Designer Series by Sonor
Masterworks by Pearl
Gretsch
Slingerland

Cymbals

Sub-Entry Level Cymbals

Cymbals in this range are usually not made of bronze, the alloy of choice for cymbals. They are usually found with sub-entry level kits.

302 and 402 by Paiste
Solar Brand
Pearl Cymbals

Entry Level Cymbals

Entry level cymbals have come a long way. Most are made of B8/CuSn8 (92% Copper, 8% Tin) bronze alloy and have a pretty good choice of models. Gone are the days of just having 14" hi-hats, 16" crashes, and 20" rides. Entry level cymbal lines of today include effects models such as splashes and chinas, rock weight cymbals, and a myriad of sizes. On the downside, these cymbals tend to crack a lot. These should be the cymbals you buy for your kid with his first set.

ZBT by Zildjian
B8 by Sabian
502 by Paiste

Student Level Cymbals

Cymbals in this range break less than their cheaper counterparts. A wider range of models are offered and some lines are offered in brilliant finish. A better choice for a first set of cymbals, but if you are upgrading from cheaper ones, skip this level-your money is better spent higher in the spectrum. Again, the B8 alloy is popular.

B8Pro by Sabian
ZBT Plus by Zildjian
802 by Paiste

*Note: Pretty much all of the cymbals above the student level can be considered pro cymbals. I’ll group pro cymbals by the application they are typically used for. Understand though, that the following groupings are not carved in stone and it is up to the player to decide what type of cymbals they want to use. I am just grouping them by possible application and your mileage may vary.

Professional Level Cymbals
Rock Cymbals
These cymbals are made to cut through the music, excelling in high volume situations and gigs where bright cymbals are desired.
2002 by Paiste
Pro by Sabian
Z Custom by Zildjian
Edge by Zildjian

Multi-Application Cymbals

The cymbals in this grouping are the most versatile cymbals offered. They excel in most styles of music and their lines usually offer the greatest choice to drummers.

Avedis (A) by Zildjian
A Custom by Zildjian
AA by Sabian
AAX by Sabian
Alpha by Paiste
Sound Formula by Paiste
Signature by Paiste
Visions by Paiste

Jazz Cymbals

Cymbals in this classification are characterized by dry sounds, low pitches, and thin weights, all of which lend themselves to jazz music. These also happen to be the most expensive of all cymbals, which is puzzling because jazz musicians aren’t known for their fat wallets. :p