Doper drummers: help requested purchasing a drum kit!

Cafe Society
21

Ogre,

There’s no question that shell pack is great. Birch shells, isolation mounts, a good matching wood snare (cheaper kits come with metal snares) a respectable name.

But.

I’m worried you’re putting too much in your shells and not enough for cymbals. Also, this kit is missing a few things you’ll need, unless I’m mistaken.

It looks like it comes with all the hardware pictured, but double check. Which makes it an even better deal. You’ll need a throne, so add another $50 for that. GET A GOOD THRONE! Don’t cheap out on that. You won’t be able to play if you’re worried you’re going to fall over. But it definitely doesn’t include cymbals. You’ll need at least hi hats and a crash / ride, but more than likely you’ll want the big three: hi hats, a crash, and a ride.

I did a check on cymbal packs, and a set of zildjian A’s (hi hats, crash, ride) are in the neighborhood of $500. Ouch. That’s a big chunk of your budget, and you still don’t have anything to put them on.

Okay, a few more questions. Are you going to buy this all online, in the comfort of your own home, in your pajamas? (kidding). Or are you willing to do a little legwork? Like, do you have some music stores around you? Specifically, drum stores? I know a great shop in Palatine, Illinois, that sells used cymbals, which are a GREAT deal. A well cared for cymbal could last a lifetime, so there’s no shame in buying used. There might be a store in your area that would do something similar.

I don’t blame you for wanting that ludwig kit, but if you’re trying to max out at a grand, you’re going to run out of room fast. Like Onecentstamp says, cheap cymbals will always sound cheap.

If you’d like, I could give you me personal take on what cymbals to get. That’s strictly my opinion based on what I’ve used.

22

Thanks again, rowinator. Don’t worry too much about the budget. I can swing going over $1000 in the long run. I double checked with another online dealer (Zzounds,) and they are a bit more explicit about what exactly comes with the set. Turns out that cymbal stands are indeed included.

Do you have any recommendations for a particular throne?

Also, how about heads? I understand that it’s pretty standard to go ahead and replace stock heads right out of the box. Do you have any favorites? I’ve seen Evans Hydraulic heads mentioned in a few places.

As for the cymbals, whoo yeah, I know they’re going to cost a chunk. If I don’t spring for a pack of Zildjian A’s right off, what’s a good compromise? I’ve seen Sabian B8’s recommended. You guys think I should go ahead and put the money in for the Zildjians, yes?

And yes, I’m willing to do some legwork. I’m in Birmingham, AL, which is a small-to-medium-sized city with several good music stores around. I don’t know of any stores that specialize in drums, though. I’ll double check. I don’t suppose that Palatine, IL drum shop has a website, do they? :slight_smile:

23

The premium choice is Roc-n-Soc. They’re around $130, but they’re comfortable as hell and super durable.

Yes, it’s customary to change them. Stock heads are usually the cheapest available, almost always past their prime, and often have been cranked too tight. There’s a HUGE range of heads, and they do make a big difference in sound. I can’t recommend a brand or style without knowing what kind(s) of music you intend to play. I can tell you that hydraulic heads tend towards punchy, dark sounds with little sustain - they’re very popular for heavy metal. A good starting point would be to find out what heads your favorite drummers use.

The big divide in cymbal quality (and price) is cast bronze versus stamped bronze. Zildjian A cymbals are actually low-to mid-priced for cast bronze cymbals, and if there is such a thing as an industry standard for something as varied as cymbals, Zildjian As are probably it. I can’t think of a style of music you couldn’t play with them. When I was a drummer, they formed the backbone of my cymbal lineup (I had one Sabian AA splash I really loved).

Sabian B8s are stamped bronze. They’re good for what they are (I’d use them on a bang-around-at-home kit), but if you buy them, I guarantee you’ll be looking to upgrade them in six months. Sabian’s cast bronze cymbals, on the other hand, are very nice.

Of the big three cymbal makers, Sabian is generally priced just a tiny bit cheaper than Zildjian, and Paiste is a notch more expensive. All three make excellent stuff.