# Set of drums for under $300? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 18, 2006, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-of-drums-for-under-300/384587 "2006-12-18T04:19:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-of-drums-for-under-300/384587/1 "2006-12-18T04:19:19Z")
My 16 year old son loves to let off steam pounding on his drumset. He refuses to take lessons, doesn’t play with a band, just loves to drum as a solo activity. His drum set is beat to hell. I’d like to replace it for Christmas. Is it possible to get a passable drum set for around $300? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![brendon\_small](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brendon_small/32/17101_2.png) [@brendon\_small](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brendon_small)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-of-drums-for-under-300/384587/2 "2006-12-18T04:37:38Z")
Although my first instinct was to think “no” - you might want to try by looking at online stores. Many sell “scratch-and-dent” specials, and although some people are more worried about how it looks, he might not mind since it is a solo activity for him. Often, I buy guitars this way. In many cases, they’ve accidentally shut the case and taken a small chip off the side. Sometimes, if it is painted, the paint or clear coat will have a bubble in it. It is easy to save a ton by buying these items, since they (usually) function great. I will look online as well, and let you know what I find… Brendon ---
**Author:** ![brendon\_small](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brendon_small/32/17101_2.png) [@brendon\_small](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brendon_small)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-of-drums-for-under-300/384587/3 "2006-12-18T04:42:52Z")
(sorry to double post) I found several at Musician’s Friend, not scratch and dent, and I usually have no problem with ordering from there. They have always delivered rather quickly… A set for just over $300 is [here](http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Pulse-Pro-5Piece-Drum-Set-with-Cymbals?sku=444094). Another for 300…[here](http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ludwig-?sku=446443). Also, you said he has a current set, and if it is just looking bad, a new shells might fix the problem, like what is seen [here](http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ludwig-Accent-5Piece-Power-Shell-Pack-?sku=443135). Good luck! Brendon ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-of-drums-for-under-300/384587/4 "2006-12-18T17:49:10Z")
I have a set very similar to the ones posted by brendon\_small, except mine happens to be by Pearl. Unfortunately, I’m not making any use of it lately except to pound away for a few minutes about once a month. I took three or four lessons and then stopped for financial reasons – haven’t gone back yet. ☹ A shame, too, because I was enjoying learning. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-of-drums-for-under-300/384587/5 "2006-12-18T17:50:56Z")
Er, sorry…lost my train of thought. The point was supposed to be that you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a a similarly priced set. Most of the music stores I shopped at (before my wife ended up buying me a set for Christmas, bless her) had a basic $300 - $350 set in stock at all times. Good luck!