Tagged As: Essential Drum Bass
Question:
Would appreciate some advice about buying a drum kit (for my son) as I know very little about drums.
Answer:
Here is my advice. Go sort of middle of the road. My first kit was a CB700, it was awful and it didn't take me long to realize it, even at age 13. It was not tunable so I played it without the bottom heads, which didn't actually help much. I would start with a Tama Rockstar or Pearl Export which will run anywhere from around $400-600 or so, without cymbals or stands. So you get the brand without the price, as they have kits in the several thousand dollar range. These can be used by semi-serious drummers but are not as expensive as the higher end kits. The high end kits are typically all maple or birch or other woods, and the quality can vary greatly. You are right on as far as your basic starter kit: Bass drum, 20-22 inch diameter. 2 rack or mounted toms (12 inch, 14 inch, or so) which should come with stuff to mount to the bass, or on a separate stand. 1 floor tom, maybe 16 inch, with legs. 1 snare drum, typically a chrome snare will be a standard on a standard first inexpensive kit. You may need a stand, but the set should come with one. Bass drum pedal, essential. May come with the kit, but later upgrade may be needed. This is a very important piece of equipment. Hi hat stand, which will have all the pedal mechanism you need. Throne (seat) unless your kid wants to play standing up. This can actually be an important piece of equipment, for comfort sake. Cymbals usually are a completely separate purchase. Here are the essentials: Hi hat cymbals, top and bottom, usually 14 inch. Crash cymbal, 16 inch maybe or 18 inch. Ride cymbal, usually 20 inch, or 22 inch. Many cymbal companies offer Pre-pack cymbals which would include a crash, ride, and hi hats, but quality may be less than your high end Zildjians, Sabians, or Paistes. Of course as he progresses he will want to add crash cymbals of various sizes, maybe a splash cymbal (an effect cymbal, basically a very small and thin crash, 8 inch or 10 inch) and a China cymbal (later, not essential, yet), which kind of looks like an inverted cymbal and has a trash can lid type of crash effect. Stands are needed for each cymbal, boom stands are recommended for support and ease of cymbal placement (these stands have an extra arm extension which can be placed as you see fit). Stand quality could be a factor. The best are double legged as opposed to your standard three thin, single leg stands. The cowbell is definitely optional, I just got my first cowbell ever. It would need a clamp or something to attach it to the hi hat, or more preferably, the bass drum rim. Other toys may be a mountable tambourine (mount to hi hat top) and endless blocks, effect cymbals, etc., etc. Well, that can get you(r son) started. Mainly I guess my advice is stay away from kiddy kits and at least get a kit he can grow into, if he sticks with it. I often wonder if my parents realized I would continue playing into adulthood. That first CB700 kit would not get me there. You don't necessarily have to go Pearl, Tama, Yamaha, etc., but be sure the hardware looks semi-beefy and that your son likes the color.
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