Buying a set around $1,000

[DrumsAndCocaCola]

Hello everyone. I currently have a Tama Swingstar set that I've had for 4 years. I'm thinking about getting a new set (just the drums, and keep my old cymbals), but I only want to spend about $1,000. Would this be enough money to get a set that is better enough in quality than my old set to be worth the buy? If so, does anyone have any suggestions of a good set to look in to? Any help would be much appreciated, thanks
-Lee

[jimmyq]

What's up man? So you wanna spend more or less a grand on a good drumset? Well may I suggest a Pearl export series drumset. I'm also considering an upgrade in drumset callibur. I bought my Pearl export series set back in 93 and want to buy a Pearl Masters series drumset. Ofcourse, I need the money first. Anyways, I'm real pleased with Pearl and have no complaints about it. Try a Pearl kit.

[d.c.drummer]

You can buy as Pearl session for about $1130. Export are not a big step up. check out Pemiers which are very good midrange kits and also PDP.

[mind_drummer]

Hello everyone. I currently have a Tama Swingstar set that I've had for 4 years. I'm thinking about getting a new set (just the drums, and keep my old cymbals), but I only want to spend about $1,000. Would this be enough money to get a set that is better enough in quality than my old set to be worth the buy? If so, does anyone have any suggestions of a good set to look in to? Any help would be much appreciated, thanks
-Lee

I suggest you to look at MAPEX PRO M coz it fit your request for pro and good set within your budget. IMO swingstar is somewhat good and you need to go with a PRO set to really appreciate the gap between low and high end, going for example with PEARL Export wont be so much of an upgrade.

[Stu_Strib]

I sound like a broken record, but the Tama Superstar is a great kit for this price range. You can even get flat black/red ones for as little as $499 (4 piece shell packs). They also have a killer rock configuration with 24" bass drum, 13, 16, 18 toms. The are birch shells (with 2? plies of basswood) and have die-cast rims. I can't think of better specs for less money.

[T.L.]

If I were you I'd check out Ebay and be patient -- for $1000 U.S. you should be able to get a really good PRO kit used........I picked up an Ayotte Custom 5-piece (just the shells) kit in very good shape for $1000 U.S. two years ago...........I'v seen other used Ayotte kits, as well as Pearl Masters go in that price range often.......................Be patient -- as the others have said there's no reason to keep buying student-level kits, because you really won't see much of a difference in sound. Good luck.

[DrumsAndCocaCola]

Thanks for all the help guys. One more question, would yall buy a drum set without trying it out first? Like if i were to order one online or something, or would that not be smart?

[Miggle]

if you really cannot find a way to try it, then there's not much choice. You'll have to trust the online reviews

[harryconway]

Really check out used drums. A honey amber 6 ply maple Ludwig kit with cases just sold on eBay for $800.

[aceman]

If you want to buy online or ebay I'd go try out a similar kit at a drum shop to see if thats what you really want. Thats alot of money only to be disapointed when you get them. Also, I have to disagree with the statement that mid level kits aren't much of a step up from low end or beginner kits. My stage customs sound very very close to my absolute maple Nouveau's. They aren't built with the same quality or attention to detail as the AMN's
But as far as tone, holding tunings etc.. they're hard to beat especially at $899.00 for a 5 piece kit.

[mind_drummer]

If you want to buy online or ebay I'd go try out a similar kit at a drum shop to see if thats what you really want. Thats alot of money only to be disapointed when you get them. Also, I have to disagree with the statement that mid level kits aren't much of a step up from low end or beginner kits. My stage customs sound very very close to my absolute maple Nouveau's. They aren't built with the same quality or attention to detail as the AMN's
But as far as tone, holding tunings etc.. they're hard to beat especially at $899.00 for a 5 piece kit.


I see some contradiction here ???

You say you disagree with the statement saying that mid level aren't much of a step up from low end or beginner kits then you say that your Stage customs sound very very close to your absolute maple nouveau ????

What I was saying though is like someone owning a Rydeen wanting to upgrade to Stage custom... he should better wait & save to get an absolute maple nouveau instead.

[DrumsAndCocaCola]

Yea I'd like to get a used pro level kit if my amount of dough will be enough. But how do you guys know what level of quality a drum set is? I mean even the expensive sets like at music stores and stuff sometimes don't sound great because they don't always tune the drums when they put em on display for you to try, so I never know what is medium or high quality.

[harryconway]

Let your computer be your guide. Any drum set you're intertested in, new or used, a simple google search will probably reveal a lot. Get a notebook, make lists, check eBay (if only to do homework). Hmmm, a Pearl Export kit 6 piece just sold on eBay used for $282. Do you really wanna spend $699-$899 for a new one outta G.C. or Musicians Friend 123. Maybe not (just an example). Wanna pro kit. How about a Yamaha Recording Custom kit used. 2 kits on eBay right now. Watch the auctions. I sold my Yamaha R.C's for $850. 22,13,16. Want a bigger kit. Just buy a common color and add on drums later. Tama Superstars someone mentioned, a couple of those on eBay right now including one Bubinga vintage finish. All the big drum companies have web sites so finding out which kits are top-of-the-line is easy. And then ya got everyone here at drummerworld too.

[aceman]

I see some contradiction here ???

You say you disagree with the statement saying that mid level aren't much of a step up from low end or beginner kits then you say that your Stage customs sound very very close to your absolute maple nouveau ????

What I was saying though is like someone owning a Rydeen wanting to upgrade to Stage custom... he should better wait & save to get an absolute maple nouveau instead.

Yeah, I guess you could go both ways on that issue. I guess I was trying to say that Stage customs sound so much better than low level kits but almost as good as high end kits so maybe a semi pro kit would be the best way to go without spending the extra few $$$. Yesterday my mind was blurred. Long day!

[T.L.]

Just to get you started....Here are a few of the top-of-the-line popular kits:

Yamaha Maple Custom
Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute
Yamaha Birch Custom
Yamaha Birch Custom Absolute
Pearl Masters
Gretsch USA Custom
Tama Starclassic
Ayotte (any!!! Custom or Pro)
Sonor Delite

The above are just a few...............Just remember that a used kit (on Ebay) usually will sell for 40%-60% of what it would have cost new (the sale price) at a music store that has competitive prices

(Remember that many stores don't have good prices -- however, GOOD stores regularly sell new gear at around 50% or less, relative to a list price) -- you, therefore, will often see used kits sold on Ebay for 1/3 to 1/4 of their (new) list price. For instance, lightly used Ayotte kits that list for $7000-8000 U.S. (new) often go for just over $2000 (used) on Ebay.

Likewise, a top-of-the-line cymbal like a Zildjian K Constantinople 22" Ride lists for around $800 U.S., but is sold in stores new for $340 or so......A used one on Ebay can be had for $230-$260 or even less on occasion.

[Doug Masters]

I sound like a broken record, but the Tama Superstar is a great kit for this price range.

I wonder how long it will be before DrummerKarl chimes in on this one??? :)

[bonzolead]

Also look into ddrum acoustic or pacific(dw) drums you can get quality materials(maple or birch shells,die cast hoops,heavy duty hardware,virgin bass drums,etc.) for around or even under a $1,000.These days a $1,000 goes a lot more further than it did 15 yrs. ago.

good luck,
Bonzolead



Drum machines?We don't. need any stinking drum machines.

[squid]

Does anybody know if the Tama Superstar package Stu mentioned above (24" bass drum, 13, 16, 18 toms) is still being sold? I did some searching on the internet and I wasn't able to find any dealers currently selling this kit.

[drumbuddy105133]

Just to get you started....Here are a few of the top-of-the-line popular kits:

Yamaha Maple Custom
Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute
Yamaha Birch Custom
Yamaha Birch Custom Absolute
Pearl Masters
Gretsch USA Custom
Tama Starclassic
Ayotte (any!!! Custom or Pro)
Sonor Delite

The above are just a few...............Just remember that a used kit (on Ebay) usually will sell for 40%-60% of what it would have cost new (the sale price) at a music store that has competitive prices

(Remember that many stores don't have good prices -- however, GOOD stores regularly sell new gear at around 50% or less, relative to a list price) -- you, therefore, will often see used kits sold on Ebay for 1/3 to 1/4 of their (new) list price. For instance, lightly used Ayotte kits that list for $7000-8000 U.S. (new) often go for just over $2000 (used) on Ebay.

Likewise, a top-of-the-line cymbal like a Zildjian K Constantinople 22" Ride lists for around $800 U.S., but is sold in stores new for $340 or so......A used one on Ebay can be had for $230-$260 or even less on occasion.


I second that. You can get alot more for $1,000 on ebay than you could on online music stores. However, if you are wary of putting $1,000 on ebay and really want to buy new, I would go for Mapex Pro M's or Sonor 3007. Great drums.

:)

[ledzepjb]

I'm not sure if this has been said because i dont have time to read this( im in a rush) try the Pearl Export series or a level over that, the Pearl Vision series(very good sound). There both inbetween 800 and 1200$ canadian

Good luck with that!

[drumbandit]

http://cgi.ebay.com/CUSTOM-MADE-DW-DRUMS_W0QQitemZ230146438801QQihZ013QQcategoryZ378Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This looks pretty tasty, nice finish and tom sizes and a woofer. Says he wants $1200 US.
Hope that helps

Tom