How do I buy a new set?

[Plutopowered]

Hi all,

I have some specific questions about buying a new set and I'm not sure what to do. Any recommendations?

1. I desperately need a new set but I'm short on $ and will probably be short until I find a new job (maybe a couple of months?). The set I have is useable but is old and pretty beat up from a couple years of gigging (Sonor Force 2002/3? 5 piece - 10",12",14" toms, 14" snare, 18" bass (too small for rock drumming - bandmates complain about it all the time!)

2. Of course I want the best set I can get and Yamaha would be my number one choice with DW my second. I'd prefer a 6 piece set up (4 toms, snare, with at least a 20" / 22" bass drum as it will be for rock drumming.

3. Obviously, it would be best (or cheaper) to buy used but what about buying in "pieces"? In other words, what about buying the snare I want first. Then, buying a shell pack of the drums that I want, and then buying the hardware and more cymbals / bells / whistles last? Might that be least expensive way to do it? Or, would it be better just to buy the whole thing when I have the money?

[Wavelength]

1) Look for second hand shell packs. Usually you can cannibalise your own kit for your hardware needs.

2) You are short on cash, so settle for just two toms -- 12" and 14" or 13" and 16". Two toms is really enough for rock (and just about anything, for that matter)!

3) If your snare is useable, don't haste to replace it. I gather that your biggest problem is the kick's size, so strive to get the kick (and toms) replaced first.

4) Buy the cymbals second hand. Start with a good, crashable ride, then get a good crash and a good pair of hats, and finally, if you need it, another crash.

5) Finally, do not buy anything new! All you'll get is mediocre drums, mediocre cymbals and mediocre hardware you'll just end up replacing later. You'll save more cash by buying great drums, great cymbals and great hardware second hand; they'll sound better, work better, last longer and still be cheaper than your average "nice price" set of B8 cymbals and tin-cast cymbal stands....

[Plutopowered]

1) Look for second hand shell packs. Usually you can cannibalise your own kit for your hardware needs.

2) You are short on cash, so settle for just two toms -- 12" and 14" or 13" and 16". Two toms is really enough for rock (and just about anything, for that matter)!

3) If your snare is useable, don't haste to replace it. I gather that your biggest problem is the kick's size, so strive to get the kick (and toms) replaced first.

4) Buy the cymbals second hand. Start with a good, crashable ride, then get a good crash and a good pair of hats, and finally, if you need it, another crash.

5) Finally, do not buy anything new! All you'll get is mediocre drums, mediocre cymbals and mediocre hardware you'll just end up replacing later. You'll save more cash by buying great drums, great cymbals and great hardware second hand; they'll sound better, work better, last longer and still be cheaper than your average "nice price" set of B8 cymbals and tin-cast cymbal stands....

Ah, good idea! So your saying buy second hand shell packs (+ bass drum) first and then the snare later and start with fewer drums. Any suggestions as to where to find them on the internet? (Ebay obviously).

How hard is it to complete a used set at a later time? In other words, if I find a used Oak Custom shell pack (with 2 toms and a bass), how hard would it be to find more matching drums at a later date?

As far as cymbals, I have been using A customs (15" crash,16" crash, 20" ride and 15" 16"? high hats and I'm very happy. As you say, I would never buy cheap cymbals! They sound terrible...

[Ironcobra]

if you plan on upgrading later, with more toms etc. i would buy a very popular series of drums, (sonor 3005 kind of thing) so that you can order another tom before they discontinue the series(not saying that they will). you can always upgrade cymbals at any time, but sometimes the shell pack is a one time thing, so personally i would try to get that first.

[Wavelength]

How hard is it to complete a used set at a later time? In other words, if I find a used Oak Custom shell pack (with 2 toms and a bass), how hard would it be to find more matching drums at a later date?

It shouldn't be too difficult if you go for a more prominent drum make like Tama, Yamaha, Pearl, etc. Exotic finishes and rare sets will of course be a bit trickier to complement.

[Plutopowered]

if you plan on upgrading later, with more toms etc. i would buy a very popular series of drums, (sonor 3005 kind of thing) so that you can order another tom before they discontinue the series(not saying that they will). you can always upgrade cymbals at any time, but sometimes the shell pack is a one time thing, so personally i would try to get that first.

It shouldn't be too difficult if you go for a more prominent drum make like Tama, Yamaha, Pearl, etc. Exotic finishes and rare sets will of course be a bit trickier to complement.

I'm not too concerned about the color (as long as it's not ugly!!!).

Any suggestions as far as drums to look for (by this I mean series)?

My favs: Anything Yamaha (especially Oak Custom), DW Series? Price?

I'm not familiar (anymore) with Tama or Pearl. Series? Price?

Don't like Mapex, Gretsch (unless recommended)

Not sure about Premier (used to have Premier APK many years ago) or Sonor.


Anywhere to get used prices on drums? Websites?

[ledzepjb]

1) Look for second hand shell packs. Usually you can cannibalise your own kit for your hardware needs.

2) You are short on cash, so settle for just two toms -- 12" and 14" or 13" and 16". Two toms is really enough for rock (and just about anything, for that matter)!

3) If your snare is useable, don't haste to replace it. I gather that your biggest problem is the kick's size, so strive to get the kick (and toms) replaced first.

4) Buy the cymbals second hand. Start with a good, crashable ride, then get a good crash and a good pair of hats, and finally, if you need it, another crash.

5) Finally, do not buy anything new! All you'll get is mediocre drums, mediocre cymbals and mediocre hardware you'll just end up replacing later. You'll save more cash by buying great drums, great cymbals and great hardware second hand; they'll sound better, work better, last longer and still be cheaper than your average "nice price" set of B8 cymbals and tin-cast cymbal stands....
Great idea, just make sure that you can PLAY the drums BEFORE buying it. Inspect it to see if there are major dents or broken things. Then see if you can bargin with the seller;)

P-S: you cant go wrong with Pearl!

[Jon Cable]

sorry, just didnt mean to put the cigarette sales thread on top!! Buy what you like the look of, you can make drums sound koolish but thay need to e the ones you like in the first place...