Kiddie drum sets?

[thecraponline]

I had a crazy thought recently... to buy one of those little kiddie drum sets, to play small gigs, or just for fun.

I thought that one might sound almost okay with some good heads, and along with good quality cymbals. Plus, they come pretty darn cheap. If I go for it, I do have enough spending money laying around.

So I was just wondering if this isn't a dumb idea? Also, I'd like to know if anyone has experience with these drum sets, to tell me about the quality (I don't mean the sound, just whether or not it will end up breaking after a month.) As a side note, I'm looking for a 16"/8"/10"/13" configuration, with a cymbal post in the bass drum.

Thanks everyone. :)

[Zoofie]

Hmm maybe , just it would be very small. This one : http://www.flyingfingers.ie/Drums/kid%20playing%20drums.jpg , it looks quite nice , but its tiny!
Would be funny to turn up to a gig playing that :)

[DestinationDrumming]

a dumb idea?

I agree entirely. If you really want to waste money you can put usednotes in a brown envelope and post it to me :0)

Spend the money wisely would be my choice on new 'proper' drum stuff or just save it......at the end of the day it's your money!

[boomboomda]

Save your money and look for a used Sonor Jungle or Yamaha hip gig.
I have a Sonor jungle set just for that purpose (quick setup and tear down in small places)
Great set, sturdy and good sounding.

[mrchattr]

Save your money and look for a used Sonor Jungle or Yamaha hip gig.
I have a Sonor jungle set just for that purpose (quick setup and tear down in small places)
Great set, sturdy and good sounding.

This is absolutely correct. If you want a small kit, save up and get a good small kit. Small kits rock, and make small venues easier to handle, but going to a gig with a First Act Drum Kit, even with G1s and K Customs, you're still going to have issues, like the tom falling off, and the girls at the club laughing at you.

[caddywumpus]

The kid drum kits have all sorts of issues--things you don't want to deal with at a gig. Floor tom legs won't stay secure, rack mounts don't hold secure, the snare typically sounds crappy, shells out of round, very fragile, high hat stand will "catch" and won't adjust easily, hardware bends under very little pressure...you get the idea. Tuned up with the right heads, though, and miked up, they don't sound that bad (but still not good).

[dairyairman]

this reminds me of one of my favorite videos. dave grohl playing a kiddie drum set.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyO7lvzfw5Q

[Bruce M. Thomson]

I had exactly the same idea, use it as a go kit. You probably already know this but just as a reminder you would need to put the bass on a riser that way you use your own pedal; it can be attached to the drum permanently at an inexpensive price. The snare wouldn't be that much different than a pop corn snare, 10" hats and a good 18' ride crash and your all set. Imagine how inexpensive a second hand kit would be. I would be interested to know if you follow through with the idea and how it works out.

Cheers.

[Bruce M. Thomson]

...Sorry, I forgot to add that another alternative is a cocktail set. I mention this after reading some of the other replies warning of quality. I was thinking of using just the bass and the snare, if I needed a tom I would put a 12' or 14' on a snare stand; it is going to be kiss principal playing I would imagine anyway.

[thecraponline]

Thanks for the responses.

The thing that makes me want to try it out is just the fact that I've never really seen it done before. And if it actually worked, it would be pretty cool.

Still, I realize it would most likely be a waste of my money. Though, if I happen to come across one for very cheap, I might still go for it.

I guess for now I'll just satisfy my new-gear addiction with a cymbal or something. :p

[rootheart]

watch this:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=L-rlhXlB7dE
GRIN

[Garvin]

Daaaaaamn, that guy kills! He looks really uncomfortable though. I'd have a hard time sitting like that through a whole gig.

[Deathmetalconga]

The kid drum kits have all sorts of issues--things you don't want to deal with at a gig. Floor tom legs won't stay secure, rack mounts don't hold secure, the snare typically sounds crappy, shells out of round, very fragile, high hat stand will "catch" and won't adjust easily, hardware bends under very little pressure...you get the idea. Tuned up with the right heads, though, and miked up, they don't sound that bad (but still not good).

That's true, the main problem with a kiddie set is the hardware. I used to have one. It had a 16 bass drum, 12 tom and 12 snare and tin cymbal on the bass. The pedal was constantly breaking.

If you got some decent hardware and heads, you could have a reasonably decent little set, but what use would it be for? By the time you upgraded all the hardware, you might as well put together a dwarf set from a larger set, scavenging the floor tom, snare and a tom or two.

Also, a kiddie set has a certain look to it. If you're playing kids music for kids, it would actually fit into the setting really well, but other than that, it would look like you couldn't afford a decent set.

[T.Underhill]

I just always imagined myself playing an audition or gig with one just for laughs. It's like a fat man riding a tiny scooter. Hilarity.

[Old Doc Yak]

I don't know about kiddie drum sets but I have a Tama Stagestar for my practice kit. Bass:14X18, rack toms: 8X10, 8X12, floor tom: 12X14, snare: 5X13. Kit doesn't take up much room. Came with a pedal that fits the kick - no need for riser. Tama stopped making this kit - don't know why. Great little kit. Not top-line but chuck the stock heads, tune it well and it sounds great. Would make a nice little gigging kit. Might be able find one used if interested. Good luck.

[ceckha]

this kind of reminds me of david crowder performing with a guitar hero guitar. haha.

i saw him do it live once, it was great.

[k3ng]

this kind of reminds me of david crowder performing with a guitar hero guitar. haha.

i saw him do it live once, it was great.

That's so typical of crowder.

I've love to have a bang on a kiddie kit. Though I'm afraid I might break it.

[wonder1]

[QUOTE=thecraponline;459535]I had a crazy thought recently... to buy one of those little kiddie drum sets, to play small gigs, or just for fun.

I thought that one might sound almost okay with some good heads, and along with good quality cymbals. Plus, they come pretty darn cheap. If I go for it, I do have enough spending money laying around.

So I was just wondering if this isn't a dumb idea? Also, I'd like to know if anyone has experience with these drum sets, to tell me about the quality (I don't mean the sound, just whether or not it will end up breaking after a month.) As a side note, I'm looking for a 16"/8"/10"/13" configuration, with a cymbal post in the bass drum.

Thanks everyone. :)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/laubrothers/PIC_0291.jpg
This is my "Small-set".6"HH,12 Splash,8"Snare,8"Tom,10"Floor-tom,10"Head on Bass Box!

[mrchattr]

[QUOTE=thecraponline;459535]I had a crazy thought recently... to buy one of those little kiddie drum sets, to play small gigs, or just for fun.

I thought that one might sound almost okay with some good heads, and along with good quality cymbals. Plus, they come pretty darn cheap. If I go for it, I do have enough spending money laying around.

So I was just wondering if this isn't a dumb idea? Also, I'd like to know if anyone has experience with these drum sets, to tell me about the quality (I don't mean the sound, just whether or not it will end up breaking after a month.) As a side note, I'm looking for a 16"/8"/10"/13" configuration, with a cymbal post in the bass drum.

Thanks everyone. :)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/laubrothers/PIC_0291.jpg
This is my "Small-set".6"HH,12 Splash,8"Snare,8"Tom,10"Floor-tom,10"Head on Bass Box!

Did you build this? If so, how? What did it cost, etc? I love weird looking stuff. I want one!

[wonder1]

[QUOTE=wonder1;466197]

Did you build this? If so, how? What did it cost, etc? I love weird looking stuff. I want one!
I come out the design & measurement,collect some use plywood from my friend's work-shop and get his help to cut the size for me then nail/grue it(For the Box-Bass).I did collect alot of old/used drum parts...so just take some old drum head & shell(cut to 2")then attached it to the plywood base(for Snare,Toms)as for the Snare,I did attached a home-made Snare-wire.The cost for this Kit is very very low......99% is free....only spend very little $ on some Bolt & Nuts!(may be less then $10!!!).Infact You can build one for yourself!Is not that diffcult!
If you like weird looking drum-kit,you can check out my web:
www.geocities.com/laubrothers
Thanks!
Peter

[805Drummer]

I don't know about kiddie drum sets but I have a Tama Stagestar for my practice kit. Bass:14X18, rack toms: 8X10, 8X12, floor tom: 12X14, snare: 5X13. Kit doesn't take up much room. Came with a pedal that fits the kick - no need for riser. Tama stopped making this kit - don't know why. Great little kit. Not top-line but chuck the stock heads, tune it well and it sounds great. Would make a nice little gigging kit. Might be able find one used if interested. Good luck.

I used to have one, and sold it for $200.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b32/zacharykatz/PIC_1007.jpg