basic, inexpensive drum set with cymbals ??

[Morris Davis]

Hi all - I occasionally have friends over and we jam. I'd like to just have a drum set at the house for these events -- but I wouldn't even know where to begin. I'm a guitar player and I don't know anything about drums. Is there a drum set worth buying (including symbols) under $500 ? Any recommendations are helpful here, including the recommendation "don't buy a cheap drum set." Thanks in advance and happy holidays.

[Tres Aardvarks]

I think my bass playing buddy got a Tama set for around that...decent set with a couple cymbals...and of course there is always buying used.

[unfun75]

I'd suggest buying used drums off of Craigslist and then trying to piece together some decent cymbals and hardware.

[JohnnyB]

I'd suggest buying used drums off of Craigslist and then trying to piece together some decent cymbals and hardware.

Sometimes some good cymbals are bundled with a kit somebody wants to get rid of. One time I bid on a 5-piece Premier maple kit on eBay that included a K Zildjian Constantinople ride and a pair of Zildjian New Beat hi-hats. I had to leave for an appointment, missing the auction closing and my last bid just missed the winning bid, which was something like $480 for the whole kit. This was awhile ago, but it's something to consider. Also, do some searching on GC's used gear website. Search for Sabian AA and AAX, which are B20 cast bronze. Also you'll find that a used 16" crash is much cheaper than an equivalent 18", but makes an excellent crash. I've also found that Zildjian New Beats are one of the best used deals on hi-hat cymbals, often going for $100-120/pair.

[velorush]

We bought this set for my son a few years ago. It was fine to start with, but as with all budget sets, the cymbals are the area they cheap out with. Cynic fixed him up with some Sabians and a new high hat stand and it is a completely different set.

If I had it to do over, I'd probably go with a used set. MUCH better bargains to be had out there - especially in comparison to used guitars (vs. new).

Think about it: if you have a guitar that you're not playing, you can always shove it under the bed. You're not going to shove unwanted drums under the bed - they're in the way and somebody's going to be complaining about all that space being taken up by something not being used.

[Bloozguy]

Is there a drum set worth buying (including symbols) under $500?

Short answer...NO

A few months ago I did exactly what you're planning to do.

Based on some (great) advice from JohnnyB I found a used Gretsch Renown Maple 5-piece shell pack (that's drummer speak for "just the drums") at a local mom 'n' pop music store and then bought all of the hardware (snare stand, cymbal stands, kick drum pedal) and cymbals (all old Avedis Zildjian) off Craigslist. I got the shell pack, which sells for around $2,000 new, for $500 and all of the rest for another $500 or so. The cymbals alone would have cost around $900 new.

[tbonesullivan]

I'm going to third the craigslist suggestion. A lot of parents buy their kids a decent entry or mid level kit, they play it for a bit, get bored, and then it just sits there. I've seen kits that retail for over $1000 go for $500 with hardware.

[cmatthes]

If you were close to the DC area, I'd have one HELLUVA deal for ya!

[unfun75]

I may can work a deal on some Sabian B8 Pro's (14" hats, 16" crash, 20" ride) if you need cymbals.

[Morris Davis]

You all are great. I really appreciate the advice. I still feel lost in all this - I'm a guitarist not a drummer - but I can ask my drummer friends to keep their eyes open for me on Craigslist. If any of you would like to PM me with drum deals, I'd certainly listen. Thanks again.

[Bloozguy]

Lousy phone picture, but this is how mine turned out (minus the splash cymbal on the front stand):

[cmatthes]

That's pretty much my EXACT kit!! ^^ ^^

[JohnnyB]

Lousy phone picture, but this is how mine turned out (minus the splash cymbal on the front stand):

The Gretsch Renown series are some of the best-sounding drums I've heard, period, DW and boutique kits included. Getting that shell pack for $500 was a steeeeeal! Even the grainy phone pic can't hide that you scored genuine cast bronze (B20) big boy cymbals too. And despite high list prices for drum hardware, it's not too hard to find lightly used double-legged cymbal and snare stands for a song.

One more thing: If you're going to scrimp on something, scrimp on the drums, not the cymbals. You can put high performance heads on mid-level drums and get a good sound. You can tune drums to get their best sound, add Richie Rings, and file the bearing edges for a sharper attack. But you can't tune cymbals. They are what they are when you buy them. Cast bronze (B20) such as Sabian HH, HHX, AA, and AAX, and Paragon, and Zildjians such as A Zildjian, A Custom Zildjian, K Zildjian, and K Custom are all cast bronze. Sabian B8 and Zildjian ZBT and Razor are stamped from B8 sheet bronze. Cast bronze also lasts longer than B8.

AFAIK all Paistes are B8, but many are very good sounding, especially their ride cymbals. Still, the good ones are expensive and generally don't hold up as well as the cast cymbals.

[geoff_hartwell]

Morris, Where are you located?

By which I mean, which CL city/area?

[Morris Davis]

Madison, WI

[cynic]

Whichever kit you end up with, there's only one ride worthy of anyone's Christmas list this holiday season: the $915 (on sale now for $549!), EIGHT FREAKIN POUNDS OF AWESOME that is the Neil Peart Steampunk Paragon Ride!!

But seriously, when did cymbals catch on to the whole "limited edition of 300" trick??

And even more seriously, if you come up short on cymbals and/or hardware I can help. I can offer fair deals on Sabian B8, AA, AAX, and maybe some HHX. I probably have some stands I could spare as well.

[velorush]

^^ My son's wishlist just went off the charts with that one! Peart is his drumming hero!

I'll send you a PM when I get home. He needs a boom stand if you have one. Might pick your brain a bit and see what else you've got laying around for an upgrade.

He's really picking it up - he and I are starting to jam more often and having a lot of fun.