How to Buy a Drumset -
Buying New Drums
or Used Drums
This
drumset buying guide will offer hints, tips, and advice on buying
drumsets.
| |
|
 |
A
standard 5 piece drumset looks like this.
5 pieces means 5 individual drums. So even without
the stands and cymbals, this would be considered a 5 piece
drumset. Keep this in mind when buying new or used drums or
drumsets. |
| *Used
drums may be cheaper but you must know what you're buying. |
| Drums |
Cymbals |
| A
- Bass Drum |
E
- One Ride (or Crash/Ride) |
| B
- Snare Drum |
L
- One crash (optional) |
| F
& G - Tom-Toms (or Toms) |
C
- Two Hi-Hat Cymbals |
| H
- Floor Tom |
- |
|
Stands / Accessories (the "hardware") |
| M
- Snare Stand |
| I
- Cymbal Stand - make sure they have wing nuts for the tops
(not shown) |
| D
- Foot Pedal for Bass Drum |
| J
- Hi Hat Stand for Hi Hat cymbals |
| K
- Hi Hat Clutch to hold top Hi Hat Cymbal |
| N
- Mount for tom(s) to be mounted on Bass Drum |
| O
- Throne or Seat (Optional: A chair may be used although it
limits adjustibility) |
| H
- Legs for the Floor Tom (if applicable, sometimes they're
mounted on a stand) |
| Drum
Key (for tuning) - Not shown |
|
Notes
|
When
buying a drumset online, stay with a reputable company that
is known
to back up their merchandise. Use only those with a 100% guarantee
on your purchase. |
It's
common to go with lower line cymbals for the sake of affordability.
Brand name cymbals (such as Zildjian and Sabian) can often
be very expensive. |
Cymbal
"packs" (in groups of 2 to 4) are a good inexpensive
way to purchase starter cymbals (even with brand names). You
can always upgrade later. |
|
Drum
Types
|
| Brand
Names |
Off-Brand
Names |
| Pearl |
Remo |
Percussion
Plus |
| Tama |
Gretsch |
Sunlite |
| Yamaha |
Mapex |
Thor |
| DW |
Slingerland |
CB
/ CB700 |
| Ayotte |
Ludwig |
TKO |
| Gretsch |
Sonor |
Adams |
| Premier |
Noble
and Cooley |
Royce |
| Rogers |
Taye |
Pulse |
| Peavey |
Pacific |
Maxwin |
| Ayotte |
GMS |
Starion |
|
*There
are more name brand drumsets here.
We will not attempt to list all of the off-brand drumsets
at this time.
|
|
Cymbal
Types
|
| Brand
Names |
Off-Brand
Names |
| Zildjian |
Camber |
| Sabian |
Solar |
| Paiste |
CB |
| Meinl |
Zilco |
| Bosphorus |
Stagg |
| Ufip |
- |
|
Notes
on buying "Used" Drums
|
| Make
sure both top and bottom heads are on the drums. |
| Make
sure none of the tuning lugs on the drums are missing. |
| Make
sure the laminate or exterior drum finish is in good condition |
| Hardware
should appear relatively sturdy and all locking mechanisms
secure. |
Drumheads
should be in relatively good shape.
(It's expensive to replace them all at once). |
You're
often safer buying from an older player that takes
better care of his equipment. |
When
buying used drums, it is often safer to go with name brands
for the purpose of reliability and re-sale value. |
| Like
buying a used car, you often get more for your money with
a used drumkit. |
|
Try
to take an experienced drummer with you to check out a used
drumset.
|
|
Trust
your gut instinct. If it doesn't "feel" right,
it probably isn't.
|
We
hope this drumset buying guide has been helpful. Although,
DRUM BUM is more of
a "gift shop" specializing in drum
novelties, we do carry a few kid's
drumsets and entry
level drumsets for
beginners (perfect for teenagers just starting out). Use common
sense in choosing the best drumset.
Do your homework! We hope you found our hints, advice, and buying
tips helpful for buying used drums.
Be
sure to check out our new DRUM
CLASSIFIEDS section where
you can find new or used drums and drumset accessories.
***
Cool
Drum Stuff ***
Drum
Lessons | Drum
Tips
| Drum
Rudiments
Would you like
to receive our free Newsletter? Simply
join our mailing
list
to receive valuable drum
tips, cool drums websites, industry news, drumset
lessons,
and info on new contests, drum products, and
specials!
www.drumbum.com
This drumset buying guide is
by Drum Bum,
the world's premier Drummer's Gift Shop featuring Drummer
T-shirts, hats, decals, ties, keychains, posters, kids drumsets,
necklaces, drumsticks, clocks, light up drumsticks, mugs, and
tips on buying new and used drums.... all for Drummers!
Drum
Bum is... Drummer
T-shirts, Hats, Stickers and Music Gifts such as Watches,
Posters, Polo Shirts, Address Books, Photo Albums, Miniature Drumsets,
Necklaces, Drum Frames, Kids Drumsets, Notecards, Colored Drumsticks,
Angel Figurine, Drumset Lamp, Stationary, Drumstick Holders, Drumkeys,
Music Keychains, Pencils, Guide to Buying a Drumset, Pens, Notepads,
Metronomes, Practice Pads, Glow-in-the-Dark Drumsticks, Stickers,
Drumwear, Gift Wrap, Snare Drum Earrings, Mugs, Tumblers, Denim
Shirts, License Plates, ID Tags, Drumset Buying Guide, Notepads,
and more. 100's of unique drum items! - Advice, Hints, & Tips
on choosing the best drumset. Find new drums, used drums, drums
for sale and gently used drums in our new drum classifieds.
If it has to
do with drums,
you'll find it at DRUM BUM!
