Whether you’re a total newbie or a bona fide rock star, a drummer is only as good as his or her gear. That’s why it’s important to purchase a high-quality drum set that suits your individual preferences and playing style. So many different drum kits are available today that it may feel a bit scary trying to choose a set for yourself. Fear not. We’re here to help you choose the perfect drum kit that will have you rocking out ’till the morning light.
The following advice is intended to help you evaluate and choose which drum set is right for your needs. We even included reviews of a few of our favorites, like the Roland TD-11KV Electronic Drum Set. This electronic set has more built-in kits than you can shake a drumstick at.
Considerations when choosing drum sets
Acoustic vs. electronic
Acoustic drum sets are the loud booming analog version of what most people think of as a drum set. They don’t require any electronic accessories or a power source, just a couple of drum sticks and a passion to play. Acoustic kits are the primary tool of drummers in bands because they’re versatile and easy to modify. On the downside, they’re quite loud and unwieldy to transport.
Electronic kits look similar to acoustic kits, but they have either mesh or rubber pads that you hit rather than drum skins, which make drum sounds when struck. These are usually smaller than acoustic sets. They involve no tuning or changing of drum heads and have a number of different “kits” programmed into the electronics, which allows for alternate sound recipes. Perhaps the biggest advantage to an electronic drum kit is that you can plug headphones in and play to your heart’s content without a soul hearing you play. Although electronic drum sets are always improving, they don’t sound the same as an acoustic kit. They’re not generally intended for performance, and there are some techniques, like stick taps, that simply won’t work on an electronic kit.
Basic drum kit parts
Bass drum: Also referred to as a “kick drum,” a bass drum is the largest drum in the set. It makes the lowest tone drum beat. It sits perpendicular to the floor and is played with a pedal.
Snare drum: Sits on a stand, and it has a metal snare stretched across the inside bottom of the drum that creates a snappy sound.
Floor tom: This is a large cylindrical drum that sits upright on the floor; its primary use is to play “fills” along with the rack toms.
Rack toms: Mounted on a rack in the middle of the kit, it produces a similar, though slightly higher, sound than the floor tom.
Cymbals
Ride: Usually the largest cymbal. This cymbal is used more for rhythm strikes than accents.
Crash: The crash cymbal makes a loud crashing sound when it’s used. Preferred for playing accents.
Hi-hat: Two cymbals that face one another. It’s controlled with a pedal that causes the two cymbals to come together. Often used in conjunction with the drumsticks to create various soundscapes.
Drum sizes
Drums are available in a number of different sizes, based on the drum head’s diameter. Your acoustic kit will sound different based on the size of your drums. The most popular size setup is as follows:
Bass drum: 22″
Rack toms: 12″ and 13″
Floor tom: 16″
Snare: 14″
This configuration allows you to play a number of different styles and genres. If you want to specialize in a musical genre, you might want a different setup.
Shell material
The shell, or outer housing, of a drum is made from wood. Maple is the most popular, which offers a warm and balanced sound. Birch has a punchy low-end and louder high-frequency sounds. Mahogany shines at the low and mid-range tones, with not much on the high end. This gives it a vintage tone. Poplar is bright, and it gives you a less expensive alternative to maple.
Features
Drum throne
You can’t exactly be a star drummer if you don’t have somewhere to sit while playing. Some starter drum sets come with a free drum throne. Although these stools might be of negligible quality, drum thrones can be expensive, so it’s a nice added feature.
Price
Most drum sets cost between $200 and $5,000. For $200 you should be able to find either an acoustic or electronic drum set that has the most basic requirements for drumming. This price range is perfect for beginning drummers. If you spend closer to $1,000, you can buy both electronic and acoustic sets that are made from high-quality materials (such as maple for acoustic sets). A $5,000 drum kit is usually a professional quality acoustic set that’s intended for use on stage.
FAQ
Q. Will I need help to assemble my drum kit?
A. You will likely not need help. Although, if you’re new to drumming, you’ll have to follow the instructions carefully. You will probably also make some adjustments once you become used to playing, based on your own body type and drumming habits.
Q. What accessories are available to purchase with a drum kit?
A. In addition to your drum sticks, you can buy all sorts of accessories to go along with your drum kit. Aside from extra drums and cymbals, you can purchase a drum throne, drumming gloves, stick grips, and a drumstick case.
Drum sets we recommend
Best of the best: Roland’s TD-11KV Electronic Drum Set
Our take: All the benefits of an electronic drum set with a great sound.
What we like: Extensive stable of preset drum kits and sounds.
What we dislike: Expensive, but worth the price for such high quality.
Best bang for your buck: Gammon’s Percussion Adult Five-Piece Set
Our take: Decent construction and sound for a low-priced model.
What we like: The double-braced hardware makes the set surprisingly stable.
What we dislike: Some users complained of a tinny sound.
Choice 3: Alesis’ Nitro Mesh Drum Kit
Our take: Mid-range price for a better-than-average electronic kit.
What we like: Simple to use electronic interface that’s great for adults and youth drummers alike.
What we dislike: Some issues with drum-pad sensitivity.
Adam Reeder is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money. BestReviews never accepts free products from manufacturers and purchases every product it reviews with its own funds.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
