First post

[drummerdad]

Hey everyone. I'm not a drummer but my 14 yr old daughter just recently started private lessons. She's been in her school band playing purcussion for a couple of years now but now she's going to learn on a drum set. So I'm looking for a decent starter set for her. Any suggestions would be great. I don't want to spend too much right now, about $500 tops. In a year or so if she's still going at it I'll get her something really nice. I found a Ludwig (a brand I'm familiar with) Accent combo for $420 w/cymbols. I found a couple of threads on them on this site and they seem to be ok for a starter set. Just wondering anyone had any thing else to say on them or any other decent set.

By the way this is a great site. Every seems friendly. I especially like the forum Drumming for Jesus.

[drummerdavie]

the less expinsive pasifc sets would also be good, or maybe a pearl starter. both would be nice

[drummerdavie]

and welcome to drum chat
hears a site with some good ones
http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/nav...0005+324831+10

[Roaddebris]

Hey, drummerdad. I am also a stage parent. I started my boy off with a Pearl Forum kit. It was a few hundred over $500 at the time, but you may be able to pick up a used set in your price range. Just keep in mind that the kick pedals and cymbals are very flimsy on these starter kits.

[drummer]

Welcome to Drum Chat drummerdad! We've got a bunch of fine drummer folk here. Pull up a chair and make yourself at home. If you have any drum questions, ask away. We'll help if we can.

[pastor_bob]

Hi Drummerdad, and welcome to Drum Chat. I understand your dilemna, and I would suggest that you pay close attention to Roaddebris' advice about the poor quality of the bass pedal, and cymbals on the starter sets. The pedal, your daughter can probably deal with for a while before she needs to upgrade, but when I got my starter set (I got a ddrum D2 set), I immediately spent another $250.00 to get a low end Zildjian cymbal pack (ZBT), because the starter cymbals were only slightly better than having pie plates.

When you factor in the need to get some decent cymbals, it might be a really good idea to look around for used drum sets (craigslist.com has all kinds of used gear, as does ebay.com). You might be able to get a better set, with some decent cymbals for the kind of money that you are thinking about. One other suggestion would be to talk to someone at a local music store and ask them if they ever get used sets in. Some music stores will take gear in trade on new stuff.

Hope all that helps some.

[drummer]

...because the starter cymbals were only slightly better than having pie plates.

And that's an understatement!

[vinnysimmo]

I would warmly recommend the Tama Imperialstar. Its priced a beginner kit but it has features that would not be at all out of place on a kit twice as expensive. Althought the cymbals will need replacing.

[Stevo42w]

Why not a pearl export? Then next year if she gets into get decent cymbals and heads?

You can go forever on an export :> XD

Till your pro :P

But you will be spending 1200 to 1500AU. But what is really the point of 500 to be spending 1500 next year? Exports hold their value better than something that would be 500.... You would sell it easier too.

[vinnysimmo]

You would sell it easier too.

Nah. Its easyer to sell a rubbish kit cos anyone will buy it no matter how unserios. A lot of people would rather buy their little Johnny (or Johanna) a bigginner kit for next to nothing untill they are sure he wont get bored with it.

off topic i sold my kit to a friend of mine who already has 2 beginner kits and is putting them all together to make a monseter kit. But it sounds really bad.

[drummerdad]

Thanks for all the responses. This ludwig set already comes with Zildjian cybols, that's why this deal looks interesting to me. I also figure I'll upgrade the heads and base pedal immediatly whatever set we get.

I took my daughter to a drum clinic put on by Tommy Aldridge last week and he said to always go with new drums so that decided the new/used debate for me. Of coarse if I find a deal on some good pearls I might be pursuaded. I'll also check out the Tamas you suggested vinnysimmo.

By the way, the clinic was awsome and Tommy Aldrige is not only a great drummer but also one heck of a guy. Great role model for young drummers.

Thanks a lot guys. I'll try to frequent this site as much as I can.

[funkymcstain]

i would love to see a tommy aldrige clinic. my first real lesson was his dbl bass video he put out in the 80s.

that accent kit should serve you daughter pretty well for a couple years. the planet z cymbals are pretty much terrible. but just fine for a beginner (she wont learn any better for awhile). realize that she WILL learn better and will want and possibly NEED better cymbals if she is to advance to live performances and such. be prepared, as quality cymbals will cost as much if not more than the accent kit.

the tama kit that vinnie mentioned is also a good bang for the buck. imo the tama kits are put together a bit more sturdy than the accents.

[Ethel_The_Frog]

Check out Mapex. They're cheap and good quality. I have a Mapex Pro M, but that was a decision I made and it's costing me a years worth of income :D But lower end Mapex kits are good.
Also if you don't mind upgrading, a budget kit will be great for learning basics. Just remember that you will end up upgrading at some point.

[Andreeew]

I'm a drum newbie and I own a Pearl Forum. Its a nice set for starters, for me anyway :D

[bongobro]

Hey, drummerdad! Welcome to DrumChat!

Nothing else I can add to any of the other posts except that it shouldn't be hard to upgrade the pedals and hardware down the road...

Glad to have you with us! (and don't make it your "last post!")

[george007]

Welcome drummerdad!!!
I have an accent combo and i don't believe that will be a great starter kit because is very very starter...
I would prefer a more expensive set that will not have to change it at one year.
Look what the guys said about the set,and also add the gretch catalina at the list!

[funkymcstain]

Welcome drummerdad!!!
I have an accent combo and i don't believe that will be a great starter kit because is very very starter...
I would prefer a more expensive set that will not have to change it at one year.
Look what the guys said about the set,and also add the gretch catalina at the list!

this is very true. if you can go just 2 or 3 hundred bucks more you can go from beginner to intermediate with the gretsch catalina maple kits with hardware and cymbal pack.

[Stevo42w]

Nah. Its easyer to sell a rubbish kit cos anyone will buy it no matter how unserios. A lot of people would rather buy their little Johnny (or Johanna) a bigginner kit for next to nothing untill they are sure he wont get bored with it.

off topic i sold my kit to a friend of mine who already has 2 beginner kits and is putting them all together to make a monseter kit. But it sounds really bad.

True... I guess i only hate the idea because thats what happened to me. Now im stuck without a kit.

[Stevo42w]

This reminds me i was playing in school band for about 2 or 3 years before my parents got me my "kit"

If she has been playing that long and enjoyed it. Get the good kit straight out because she wont give it up if she has enjoyed things before a drum kit.

Drum kit was always the golden instrument in percussion at our school band :P

[Roger]

Pearl Export. This series of drums can be seen as either a great beginner set, or a not so bad professional set. ZBT or Planet Z Zildjian cymbals.

[Stevo42w]

I second this movement being there is always room for improvement to either upgrade completely or take this one up toa high standard... Its not that much more and if she has been drumming in bands she wont quit Ill buy it off ya otherwise :P