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Common Questions When Buying a Drumset 
By  Brookdale Music Store Manager Mike Patterson

Brookdale Music Store and Education Center is located at 1550 N. Route 59, Naperville IL 60563
We are a full service, locally owned store serving the Chicago suburbs since 1993.

WE HAVE THE LARGEST SELECTION OF PRINT MUSIC IN THE AREA!!

Common Questions When Buying a Drumset

Generally, a drumset consists of five drums and a set of hardware. A bass, snare, and three tom-toms make up the drums, and the hardware typically consists of a bass drum pedal, hi-hat, cymbal stand, snare drum stand, one (or two) cymbal floor stands, and the tom-tom holders. Drumsets are normally priced to include this hardware, but may be offered as a "shell pack" without most or all of the hardware, at a lower price. Unless a drummer already owns compatible hardware, though, it is better to buy it with the drums, as stands are generally more expensive when purchased "a la carte." a drum stool or "throne" is sometimes included in a drumset’s hardware pack, or available separately in a wide range of cost and quality. Even a bargain-priced throne is better than a typical household chair because of its height adjustability.

Yes. While most drumsets come with five drums, there are often two distinct configurations offered: "standard" and "fusion." The standard configuration is a traditional mixture of a 22" bass drum with a 14" snare, and toms sized 12"-13"-16" in diameter. The fusion configuration uses toms sized 10"-12"-14" and the bass and snare may be slightly smaller in diameter as well.

The "standard" kit offers bigger drums and a deeper sound, while the "fusion" kit offers smaller drums with a slightly higher pitched sound. Many drummers favor the fusion configuration for the pitch-tuning characteristics that the even-sized toms provide, and beginnes can benefit from its overall smaller size and easier portability. Regardless of which configuration you choose, additional drums can usually be added to expand the available sound.

How do I compare drumsets for quality?
Most drumsets look very similar at first glance. Some of the things that determine the quality and value of a given set include:

Bass drum, tom-tom and some snare drum shells are fashioned from wood plies. While the quality of construction of these cylinders is most important, the specific wood used contributes to the sound quality as well. In general, inexpensive sets use unspecified plywood; intermediate sets use a combination of premium woods (e.g., maple or birch) and cheaper woods; and the highest quality sets use 100% premium wood.

A colored plastic wrap is the least expensive exterior finish for drums. Stain and/or lacquer paint finishes are more expensive but enhance both sound and appearance.

The stands and other metal parts of a drumset become more durable as the price increases. This increased durability is one of the best arguments for choosing an intermediate, "semi-pro" drumset over a less expensive model; better hardware simply lasts longer and is far less likely to need repair or replacement over time.

Every drumset needs cymbals to be complete, but most sets do not come with cymbals. This is because drum manufacturers don’t make cymbals (and vice versa)! Cymbals are a specialty product and available from a small group of competing companies. While many hundreds of models are available, your salesperson can help you find a cymbal set appropriate for the quality of your chosen drumset. A stand cymbal configuration (regardless of price level) consists of a matched pair of "hi-hat" cymbals, a "ride" (timekeeping) cymbal, and a "crash" (accent) cymbal. Most drumsets come with enough stands to hold all of these cymbals, but some sets may require the addition of one more floor stand. For beginners, a single "crash/ride" can cut cost by combining two cymbal functions in one cymbal, but it will likely be recessary to purchase a separate ride cymbal later on as the drummer’s skill and sophistication improves.

Buyers should note that, like drums, higher quality cymbals are a good long-term investment, as their sound actually improves with age, and (barring abuse) they can often last a lifetime.

In some cases, drumsets can be purchased without the snare drum, thus lowering the price. If the new drum is of higher quality or a better cosmetic match with the rest of the set, many buyers choose to trade in their old snare or keep and use it as a spare.

Good deals can sometimes be found in used sets, but buyers should be cautious. Many used sets are sold incomplete compared to what a new set provides. Having to purchases stands, mounts, brackets, heads, etc. as repair or replacement parts can add up and cancel out your initial savings, sometimes making a used set more expensive than a comparable new one! Because of this, used drumsets are usually a better value for experienced drummers who may already own missing pieces and are able to do their own repair labor where needed.

Yes! Various sound mufflers are available for the drums and cymbals of the set. They allow a natural feel for practicing while drastically reducing the sound level and minimizing disturbance to others.

A drumset which is used strictly at home doesn’t need cases. However, if a set is even occasionally transported (to school, rehearsals, concerts, etc.), some form of protection is highly recommended. For the drums and cymbals, both soft carrying bags and hard-shell cases are available, the latter providing the best protection against dents and other damage. Soft shoulder bags are also available for hardware, but hard-shell wheeled cases are recommended due to the weight of these items.