Need a good starter drum kit

[Fritzo]

My son wants to get into the drums. He's eight, but he's the size of an 11 year old. I don't want to buy one of those mini-kits because I'm afraid he'll outgrow it quick (and plus they all seem to be pretty cheap). Anyone have any tips on a good kit under $500?

I'd get him a Ludwig Green Sparkle or something if I knew he was going to stick with it heh, but I don't want to dump that kind of cash yet.

 

[Heller]

bah, i have a great beginner's set sitting in my garage you could take, to bad your not local.

 

[tigris649]

Does your $500 price tag include cymbals and hardware?

 

[paulxcook]

I would check a local Guitar Center or other large music shop. The GC near me has a ton of decent used sets for cheap. I wish I'd looked there before ordering mine online.

 

[CraKaJaX]

Being a drummer myself, I'd say the best bet is to go to your local Guitar Center and check out the used kits they have. Sometimes you can catch a nice deal, and if you can, you might be able to talk it down about $100. If not, Tama usually has some nice ~$500 range beginner kits.

 

[Baked]

Doesn't Rock Band come w/ a drum kit?

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Baked
Doesn't Rock Band come w/ a drum kit?

Please don't go there 🙂

How good is Pulse? They have some kits for around $400, but I've never heard one.

 

[paulxcook]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: Baked
Doesn't Rock Band come w/ a drum kit?

Please don't go there 🙂

How good is Pulse? They have some kits for around $400, but I've never heard one.

For $400 I'd go used, personally. Their cymbals are not good at all, and their other hardware is definitely beginner-level only. If getting a new kit is important to you, musician's friend has a full-featured beginner kit here: http://www.musiciansfriend.com...k-Hardware-?sku=445369

You'll want to replace the heads immediately if he likes it even a little. If he seems to want to stick with it, he'll probably benefit from new cymbals, possibly a new hi-hat pedal, and a different snare.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: paulxcook

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: Baked
Doesn't Rock Band come w/ a drum kit?

Please don't go there 🙂

How good is Pulse? They have some kits for around $400, but I've never heard one.

For $400 I'd go used, personally. Their cymbals are not good at all, and their other hardware is definitely beginner-level only. If getting a new kit is important to you, musician's friend has a full-featured beginner kit here: http://www.musiciansfriend.com...k-Hardware-?sku=445369

You'll want to replace the heads immediately if he likes it even a little. If he seems to want to stick with it, he'll probably benefit from new cymbals, possibly a new hi-hat pedal, and a different snare.

Drummers need their own Kick pedal, High hat set up, Snare and Cymbals, everything else is pretty much a wash.

No matter what they might look like, Clear Acrylic drums sound like ass.

 

[Fritzo]

How about Tama? How's their quality? I looked at some low end Ludwigs and they're awful 🙁