What Drumset Should You Buy?

ýWhat Kind of Drum set should I buy?ý or ýWhatýs the best brand to buy?ý are probably two most frequently asked questions. Even some professional players get it a little confused when it comes to making a decision on what to buy sometimes. This guide should help you figure things out and help you make the right decision.

First, for you beginners, letýs look at the different components of a drum set. First you have:

1. Bass drum
2. Snare drum
3. High tom
4. Low tom
5. Floor tom
6. One ride
7. One crash
8. Two hi-hats

Those are just the basics. Now weýll move on to the hardware and accessories;

1. Snare stand
2. Cymbal stands (includes wing nuts)
3. Hi - hat stand
4. Foot pedal for the bass drum
5. Mount for the tom toms
6. Throne (this is where the King or Queen drummer sits on)
7. Legs for your floor tom (sometimes youýll have a stand)
8. Drum keys used for tuning purposes

So now that youýve got the basics down, letýs move on to making a buying decision. In an ideal world, youýd have just one main brand that magically works for everyone. Youýd also have enough money to afford to buy it. Drum sets can cost you anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to several thousand dollars , depending on brand name and quality.

Now if you go online to places like Musicianýs Friend or Guitar Center or even Ebay , youýre liable to find the following brands: Pearl, Remo, Tama, Gretsch, Mapex, Yamaha, Slingerland, Ayotte, DW, Ludwig, CB700, Premier, Sonor, TKO, Maxwin, Sunlite, and Thor. There are more name brands, but this is just a basic list here. Cymbals also have brand names such as, Solar, Ufip, Paiste, Meinl, CB, Stagg, Sabian, and Zildjian.

Again, you get what you pay for. When youýre making a buying decision, you want to make sure that both the bottom and top heads are on your drums. You also want to make sure that none of the lugs on the drums are missing. You need them to be able to tune your drums. Also, be sure that the exterior drum finish is in good condition. Your hardware needs to be sturdy and all your locking mechanisms need to be secure.

Another thing to look out for is to make sure the drum heads are in good shape. If all the drum heads are bad, then itýs going to be pretty expensive to replace them all.

If you are able to afford to buy a brand new set of high end quality, then by all means do so, but if youýre on a budget and you need to look for a used set, then be sure that you get it from an older player who takes care of his or her equipment. Sometimes you can get an older set that will still last you many years from someone who has given their drum set loving care.

Do a basic search on a drumset on google or look through your local classifieds. Just like buying a used car, if youýre getting a used set, youýre going to have to put some money into it. If you can, take an experienced drummer with you to help you check out your potential drum set. Also, listen to your gut instinct. If something doesnýt ývibeý or it doesnýt ýfeelý right, then leave it alone. Another thing you want to look for is external clues. What does their home look like. If itýs filthy and dirty, they probably donýt take care of the drumset youýre about to buy. On the other hand, if they are neat and clean, youýre probably in luck. This is not always the case, and there are exceptions, especially if people are renting or living with roomates, so use your head here.

Visit John Sandy at http://www.JohnSandy.net for more information drums and learning how to play drums. Free music and art lessons available!

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