Buying a quality drum set can be a challenge because of the number of options both in brand names and possible configurations. Among other things, this buyer’s guide will help you determine how many drums you need to purchase as well as which brand and particular model to choose.
Configuration
The average drum set usually has three different drum types which include the bass drum, snare drum, and tom-toms. When choosing a drum set, you’ll need to decide how many of each drum type you want to have in your kit. Most drummers have at least a bass drum, snare drum, and two to three tom-toms. Larger kits usually have more toms, for example, a 6 piece kit may have 4 toms.
The best drum setup options I recommend for beginners are known as either a 4-Piece (snare, bass, two toms) or 5-Piece (snare, bass, three toms). Some kits will include snare drums but others provide only matching bass drum and tom-toms sets, requiring the snare drum to be purchased separately. However, either of these options is great provided you buy the right drums.
Drum Types
Bass drum
Supplying the bass element of the groove, the bass drum is the largest in the set. Placed on the ground and played with a pedal, a bass drum typically has both playing and resonant drumheads. Occasionally a hole is located in the resonant head for microphone placement.
Most bass drums are between 18 to 24 inches in diameter and 16 to 18 inches in depth. Rock drummers play a 22-inch bass drum and jazz drummers usually play an 18 inch or 20-inch bass drum. For the beginning drummer, I recommend a 22-inch bass drum.
Most individuals have a single bass drum, but some drummers have two to utilize double bass drum techniques. These techniques can also be performed on one bass drum using a double bass drum pedal.
Snare drum
The snare drum is unique because of the wire or cable snares spread across the bottom head of the drum to create a distinct “snappy” sound. Snare drums supply the backbeat of a groove and have a top (batter) and bottom (resonant) drumheads. Most snare drums are 14 inches in diameter with a depth of either 5 inches or 6 1/2 inches.
Specialty snares are available in other sizes and are typically used for specific genres such as Hip-Hop. Most drummers only have one snare drum in their set but professionals usually have several in their collection for alternate sound choices.
Tom-toms
These drums don’t have snares and are mostly used for fills. Sold in multiple sizes, toms feature stop (batter) and bottom (resonant) heads. Common tom diameters are 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 18 inches. I recommend drummers start with a kit that includes three toms measuring 10, 12, and 16 inches.
The depths of these drums vary greatly but most are two to four inches shallower than the diameter. For example, a common tom-tom size is 12 by 8 inches (12 inches diameter and 8 inches in depth).
Floor toms are free-standing drums with legs allowing them to stand on the ground and sometimes have the same diameter and depth (for example, 14 by 14 inches). Mounted toms, or rack toms, are mounted on stands or poles extending from the bass drum or tom stand.
Most starter drum sets have two mounted toms (usually 12 and 13 inches) and one-floor tom (usually 16 inches). These sizes are fine, but I generally prefer the sound of smaller mounted toms. Some drummers have only one mounted tom and two-floor toms, but this is a matter of personal preference.
Components
The individual components making up a drum set can be separated into three categories: drums, hardware, and cymbals. Higher-end drum sets usually are sold as “shell only” packs, meaning you supply your own cymbals, drumheads, and hardware. The snare drum isn’t always included so remember to double-check whether you’ll need to buy one separately. Drum sets designed for beginners usually come with hardware, drumheads, and some basic cymbals.
Drum Parts
Shell
The shell of a drum is the most important factor in determining a drum’s tone. Shells are usually made from wood like maple, birch, or mahogany, although there are shells made from metal or synthetic materials such as fiberglass.
Most bass drums and toms are made with wooden shells. Snare drums are commonly made with wooden shells but many are also made with metal. Additionally, there are drum shells made from one solid piece of wood which are generally more expensive than their ply shell counterparts which are constructed from several pieces of wood.
Drumhead
A drumhead is a round piece of plastic or calfskin stretched across the top or bottom of the shell. When struck with a drum stick, the resulting vibrations create sound. The head struck with a stick is called the batter head and the bottom head is called the resonant head.
Hoop
Hoops keep the drumheads in place and have holes for the bolts supplying the tension. Drums have metal or wooden circular hoops which rest on the top and bottom of the shell.
Tension bolts and lugs
Tension bolts screw into metal lugs attached to the shell. These bolts are tightened with a drum key and adjust the tension of the drumhead, determining how high or low the pitch of the drum is.
Hardware Parts
Mounting hardware
Mounting hardware attaches the rack toms to the bass drum or tom stand. While there are several different designs for mounting hardware, the best mounting options don’t actually pierce the shell of the drum.
Newer mounting hardware designs attach to the rim and some actually suspend the drum for a pure sound. Mounting hardware often includes one or two poles attached to the bass drum for mounting the rack toms.
Bass drum pedal
The bass drum pedal allows the foot to play the bass drum. For a more complete description of the bass drum pedal please refer to the Bass Drum Pedal Buyer’s Guide.
Floor tom legs
Most floor toms have three metal legs to keep the drum upright. These can be adjusted for different height options.
Bass drum spurs
These are small metal poles that attach to the bottom of the bass drum and prevent it from rolling or moving around.
Drum throne
This is the stool the drummer sits on while playing.
Cymbal stands
Most beginning drum sets include a high-hat stand, a straight cymbal stand, and a boom cymbal stand. For a more complete description of these stands, please refer to the Cymbal Stand Buyer’s Guide.
Snare drum stand
The piece of hardware supporting the snare drum. It has three legs, a center post, a tilter, and a snare basket.
Cymbals
Drum sets designed for beginners often include a pair of high-hat cymbals, a ride cymbal, and a crash cymbal. For a more complete description of these cymbals, please refer to the Cymbal Buyer’s Guide.
While some drum sets do include cymbals, most do not. Remember to double-check whether you’ll need to buy them separately
Sound
The sound of a drum set is the most important factor to consider when making a purchase. While the quality of the drums sound is in the eye (or ear) of the beholder, most drummers agree that wooden drums (especially maple, birch, or mahogany) sound better than metal or synthetic types.
Features
Besides sound, you should consider the quality and design of the hardware included with a drum set. Certain companies provide virtually silent mounting hardware that’s easy to adjust, as well as offering die-cast or triple flange hoops. Most drum sets are also available in different colors and finishes which look nice but typically don’t affect the sound. Naturally, there’s a price difference among all of these options which should be taken into consideration.
Reliable Manufacturers
Certain companies including Ayotte, ddrum, DW, Gretsch, Ludwig, Mapex, PDP, Pearl, Rogers, Sonor, Tama, Trick, and Yamaha produce superior quality drum sets. While drum kits from these popular manufacturers can vary in price and quality, they can be considered very reliable picks that often last players a lifetime.
Price and Value
It’s no coincidence the most expensive drum sets often sound the best. Fortunately, finding a drum set within your price range won’t be too difficult as most companies offer product lines to fit any budget. Whenever possible, stick with well-known companies such as those listed above rather than an off-brand.
Often manufacturers will package an inferior drum set with hardware and cymbals at a discounted price. I find it’s better to buy these bargain items individually because the included cymbals usually sound terrible and the hardware isn’t very durable.
Cheap cymbals and hardware will often have to be quickly replaced and have little resale value. You may end up spending more money upfront, but you’ll save yourself money in the long run by purchasing quality drums first and then adding quality hardware and cymbals separately.