Recommendation for a good drum kit

[alltimeGreg]

Hey so ive been playing guitar for about 8 years and i wanna get into playing drums and teaching myself now. But i dont have slightest idea of what are any good kits and all that good drum stuff. So could you guys help me out! Thanks!

[patrickhowell]

What's your budget?

And how serious are you about playing drums?

[mylastflight]

dark horse percussion!

[apsterling]

If you're looking to get a decent kit that'll keep its value if you decide to quit after a week or two (it's not easy, despite what people will say), then go for an entry level name brand kit- I purchased a Ludwig with hardware when I started for about $400 (without cymbals) and then a year ago when I sold it I got about $200 back, and I kept the good parts of hardware, so basically I didn't lose much of the investment. You just have to keep it in decent condition is all.

If you're looking to learn though and want to take it serious with a low cost starter, just pick up a pad and a pair of sticks from a store, learn to read the music, and work rudiments. It'll take you a very long way to know HOW to play well on one drum well before jumping to keeping a beat and time on multiple drums.

Good luck though! Drums are challenging but definitely one of the more fun instruments to play.

[alltimeGreg]

I'm completely serious about playing and i was thinking of a budget of about 500-600$

[Decay153]

I recently got an OCDP drumset and it's incredible! They are relatively expensive compared to other brands so it may not be best.

[patrickhowell]

That price range is really low to get a good set, mostly because of the cost of cymbals. I just looked through the South Jersey craigslist and found you a few possible deals:

$750 Pearl Export - This is a little over your budget, but it looks like it's got everything you need
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/msg/1428002105.html

$500 Yamaha - Only hi-hat and crash/ride cymbals included. Can't tell the condition of the heads, but it looks like a solid deal
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/msg/1412435681.html

Cheap kits:
$350 No-name kit - Comes with okay cymbals. Looks like the heads are in decent condition.
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/msg/1408169302.html

$235 Peace kit - Expect to spend $150ish on new heads. The crash cymbal looks good, but you'd want to buy another cymbal too.
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/msg/1445586390.html

$235 No-name kit - No bottom heads, but they say the top heads are new. No hi-hat stand and the crash cymbal doesn't look too great.
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/msg/1439879653.html

$300 CP kit - The heads are new, but are probably cheap. Cymbals look cheap too, I'd upgrade them first.
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/msg/1433827720.html

Here's a bunch of cheap cymbals:
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/msg/1436975642.html

[alltimeGreg]

thanks dude thats awesome

[patrickhowell]

You should also check the used section at your local Guitar Center / Sam Ash / whatever. I would do my best to avoid cheaper cymbals like Sabian B8/B8 Pro or Zildjian ZBT / ZXT. If you buy used cymbals, check very close for small cracks, and if you buy used drums, make sure to check if the heads are beat up. One or two heads isn't expensive, but they add up. Even the worst set with good heads can sound good if it's tuned well.

[cubine]

http://onlinedrummer.com/before_you_buy.php

everything you need to know.

[ace1112]

Ddrum FTW

[apsterling]

Ddrum FTW

Reportedly common issues with bearing edges not FTW.

[ace1112]

their bearing edges are amazing double 45,s are so loud plus the die cast hoops rim shot like monsters especialy on the snare

[cubine]

I've heard good stuff about ddrum's mid- and high-range kits but I guess diable punx series drums routinely show up at shops out of round. not a good thing.

[apsterling]

I've heard awful things about the bearing edges and I've seen several shells on display where it's not even, which is definitely not a good thing if you want your kit to sound good. That said, the high end kits, and their snares, are great from Ddrum, but then why not put that money into a nice Pacific or other brand, where your money will go further anyway?