Updated: November 24th, 2022
Updated October 2022
So, you’ve decided to pick up the drumsticks and learn to beat out some rhythms. But you aren’t sure what drum set you should invest in that’s great for learning, will still be great as you improve, and represents good value for your money.
On this page, you will find my recommendations for the best drum sets for beginners, as well as a complete guide to help you find the kit that is right for you based on your individual drumming journey.
Our Top Picks:
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Best Beginner Drum Set Overall
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Best Selling Beginner Drum Set
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Best Professional Beginner Drum Kit
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CHECK IT ON AMAZON → |
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Best Complete Beginner Drum Set for adults
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CHECK IT ON AMAZON → |
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Best Electronic Drum Set for Beginners
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POCKETDRUM 2 PRO - Play and practice the drums anywhere you go
- Lightweight and portable - You can play whenever you want
- Good Value for Money
- Suitable for both Beginners and Professional Drummers
- Bluetooth MIDI
- AeroBand app is free to download
Below, I have provided a short review for each kit, but I have also provided links to other reviews so you can get a broader and more varied feel for the kit.
Make sure you look at the buyer’s guide further down as this will give you the key elements and features to focus on when choosing your kit.
So let’s get to it…
If you decide to buy one of the products reviewed here, please consider going through the links on this site because this will earn me a small commission – at absolutely (!) no extra cost to you.
I’ve poured my heart and lots of time into these reviews, and by using my links, you help ensure that future readers will find this site still working.
Also, if you’re looking to buy only the cheapest beginner drum kits, read this article too.
Best Beginner Drum Sets
Table of Contents
- Our Top Picks:
- Best Beginner Drum Sets
- Pearl Roadshow – My Best Beginner Drum Set 2022
- Pearl Export – The Best Selling Kit Of All Time
- Mapex Rebel 5 Piece Drum Set – Best Professional Drum Set
- Ashthorpe 5-Piece Drum Set – Most Complete Beginner Kit
- Alesis Nitro – Ex-Best For Beginners
- Best Beginner Drum Sets: Important Characteristics
- Discounted Beginner Drum Kits
- FAQs
- The Verdict
Pearl Roadshow – My Best Beginner Drum Set 2022
This is a great-sounding set of drums. The kit features 9-ply poplar shells with modern 45° bearing edges that deliver a modern, lively attack. This kit is great for recording since it’s easy to capture with a mic.
- Based on Pearl’s advanced production technologies
- Includes a great set of cymbals
- Looks good enough for the stage
- Seriously, I couldn’t find any
Obviously, Pearl’s higher-end kits involve better material (wood, loops, etc.), but the Pearl Roadshow profits from Pearl’s advanced production technologies. And out comes a sound that surpassed my expectations for a drum set that’s so affordable. Hear it in action in the video below.
I also think the Pearl Roadshow looks more professional than comparably priced options like the Gammon or the Mendini. So this is a drum set for practicing as well as for the stage. And audiences will judge you by your looks!
Plus, the cymbals are a tiny bit better than those included in most comparable kits. That said, they are still stock cymbals and can’t be compared with brand cymbals (which don’t have to be all that expensive – see the cymbals section below).
The Pearl Roadshow is my best beginner drum set and will be a companion for a good few years of drumming!
And if you want to know why exactly, check out my full Pearl Roadshow review.
Pearl Export – The Best Selling Kit Of All Time
- Very good pedal included
- Sturdy, long-lasting hardware
- Widely recognized drum set + brand
- Cymbals not included
- Stock heads won’t allow for full sound potential
This kit looks and sounds great and is from a trusted and widely recognized brand. It’s great for practicing at home and professional enough to use on stage. Watch the video below to hear the kit in action.
My only objection to this kit is that it comes without cymbals. While this is normal for advanced kits, since most experienced players will buy their symbols separately, you would expect them to be included in a kit for beginners. So you’ll have to spend some extra cash for a good budget pack of cymbals. (See the cymbal section below to find out that they don’t have to be expensive.)
Still, if you’re an ambitious beginner willing to spend some money, this kit can take you a long way into your drumming career. See what John, who recently bought it, has to say about the Export.
The Export is also available in a beautiful lacquer finish. Then it’s more glossy and has visible wood grains.
Looking for current deals on this kit? Do you still have a question or some doubts about it? Check out my full Pearl Export review.
Mapex Rebel 5 Piece Drum Set – Best Professional Drum Set
- Complete set with everything to start drumming
- Quality core stack forms the basis of a professional kit
- Comes with genuine Remo drum heads
- Cymbals are thin and not of a high quality
- No instruction manual included
Mapex is a highly trusted brand in the drum world and you get a lot in this five-piece kit. It comes with a 22 x 16 bass drum, 16 x 14 floor tom, 10 x 7 tom, 12 x 8 tom, 14 x 5 snare, 14” hi-hat cymbal,and 16” crash cymbal, You also get all of your hardware, plus a set of drumsticks and throne.
The shells of the drums are made from Poplar in 9 ply, which is of great quality and uses Mapex’ double-braced hardware and the newest lug design. It comes with genuine Remo drum heads, which are better quality than the heads you get with many beginner kits.
Ashthorpe 5-Piece Drum Set – Most Complete Beginner Kit
- When nicely tuned, the drums sound great
- Includes genuine brass cymbals
- Solid and sturdy drums
- High-quality materials
- Instructions in the assembly manual can be confusing
- No warranty
- Not for adults, meaning you’ll need to buy another one in the future
This set for smaller players has the essential drums that you find in all these kits, plus an 8“ hi-hat cymbal has its stand and pedal while the bass drum has a chain-driven pedal. The toms include mounted and floor ones.
Along with the drums are also an adjustment key, an adjustable drum throne, two drum sticks, and an assembly manual. The drums are sturdy enough to withstand frequent bashings, and they have quality sounds that can rival most adult drum kits.
Its shells are made from genuine poplar wood that enhances the acoustic nature of the set. The triple-flanged hoops aid the resonance produced by the drums.
There are several finishes from which to choose, and each is as aesthetically pleasing as the other.
Watch the kit in action in the film below.
Alesis Nitro – Ex-Best For Beginners
- Cheapest useful e-drum set on the market
- 42 beats to learn with guidance
- Module easy to handle
- No advanced features (half-open Hi-Hat cymbal sound, triple-zone Ride cymbal)
With the Alesis Nitro, you will find yourself playing well in no time! It is an 8-piece e-drum with a Nitro e-drum module. The module has several percussion sounds and play-along tracks. Other essential aspects of the module include a metronome that shows if you are early or late to a beat, and a headphone jack. There is a USB connection on the module so you can connect to your MP3 player or a computer. With the module, you can adjust the sounds played on any pad and play along to any tune.
The electronic drum itself comprises three tom pads, a dual-zone snare drum, a kick drum pad, and three cymbals. It comes with two drumsticks, a drum key, a module user guide, and an assembly manual. The pads do not wear out quickly, but they are quite small at an 8-inch diameter. The kick drum sounds as authentic as a bass drum should, and it has a real pedal attached. The snare is very responsive.
Alesis Nitro’s setup puts analog drum kits to shame with its quality, compactness, and sound. The equipment is easy to set up, the music is impressive, and the various options on the module help the beginner hone new drumming skills as early as possible. Whether a pro or a beginner, you will undoubtedly enjoy playing and practicing with this e-kit.
Best Beginner Drum Sets: Important Characteristics
I’ve shown you the drum kits I highly recommend for beginners, but how do you know which of these great kits is right for you? There is no single definitive perfect set for everyone. Your choice depends on your purpose and circumstances.
So let’s quickly learn what’s important when looking for a good starter drum kit:
Purpose
What do you want to do with your set? Practice, play live on stage, or record in your home studio?
When making that decision, don’t only take into account what you are doing right now. Think about the next 2-5 years of your drumming journey and where you might be by that time. You can easily keep your first drum set for that long.
If you are just dabbling and aren’t even sure you plan to keep drumming in the long term, I recommend going budget! That is, go for a practice kit (the Pearl Roadshow) instead of a used one. Used kits can be broken or can have missing sections. This may prevent you from playing your drums correctly, which can inhibit your learning.
If you’re set on home recording (one day), I suggest you look at my electronic drum set reviews. Electronic kits make home recording way cheaper and easier.
Size
Again, I’ve shown you the best starter drum sets for adults. In terms of size, this means that anyone taller than 5ft will comfortably fit behind all the sets presented here.
If you’re looking for a drum set for someone shorter than 5ft, you can check out my best junior drum set review.
Setup
Possible setups of drum kits are limitless. Yet, there is one “regular setup” (below) which will enable you to play 95% of the songs you hear on the radio.
Regular Setup
You won’t need more until a good few years into your drumming journey – unless you’re trying to show off.
Cymbals
Cymbals are important – you’ll play them more frequently than some of the drums. So it’s good that all the kits on my list, except the Pearl Export, come with cymbals included.
However, most of them come with only two cymbals each – a hi-hat and a crash cymbal. What all beginner drum kits are missing, except for the Tama Imperialstar, is a ride cymbal.
A ride cymbal is larger and thicker than a crash, and without it, you’ll be losing out on the higher-pitched cymbal sounds that accompany many guitar solos and choruses. So, with only two cymbals, you won’t be able to play everything you hear on the radio exactly as it’s played there.
I’m saying this only so you know that it’s not crucial to add a ride cymbal now, but it will probably happen sooner or later.
If you need help finding a cymbal, turn to my best budget cymbal review. (This article is about packs of three cymbals each, but the Ride cymbals can all be bought individually too.)
Tips And Tricks
When purchasing a new drum set, especially if you are a novice around drums or musical instruments in general, there are a few things to note:
- Tuning is essential – If not correctly tuned, you may assume your drum set is the most inferior quality ever sold on the market. Tuning your drums right can be the difference between pleasant sounds and noise. You can improve your tuning skills by checking out videos on YouTube. If, however, your drums do not sound right despite your tuning abilities, find out if you need new drum heads.
- Quality is not dependent on price – Possibly, you want a durable drum kit made of quality materials that can produce quality sound and not those that would disintegrate in less than a year or two. While learning to play, you should note that there is always a balance between quality and cost, hence the importance of guidelines and reviews. Check out online reviews on different types of drum sets before deciding which to purchase.
- Noise – Keep in mind that drums are a noisy instrument. You should think of your neighbors as well!
- Drum size matters — For a young child less than five feet tall, a junior drum kit could be easier to use than an adult set. Also, as you become more skilled with using the drums and develop a better ear for quality sound, you may decide to purchase a more professional drum set.
Drum Heads
There are dozens of variables that determine how good a drum set sounds. But the quality of the drum heads and tuning are the most important ones. As you can see in the video below, new heads and good tuning alone can make any drum set sound significantly better.
And while you’ll probably need to play around with tuning for a bit to get it right, you don’t need to read whole books on it. Start with this tutorial to grasp how it basically works. Then just play around with your heads.
And speaking of heads: Start with the ones that come with any of the drum kits above. With the right tuning, you can greatly improve their sound. When it’s time to buy new heads, which is about every six months, start with this guide of mine.
Stuff You Should Ignore
What about shell sizes, loops, and snare carpet?
These things do make differences in sound, but none of them are huge, and none of them matter much to drum beginners. At worst, they will confuse you or cost you money.
Take care of your tuning first and ignore the rest for now.
Better to invest your time and money in good drum instructors.
Also Read: Best Professional Drum Sets
Discounted Beginner Drum Kits
I know you would enjoy finding one of those kits above at a discounted price, wouldn’t you?
If so, this guide on how to find discounted drum kits is for you.
FAQs
What do you need for a beginner’s drum set?
To get started with drumming, you will want a standard drum kit (rather than something custom). This will include a bass drum (also called the kick drum), a snare drum, two tom-toms, and a floor tom.
You will also want cymbals. While more experienced drummers will usually buy their cymbals separately, if you are getting a junior or beginners kit, they will probably be included. You will also need the hardware to mount your kit, especially the bass drum pedal and hi-hat cymbal stand.
You’ll also want your drum sticks and a throne (the stool for sitting behind the drum). Again, this is included in most beginner kits but not advanced kits, as experienced players will probably have a personal preference.
How much should I spend on my first drum kit?
How much you should spend on your first drum kit depends on your plan. If you are just looking for something to “dabble,” then an affordable kit of around $200-$500 might be enough for you. You might also consider these cheaper kits when looking for junior sets for teenagers since they will grow out of them quickly and you can get them a more professional kit.
If you are very dedicated to learning and are hoping to perform or record within your first few years of drumming, you’re going to want a better kit and might expect to pay between $600-$800. As you get more experience, you will probably also find yourself putting more expensive heads on your drums and swapping out your basic cymbals for something more specialist.
What is the most famous drum set?
There are a lot of popular drum brands out there, and they all make a variety of kits, so it would be hard to choose the most famous drum set of all time. But there are some pretty famous kits out there. Ringo Starr of Beatles fame played a set of Ludwig drums, which became known as “The Ringo” in his honor. Rokes Keith Moon (the Who) and John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) both played acrylic Ludwig drums. Yamaha cornered the market on recording drums for a few decades in the 1980s.
Japanese brand Tama is one of the most well-known and respected on the market, and the American brand DW is extremely popular, especially in the United States. Sonor, a German brand dating back to the 19th century, is probably the oldest big name in percussion today.
At what age should I start drumming lessons?
When it comes to learning something that you are passionate about, there is no right age to start. When the bug bites, it is time to invest in yourself and commit to learning something new. Quite a few famous drummers didn’t start learning until their early 20s, including Kim Schifino and Megan Martha White (White Stripes).
But when it comes to getting children started, it is generally worth waiting until they are around five years old as this is generally when they start to have the skills to learn in earnest.
How long does it take to teach yourself the drums?
How long it takes to learn the drums depends a lot on the individual and the time and dedication they have to practice. As a general rule, you can probably play basic tunes well within about 3-4 months, and you should expect it to take a minimum of 12 months to feel confident on the drums. Dave Grohl taught himself to drum in a few months without any lessons, but he also had a great musical foundation when he started.
The Verdict
I hope this best beginner drum set roundup will help you in making your decision. If not (or if you disagree with anything), let me know in the comments. I respond 100% of the time!
Best of luck in finding your new drum kit and lots of fun playing it!
PS
If this best beginner drum set review was helpful to you and if you decide to buy one of the drum sets mentioned here, please consider going through one of the links/buttons on this page. This way, I receive a commission, and you reward me for the time and care I put into writing these reviews. Please note that I don’t have any incentive toward specific products, since I receive a commission no matter which drum kit you pick (if you do). You can read more about my review ethics in my affiliate disclosure.
Hi, thank you for the review. Could you please tell me why other people says that the Roadshow is a junior kit when it has 22″ bass drums like the standard drumsets? just about the size of the Export right? And what are the counter-part of the roadshow in Tama, Yamaha, Sonor?
Glen,
The Pearl Roadshow is certainly no junior kit. As you say: it has a 22″ bass drum and I don’t know which child would be able to play on that comfortably. No, it’s a full-size drum set just like the Export.
Actually, Tama and Sonor have no drum kit whatsoever in that price range. Yamaha its Gigmaker model, but in my eyes this can’t compete with the Pearl Roadshow.
Does that help?
Hi, the roadshow in this video sounds great, really. But why does other roadshows in youtube sounds bad?
Hey Glen,
Glad you asked! Well, there are lots of variables to how a drum set sounds (quality of heads, material of shells, recording device, track edited or not, room etc. etc.). And the Roadshow will sound differently for everybody, because when you unbox it, you’ll have to tune it.
And from my experience tuning is also the 1 variable that can improve a drum set sound by 80%. If you get this right, the Pearl Roadshow will sound very decent for you out of the box.
I’d recommend this process (do you own the Pearl?):
This has worked wonders for me in the past and is also the cheapest way of all to improve a drum kit’s sound.
Hope that helps!
What do you think of the Rise kit by Sawtooth?
Hey Heather,
Thanks for asking. I hadn’t actually looked at the Rise kit for a long time. And apparently with good reason: a rating of 1 star out of 3 reviews is unheard of on Amazon (in a bad way). Now, I haven’t played it myself, and I wouldn’t want to keep you from trying it out when only 1 reviewer had something bad to say about it. But three 1-star reviews is too much to my mind. I wouldn’t take the risk.
Why not go with the Mendini drum kit instead? I can personally attest that you get good quality for the money there. Plus: it’s currently discounted quite a bit.
May I ask who the drum set is for and for what purpose it’ll be used for (practicing? first-ever kit?)?
Best,
Yannick.
Thanks for answering! It’s for me….I have been playing on and off since 1973 and just wanted an inexpensive set for practice, but also one that was stage-worthy. The blue sparkle set looked very nice compared to the others.
Alright, I see. If you want to go up on stage with your set, I’d honestly like to nudge you away from the Mendini. Mendini isn’t a rcognized drum set brand and itn terms of both sound and design it’s (to my mind) more of a practice kit. Once you go up on stage, you will notice the kind of drum set you play on has quite some influence on how the audience (as well as other drummers) perceive your playing. I don’t like this sort of outer-appearance-over-what-you-can-actually-do-on-the drums approach, but in my experience this is how the game works. So if you want to make a longer-term investment and really get a good set for both practice and the stage, I recommend you read up on the Pearl Roadshow above. It’s a fabulous set that I’ve taken up on stage. Sure, it’s more expensive than the Mendini, but in terms of what you get it’s quite another league.
Hi, a drummer friend of mine recently suggested the Ludwig Breakbeats as my beginner drum set. I’m currently deciding between the Ludwig and Pearl Roadshow. Any suggestions regarding which one to get? Thanks!
Hey Alex,
That depends on what you want to use the set for and on your budget.
The Ludwig Breakbeats is a compact drum kit designed specifically for people who regularly carrry it around to gigs in small venues. Therefore it has a smaller bass drum than the Pearl (16” vs. 22”) and that does make a difference in sound. The Breakbeats also comes without cymbals, so you’d have to spend some extra money on a good budget pack of those. I’ve written about the Ludwig Breakbeats in depth here.
The Pearl does come with cymbals (although stock cymbals are never great), has a standard-sized bass drum and one more tom then Breakbeats.
I’d say I’ve you’re carrying your set around all the time and often find yourself squeezed onto a small stage, get the Breakbeats. If not, go for the Pearl Roadshow. Just my 2 cents though…
Let me know how you decide – and when you do so, I’d be more than grateful if you purchased through one of the links on my site!
Best,
Yannick.
I ordered a Roadshow as a lighter set to use instead of my Pearl sessions , and sent it back pronto.I don’t think Pearl should put their name on them.I’m cosidering an export fusion instead.What do you think of the exports for an experienced gigging drummer?
Hey Mike,
Sorry the Roadshow wasn’t for you. I like it a lot, but as so often in drumming, it comes down to personal preference in the end – especially for you as an experienced drummer who will have played much more expensive kits I guess.
Anyway, have you read my Pearl Export review? I’ve happily played lots of gigs with it and especially like the versatility in terms of sound. With a good knowledge of tuning I’ve been able to get a punchy sound of it in both small and larger venues.
Hope that helps!
Best,
Yannick.
Hi! Any thoughts on the Mapex Tornado? Thanks!
Unfortunately, not really, Simon. Haven’t played this one enough to say something substantial. Here’s the only halfway decent review I found (albeit short): https://soundreview.org/instruments/drums/mapex-tornado-series-really-mark/
If you want a kit that will accompany you for years and in any setting (practicing and live), I recommend you consider the Pearl Roadshow!
Hope that helps!
What’s your opinion of the Percussion Plus PP4100 set? Our local music store is selling these for $249-299 with one free $25 lesson thrown in which puts it in the same price range as the Gammon that we are also considering. This set would be used by myself (adult male) and also our 6 1/2 year old son who wants to play. Thanks!
Hey David,
Thanks for your question! The Percussion Plus is very similar to the Gammon kit. I only didn’t mention and/or recommend here, because it costs $500+ on Amazon and that is certainly overpriced in my opinion.
If you can get it for for the price you mentioned, though, that’s a good deal – especially with the lesson on top.
As for your son, age is not the deciding factor – size is. Please read my kids drum set article to find out if he’s ready for an adult set (you’ll be fine on this).
Hope that helps!
Best,
Yannick.
Thank you for your tips! They will be very handy !
Best regards,
Nathalie
My pleasure, Nathalie!
Hi,
Which would you say is the best kit between Ludwig accent drive, Mapex rebel and Pearl Roadshow ? Thank you.
Hey Laure,
Thanks very much for your question – which also reminds me that I should finally put up a review of the Mapex Rebel and the Ludwig Accent Drive. I appreciate it!
As for your question, I think that all of those kits are very similar in quality (durability & sound – which mostly depends on your tuning abilities anyway), so the edge has to be found in price or setup. And:
So it really depends on what you prioritize. If it’s price, you might want to go with the Ludwig Accent. If it’s having the right kind of setup for you style of music / drumming, the Pearl Roadshow would be the kit to go with.
My personal opinion is to prioritize the setup and go with the Roadshow, since if you pick the right setup now, you could easily play this set for years and years and years.
Hope that helps!
Best,
Yannick.
Thanks for the article, very informative as I’m just starting drumming lessons for real after all of those years of air drumming! ????
Haha, that’s very cool Simon!
And seriously: I think airdrumming is a great way to perpare for being a great drummer.
hi
Hi Josh,
Thanks for stopping by. Did you have a question? 🙂
Best,
Yannick.
When rehearsing with my band, we use a (very cheap and nasty) electronic kit and I was considering buying something just a little better (Alesis Nitro or Forge are the likely candidates).
I was wondering what your views might be regarding an electronic kit for a total beginner? Our drummer seems to get by with the existing kit, but he’s already an accomplished musician and could probably make a set of cardboard boxes sound good.
I know nothing about playing drums, but since the kit would be permanently available to me, I really fancy having a go myself. What concerns me is, is starting on an electronic kit going to complicate the move to an acoustic kit or would the transition (should I ever make it) be fairly easy?
Regards
Graeme
Hey Graeme,
Thanks for your question!
I can totally relate to your concern and that’s why I only recommend electronic kits that are setup exactly like acoustic drum kits, so that you won’t have to unlearn any of the moves you’ve stored in your muscle memory while playing on the electronic kit.
So I see no reason why you couldn’t start on an electronic kit – and both the Nitro and the Forge are favorites of mine.
Hope that helps!
Best,
Yannick.
Hi
Thanks for the quick response. I would be setting up as a ‘normal’ kit. I did look at the ‘table’ type kits, but I could see they would be totally different, compared to a ‘proper’ kit, when it came to playing one- So you’ll be pleased to know I have purchased a Forge kit this very day.
Now I can’t wait for it to arrive 🙂 .
Regards
That sounds amazing, Graeme! I wish you lots of fun with it!
And if any questions come up: just drop me another comment!
Best regards!
I think the Mapex Rebel drum sets may be new and I am wondering how they compare to the Pearl Roadshows which they seem to be priced to go up against. The RB5044FTCDK contains a 22″ bass drum while other models contain a 20″. Have you tried one of these out? Would be interested in your opinion!
Hey Jennifer,
Thanks for your question – I’m in the process of reviewing the Mapex Rebel, so right now I can only tell you that I think the Rebel is a well-made drum kit, but I still think that the Roadshow has the range of different setups going for it.
Do you want me to let you know once I’ve finished and published the Mapex Rebel review?
Best,
Yannick
Hello!
I recently bought the Pearl Export series and it sounds AMAZING! I purchased Sabian cymbals and used stock drum heads, and it sounds way better than I imagined. This video about it helped a lot and now I am using the drum in my studio and on the stage.
At first, though, the toms were not in tune as well as I hoped, so I had to learn how to tune it on youtube, but other than that there is absolutely nothing wrong with this drum.
#BEST DRUM EVER
Hey John,
That’s awesome! Thanks so much for sharing this. I’ve linked to your comment from within the post as I think this would benefit all visitors.
Best,
Yannick
Hi! I was just at the music store shopping for a drum set for my 7 year old son. It’s very difficult to understand if the girl we chatted with is selling me on stuff for commission or really telling me the truth. I went in to buy the Pearl Roadshow. She was trying convince me the cymbals will bend within 2-3 months so going with the Tama Imperialstar or Ludwig Accent was my best bet since I would have to replace the stock cymbals with the Roadshow. She said the Pearl export would be ok but the set doesn’t come with cymbals. My son is a beginner. His drum teacher is telling me to go with great “used” drums.
Hey G,
Thanks for your question!
The Ludwig Accent has a similar kind of stock cymbals as the Pearl Roadshow – so if she’s convinced that the cymbals bend, they will bend on the Ludwig Accent too. That said, I don’t share this opinion and in fact I haven’t seen a student of mine bend his / her cymbals on the Roadshow. It’s true that the cymbals aren’t great and that you’ll likely have to replace them as your son develops a better and better ear for the sound of his drums. But most of my students use these cymbals for 1-2 years at least.
She is right, however, that the Tama comes with better cymbals (Meinl CHS) – but, online at least, they also cost significantly more.
So your decisions comes down to paying more now for a better cymbal sound from the start (Tama Imperialstar) – or saving some money now and buy better cymbals in a year or 2 (Pearl Roadshow).
Hope that helps!
Best,
Yannick
Yannick,
I’m In my early 50’s, quite tall (6’8″) and am finally going to take the plunge and get a kit and hopefully let this old dog learn a new trick. I’ve been looking at used kits on-line and new ones. I’ve somewhat narrowed it down to a new all-inclusive Ludwig Accent which are readily available for $399 on Amazon or a used Pearl Export kit that I’m finding in my area for around $350. I think you mentioned you have an Accent review coming??? Buying second hand makes me nervous because I’m no expert and don’t want to get stuck with something that may possibly bring headaches rather than enjoyment. That said, will the Ludwig Accent with upgraded heads and cymbals down the road foot the bill as I progress? My goals are to have fun while challenging my brain, jamming in the basement with friends, and maybe playing in church or small settings. We’ll see how my dominant left brain works with the other side. Please weigh in and thanks for your help!
Hey Tony,
Great you’re getting into drumming! Please let me know how it goes down the line!
As for the kit, I haven’t been able to test the Ludwig Accent yet, so I can only say that it looks decent and that I’ve heard good things about it.
Have you had a look at the Pearl Roadshow? It costs slightly more but is my favorite beginner drum kit for the reasons explained above and here (standalone review).
Hope that helps!
Best,
Yannick
Yannick-
Great and informative website. If possible, I would like to buy a kit that I can use as well as my kids as I really don’t want to have 2 kits in the house. My youngest is 11 and about 4’3″ (but growing like weed). Although I have played guitar in several bands, I am a relative newcomer to drumming. Is it possible to have a kit that would work for all of us? After reviewing your site, I was thinking the Pearl roadshow but would appreciate any insight you offer.
Thanks,
Greg
Hey Greg,
Thanks so much for your kind words. I appreciate it very much!
4’3” is still a littler short of what I’d consider ideal for an adult drum kit as you suggested, but if he / she really is growing that quickly the 5′ mark should be reached pretty quickly. So yes, I do think an adult drum set would work for all of you.
And the Pearl Roadshow is my favorite option in terms of value for the price. If you want to go more professional, check out the Pearl Export.
Yet, I do think the Pearl Roadshow will give you everything you need to happily drum for a long time to come.
Hope that helps – if not, keep the questions coming!
Best,
Yannick
I am looking for a drum set for my son. He is 4’2″, junior drum sets are upto 5′. Now I don’t want to buy a new set in couple years. Do you think I should just get the Full size and let me grow to it. On the other hand my younger son has just started classes as well and he is 3’8″. Please assist.
Hey Veeba,
Thanks for your question. In that case, I’d go with a junior kit. It will gentler on your older son’s back and muscles overall – and the young one will be able to play it for quite some time.
Best,
Yannick
do you have any opinion on PDP Z5 or Encore ? they’re sold at all the on line stores and are on sale right now, they seem to get good reviews on the stores websites but no one ever mentions them on websites such as yours…am I to assume they are just not very good ?
Hey Joe,
Thanks for your comment!
I haven’t tested any of the 2 sets, but PDP generally is a reliable drum set brand. Still, I estimate the Pearl Roadshow would do better in terms of both quality and durability (because I’ve tested it against so many other drum kits already, and always convinced me more.)
So have you looked at the Pearl Roadshow and ruled it out? The price should be about the same.
Best,
Yannick
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