Best Jazz Drum Set

Updated: August 22nd, 2022

Jazz is one of the most challenging styles of music due to its combination of other musical elements. No wonder most beginner drummers usually shy away from learning to play swing rhythms when they first start. The technicalities involved overwhelm them.

Although jazz is daunting, it is also a music style that allows you to express yourself freely. Playing it fuels your creativity so much in ways no other style can. It is evident in the fact that some of the greatest drummers in history were into jazz.

If you want to leave your comfort zone and get better at jazz drumming, you will need the right drum kit. This article has reviewed the best jazz drum sets that will resonate and sound good when you play. You should also check out our best professional drum set. 

This article also contains some of the factors you should consider while searching for the best jazz drum sets. 

Overview of the Best Jazz Drum Sets

Top 5 Jazz Drum Sets: Reviews

#1 Pearl Drum Set, Aqua Blue

Pearl is known for manufacturing durable drum sets. The double-braced hardware package is top-notch. Unlike other drum kits, the lugs and fittings of the Pearl drum set are sturdy enough to withstand the heavy pounding from most beginners. It does not matter whether you are a beginner or a pro; this drum set will be of excellent service. Its stands are entirely adjustable and dual-reinforced. 

The die-cast tier joints and tilters help you lock the frame to any position you want. This pearl drum set features a 16″ crash cymbal and a couple of 14″ hybrid hi-hats. It is an excellent choice for beginner drummers since cymbals help with essential timekeeping, ride patterns, and crashing accents. The snare drum with this set delivers crisp sound at the slightest hit.  

One of the challenges drummers who travel a lot for performance face is the logistics involved. There is much hardware to transport, and often, the drumsticks get easily misplaced. The included maple drumsticks and a professional stick bag help solve this problem. 

#2 Gretsch Drums CT1-J484-GCB Catalina Club

This drum set is user-friendly, hence, an excellent choice for beginner drummers. The kit, featuring 7-ply maple shells with 30-degree bearing edges and natural shell interiors, has a sleek and innovative design that turns heads. Nevertheless, the quality of its sound is exceptional. It is worthy of note that long-term usage does not affect the quality of sound produced. 

Despite how intense your drumming gets, your drum kit will remain stable till the end. There is enough room for creativity while playing this drum, considering it is a 7-piece set. Different tones and sounds will be at your disposal. What could be more fun than that?

With the 30-degree bearing edges in place, the surface area between the hoop and shell gets maximized, optimizing vibration transfer. You get to create a fast and warm response each time you play.

#3 PDP By DW 7-Piece Concept Maple Shell Pack

PDP by DW 7-Piece Concept Maple Shell Pack is a budget-friendly drum set designed for every drummer. For a passionate drummer who has no clue where to start, this drum set will guide you through the learning curves. The drums feature high-quality and sturdy materials. 

With shells made from multiple plies, you get to enjoy the equipment capable of withstanding heavy hitting. They also produce tremendous crisp sound, whether you are practicing, recording, or at a live performance. This set comes with a bass drum, snare drum, three rack toms of varying sizes, 2-floor toms of different sizes, and all tension rods and hardware needed to set up your drum. 

One great feature about the chrome hardware is that it is also high-quality asides from the excellent appearance. This property will guarantee the longevity of drums, preventing it from damage. However, PDP by DW 7-Piece Concept Maple Shell Pack does not come with cymbals and cymbal stand. If you need them, you will have to buy them separately.

The drum kit features a patented DW suspension, allowing drums to vibrate freely even when held at a spot. This feature gives off premium resonance and a great tone when playing.

#4 Sawtooth Command Series 4-Piece Drum Set

As a drummer, this 4-piece drum set ensures that you do not break the bank to kickstart your drumming journey. It features high-quality materials that will allow you to command your audience’s attention effortlessly. 

Featuring 18 “x16” bass drum with tom mount, 12 “x9” tom drum, 14 “x14” floor tom drum, and 14 “x5.5” snare drum, the kit gives off great and quality sound. The 6-ply poplar shells produce a classic and warm, punchy tone with live sonic lows. 

This Sawtooth command series 4-piece drum set comes with a riser to ensure that drummers are comfortable playing. As the name implies, the riser raises the bass drum creating more room for a relaxed performance. You can as well adjust the riser to any position or height you want. 

#5 Mapex Mars Series 5-Piece Jazz/Rock Shell Pack Smokewood

This drum set is best suited for both beginner and advanced drummers. It comes with 100% birch, 6-ply, and 7.2 shells, which produce a loud and clear sound. The surfaces also feature classic maple and walnut hybrid, making this set strong and durable. 

The SONIClear technology enables the drumheads to have better and closer contact with the shell creating a robust, versatile, and consistent tone. Among other fascinating features is the toms that sound exceptionally good. No matter how hard you hit or how gentle you are while playing, the notes and tones are just right.

The SONIClear bearing edge helps with direct sound transmission, reduce unwanted frequencies, and create a robust fundamental pitch. This bearing also provides an effortless tuning experience. The drum kit also comes with a set of hardware designed explicitly for the Mapex drum range. With hardware that looks so great, your friends will always stop to have a second look. 

Factors to consider when buying the best jazz drum kit.

Price

What is your budget? This question should be the first one on your mind while looking for the best jazz drum to purchase. If you are still an inexperienced drummer and are low on cash, you should consider buying a high-quality beginner kit. Drum sets like PDP By DW 7-Piece Concept Maple Shell Pack and Sawtooth Command Series 4-Piece Drum Set are quite affordable. On the other hand, if you are an advanced drummer that attends gigs frequently, you can decide to purchase high-end drum sets. Look at it as an investment.

Size

No doubt, jazz drums are relatively smaller than other drum sets. But it would help if you considered what the shells are made of as well as their sizes. Drums with more resonant shells and stronger wood like maple will produce warm, sensual, but loud sounds. 

Support

Think about your drumming goals and place it side-by-side with any jazz drum set you want to purchase. Does it fit the purpose? Does it have the full complement of toms and cymbal positions that will enable you to play better? However, if you are okay with a basic playing style or can be creative with a limited set, then a smaller, lighter, and less costly kit will serve you. 

Design

It is okay if you do not just want to have a great- sounding kit but one that will take your breath away as well. Different jazz drum sets turn heads, and Gretsch Drums CT1-J484-GCB  is one of them. They are mostly expensive but if you have the funds for it, purchase it. After all, it is your property, and you will use most of it to your satisfaction. 

Extra features

Generally, a basic jazz drum set comprises two tom drums, small 18-inch bass drums, a 13-inch snare drum, a hi-hat, and a ride and crash cymbal. But some kits come with extra features like an adjustable drum riser and a professional stick bag. If you cannot afford models that come with the risers, you may consider online DIY techniques for building one. Some of these features can be seen in the product description while buying the kit online. So, check them out, and if it is something you love, then go ahead and purchase it. 

The difference between Jazz drums and other types of drum sets;

Jazz drum sets are usually smaller in size compared to rock or metal options. In addition to that, elements of the kit are lightweight. This characteristic makes it easy to move around, especially for drummers who travel a lot with their drum kit. It could be to attend gigs, a jazz festival with their band, or perform in a concert hall with an orchestra.

Also, being small and lightweight means drummers will find it easier to play in small spaces. The sound emitted will not pierce through the ears of the audience. 

For jazz drums, the tunes tend to be tighter than other types of drum kits. It means that the drums are sensitive and will produce a clear and robust sound once you start pounding. 

In jazz drumming, crash cymbals and bass drums are not much of a driving feature than other playing styles. 

Conclusion

Drumming comes with a lot of benefits, no matter the style you play. Nevertheless, jazz is one of the most challenging but rewarding techniques. That is the reason why drummers in this category are often seen as talented and smart. 

Have you played other styles and want to transition to jazz drumming? Or are you already advanced but want to get better at your craft? The best jazz drum set you need has been reviewed above, and the factors to consider before making your purchase. 

We hope that our guide will help you make a smart and rewarding choice.