drum set under $500?

[silenced]

can you get a decent drum set under $500? what's the best route for a beginner to take? what are you trading off by not stepping up to the more expensive sets? are you going to regret it later if you go to cheap, and just have to replace it?

[dj biscuit]

You definitely get what you pay for. The key is the quality of hardware, heads, and how the toms are mounted. If you get crappy hardware, then you'll get some really weird rattles and resonance. If the toms aren't mounted properly, then you will also get weird sounds and response from the drums. If the toms are mounted by the rim, then the drum shell is properly resonating, giving you the best sound possible.

However, if you know what you're doing, these are the important factors to having an awesome sounding kit:

1. Purchase the right heads and learn to tune them properly.
2. Buy the right cymbals for your sound, and don't EVER get sheet (shit) bronze. Cast bronze is the only way to go, unless you like your cymbals to be hammered out of garbage can lids.
3. Learn to tune your drums.
4. Replace the stock heads with good heads.
5. Learn to tune your drums.
6. Don't buy cheap cymbals.

As you can see, these are pretty simple guidelines. But I think i may have missed something:

Learn to tune your drums. And buy some duct tape

[MarlonBrandoCalrissian]

I bought a Pearl Forum new back in 1995 - They go for around $600 nowadays; I still have mine and it sounds okay at best but it's still hanging in there; the wrap is starting to come off in one part but for a low-end kit it's survived pretty well.

[lucidlou]

The Mapex V series are pretty inexpensive and sound pretty decent.

[lukedavo]

Yamaha Rydeen 6 ply mahogany, or the Ludwig Accent, both have a big sound and not a big price.

[Nubus]

cast not sheet - that is info i was looking for, thanks. any info on the ddrums punk kits?

[plishous]

You could always find a good high-end used drumset for that price but if you want a new set my choice would be any of ready to rock sets from TAMA

[McLean]

I am looking at the TAMA SG518C
14"x18" Bass drum
8"x10" Tom tom
8"x12" Tom tom
12"x14" Floor tom
5"x13" Steel snare drum
Double tom holder
Hi-hat stand
Straight cymbal stand
Low profile snare stand
Low profile drum pedal
13" Hi-hat cymbal (pr)
16" Cymbal

It is a lot smaller than a standard set and even comes with all the goodies. Also the price is so low about $400. I still have a TAMA that I bought more than 10 years ago and it is still holding up strong as ever. I want to get this little guy because it is so compact. With limited space on some stages and in studios and all of the traveling gigs I do, this would be perfect.