The first thing to consider when buying a drum kit is whether you choose electronic drums or acoustic drums.
What type of drum kit to buy?
Ask yourself these questions:
- Will my neighbours be ok with me making noise?
- How much space do I have available to set up a drum kit?
- Will I be performing or gigging with my drums?
If you can’t make much noise, you don’t have much space and your drums are going to be mainly used at home just for practising on then the wisest choice would be to go for electronic drums
If you have plenty of space and noise is not going to be an issue (perhaps you have a garage or soundproof room or very tolerant neighbours) then go for an acoustic drum kit
What are electronic drum kits?
Some people are apprehensive about the idea of electronic drums. They are different to ‘normal’ (acoustic) drums in more ways than the obvious fact that you need to plug them in. Below is a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of opting for an electronic kit.
Pros and cons of electronic drums
Positive
They make very little ambient noise
You can play with headphones on so nobody hears you practising
They take up less space and can be easily packed away if they need to be stored
Most electronic drum kits have built-in play along songs and a metronome
You can choose the sound of the drum kit and even edit the sounds
Negative
Only the very top of the range models even begin to replicate the feel and tone of a real drum kit
Electronic kits can be prone to damage and faults
Hard rubber pads of the cheaper models can cause wrist ache when hit with sticks
Limited dynamic range (velocity) – especially in cheaper models
Tips on buying acoustic drums
If you are a beginner buying your first drum kit you might want to consider buying a second-hand drum set. There are a couple of things to remember:
1. Always see the drum kit you are buying – especially if you are buying over the internet. Ask the seller to send you detailed photos and get a list of exactly what is included in the sale. Preferably, go to the place the drum kit is being sold and see it for yourself.
2. When comparing prices with other drum kits bear in mind that new kits are not usually sold with cymbals so check whether or not what you are thinking of buying is a “shell pack” (i.e. just the drums without cymbals or stands).
3. Get to know the brand names and familiarise yourself with the right sort of price you’d expect to pay for the model of drum kit both new and second-hand. Use the search box at the top of this page to search the internet for drum deals.
New vs Second-Hand drum kits
There are advantages and disadvantages to buying a new drum kit. The main advantage of buying from a reputable drum shop is that you have all the usual statutory rights associated with purchasing a new item. This means there is a certain degree of protection and guarantee that what you think you’re buying is what you’ll get when you unpack the boxes. With second-hand goods there is more chance you could be misled or worse still, outright conned. Fortunately, most people are decent and they aren’t out to trick you. Buying a second-hand drum set can lead to great savings on the cost of drums. With the rise of online auction sites like Ebay, there is a lot more competition for the best bargains in the ‘used’ drums market.
Elephant Drums guide to buying a used drum kit
Let’s assume you’ve decided to check out a second-hand drum kit you’ve seen advertised in the local classified ads paper. The price is within your budget and you’ve spoken to the seller to check the drum kit is still available. Here are some top tips for things to consider before you part with your cash:
- Does the drum kit appear like it’s in a playable condition?
- Are you satisfied / impressed with the look of the drums?
- Does it seem like the seller is trying to hide anything?
- What environmental conditions has the drum kit been kept in? (Damp? Dusty? Outside in a shed?)
- If bits are damaged or missing can they be replaced / repaired easily?
- Why is the seller selling the drum kit? (ask them!)
It’s a good idea to try to show a keen interest in the history of the drum kit. Try to get answers to the questions above in a discreet manner rather than being too obvious. Many drummers will want to see their pride-and-joy drum kit get sold to someone they think will look after it and use it well. Remember that you could be under scrutiny as an appropriate purchaser just as much as you want to scrutinise the integrity of the seller.
If in doubt, get the opinion of an experienced drummer. Your drum teacher might be able to go with you to have a look at the used drum kit and give you advice on whether or not it is a good buy. They can also help you negotiate a price and use their knowledge and experience to haggle with the seller if necessary.
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