Huge amounts of good advice above. I would only add to the chorus about hardware and cymbals, and most especially about the kick drum pedal. That really is an immensely critical and unique piece of hardware; great ones will last you your drumming life and improve your playing a LOT. Get a DW. It is worth it.

Keep your eyes open, there's some good deals on great drums in the UK, apparently.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Hayman-Vibr ... dZViewItem

Rotten Tanx wrote:Friends, Romans, dudes.

About a year ago I asked you all if I should take up drumming. Now I'm in a band...

If you'll forgive my cheek M.Tanx, this reminds me of...

A young man arrives at his tutor's house for bass guitar lessons, and is given the task of mastering four notes on just the first string.

The following week, the tutor tells the young man that he must now master four more notes on the second string.

Much to the surprise of the tutor the young man doesn't return for further lessons, but months later the tutor bumps into the young man at the supermarket.

"What happened to your bass lessons? We only just got started!" said the tutor.

The young man replied "Oh, it's so hard to find time between sessions..."

Rotten Tanx wrote:Thanks everyone. Your input is greatly appreciated.




*I mean I know a guy but he's a drummer. I mean he's always stoned. Or drunk. Or maybe just mental? He hasn't worked in 20 years, he can play anything on a kit but couldn't explain it to you. His idea of hardware is the penny he uses to wedge the legs of his snare stand open. Played for 25 years but never owned a drum key. Snare covered in beer and tobacco. That guy. God I hope I don't become that guy.

hey! i knwo a few darned rootin tooting drummers who i'm sure would be flattered more than anything if you asked their advice. in fact have you asked on the communion? Al from Formation is ace, Dave from Mills & Boon is ace and Chris from Knives also. And Mick, from Mistress. AND, there is a bloke called Ash who is teaching drums above sound control? yuk, i know. i used to share a practise space with him many moons ago. he is literally one of the best drummers around technically. and i think his drum school thing has a myspace thing. ashley sheehan i think is how you spell it, put it in the name search.

And, yes always bring your own hardware to play gigs.

to the americans, ludwig kits here are rare, expensive and rare. when i was in america, i saw loads of ludwig kits! sickening! and cheap! this country is against people drumming i swear. small houses, overpriced kits etc...

fantasmatical thorr wrote:to the americans, ludwig kits here are rare, expensive and rare. when i was in america, i saw loads of ludwig kits! sickening! and cheap!

It's presumably the same case in reverse with Premier kits; Ludwig being an American brand and Premier being British...

Same with Marshall amps etc.

**edit**

My local paper always has kits (usually from the 70s and 80s) advertised in the classified section worth keeping an eye out. Also worth checking Rhythm magazine's classified section.

For what it's worth...

Always buy 2nd hand unless you are a big famous person who gets stuff for free. In my experience you always get more for your money.

In the UK you can always pick up good cheap lovely souding kits like Premier & Haymans. However the hardware is usually quite ropey. As previously mentioned Tama kits usually wear pretty well. I got rid of an Imperialstar recently for about £70 on ebay, I think they got a bargain. Pearl are also good in this respect but if you are buying either tama or pearl then avoid the exports and rock/swingstars. Though they sound great for what they are, because of the "budget" element they don't wear so well.

Cymbals wise: Sabian, Paiste and (if they are older than 10 years) Zildjian. Zildjian don't make 'em like they used to.

The problem with cymbals is that if they've not been treated well then they may crack within weeks of you thrashing bejesus out of them so look for any cracks in the edge or any in the grooves of the cymbals. If the decay is short or the volume of the cymbals are low then chances are they are damaged.

Pedals and Snare: Your most important purchase. Despite that I'm not keen on their drums they make fantastic pedals. Can't go wrong with them. Mid to higher end Pearl & Tama also very usable.

Regarding the Snare: Ludwig 400 - I got two of them. One of them I picked up for £100 because it was all pitted, there's a guy selling them in Newcastle as spares or repairs. PM if you are interested and I will source his umber for you. Otherwise you are looking at £250 plus 2nd hand and around £400 new. Premier 2000 are also good. Can pick them up for £50 - £100.

E-bay still seems to be the best source. However, work out a budget and stick to it. Don't be tempted to over bid on something. As a beginner there is not reason you should pay more than £250 for a reasonable kit. May even include a few cymbals too. Then you can gradually add good hardware, snare and decent cymbals.

Don't buy a drumset that sounds like this. (She starts playing at 2:30)

jason smith wrote:Don't buy a drumset that sounds like this. (She starts playing at 2:30)

What's especially amusing about this clip is that she's playing the exact set I recommended.

I still think they are good. Any drumset can sound like garbage, and any drumset can sound good.

Look at that hardware! State of the art!

vockins wrote:

jason smith wrote:Don't buy a drumset that sounds like this. (She starts playing at 2:30)

What's especially amusing about this clip is that she's playing the exact set I recommended.

I still think they are good. Any drumset can sound like garbage, and any drumset can sound good.

Look at that hardware! State of the art!

That's funny.. Yeah it's probably just the video camera mic and poor drum maintenance. Those giant sticks she has are pretty funny too.

60's and 70s Ludwigs are excellent and were manufactured in large quantities. Look out for a cosmetically trashed but structurally sound (no shell cracks, out of roundness, good bearing edges) set, replace the heads with some of your prefered flavor and hit them to suit your band's style. In particular the chrome snares are outstanding and versatile and the 22" kicks are hard to top.

Cymbals are highly personal and must be played prior to purchase -- recommendations or brands mean fuck-all. Cracks, keyholes, snot encrusted finger prints -- pretty much all can be ignored and may even get you a bargain.

Besides brushes and various sized sticks, try a set of bundled-stick-type sticks, such as hotrods. They have a much lower volume than sticks but can backbeat like a mofo if you need them to. The flexibility allows for easy consistent rim-shots, if that's your bag.