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Culinary

How Do I Choose the Best Cheap Drum Sets?

By Erik J.J. Goserud
Updated Jan 23, 2024
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When purchasing the best cheap drum sets, buying used gear is the best way to save money while maintaining quality. Beginners will want to look for a budget drum set to see if they enjoy playing percussion. Cheap drum sets can sound extremely good depending on how they are tuned and which heads are placed on them.

Buying used gear is the best option for buying cheap drum sets. These sets will run at 40 to 70 percent of the new price depending on the make and condition. Oftentimes, the shells for drum sets are sold separately from cymbals and stands, but buying a used set direct from an individual is the best way to get all the parts in one buy. For a used set consisting of a bass drum, snare drum, low tom, and rack toms, a buyer can get decent quality for as little as $200 US Dollars (USD).

If purchasing a used drum set from a reseller shop, the buyer should request that the heads of the drums be changed. Most shops will already have new heads on the drums and will have cleaned the shells. The shop may tune the drums for the buyer, and the seller will often include a drum seat and snare stand with the set.

To start off, drummers usually need a hi-hat, ride cymbal, and crash cymbal to accessorize a basic set. For decent-sounding, cheap symbols, look at spending around $60 to $75 USD on a hi-hat, $75 to $100 USD on a ride cymbal, and $50 to $100 on a crash symbol. Some of the major cymbal makers offer these together in a package for around $175 to $225 USD.

With used cymbals, the buyer is looking at spending about 60 to 70 percent of the retail cost. Drummers can acquire used cymbal stands to hold the three basic cymbals at around $150 USD. This is about 40 to 50 percent of new cymbal stand costs.

New drum sets are more expensive and seldom include cymbals and stands. Traditional sets from major music retailers include a bass drum, snare drum, low town, and one or two rack toms. Decent cheap drum sets purchased new cost around $350 to $500 USD for the basics. From there, cymbals will be the most expensive addition. When all is said and done, decent-sounding, cheap drum sets with all drums, stands, and cymbals can cost about $500 to $700 USD. Learning how to tune the drums and purchasing quality heads can do wonders toward enhancing the sound of cheap drum sets.

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Discussion Comments

By Raynbow — On Aug 05, 2014

You may be able to get a really good deal on a cheap drum set at a pawn shop, if you don't mind buying one that has been used. Look for a drum set that doesn't look to worn, and a shop with sales reps who are willing to give you detailed information about it.

By Rundocuri — On Aug 04, 2014

If you are buying a used drum set, look for a seller that is willing to give you detailed information about the set and any problems or concerns you may have to fix. Musicians who are ready to get new instruments are often willing to provide this type of detailed information to make a quick sale, especially to a fellow musician.

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