Types of buying Drums

Drums	Cymbals
A - Bass Drum	E - One Ride (or Crash/Ride)
B - Snare Drum	L - One crash (optional)
F & G - Tom-Toms (or Toms)	C - Two Hi-Hat Cymbals
H - Floor Tom	-

Stands / Accessories (drum set hardware)

M - Snare Stand

I - Cymbal Stand - make sure they have wing nuts for the tops (not shown)

D - Foot Pedal for Bass Drum

J - Hi Hat Stand for Hi Hat cymbals

K - Hi Hat Clutch to hold top Hi Hat Cymbal

N - Mount for tom(s) to be mounted on Bass Drum

O - Throne or Seat (Optional: A chair may be used although it limits adjustibility)

H - Legs for the Floor Tom (if applicable, sometimes they're mounted on a stand)

Drum Key (for tuning) - Not shown

Drum Set Buying Tips

Drumset Buyers: Remember; when buying drumsets, stick with reputable dealers. Make sure you have a guarantee on your drumset. Refer to this drumset buying guide for assistance.

It's common to go with lower line cymbals for the sake of affordability. Brand name cymbals can often be very expensive.

Cymbal "packs" (in groups of 2 to 4) are a good inexpensive way to purchase starter cymbals. You can always upgrade later.

Drum Set Brands
Brand Name Drum Sets		Off-Brand Names
Pearl	Remo	Percussion Plus
Tama	Gretsch	Sunlite
Yamaha	Mapex	Thor
DW	Slingerland	CB (not CB700)
Ayotte	Ludwig	TKO
Gretsch	Sonor	Maxwin
Premier	CB700	Royce, Starion, HB
Click on the link for more name brand drumsets. We will not attempt to list all of the off-brand drumsets at this time.

Cymbal Types
Brand Name Cymbals	Off-Brand Cymbals
Zildjian	Camber
Sabian	Stagg
Bosphorus	CB
Meinl	Zilco
Paiste	Solar
Ufip	-

Tips on buying "Used" Drums / Drumsets

Make sure both top and bottom heads are on the drums.

Make sure none of the tuning lugs on the drums are missing.

Make sure the laminate or exterior drum finish is in good condition

Hardware should appear relatively sturdy and all locking mechanisms secure.

Drumheads should be in relatively good shape. (It's expensive to replace them all at once).

You're often safer buying from an older player that takes better care of his drumkit and drum hardware..

Don't know what type of used drumset to buy? Well, see what you like in new drums and then search for that drumset in your local trading post or drum classifieds.

Like buying a used car, you often get more for your money with a used kit.

Try to take an experienced drummer with you to check out a used drum set.

Trust your gut instinct. If it doesn't "feel" right, it probably isn't.

What does their house look like? If it's not clean and kept, then they probably didn't take care of the drumset you're about to buy either

Drums Buying Guide
A guide to help you purchase a drumset. What is the best drumset for you?
Do you need help buying a drumset? This drumset buyers guide will help!

How much to spend on a Drum Set?
What you pay for a drumset depends on the quality of the drumset but for a beginner, anywhere between $200 and $500. Much of this will depend on whether it's and used drumset or a brand name drumset.

What drums are the best, or "What are the best drumsets?"
After you have the facts (above) it's really just a matter of
individual preference. Like buying a car, some swear by Ford and
others swear by Chevrolet. (We're actually fond of Toyotas ;).

Do I need a 5 piece drumset or will less pieces do?
A beginner can learn efficiently on a ride (or hi-hat), a bass drum,
and a snare drum. Young students will appreciate a full 5 piece drumkit
however as it makes it more fun to play drumfills down the drums.