Looking at some used drum sets. (instrumental, rock, underwater, effect)

Ambient · 12-28-2008, 02:36 PM

Hi,

I'm new to drumming. I've played guitar for six years and will continue, but found interest in drums recently. I'm looking at some used sets and these are within my price range (give/take), but I want to know which one is the best deal. I don't know much about drums, except that the standard kit has 5 pieces and that Zildjian and Sabian cymbals are the best in durability. I'd like a professional's opinion based on the information provided as to which kit would be the best buy.

Thank you,
Nish

This guy's giving me everything pictured for $375, but doesn't know what kind of drum set it is. It comes with all the drums, cymbals (Zildjian), a throne, mufflers, and drum sticks.:

This guy's selling just the drums for $350, but they look very nice. It's a Gretsch Catalina drum set with the plastic still over the logo apparently.:

This is a Rhythm Traveler with the head replacements of Evans Genera Dry on the snare, Aquarian Performance II on the toms, Evans Emed with dampener ring on the kick. It has a Slingerland foot pedal and a Sabian 14" B8 hi-hat set, Zildjian Schimitar 20" rock ride, and a Zildjian Avedis 14" fast crash cymbal. It also has a Spitfire by Slingerland double-braced cymbal stand. It's being sold for $425.:

This also doesn't have a specified model, but the owner is selling this Ludwig drum set for $310.:

Ambient · 12-28-2008, 02:37 PM

(sorry for this, but I can only post 4 images up at a time)

This is a vintage late '70s and early '80s Tama 5 piece drum set. The owner has the hardware to put it together, but doesn't have any cymbals. The price for it is $150.:

This is a Pearl ELX Export drum set in Blue Mist with all the hardware to put everything together, but no cymbals. It's made of poplar wood and comes with Evans EC2 heads on the toms and the snare has an Evans Genera HD head and it's for $400 (although he's willing to go down on the price).:

mr dave · 12-28-2008, 10:07 PM

a friend of mine had a rhythm traveller. it's 'decent'... especially if you plan on using it for gigs and moving it around a lot, otherwise it's the most expensive one you have listed...

also, do you still play the guitar you learned on or have you upgraded since then? wouldn't you do the same with drums?

best bet is to try them out if possible, skins can be replaced easily enough if you end up with a 'fork hitting mashed potatoes underwater' sound, although i'd start haggling for a better deal in a situation like that.

i wouldn't bother with the kits without the cymbals unless you want spares for a frankenstein kit.

personally i'd probably go with your first choice, the black no-name that includes absolutely everything.

kthedrummer · 12-28-2008, 10:30 PM

I would look on Ebay u can get some really tricked out sets on the cheap with lots of cymbals and after market hardware.

Ambient · 12-29-2008, 02:21 AM

Any idea on what model the Ludwig is (the black no-name one)?

I have a really nice acoustic and electric guitar. They're both vintage from the late '60s/early '70s. The acoustic is an Ibanez and the electric is a Dean. Both were given to me by my father, have outstanding sound (the acoustic resonates like nothing I've heard before), and I cherish them both. I haven't been involved in any instrumental situation where I've had to upgrade. I have tried out plenty of guitars via the guitar course at my school.

I would appreciate it a lot if you could elaborate on the fork on mashed potatoes situation.

@ kthedrummer: I'll be sure to, but eBay isn't the most respectable place to purchase merchandise from. I have had all good experiences there, but only for very minor and few time purchases.

mr dave · 12-29-2008, 04:59 PM

no idea on the black no-name. either way, your sound comes from your hands more than the brand of instrument being used.

as for the guitar thing, generally speaking most people upgrade from what they learned on unless they're in situations like yours where they start on quality gear they didn't have to pay for.

as for the fork - mashed potato thing. it was a description used in an article on theonion.com in regards to matchbox20. they compared their safe, bland, ineffectual sound to slapping a fork into potatoes. if a kit has bad skins it's going to sound similar. there won't be any lasting definition in the hit, the sound will warble, and the skins won't stay in tune.

12-28-2008, 02:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ambient Groupie Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 28	Looking at some used drum sets. Hi, I'm new to drumming. I've played guitar for six years and will continue, but found interest in drums recently. I'm looking at some used sets and these are within my price range (give/take), but I want to know which one is the best deal. I don't know much about drums, except that the standard kit has 5 pieces and that Zildjian and Sabian cymbals are the best in durability. I'd like a professional's opinion based on the information provided as to which kit would be the best buy. Thank you, Nish This guy's giving me everything pictured for $375, but doesn't know what kind of drum set it is. It comes with all the drums, cymbals (Zildjian), a throne, mufflers, and drum sticks.: This guy's selling just the drums for $350, but they look very nice. It's a Gretsch Catalina drum set with the plastic still over the logo apparently.: This is a Rhythm Traveler with the head replacements of Evans Genera Dry on the snare, Aquarian Performance II on the toms, Evans Emed with dampener ring on the kick. It has a Slingerland foot pedal and a Sabian 14" B8 hi-hat set, Zildjian Schimitar 20" rock ride, and a Zildjian Avedis 14" fast crash cymbal. It also has a Spitfire by Slingerland double-braced cymbal stand. It's being sold for $425.: This also doesn't have a specified model, but the owner is selling this Ludwig drum set for $310.:

12-28-2008, 10:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
kthedrummer King of the Idiots Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The free love freeway Posts: 262	I would look on Ebay u can get some really tricked out sets on the cheap with lots of cymbals and after market hardware. __________________ Your brain has the shell on it.

12-28-2008, 02:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ambient Groupie Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 28	(sorry for this, but I can only post 4 images up at a time) This is a vintage late '70s and early '80s Tama 5 piece drum set. The owner has the hardware to put it together, but doesn't have any cymbals. The price for it is $150.: This is a Pearl ELX Export drum set in Blue Mist with all the hardware to put everything together, but no cymbals. It's made of poplar wood and comes with Evans EC2 heads on the toms and the snare has an Evans Genera HD head and it's for $400 (although he's willing to go down on the price).:

12-29-2008, 02:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ambient Groupie Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 28	Any idea on what model the Ludwig is (the black no-name one)? I have a really nice acoustic and electric guitar. They're both vintage from the late '60s/early '70s. The acoustic is an Ibanez and the electric is a Dean. Both were given to me by my father, have outstanding sound (the acoustic resonates like nothing I've heard before), and I cherish them both. I haven't been involved in any instrumental situation where I've had to upgrade. I have tried out plenty of guitars via the guitar course at my school. I would appreciate it a lot if you could elaborate on the fork on mashed potatoes situation. @ kthedrummer: I'll be sure to, but eBay isn't the most respectable place to purchase merchandise from. I have had all good experiences there, but only for very minor and few time purchases.