Affordable Drum Set-up for beginner

benjs

Hi all,
I'm interested in trying to take up the drums - totally new to it, but would prefer to put a bit more money in now, for longevity, as I'm trying to set up a small home studio. I'm fortunate enough to have a contact with Pearl Drums, and am looking at the Vision series (VSX model specifically seems pretty ideal to me). Can anyone vouch for the quality of these drums, or push me in the right direction? I'm also completely new to what to look for regarding cymbals - my limited research is suggesting that the Paiste PST 5 series has some pretty good but still affordable products within it. I play guitar, and would like to record mostly blues, PJ covers, acoustic tracks occasionally, as well as some jam-band-y type stuff. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

MichaelMcKevin

You nailed it. Vision VSX and PST-5's would be a great beginner kit. If you want, you could look on ebay and craigslist for some used higher end cymbals.

cowboypjfan

Is this considered a good deal?

Brand new 5 piece, Pearl VSX Vision set with 900 Series Hardware
Paiste PST 5 Universal Cymbals (Crash, Ride, Hi-Hat)
HCZ-5000 Hydraulic Drum Throne

$1000 - Price Negotiable

benjs

GivenToCarve wrote:

You nailed it. Vision VSX and PST-5's would be a great beginner kit. If you want, you could look on ebay and craigslist for some used higher end cymbals.

Awesome, thanks - always good to have confirmation from others on big purchases
What's the standard configuration for a ride and a crash? The VSX package comes with a hi-hat stand, cymbal stand, and boom cymbal stand - I think the hi-hat speaks for itself, but how does it work - ride on cymbal, crash on boom cymbal, or other way around? And traditionally, for right-handed folks, am I correct that the crash goes on the left hand side, and ride on the right?

PatrickBateman

depending on the exact drumset, I would say that it is a good deal.

12345AGNST1

Yea you got it pretty good. Paistes are amazing (slightly underrated/uncommon) cymbals. The PST5's are the best budget cymbals you can get.

benjs

12345AGNST1 wrote:

Yea you got it pretty good. Paistes are amazing (slightly underrated/uncommon) cymbals. The PST5's are the best budget cymbals you can get.

Cool, thanks! Any specifics I need to know? I've seen the 14" medium hi-hats recommended, as well as the 14" crash. How about ride? I'm ideally looking for something that's versatile that I can use for nice quiet passages, as well as loud ones.

12345AGNST1

Usually you buy the cymbals in packs for beginners. a 14' crash is very small, maybe you meant 16'? As for the ride, get a 20'.

Heres a starter set up: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Paiste-PST- ... 1139969.gc

or for a harder sound: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Paiste-PST- ... 1139968.gc

DewieCox

12345AGNST1 wrote:

Yea you got it pretty good. Paistes are amazing (slightly underrated/uncommon) cymbals. The PST5's are the best budget cymbals you can get.

Paistes are underrate?? I know most laypersons don't recognize, but they seem to be the standard cymbal for just about any rock drummer you can namecheck.

12345AGNST1

DewieCox wrote:

12345AGNST1 wrote:

Yea you got it pretty good. Paistes are amazing (slightly underrated/uncommon) cymbals. The PST5's are the best budget cymbals you can get.

Paistes are underrate?? I know most laypersons don't recognize, but they seem to be the standard cymbal for just about any rock drummer you can namecheck.

standard for pros and famous drummers, but they are quite a bit more expensive then most cymbals. So for the average person they are.

MichaelMcKevin

benjs wrote:

What's the standard configuration for a ride and a crash? The VSX package comes with a hi-hat stand, cymbal stand, and boom cymbal stand - I think the hi-hat speaks for itself, but how does it work - ride on cymbal, crash on boom cymbal, or other way around? And traditionally, for right-handed folks, am I correct that the crash goes on the left hand side, and ride on the right?

It doesn't matter which cymbal goes on which stand, unless your set up calls for it. You may want to put your cymbal in a position that requires the boom stand to "hang" it over an area where the base of the stand couldn't fit. Generally, if you have hi hats, a crash and a ride, the crash would go on the left side. One thing to learn now is that there are no rules in set-ups. What works for you is always best, and will not work for everyone else. It's amazing what moving a drum or cymbal an inch or 2 can change. That being said... USE THE MEMORY LOCKS once you get everything feeling pretty comfy.

900 series hardware is great stuff. That's what I use for my cymbal stands (excluding hi-hat). IMO, I don't see any reason to splurge on the Pearl 1000 or 2000 series hardware. The 900s are great, affordable and equally as durable, just without some of the features that I think are usually unneeded anyhow.

benjs

GivenToCarve wrote:

benjs wrote:

What's the standard configuration for a ride and a crash? The VSX package comes with a hi-hat stand, cymbal stand, and boom cymbal stand - I think the hi-hat speaks for itself, but how does it work - ride on cymbal, crash on boom cymbal, or other way around? And traditionally, for right-handed folks, am I correct that the crash goes on the left hand side, and ride on the right?

It doesn't matter which cymbal goes on which stand, unless your set up calls for it. You may want to put your cymbal in a position that requires the boom stand to "hang" it over an area where the base of the stand couldn't fit. Generally, if you have hi hats, a crash and a ride, the crash would go on the left side. One thing to learn now is that there are no rules in set-ups. What works for you is always best, and will not work for everyone else. It's amazing what moving a drum or cymbal an inch or 2 can change. That being said... USE THE MEMORY LOCKS once you get everything feeling pretty comfy.

900 series hardware is great stuff. That's what I use for my cymbal stands (excluding hi-hat). IMO, I don't see any reason to splurge on the Pearl 1000 or 2000 series hardware. The 900s are great, affordable and equally as durable, just without some of the features that I think are usually unneeded anyhow.

Cool, thanks a lot! Guess once I finally get this all ready I'll have to learn what works best for me.

MichaelMcKevin

benjs wrote:

Cool, thanks a lot! Guess once I finally get this all ready I'll have to learn what works best for me.

Exactly. It's a lot of trial and error. I've been playing for 8 years and i still tweak/change my set-up all the time depending on the kind of music or how easily i need to access a certain target.

benjs

GivenToCarve wrote:

benjs wrote:

Cool, thanks a lot! Guess once I finally get this all ready I'll have to learn what works best for me.

Exactly. It's a lot of trial and error. I've been playing for 8 years and i still tweak/change my set-up all the time depending on the kind of music or how easily i need to access a certain target.

Perfect. And on their website they have several assorted set-ups described, so I may try those out.

CJMST3K

12345AGNST1 wrote:

DewieCox wrote:

12345AGNST1 wrote:

Yea you got it pretty good. Paistes are amazing (slightly underrated/uncommon) cymbals. The PST5's are the best budget cymbals you can get.

Paistes are underrate?? I know most laypersons don't recognize, but they seem to be the standard cymbal for just about any rock drummer you can namecheck.

standard for pros and famous drummers, but they are quite a bit more expensive then most cymbals. So for the average person they are.

Most of the drummers that I like play Zildjian. I don't know whether Zildjian just pays more for endorsements or if people genuinely prefer them.

I started out on Sabian B8's, then better Sabians, then some Zildjains. Now I'm a fan and use mostly Paiste Signature, but I wouldn't recommend them for a beginner. It's good to have budget gear to practice on and get to know the instrument, and that'll make you appreciate the higher end gear later on.

I haven't heard the Paiste PST5's but if they sound good, that's all that matters on your first set.

Happy drumming!

PatrickBateman

I would say PST5's for starters is a good choice.

I just swapped my 14" Paiste 502 to my bro-in-law for his 12" Zildjian A custom splash. My first Zildjian in years!

CJMST3K

BTW - consider buying a used "good" set instead of a new "beginner" set. While the used set will have dings, you may prefer the sound of it better.

benjs

CJMST3K wrote:

BTW - consider buying a used "good" set instead of a new "beginner" set. While the used set will have dings, you may prefer the sound of it better.

Thanks for the advice.. it seems my dad may have a connection at Pearl, however, so I think I'd like to take advantage. If anyone with drum knowledge could help me decide which of the five-piece configurations from the 925 series I should go for, that would be extremely helpful... I have no clue as to whether two floor toms is better or worse than two toms, for example. This is the website, and if you click on "Configurations", needless to say, that brings up the multiple configurations. http://www.pearldrum.com/Products/Drums ... n-VSX.aspx
Thanks a lot, everyone!

CJMST3K

benjs wrote:

CJMST3K wrote:

BTW - consider buying a used "good" set instead of a new "beginner" set. While the used set will have dings, you may prefer the sound of it better.

Thanks for the advice.. it seems my dad may have a connection at Pearl, however, so I think I'd like to take advantage. If anyone with drum knowledge could help me decide which of the five-piece configurations from the 925 series I should go for, that would be extremely helpful... I have no clue as to whether two floor toms is better or worse than two toms, for example. This is the website, and if you click on "Configurations", needless to say, that brings up the multiple configurations. http://www.pearldrum.com/Products/Drums ... n-VSX.aspx
Thanks a lot, everyone!

I would recommend snare, bass drum, two bass-drum mounted toms and a floor tom. I happen to have two floor toms because I found a higher pitch tom later on and moved everything over one... but that second floor tom is almost never ever hit because it's so hard to get to. If you do two over the bass drum and one floor, you'll be all good! If there's a depth option, I may recommend less-deep. The depth of my current shells makes it hard to adjust to a good height. Also you may not want to go with the biggest bass drum they offer, also because of how it'll affect the angle you set your toms up. I don't have measurements of what mine are handy though...

benjs

CJMST3K wrote:

benjs wrote:

CJMST3K wrote:

BTW - consider buying a used "good" set instead of a new "beginner" set. While the used set will have dings, you may prefer the sound of it better.

Thanks for the advice.. it seems my dad may have a connection at Pearl, however, so I think I'd like to take advantage. If anyone with drum knowledge could help me decide which of the five-piece configurations from the 925 series I should go for, that would be extremely helpful... I have no clue as to whether two floor toms is better or worse than two toms, for example. This is the website, and if you click on "Configurations", needless to say, that brings up the multiple configurations. http://www.pearldrum.com/Products/Drums ... n-VSX.aspx
Thanks a lot, everyone!

I would recommend snare, bass drum, two bass-drum mounted toms and a floor tom. I happen to have two floor toms because I found a higher pitch tom later on and moved everything over one... but that second floor tom is almost never ever hit because it's so hard to get to. If you do two over the bass drum and one floor, you'll be all good! If there's a depth option, I may recommend less-deep. The depth of my current shells makes it hard to adjust to a good height. Also you may not want to go with the biggest bass drum they offer, also because of how it'll affect the angle you set your toms up. I don't have measurements of what mine are handy though...

Wicked, thanks so much for all that info - huge help! Height is definitely important for me, as I'm short, and don't have long arms. Though that config you suggested is actually six pieces.

CJMST3K

benjs wrote:

CJMST3K wrote:

I would recommend snare, bass drum, two bass-drum mounted toms and a floor tom. I happen to have two floor toms because I found a higher pitch tom later on and moved everything over one... but that second floor tom is almost never ever hit because it's so hard to get to. If you do two over the bass drum and one floor, you'll be all good! If there's a depth option, I may recommend less-deep. The depth of my current shells makes it hard to adjust to a good height. Also you may not want to go with the biggest bass drum they offer, also because of how it'll affect the angle you set your toms up. I don't have measurements of what mine are handy though...

Wicked, thanks so much for all that info - huge help! Height is definitely important for me, as I'm short, and don't have long arms. Though that config you suggested is actually six pieces.

Six? Snare, bass, tom, tom, floortom. (I personally have a 6, but I would not miss one bit the second floor tom)

benjs

CJMST3K wrote:

benjs wrote:

CJMST3K wrote:

I would recommend snare, bass drum, two bass-drum mounted toms and a floor tom. I happen to have two floor toms because I found a higher pitch tom later on and moved everything over one... but that second floor tom is almost never ever hit because it's so hard to get to. If you do two over the bass drum and one floor, you'll be all good! If there's a depth option, I may recommend less-deep. The depth of my current shells makes it hard to adjust to a good height. Also you may not want to go with the biggest bass drum they offer, also because of how it'll affect the angle you set your toms up. I don't have measurements of what mine are handy though...

Wicked, thanks so much for all that info - huge help! Height is definitely important for me, as I'm short, and don't have long arms. Though that config you suggested is actually six pieces.

Six? Snare, bass, tom, tom, floortom. (I personally have a 6, but I would not miss one bit the second floor tom)

That was weird. Maybe I should switch my discipline in school if I can't count to five.

CJMST3K

BTW - if you get the setup I'm talking about, you can always move the second bass-mounted tom over to the floor tom position with a ride-stand-bracket to hold it, and move the floor tom further down to become the second floor tom.... but if you get two floor toms which usually have 3 legs, you can't go backwards and put one over the bass drum. But I think you'll like the tom-tom-floortom arrangement best! BTW - if possible, find someone to tune them well for you. Tuning is the toughest thing to do on drums, and it makes ALL the difference. I still can't do a very good job tuning my drums if I decide to change pitch a little, and should eventually call someone over from the local music store to help me.

benjs

CJMST3K wrote:

BTW - if you get the setup I'm talking about, you can always move the second bass-mounted tom over to the floor tom position with a ride-stand-bracket to hold it, and move the floor tom further down to become the second floor tom.... but if you get two floor toms which usually have 3 legs, you can't go backwards and put one over the bass drum. But I think you'll like the tom-tom-floortom arrangement best! BTW - if possible, find someone to tune them well for you. Tuning is the toughest thing to do on drums, and it makes ALL the difference. I still can't do a very good job tuning my drums if I decide to change pitch a little, and should eventually call someone over from the local music store to help me.

Thanks - I'll keep that in mind. You've definitely already persuaded me towards the tom-tom-floor tom arrangement.. I'm sure they wouldn't mind switching the bass drum that comes with it for their smaller model, hopefully. I'll definitely get them tuned when I get them. Thanks again for all your help.. between this and a new set of Paiste PST-5s, or whatever good pickings craigslist has to offer, I think this is going to be a pretty good first set, and I look forward to learning how to play

MichaelMcKevin

I would recommend the 925-S or 925-F configurations. They are the most standard and easy to work with. The 925-S offers the larger 16x16" floor tom. You may want that, esp for rock music. 22x18" is a rather standard size bass as well, and it would not be too large to affect you reaching the toms comfortably. As this theme has already been touched on, the 5 piece with 2 rack toms and 1 floor tom is your best bet. It allows for more options.

The Pearl Drummer's Forum has a section called "Show Us Your Kits". You'll find thousands of kits on here set up in several different ways. This is a great way to get ideas and try things you might like.

http://www.pearldrummersforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=30

PatrickBateman

I am not the tallest building in the city either...and wish the Tama fusion sets were available when I bought mine. (the toms are more shallow)...perhaps look into shorter shells

benjs

Thank you all so much for the advice - I'm waiting to hear back on which set I can afford, but I'll either be getting the Vision VX, or Vision VSX set (either with the 925S configuration), and probably a standard Paiste PST-5 Rock Cymbal Set.

CJMST3K

OH!!

You HAVE to get a rug to put under the kit. If you put the kit on an existing rug, you'll make permanent indentations, plus probably some dark spots where the gears from the bass drum pedal are. Just any carpet which covers the majority of the kit will do. As long as it has some thickness to it. If you're on concrete, you'll need it to keep the kit from being scratched and sliding. If you're on a wood floor, consider two rugs, since you don't want to really dig into the flooring. Many bass drum legs have spikes to help keep the bass drum from sliding.

You can find good deals on rugs at Lowes in their reminants section or Walmart.

benjs

CJMST3K wrote:

OH!!

You HAVE to get a rug to put under the kit. If you put the kit on an existing rug, you'll make permanent indentations, plus probably some dark spots where the gears from the bass drum pedal are. Just any carpet which covers the majority of the kit will do. As long as it has some thickness to it. If you're on concrete, you'll need it to keep the kit from being scratched and sliding. If you're on a wood floor, consider two rugs, since you don't want to really dig into the flooring. Many bass drum legs have spikes to help keep the bass drum from sliding.

You can find good deals on rugs at Lowes in their reminants section or Walmart.

Thanks a lot - I definitely would not have thought about that, and eventually pissed off the landlord at our house quite a bit!

CJMST3K

Did you get a drum kit?

benjs

CJMST3K wrote:

Did you get a drum kit?

Unfortunately, not yet. Still working on getting pricing, as an employee at my dad's store who was helping me out appears to be completely MIA. I could proceed with a few Paiste PST-5 cymbals, but those are somewhat useless without the hardware (not to mention the drums). It'll happen though, and I'll post my extreme excitement when that day comes (hopefully shortly).