Affordable Drum Set-up for beginner

benjs
Toronto, ON Posts: 9,387
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!
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!
'05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
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Comments
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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.Camden I '06, Camden II '06, Bonnaroo '08, Camden I '08, Camden II '08, Philly Spectrum II/III/IV '09, MSG I '10, MSG II '10, Made In America '12, Wrigley '13, Brooklyn II '13, Philly I '13, Philly II '13, ...0
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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 Negotiable0 -
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.
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?'05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 10 -
depending on the exact drumset, I would say that it is a good deal.If a man speaks in a forest and there is no woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?0
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Yea you got it pretty good. Paistes are amazing (slightly underrated/uncommon) cymbals. The PST5's are the best budget cymbals you can get.5/28/06, 6/27/08, 10/28/09, 5/18/10, 5/21/10
8/7/08, 6/9/090 -
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.'05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 10 -
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.gc5/28/06, 6/27/08, 10/28/09, 5/18/10, 5/21/10
8/7/08, 6/9/090 -
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.0 -
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.5/28/06, 6/27/08, 10/28/09, 5/18/10, 5/21/10
8/7/08, 6/9/090 -
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.Camden I '06, Camden II '06, Bonnaroo '08, Camden I '08, Camden II '08, Philly Spectrum II/III/IV '09, MSG I '10, MSG II '10, Made In America '12, Wrigley '13, Brooklyn II '13, Philly I '13, Philly II '13, ...0 -
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.'05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 10 -
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.Camden I '06, Camden II '06, Bonnaroo '08, Camden I '08, Camden II '08, Philly Spectrum II/III/IV '09, MSG I '10, MSG II '10, Made In America '12, Wrigley '13, Brooklyn II '13, Philly I '13, Philly II '13, ...0 -
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.'05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 10 -
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!ADD 5,200 to the post count you see, thank you.
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/100 -
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!If a man speaks in a forest and there is no woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?0 -
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.ADD 5,200 to the post count you see, thank you.
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/100 -
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 a lot, everyone!'05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 10 -
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 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...ADD 5,200 to the post count you see, thank you.
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/100 -
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 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...'05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 10 -
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...
Six? Snare, bass, tom, tom, floortom.(I personally have a 6, but I would not miss one bit the second floor tom)
ADD 5,200 to the post count you see, thank you.
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/100
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