Drum Sets For Sale
Once you know what to look for in Drum sets for sale kit, how do you compare two similar kits at a similar price point? One important thing to look at is the drums’ manufacturer – and that manufacturer’s reputation.
If you are looking at used drum sets for sale or entry-level sets, you will find a lot of equipment from “no-name” manufacturers. These kits, while appearing to be cheap drum sets, might prove disappointing in the long run. That’s not to say that no-name sets aren’t necessarily good drums, but rather that no-names are also “no value” sets when it comes to selling them or trading them in for a better set at a later date. You might also find that it is difficult to find spare parts or extra drums for a no-name kit. In other words, you will probably be stuck with what you bought when you go no name- which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially if the price is right.
On the other hand, most brand-name drum manufacturers make some very affordable entry-level kits in Drum sets for sale – often in the same price range as no-names. Even though these entry-level kits may have limited features or may be manufactured to different tolerances than the rest of that manufacturer’s line, you will have the backing of a major drum company in case anything goes bad or you need spare parts – and these low-end brand-name drums for sale kits typically have a higher resale or trade-in value than similarly priced no-name kits.
So, what are the most popular names in the drum sets for sale business today? The top drum bands in the United States today are Drum Workshop, Gretsch, Fibes, Ludwig, Mapex, Pearl, Sonor, Tama, and Yamaha drum sets. These big companies offer sets at various levels and in various price ranges – as do a half dozen other major manufacturers. Here’s a quick list of the top dozen or so name players in today’s drum market, in alphabetical order.
Drum Workshop (DW) – DW has been one of the highest-regarded drum companies for several years now. The company’s bass drum pedals, hi-hats, and cymbal stands are standard equipment for a significant number of drum pros (even those who play and endorse other manufacturers’ drums), and its drums, if you can afford them, are among the best you can find. Like other high-end manufacturers, each DW set is pretty much custom-made; you can specify the size, finish, and lug/rim finishes of each drum in your kit and choose among a staggering variety of custom-made snare drums in various exotic woods and metals.
Fibes – Not quite the same company that was around in the late 1960s and 1970s, the new Fibes is a small manufacturer of high-quality wood and transparent acrylic drums. The company uses much of the old Fibes hardware and still makes the fiberglass snare drum that so impressed Buddy Rich and other drummers through the years. All-maple Fibes kits are particularly popular with keen-eared jazz drummers.
Gretsch – Even though Gretsch makes a full line of sets, the company is best known for its great-sounding small jazz kits – and remains the drum of choice for bebop and modern jazz drummers.
Ludwig – Ludwig is a full-line percussion company – and even manufactures timpani and marimbas through Musser, a sister company. Ludwig drum sets sale range from the entry-level Accent line to the semi-pro Rocker and Classic Birch series, to the top-of-the-line maple Classic series. Ludwig’s Black Beauty snare drums remain the choice of many pro drummers, just as the company’s low-priced snare drum kits appeal to large numbers of beginners.
Mapex – Mapex is an up-and-corner, producing a full line of drums at all price points. The company’s entry-level V and M series kits represent a terrific value to beginning drummers, and their top-of-the-line Orion Classic sets are among the best available in the industry.
Pacific Drums and Percussion – Pacific is a division of Drum Workshop, with drums and equipment designed by DW and manufactured either overseas or in Mexico. These kits offer similar features and quality as you get from DW, but at affordable prices.
Pearl – Pearl is the largest drum sets for sale company in the world, with a wide variety of drum lines – from the entry-level Forum series to the top-of-the line Masters sets. Their Export and Export Select Pearl drum sets are probably the most-played drums for beginning drummers across the U.S.
Premier – This is a British drum company with an 80-year old tradition, playing in the mid- and high-end of the market.
Slingerland – Slingerland is, along with Ludwig, one of the premier names in American drumming. Unfortunately, after a series of acquisitions, the brand name behind Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa fell into disuse in the late 1990s. As of late 2003, however, it looks as if new owner Gibson is powering up the manufacturing lines to revive the grand old brand; stay tuned to see what comes next!
Sonor – Sonor’s sets are known for their high-quality shells and hardware, designed with the same German precision that produces BMW – and Porshe-quality automobiles. The high end is represented by the Designer serie; Sonor’s entry-level sets are found in their three Force series.
Tama – Tama is one of the top five drum companies, with a wide variety of quality drum sets for sale – from the low-end Swingstar line to the high-end Starclassic series.
Yamaha – This division of the Japanese conglomerate offers a wide variety of quality Yamaha drum sets – from entry-level YD series to the high-end Maple, Birch, and Beech Custom series. Their Recording Custom series and guitar center have been a staple in the recording studio for over two decades.
There are other brands you will run into, of course. Some, such as CB, Peace, and Sunlite, offer lower-level sets; others, such as Brady, Dunnett, GMS, Noble & Coolet, Orange County Drum and Percussion, and Taye are smaller manufacturers offering custom and semi-custom kits. (Some custom companies are real specialists, offering only snare drums or drum sets for kids!) If you are unsure about a particular manufacturer, ask your local drum dealer and any drummer friends what they think – you will quickly find out if the drum sets for sale manufacturer has a good or bad reputation.
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