Help my friend spend $600 (or so)

[jb78]

A non-drummer musician friend wants to buy a drum set for his home studio. He owns nothing now. He asked for help and said that while he didn’t know how realistic this was, he’d love to stay under $600. Obviously I want him to have quality stuff that, importantly, will sound good in the room and recorded. I have some ideas and my sense is he’ll need to spend closer to $1k, but I’m more of a vintage/older gear guy. Thoughts?

 

[Squirrel Man]

Used Export

 

[DamnSingerAlsoDrums]

The Fullerton era Rogers in butcher's block can often be had for mere peanuts, since it is a visually less sought after finish. My brother has a set and they sound every bit as good as any other Rogers offering, wich frankly, could put to shame a bunch of newer stuff.

If he's gonna record metal, hard-rock or any usually heavily processed genres, then yeah any decent shell with clean edges will do for home recording/demo'ing purposes.

 

[Steech]

I’m assuming that he’ll need cymbals and hardware too, right? Which would cut the overall “drums” part of his budget in half at best.

 

[hsosdrum]

As said by others (and yourself), he'll probably need to invest at least $1k. Whatever he invests, make sure he budgets for pro-quality cymbals and brand-new top-line heads. A decent set of used A Zildjians (ride, crash & hats) can be had for between $350 – 400. A new set of heads for a 4-piece kit should run around $250.

 

[p83]

i check seattle craigslist every day and am constantly shocked at the killer deals available. all you need is a trusted drummer friend that can advise you on whats out there. many are full packages with brass and hardware. DO NOT buy new. be patient and you will find a deal.

 

[Pre ‘72]

Last year, I found a 1965 Sonor 4 piece with a couple old Zildjians, Paiste 602 hats, and all hardware.

For $600.

People who say you have to spend minimum 1k on drums and cymbals are plain wrong.

You gotta play the game to win.

 

[1988fxlr]

When dealing with that tight a budget, its best not to get caught up in looking for something particular but to keep an eye open for what deals come his way. The best chance of pulling it off would be to find somebody selling drums/hardware/and cymbals all together. Pearl Exports, Tama Rockstars/swingstars, Ludwig Rockers, any Mapex with wood hoops (I have a hard time keeping their lines straight), Pacific/PDP that don’t have Pearl style mounts, some of the mid range Premiers are all likely candidates for good deals.

He might luck out and find something with b20 Zildjians or Sabians included but more likely to be lower end cymbals that may call for an eventual upgrade. Zildjian Amir (not Amir ii) or Paiste 404, 2000, Alpha or Pst would be the lower end cymbals that I would be more excited to find included rather than the more usual Zildjian ZBT, S, or Scimitar or Sabian B8

If hes open to vintage, check Slingerland. They seem to be often undervalued and if they include cymbals there is a good chance they are A Zildjians

 

[jb78]

I’m assuming that he’ll need cymbals and hardware too, right? Which would cut the overall “drums” part of his budget in half at best.

Yup. Everything.

 

[drawtheline55]

I would look for Yamaha Stage Custom, Paiste PSt5 or 7 pretty good cymbals for short money. especially used.

 

[mooncymbal]

I'm not sure he can get something decent at that price. Unless he wants something like a trade-in price and they usually have lot of wears and tears.

 

[RJC-DRUMS]

Gretsch Catalina club/maple kit, you can pick them up for super cheap second hand. The important bit is spending the money on some decent heads. If you get a second hand kit, you may be lucky and have some decent heads already on it.
It will have to be a budget cymbal pack - something similar to ZBTs. Again second hand.
I would suggest odd bits of hardware from Facebook market place.

 

[shuffle]

Used 2015 on,Stage Customs

 

[Pre ‘72]

Where are you located?

 

[blueshadow]

What is his goal for owning the kit, is he going to be learning to play it or does he want a kit for recording drummers to use. if to be used by others I would focus on just drums and hardware minus a snare. Most drummers would bring snare and cymbals to a recording session anyways.

Again depends on the goal, if he's set on a full kit it will be tight on that budget but not impossible. Used Zildjians and an acro would almost use up $600 but could probably find a kick and a couple toms for a little more to complete. Looks don't matter so unmatched wraps, pitted supra etc.

 

[Polska]

What is his goal for owning the kit, is he going to be learning to play it or does he want a kit for recording drummers to use. if to be used by others I would focus on just drums and hardware minus a snare. Most drummers would bring snare and cymbals to a recording session anyways.

Again depends on the goal, if he's set on a full kit it will be tight on that budget but not impossible. Used Zildjians and an acro would almost use up $600 but could probably find a kick and a couple toms for a little more to complete. Looks don't matter so unmatched wraps, pitted supra etc.

Yeah, this sounds like a great idea to begin. Get the shell pack with some hardware. Could probably get a good shell pack right here and then grab some stands. People (myself included) are offloading (cheap) their double braced stands and getting lighter hardware as we get older. He can always add cymbals and snares to choose from little by little, but that would get him with the bones of a kit that he could mic up.

 

[Blue Zurich]

PDP, Cat's or Stage Customs

 

[Skins_in_the_game]

Not sure where you are at, but where I am, you can get a set of PDPs with hardware for 250-300.
Original Li drum company does sale most weekend with set of tom heads10,12,14 or 12,13,16 for around $35 plus tax and no shipping charge, usually emps, ambassadors.G2s or pin stripes. I got some from them just 2 weeks ago. They also always have a snare tune up package with puresound snares, evans batter and snare head for less than 30.

 

[JimmyM]

I have also seen smoking deals on PDP and Pacific sets. $600 for a good set with cymbals is a bit tough but can be done with patience and a good daily ad scouring.

 

[komodobob]

You can find dozens of used Yamaha Stage Custom kits, with cymbals, stands and extras on facebook for under $600. They are all over the place.