

Some problems that develop are a little more serious and could require extra investments up front to get the used drum set into playable condition. Even broken heads are acceptable, they can easily be replaced. These things can be fixed/cleaned, but are not really important because they don't affect the sound, functionality or playability of the drum set (to any significant degree). Drums take a beating over several years of traveling and abuse. When buying a used drum set, vintage or modern, there are some things that you can expect.ĭirt, grime, and scratches are just fine. (next section) What To Avoid/ Flaws To Look For You must make sure that the drums are not in rough shape structurally. When choosing a used drum set, a name alone will not suffice. If you're lucky, you can even find some vintage drums that might still sound awesome, at a very great price. To name only a few! With a little searching, you'll be able to find a simple, used kit from any of these drum makers that range anywhere from $300 to $700, depending on your budget. Brady (custom drums, rare to find them cheap).No-name brands like Mendini, Gammon, and Crescent (to name only 3) might only set you back $150-$200, but sound, feel, and functionality of the drums is so inferior that I must warn against it.Įven a beginner should start getting used to how properly crafted drums and skins sound and feel like.įor your first kit, I recommend finding a used drum set from one of the bigger, more trusted manufacturers: Even brand new, these kits are cheaper than an average used 4-piece drum set from a trusted drum manufacturer. The market (eBay, as well as drum shops) is flooded with very low-quality drums. I still wouldn't recommend going to the basement, though. Plus, your options are going to be more numerous because, quite frankly, you don't need a top quality drum set. Is this your first kit? Buying used is a great way to save money. It's one of the better drums I've ever played. I've even found a vintage, Gretsch "roundbadge" snare drum for under $200 on eBay. Amazon, Ebay and Craig's list are great for this, as most drum shops will know they have something great. Some amazing kits just sit in people's basements until they're eventually unloaded by their owners for virtually nothing. Some people just don't know what they've got. 4-piece kits might set you back upwards of $1000. As a rule of thumb, the better shape they're in, the more they'll cost. In general, vintage drums will be a little expensive, simply because of their rarity. Old rockers might be found of the Slingerlands, Ludwigs or even Premiers. Jazz drummers are very fond of old Gretch "Gretsch" drums. Ludwig, Gretsch, Slingerland, and a couple others all have a great reputation when it comes to vintage drums. I will talk about what to avoid later on this page. This may not be your first drum set, but buying a used drum set is the only way to get your hands on out-of-production, vintage drums. I'm assuming looks don't mean that much to you if you're buying a used drum set (I know they are not very important to me!), so don't be turned off by scratches, stains, dirt, etc. Some of that is going to be strictly cosmetic, but some wear and tear can affect the drums' sound and functionality (Cosmetic damage is mostly OK!). Naturally, older drums are going to have some wear and tear. When buying used, it's really important that we know what we're looking for. Posted in Learn | Last Updated on June 3, 2019Ī used drum set can be perfect for those on a budget, or those looking to find a vintage drum sound that might not be in production anymore.
