Selecting & Buying New Drums

If you apply the following principles you won't go very far wrong:

Aim for a well established make.

Research the models that are available and what the reviewers say about them.

Drums come in many different sizes and colours. Think:

a. Will it be easy to find extra drums of the same colour, if I want to add drums later?
b. What kind of music will I be playing?

Smaller diameter drums generally sound better over a wider tuning range to suit most musical styles.

Standard size drums (on the left) are slightly shallower and respond more quickly, especially with lighter sticks, multi-rods or brushes. 'Power' size drums (on the right) are slightly deeper, have a stronger 'fundamental' (main) note and they tend to sound deeper. Both are a good choice and listening to them will help you to choose which you prefer. Avoid the 'square' sizes (their depth is the same as their diameter) UNLESS you are playing louder music. The extra depth means that you have to hit them harder to get the full tone of the drum and therefore, may limit where and when you can play them. However, they do sound BIG!

Read the adverts in the music and drumming press and if you decide to go and have a look, take someone with you who knows what they're looking for e.g., your drum teacher.

Examine the tension rods and look for signs of problems e.g., badly chewed rod heads, signs of stripping of the threads, rattling, inability to tighten. These problems should not exist with new drums but IF they do, AVOID purchase UNLESS the retailer is prepared to rectify the fault.

Check the snare throw-off mechanism on snare drums for smooth operation and examine the snares for signs of distortion or other damage.

Check the roundness of all drum shells and look for signs of damage e.g., bad marking (chips and scratches) and examine the bearing edges (where the drum head rests on the shell).

Check the condition of the drum heads for splits and signs of abuse (yes this can happen when buying new drums!).

Listen to the kit. Is it what you're after? Listen for buzzes and rattles which may indicate problems such as a loose nut, screw or tension rod.

Are there any 'spares' with the drums e.g., drum keys, spare tension bolts etc

You may like to Contact Us with specific Questions.

Alternatively, you may like to contact the Drum Manufacturers directly, or the Music Press to access reviews and 'road tests' of the equipment you're looking for.

Return to Top of Page

Return to Selecting Equipment for Drummers & Percussionists Page

Return to Drums & Percussion Page

Go to Drum Manufacturers Page

Go to Music Press Page

Questions   Feedback   Contact Us   Confidentiality   Home Page

Terms & Conditions     Returns & Cancellation Policy

Copyright © 1998-2017 Waywood Music
Waywood Music is a trading name of Waywood Enterprises Limited
31 Burder Street Loughborough LE11 1JH UK
Tel/Fax:  UK + (0) 1509 553362
Registered in England & Wales
Company Registration Number: 6455974
e-mail: contact@waywood.com

Please respect Copyright law.

Web site designed and constructed by Stuart