5 Super-portable Gig-worthy Drum Kits

Compact drum kits are no longer the exclusive domain of beginners and noise-conscious stage performers. Today, it’s totally possible to find a pro-grade portable kit with tonal diversity to serve street beats to bebop, funk to rock, all at a size that won’t compromise your carry requirements. Here are five of our favorite drum kits boasting pro sounds and features at easy-traveling sizes.

Ludwig Breakbeats by?uestlove
Compact kits owe much to Roots/Fallon drummer?uestlove and his capably sized, competitively priced Breakbeats kits. This 16″ 4-piece is consistently one of our best sellers in the portable drums space. Classic Ludwig sparkle finishes and stylized lugs give these 7-ply hardwood shells that irresistible Ludwig stage look. Meanwhile, a matching wrapped snare and Remo-designed heads ready this kit for prime time. Adding value is a bass drum riser to accommodate standard-sized kick pedals and a full set of nylon soft cases for protection in transit.

Pearl Midtown
The Midtown is a relative newcomer in the jungle kit market, with a big and lively tone that stands up to scrutinizing ears and myriad musical styles. Like the larger Roadshow series, its shells are made from lightweight poplar for a focused attack and wooly warmth behind the kit. The Midtown’s 16″ kick drum packs a surprisingly big tone and wide tuning range — crank up for a compelling feathered jazz tone, or detune past wrinkle and port the front head for a modern rock response. An optional bag set from Gator (sold separately) breaks down the Midtown into a pair of trunk-sized cases. Includes riser.

TAMA Club-JAM
Classically cool and eminently affordable, the 18″ Club-JAM draws inspiration from jazz kits of the past. Its antique round badges and kick-mounted cymbal boom will speak sweet nothings to lovers of American kits of the ’40s and ’50s. But behind this pretty face, the Club-JAM’s 6-ply hybrid poplar shells are big on tone but light on weight, able to tackle everything from swing to classic rock. Natural wood bass hoops and three delicious finishes add serious dashes of old-school eye candy to this compact kit. Optional bags (not included) maximize portability.

DW Performance Series Low Pro
The extremely well-built Low Pro brings unseen portability to the DW Performance Series. These ultra-thin nesting shells, built using the same North American maple and Delmar-sourced FinishPly wraps as DW’s flagship kits, pack into the tiniest sedans and unload onto the shallowest stages. The Low Pro is the ultimate in space conservation: its 3″ x 20″ bass drum reduces the stage footprint by more than a foot compared with a typical drum kit. A feature we particularly like is the kick drum’s stand-braced design, which keeps this kit stable as a table throughout your solo.

Sonor AQ2 Maple Martini
You would be forgiven for confusing Sonor’s latest compact drum kit with a hearty cocktail. But to play on the Maple Martini is no less a heady experience. Winning out for smallest kit on our list by a nose, this full-featured, pro-level shell pack is as comely to behold as it is fun to play. Full, funky tones issue from its fun-sized 14″ bass drum; an all-maple shell recipe gives toms a focused, resonant quality, marked by added sustain thanks to Sonor’s suspension floor tom feet and SmartMount suspension tom mount. A bass drum riser is included for added pedal compatibility.

Looking for Something Else?
We hope this list has sparked some ideas for your next easy-gigging drum kit. What you see here is only a handful of the many portable and compact kits we stock. Contact your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 for more information.
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