Best Drum Sets in 2025

The drum industry may not move at the speed of a roaring river, but there’s no denying that with each passing year, drum shells become a little heartier, finishes get a little sweeter, and hardware becomes more reliable.

That’s why Sweetwater is always excited to highlight each year’s most exciting new drum sets. The combination of new configurations, new shell layups, and new finishes is just too tantalizing to pass up.

What follows is a list of some of the year’s most innovative newcomers and perennial best-sellers, all broken down by price point so you can choose your favorite.

Whether you’re in the market for your first drum set or choosing the final kit in your collection, you’ve come to the right place! Check out Sweetwater’s picks for the best drum sets of 2025.

Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!

Comparing the many drum sets and shell packs on our site isn’t always like comparing apples to apples. Some kits may include a snare, while others do not. Some beginner kits may even include cymbals and hardware — features you’d seldom find in a top-of-the-line kit.

To keep things fair, all our sub-$1,000 kit picks include a snare drum. Kits $2,000 or more are limited to shell packs only (with one exception). Midrange kits in the $1,000–$2,000 range all call out whether a snare is included or not.

Curious why we chose the kits we did? Dozens of in-house Sweetwater drummers have carefully curated this list. We looked at sales history, customer reviews, and our own wish lists to find kits that were on our radars this year for one reason or another (a cool finish, exciting features, and so on).

With all that out of the way, it’s on to the picks! From intermediate to professional kits and jazz to metal kits, here are Sweetwater’s votes for the best drum sets of 2025. Want to learn how to buy the best drum set for you? Check out our Drum Set Buying Guide below!

Best Drum Sets Under $1,000

Best Drum Sets Under $2,000

Best Drum Sets $2,000 or More

Drum Set Buying Guide

Best Drum Sets Under $1,000

For beginners to session vets, the following kits are guaranteed to deliver top performance without breaking the bank.

Ludwig Accent 5-piece Complete Drum Set

Iconic sound for a steal

Here’s a value-packed drum kit that checks all the boxes! The Ludwig Accent 5-piece drum set with cymbals ensures that eager beginners are able to start drumming the day it lands on their doorsteps. The Accent 5-piece delivers big, classic, and woody tones from each select hardwood shell, coming sized to near-standard professional shell dimensions which — for the modest price tag — is a huge bonus. Beyond the shells, a pair of 14-inch hi-hats and a 16-inch crash/ride cymbal will have your cymbal game covered. And the Accent 5-piece fills in all the remaining gaps, too, packing in all the necessary double-braced stands and pedals — and even a throne! From Ringo to Bonzo and beyond, Ludwig Drums has supplied the perfect rock and roll sound to some of the biggest drum names for decades — join in the revelry!

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Pearl Roadshow RS525SC/C 5-piece Drum Set

All-included 5-piece with versatile tone

Whatever you like to play, from old-school jazz to big band to modern alternative, Pearl Drums offers a time-tested versatility that all drummers can appreciate. The Pearl Roadshow 5-piece drum set with cymbals will unlock that magic and more, delivering a flawlessly present tone at all dynamic levels, thanks to its poplar shells and included Pearl cymbals. The Roadshow comes fully outfitted with all the hardware you require, too, so you can unpack, setup, and start drumming instantly. Pearl’s even going to set you up with two pairs of drumsticks, a stick bag, and a sick Pearl drum poster for your practice space. And with a sweet range of elegant finishes to choose from, nailing vintage and modern vibes alike is an absolute cinch!

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Yamaha RDP2F5 Rydeen 5-piece Shell Pack

All-poplar 5-piece for a steal

An excellent choice for beginners and advancing drummers, the Yamaha Rydeen 5-piece shell pack presents all-poplar shell construction for a deep, rounded tone across the board, including a 5.5-inch by 14-inch snare drum for good measure. For hardware, you’ll have lightweight 1.5mm triple-flanged hoops across the toms and snare to accommodate virtually any tuning to best suit your playing style. Speaking of hoops, this handsome 5-piece sports matching bass drum hoops for a uniform vibe that’ll look great wherever you play, from basements and garages to club stages and beyond. Plus, the entire Rydeen lineup has a fantastic selection of inspiringly vibrant color schemes to choose from, not least of which is this marvelous Gloss Pale Blue finish.

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PDP Mainstage 5-piece Drum Set

Ready for the spotlight from day one

The PDP Mainstage 5-piece drum set brings industry-standard drum sizes and all-inclusive appeal into one incredible 5-piece package. Its poplar shells start things off with excellent definition while a present and powerful 6.5-inch by 14-inch snare drum handles all your backbeats with commanding confidence. Bundled with this poplar 5-piece is all the double-braced hardware you’ll need to get up and running in addition to a throne and a dual-head chain-drive kick pedal. Up top, an equally standard-sized assortment of Paiste 101 brass alloy cymbals line up to accent your every groove with lively presence and sparkling shimmer. To boot, this Mainstage comes finished in a mesmerizing Twisted Cherry wrap for a stunning aesthetic that’s only available here at Sweetwater!

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Gretsch Drums Catalina Club Micro 4-piece Shell Pack

A 4-piece, mahogany Micro marvel

Speaking of space-concious kits that pack a ton of tone, the Gretsch Drums Catalina Club Micro 4-piece shell pack showcases the rich sonics and round resonant appeal of 100% mahogany wood without sacrificing valuable real estate. A downsized rendition of the company’s classic Catalina Club kit, the Catalina Club Micro offers an excellent solution for crowded stages, be it a free corner of your home studio or that charming yet confined jazz club stage. Shaved to Gretsch’s standard 30-degree bearing edges and treated to rubber-insulated mini lugs and claw hooks, you can bank on fatter, darker tones from its quality Remo drumheads with complete rattle-free professionalism, no matter how much intensity the music of the moment demands. This Micro means business!

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SJC Custom Drums Pathfinder Series 3-piece Shell Pack

Custom quality with a modest price tag

Nothing beats a knockout shell pack for a steal of a deal — just look at the SJC Custom Drums Pathfinder Series 3-piece shell pack! Structured with 6-ply hybrid maple shells, you’ve got commanding playing feel and responsive control right from the get-go for driving rock, alternative, indie, pop, and R&B beats with serious energy. A stunning Pacific Teal wrap shades every curve with inspiring appeal while black-finished hardware including flexible 1.6mm triple-flanged hoops, steadfast shield lugs, and a resonant rack-tom hanging mount blends the best of moody accentuation and performance-grade dependability. With its compact footprint, this 3-piece fits easily into a variety of spaces, both live and studio. For bright-eyed beginners, determined intermediates, and space-concscious vets alike, the Pathfinder makes an astounding rhythmic companion!

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Mapex Armory 6-piece Studioease Fast Tom Shell Pack

Hybrid-ply Ocean Sunset stunner

Here’s the definition of a stunner, on all fronts! The Mapex Armory 6-piece Studioease drum set is injected with a hybrid ply of maple and birch for a satisfying combination of balance and focused crispness. Six shells give you a bit more tonal freedom, supplying both 12-inch and 14-inch floor toms for extended low-end range. That, paired with the crispness of its hybrid ply and modern-edged SONIClear engineering, makes the Armory Studioease an incredibly well-rounded shell pack. With this shell pack, you’re also getting Mapex’s Tomahawk steel snare drum to cover your back beats with a versatile attitude that bites — rock drummers rejoice! Top things off with triple-flanged hoops, SONIClear suspension tom mounts, and a gorgeous Sweetwater Exclusive “Ocean Sunset” finish, and you can’t go wrong!

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Best Drum Sets Under $2,000

Kits in this range are an excellent option for intermediate drummers looking to level up their sound and skills.

TAMA Imperialstar 6-piece Drum Set with Snare Drum and Meinl Cymbals

Huge tonal range backed by Meinl brass

What can we say — this TAMA Imperialstar 6-piece drum set with snare drum and Meinl cymbals is a rocker’s dream! Six poplar shells, including a snare drum, lay a thundering foundation to conquer a full tonal range with authority. Each shell is cut with precision bearing edges to make certain that every strike exhibits optimal articulation and resonates evenly with tonal balance. As a result, you’ll find that the Imperialstar really punches above its weight and sounds superb in a variety of settings, whether you’re tracking a project or rocking a local gig. This 6-piece has everything going for it, too, with a full outfit of hardware and a 3-piece cymbal pack of Meinl HCS brass alloy cymbals for everything you need to start drumming as soon as possible. All you’ll need is a pair of sticks!

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SJC Custom Drums Tour Series 3-piece Shell Pack (No Snare)

Boutique build and ready for the road

On the hunt for a tour-grade 3-piece kit with some custom flare? The SJC Custom Drums Tour Series 3-piece drum set will deliver — “tour” is in its name! The Southbridge, Massachusetts, custom shop has been churning out pro-grade shell packs since the millennium began, and you can be assured that quality and experience is infused into every curve of these alternate-grain and authoritative, North American maple shells. You’ll appreciate all the handbuilt details the Tour Series has to offer, from the balanced, 45-degree bearing edges to the silent and stable Shield lugs. The shimmering, low-profile chrome hardware, matched with a Lavender Ash finish exclusively from Sweetwater, make this particular example a real boutique head-turner, no matter the size of the stage, venue, or crowd! Outstandingly durable and good-looking custom drums that are ready to order — that’s the Tour Series by SJC!

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TAMA Superstar Classic CL72S 7-piece Shell Pack with Snare Drum

Powerful presence at a practical price

The TAMA Superstar Classic CL72S 7-piece shell pack with snare drum doesn’t just look like a superstar — it plays like one, too! Thanks to its 100% maple shells and low-mass hardware, this shell pack projects with a stunning presence that makes long fills and heavy grooves leave a lasting impression. The Superstar features TAMA’s Star-Mount tom system for each of the three mounted toms, prioritizing resonance and eliminating choke to give your shells as much power and natural sustain as possible. Extra style points for the throwback “T” badges and vintage-inspired finishes! The TAMA Superstar has been utilized by countless drumming legends throughout history, including Neil Peart, and is sure to make a welcome addition to any gigging or touring outfit.

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Gretsch Drums Renown Series 5-piece Shell Pack with Snare Drum

7-ply maple sonics with timeless Gretsch appeal

Looking for that legendary Gretsch Drums tone without dropping a fortune? The Gretsch Drums Renown Series 5-piece shell pack with snare drum is a match made in heaven. This 5-piece gets you seven plies of musical maple, ensuring loads of the traditional punch and sensitive nuance that drummers have coveted for generations. The deal is sweetened with an assortment of unique Gretsch appointments, including the company’s trademark double-flanged 302 hoops and 30-degree bearing edges to help fatten up the tone of each shell with respect to its drumhead. Historic Gretsch appointments including classic-style lugs, claw hooks, and badges give this shell pack a beautiful bygone energy. The best part? All-maple construction is the perfect recipe for total genre fluidity from jazz, fusion, and soul to rock ’n’ roll.

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Pearl Professional Maple 4-piece Shell Pack (No Snare)

A first-call stage and studio kit, remastered

The name says it all with the Pearl Professional Maple 4-piece shell pack, offering a professional maple tone that will sound superb anywhere you need it. Plied six times over with North American maple through Pearl’s acclaimed EvenPly processing, and shaved with 45-degree bearing edges, this kit will produce a maple tone that’s pure, natural, and present. This shell pack is a take on Pearl’s successful series of the same name from the 1980s and is given the proper shell treatment and resonance via the Optimount Suspension System to meet modern-day playing demands. There aren’t a ton of unadulteratedly awesome pro kits out there for this kind of value, which makes the Pearl Professional an exceptional choice for seasoned percussionists trying to keep costs down. 

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Ludwig NeuSonic 3-piece Shell Pack (No Snare)

An American shell pack 100 years in the making

Pair vintage vibes with a powerful sound, and you’ve got the Ludwig NeuSonic 3-piece shell pack. Boasting a 6-ply blend of maple and cherry wood, the handbuilt NeuSonic contributes an old-school attitude infused with a crisp and projective authority, thanks to Ludwig’s detailed RFST shell molding technique. The hardware on this kit is a sight to see, with Keystone badges and incredibly handsome Mini Elite lugs ornamenting every shell with grace. Finely crafted in Monroe, North Carolina, the NeuSonic comes dressed to impress with a cloaking of mid-century marvelousness that’ll keep up the vibe in just about any effort, from dialed-back rhythm playing to more intense percussing. And for the modest price tag, this well-built drum set is an absolute bargain!

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DW Design Series Acrylic 4-piece Shell Pack

Pure power in exclusive Smoke Glass

Dive into the raging waters of acrylic power with the DW Design Series Acrylic 4-piece shell pack and treat your tunes to the undeniable presence they deserve. Comprising seamless, extruded shell construction across all four drums, this shell pack is designed to absolutely maximize tonal impact, resonance, and purity. Like all of DW’s exepctional offerings, this shell pack’s hardware is just as impressive as its monstrous sound. You’ll rest easy with True-Pitch tension rods and stylish yet steadfast turret lugs anchoring your intonation for tuning that will effortlessly outlast your set. Also, the Suspension Tom Mount system for both rack toms prioritizes sustain to let each acrylic shell resonate to its fullest potential. To top it all off, this Design Series Acrylic pack comes finished in a moody Smoke Glass color scheme that’s only available at Sweetwater!

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Best Drum Sets $2,000 or More

The cream of the crop! The following drum sets spare no expense in achieving their pro-level fits and finishes.

TAMA Starclassic Walnut/Birch WBS52LS 5-piece Shell Pack

Appointed for presence and tonal preservation

At the helm of the TAMA Starclassic Walnut/Birch 5-piece drum set, you’ve got full access to shells that favor attack, punching with the best of them. Plied with birch and walnut, the tonal blend of this kit is warm and heavy and sure to supply the stalwart backbone you’re chasing for rock and metal mixes. To add to the presence, the Starclassic comes outfitted with die-cast zinc hoops to promote dependable intonation, better resonance, and hard-cutting rimshots. Small details, like rattle-free, rubber-based claw hooks and sustain-preserving Air Pocket rubber feet, set the Starclassic apart from other kits on the market and are exemplary of the series’ durable, stage-ready build quality. Donning exceptional Evans heads, this 5-piece kit is ready to take command of any performance space.

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DW Performance Series 4-piece Shell Pack

Temperature-treated for long-lasting performance

Handcrafted in California, the DW Performance Series 4-piece drum set means business when it comes to pro-tested performance maple shells. That’s because DW sends each Performance Series shell through their HVX build process, treating the maple to temperature-based forming and tempering to produce impeccable shell longevity and sustain. The look of this kit is killer, too! When it comes to hardware, the combination of DW’s STMs and Turret lugs possesses an unsurpassed style that’s as easy on the eyes as it is on the round resonant tone. True-Pitch tension rods stand up to a variety of tunings with exceptional intonation, from extra high and snappy to low and tubby. Dressed in one of DW’s specialty Performance finishes, this shell pack leaves little to be desired!

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Noble & Cooley Walnut Classic 3-piece Shell Pack

Dark and defined old-school charm

Experience some beefy and ultra-defined shell tones with the Noble & Cooley Walnut Classic 3-piece drum set! Whether you’re after some extra low-end presence onstage, a bit more depth in the recording studio, or simply a gorgeous-looking and gorgeous-sounding shell pack to groove on, the Walnut Classic is a terrific option. A favorite appointment to this pack among drummers here at Sweetwater is Noble & Cooley’s lightweight aluminum CoolMount tom system, enabling fast and effortless tom setup during load ins. As if you couldn’t already tell, this kit is all class all the way, too, from the full-length tube lugs to the rich satin finish. As one of the oldest drum manufacturers in the USA, Noble & Cooley has been crafting premium instruments since 1854 and holds both innovation and historical significance close to heart — and you’ll feel the history with every thunderous strike of the Walnut Classic!

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Welch Tuning Systems Epiphany Series 3-piece Shell Pack

Historic tuning style with premium maple tone

For the drummer who favors the road less traveled, the Welch Tuning Systems Epiphany Series 3-piece shell pack is the sharp-looking, smooth-playing setup you’ve been waiting for! Tonally speaking, the Epiphany establishes itself with the warm, defined musicality of 7-ply maple for a voice that can traverse rock, soul, jazz, and the like with phenomenal ease. As for its wire tuning system, a series of die-cast pulleys and stainless steel cabling helps curate the perfect tension for your performance with haste, all thanks to the easy operation of its single-point tuning mechanism. Best of all, its hardware is 90% free-floating, which means the organic tones of each 7-ply maple shell will ring out with unhindered sustain for a professional studio tone that cannot be matched.

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Pearl Masters Maple Pure 4-piece Shell Pack (No Snare)

Innovation at every turn

Fully equipped for professional play at the highest level, the Pearl Masters Maple Pure 4-piece shell pack is a first-class ticket for success on any stage. Not only does the Masters Maple Pure provide enviable 100% maple tonality, but it also sports 4-ply internal reinforcement rings for incredible focus and long-lasting shell round. You’ll get all the fixings, including Mastercast die-cast hoops all around, R2 Air Tom Suspension, and bracket receivers for both 12mm vertical L-arms and Pearl’s 7/8-inch horizontal tube arm. Whether you are planning a long tour, need a top-notch kit for gigging around town, or are seeking out that perfect studio stunner, the Masters Maple Pure is a knockout option that will bring out the best in every drummer — no matter the performance setting.  

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Ludwig Vistalite Zep 4-piece Drum Set with Snare

Bonzo’s boisterous Vistalite kit — reborn!

If you can already hear that 26-inch kick thundering through your screen, then you’re in good company! The Ludwig Vistalite Zep 4-piece drum set with snare is anything but subtle, and it conveys the roaring storm of John Bonham with every triplet, double kick, and heavy-handed wallop. Made from a durable Vistalite acrylic, each of the five shells in this pack is voiced for uncompromising presence and vivid attack. Each of the three toms (one mounted and two on the floor) is sized for impact, too, measuring 10 inches by 14 inches, 16 inches by 16 inches, and 16 inches by 18 inches, respectively. With this beauty backing your band, you’ll infuse your own unique style with the legacy of Bonzo for a perfectly powerful live solution!

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Gretsch Drums USA Custom GRKT-R4246 4-piece Shell Pack

Iconic woods with a modern bite

For Gretsch drum enthusiasts and curious percussionists alike, the Gretsch USA Custom 4-piece drum set is about as good as it gets. These maple/gumwood shells harken back to Gretsch’s marveled mid-century gumwood kits and are built to perform — a real no-brainer on our list of best acoustic drum kits! Their tone is warmed up even further and rounded off by Gretsch’s 30-degree bearing edges, playing into the modern bite and classic tone of the 6-ply shells quite nicely. Proprietary Silver Sealer interiors not only mean better longevity for this 4-piece but also snappier tonal purity to bring out the best that the maple and gumwood have to offer. Adorning the kit are substantial 4mm die-cast hoops that provide a stellar stature designed to be heard across any stage — and any venue.

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Sonor SQ2 Maple 4-piece Shell Pack

Exquisite pack from Sonor’s Custom Shop

When drummers think of deluxe shell packs, few rank as high on their lists as the Sonor SQ2 Maple 4-piece shell pack — and it’s plain to see why! Utilizing a proprietary Cross Lamination Tension Free (CLTF) construction method, the SQ2 Maple kit possesses an incredibly stable, enhanced North American maple tonal palette that few other drum builders can rival. The toms boast Sonor’s AcoustiGate venting technology, enabling drummers to instantly control how much sustain they need for the music at hand. What’s more, the SQ2 Maple is fortified with a hardware outfit that could win an award on its own, including TuneSafe lugs, 2.3mm Power Hoops, and Total Acoustic Resonance (TAR) tom backets. With the SQ2 Maple, you aren’t just paying for the name — you’re getting deluxe maple playability in a highly refined form.

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DW Collector’s Series Maple 5-piece Shell Pack

A punchy and purified rhythmic juggernaut

Employing their low-end-boosting 9-ply 333 shell layup for each North American hard rock maple shell, the DW Collector’s Series Maple 5-piece shell pack impresses with a projective, focused, and well-pronounced tone that conquers any genre you throw its way. Sitting in the stage spotlight? Tracking your next album in the studio? Jamming solo or with your musical cohorts? This Collector’s Series Maple shell pack is all the drum kit you could ever ask for. To bolster its functional fearlessness, an adornment of Collector’s Series hardware steps up to the plate to provide total confidence. With tension-fluid triple-flanged True Hoops, slip-free True-Pitch 50 tension rods, unwavering turret lugs, and tone-preserving Suspension Tom Mounts, this 5-piece proves more than equipped for professional play with as much passion as the music needs. Just ask any of the drum experts here at Sweetwater!

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Snare Drum Buying Guide

Choosing the Best Snare Drum on Any Budget

Drummers are Freaking Out Over These New Drums

Drum Set Buying Guide

Choosing a drum kit for your studio, school, church, or band can leave even the most seasoned drummer scratching their head. This guide aims to help buyers understand the fundamental characteristics of the modern drum kit so they can make an informed decision.

And remember: Your Sweetwater Sales Engineer has a wealth of information when it comes to drum-related questions. Don’t hesitate to give us a call at (800) 222-4700 if you get stuck.

How to Choose Your Next Drum Set

Anatomy of a Drum

Components of a Drum Kit

Drum Shell Woods Explained

Cymbals Overview

Types of Drum Kits at Sweetwater

Studio Kits

Jazz/Club Kits

Fusion Kits

Rock/Stage Kits

Hip-hop/House Kits

Metal Kits

Outfitting Your Kit with New Heads

Drum-buying FAQs

What Is a Shell Pack?

How Many Toms Do I Need?

Do Cymbals & Stands Come with My New Drum Set?

Does a Shell’s Bearing Edge Make a Difference?

How to Choose Your Next Drum Set

The best way to get the most out of your kit-buying dollars is to establish a set of parameters. These include:

Establishing a budget. If money is tight, then remember that most manufacturers offer several different grades of drums at various price points. The value-priced kits are still excellent, quality instruments; they often incorporate many of the features of the more expensive kits.

Defining your acoustic space. Where will the drums be played? If they’re likely to stay in one location, then you can choose sizes and shell material that “fit” the space. If the drums are likely to travel a lot, then choose a kit that’s easy to transport — perhaps one with shells made of maple, the most versatile wood.

Choosing a musically appropriate configuration. Here’s where you decide how many toms and cymbals are necessary to realize your musical goals.

Selecting a finish. Drums today come in a wide array of finishes, from natural wood to plastic wraps. Assess the environment the drums will occupy. If they’re set up in a school, then a durable plastic wrap immune to bumps and scrapes may be the choice. A house of worship might call for a more aesthetic appearance, so stained wood may be the answer.

Using the shop filters over at Sweetwater.com is a great way to filter out kits that don’t meet your criteria.

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Anatomy of a Drum

You may see certain drum kits on our site highlighting a particular hoop type or shell layup. If these terms are unfamiliar to you, then you can read up on drum anatomy here.

Top (batter) head: The most basic component of a drum, the head is a round membrane — made of plastic or animal hide — that is stretched across a shell with varying degrees of tension (tightness).

Hoop: A modern drum hoop is most often made of either cast or stamped metal (although many drummers prefer wood hoops), and it contains a flange shaped to hold the head on the shell for tensioning.

Tension rod: Tension rods mount through holes in the hoop and thread into the lug to maintain the desired tension.

Lug: Typically made of metal, lugs are mounted on the shell to receive the tension rods. Lug designs can vary from simple to very complex, often containing alignment springs and other features.

Shell: Other than the head, the shell has the most significant impact on the drum’s tone. Most shells are made of wood, but fiberglass, acrylic, and more exotic shells can be found.

Vent: A vent is a hole that releases air pressure when the drumhead is struck. Not all drums have vents.

Bottom (resonant) head: A drum’s resonant head plays a vital role in defining both the attack and the tone. Most resonant heads are thinner than top (batter) heads.

Bottom hoop: The bottom hoop holds the bottom head on the drum. On snare drums, the bottom hoop includes slots to accommodate the snare wires.

Snares wires: The snare wires, or snares — a series of coiled wires stretched across the bottom head — give the snare drum its characteristic “snappy” sound.

Snare strainer / throw off: This lever-and-thread device allows the drummer to adjust the snare tension and to also disengage the snares entirely from the head for a tom sound.

Snare hoop: This specialized hoop contains slots in its sides to allow the cords or straps holding the snare wires to pass through.

How to Tune Drums

How to Soundcheck Drums

7 Quietest Options for Playing Drums at Home

How to Get a PHAT Snare Drum Sound with Only Your Tuning Key

Components of a Drum Kit

Although there can be dozens of different drum kit configurations, most begin with these components:

Kick drum (bass drum) – The lowest-pitched drum on the kit. Generally used to provide the rhythmic foundation of the piece of music.

Snare drum – The distinctly snappy counterpoint to the kick drum. Assists in outlining the rhythmic framework and also serves to highlight accents in the music.

Tom(s) – Ranging in pitch from high to low, toms provide tonal color and are often used to play “fills” that bridge two song sections. A drum kit may contain one, two, three, or more toms.

Cymbals – The metallic “soprano” voices of the drum kit. A basic set includes ride, crash, and hi-hat.

Hardware – The essential gear that makes a drum kit playable. Includes a kick (bass) pedal, snare stand, cymbal stands (including a hi-hat stand), tom holders and legs, and other items as needed.

Drum Shell Woods Explained

Most drum shells are constructed of several thin plies of wood glued together and bent into shape, often with the assistance of steam. Much like the tonewoods used in making guitars, the types of wood that a shell can be made of produce different characteristics of attack and tone. Here are some common shell woods used in drum sets today:

Mahogany: Mahogany is one of the softest woods. Its softness gives it a low fundamental tone and strong bottom-end punch.

Maple: Falling in the middle regarding both hardness and tone, maple’s pitch is higher than mahogany’s yet considered “warm” compared to harder woods. Maple has been among the most popular shell woods for years.

Birch: Among the hardest shell woods, birch has a bright sound and a sharp transient attack. The volume possible with birch makes it a pick for drummers in loud live settings.

Bubinga: Sometimes called “African rosewood,” bubinga is a hard wood that is gaining popularity. It’s sometimes used as the inner ply of a shell (for attack), while other woods are used for the outer plies.

Regardless of the material, drum shell woods can be stained, painted, or wrapped in almost any finish imaginable.

Does Drum Shell Material Really Matter? An Interview with DW’s John Good…

Cymbals Overview

The full scope of cymbals and their accompanying characteristics is too broad to cover here. However, since several of our drum set recommendations include cymbals, we wanted to take the opportunity to give a brief description of each cymbal’s role behind the kit.

Ride: A ride is a medium-weight cymbal that helps outline the rhythmic framework of a song alongside the kick and the snare. Ride cymbals can generally withstand repeated strikes without building up too much of a roar.

Crash: A crash is a thin, often small-diameter cymbal that produces an explosive “crash” when struck on its edge. Crash-cymbal overtones usually die away quickly, which gets them out of the way of the rest of the music.

Hi-hat: Hi-hats are actually two cymbals — one inverted atop the other on a special stand. Hi-hat cymbals are versatile and are able to be played “closed” with the stand’s footpedal pressed down, “open” with the pedal up, and everywhere in between. Pushing down the pedal without striking the cymbals (known as a “pump” or “foot splash”) produces a “chick” sound.

Types of Drum Kits at Sweetwater

As you can clearly see from our list above, the number of drum sets available today is staggering! The different wood types, shell sizes, finish options — it’s enough to make any drummer’s head spin.

The drum set that will suit you best is determined by two main factors: where you’ll be gigging and what type of music you’ll be playing. Smaller venues tend to benefit from smaller drums, which are known to produce a tighter sound and fewer low-frequency tones to resonate throughout a venue. Larger rooms benefit from bigger drums that can project and carry sounds over longer distances.

Then, there are the conventions that go along with these: funk and hip-hop kits tend to use smaller drums to achieve their punchier sounds, while classic rock kits employ massive shells to achieve their lower fundamentals and stage-worthy projection.

Interested in learning what type of drum kit is right for you? Consider these options.

Studio Kits

Studio engineers tend to prefer a drier, purer drum sound that can be easily miked without the interference of room tone and additional harmonics — unless that is the desired effect. Some classic studio kits that have been used at Sweetwater Studios and throughout the industry include Pearl Session Studio Select and DW Performance Series kits.

Jazz/Club Kits

Jazz players favor smaller bass drums (14 inches to 18 inches) that can be “feathered” at low volumes without drowning out a combo. They also tend to reach for smaller, 4-piece kits in a one-up/one-down configuration (kick, tom, floor tom, snare), which can be easily carted around town. Jazz kits are characterized by their tight, wide-open musical tone. Note that jazz kits are often also called club kits by players and manufacturers due to their easy-gigging sizes. Examples include the Gretsch Drums Renown and Catalina Club kits as well as the TAMA Club-JAM and Sonor AQ2 Bop kits.

Fusion Kits

Fusion kits are of an inte