JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Bass and Drum Forum Drum set for a 12year old??

Hi guys,

MY son is taking drum lessons and really likes it.

I would like to purchase some kind of drum set and have no idea
what I'm getting into. He is renting a snare drum from the "instrument rental guy at school"

He's learning lots of rock beats and he likes AC/DC, Metallica Slipknot, Bullet for my Valentine, that kind of music....I do know certain drums make better sounds for rock then others...
Any suggestions??

My advice is simple..... ask the tutor. He can advise what type of kit to buy. I would suggest a good second hand kit to get the quality at an affordable price. Usually plenty available on ebay.
Best to buy a good well known make rather than generic brands.
Your son will probably have some ideas as to what he wants/needs.

For the lessons, MAKE SURE the teacher knows and teaches the 26 rudiments. That, and being taught to play to a clicker, (headset), for that will come in handy for recording, and to keep his future bands in the pocket.

For drums, Pearl, Tama, Ludwig, Yamaha, DW. Pedals are important, so after he is going to "be" a drummer, upgrade the pedals if not the best or near it, (Hi-hat and bass drum). Also, have him learn how to properly tune his drums, starting with proper seating of the heads. You can get online literature on that. Also, subscribe to the magazine, "Modern Drummer".

Main thing, get a bag of ear plugs for yourself, and maybe him too, and just let him "play"!

I just got my old Rogers back from my 2 year old grandson, for my daughter and her husband needed the room, with the little guy getting his own junior set of Ludwigs. He plays to The Beatles mainly, and somehow is teaching himself from just watching Ringo and Buddy Rich on DVD's. He'll be three in the end of February, and he is just about as good as I was when I was 13, after playing for a year. Drummers seem to have a built in knack, so if your son is one of those, he'll find his way though, despite any wrong teachings or cheap pedals. So don't fret if not all is in line as I suggested.

LOVE DRUMS! I was first a drummer in bands. Then got an organ to soon after be asked in another band that happened to be the top band around, so I played them less and less. Wish I had kept them up as much as the organ then piano. Same for guitar. Too many things I guess,,,,so make sure your son gets good on ONE instrument! Rich and them played DRUMS! Clapton played guitar. Elton played piano. Only a few can play many and get somewhere.

John

Pearl and Tama both make kits that are both inexpensive and good to take someone up even to the level of doing gigs. DW also makes a starter line called Pacific. Ludwig, Slingerland...any of those brands make decent drums. You should be able to find something locally, or on e-bay, used for $300-$350...he can add to it with more cymbals etc.. If the cymbals need polish, or the drums need heads, those are things he will enjoy learning to do and doing, after the polish they look nearly new...the heads by the way, and the way they are tuned has much to do with the sound he will get...i have seen Pearl sets at garage sales for $200...when someone's ready to get rid of them, they're often DONE with drums and ready to move 'em of course, some kits cost a little more than others...good luck...Moker

Great advice already...I'll just add this:
You need a great sounding snare ( I prefer Ludwig), name brand drum heads (Remo, Evans), a quality foot pedal (it gets stomped a lot!), sturdy hardware (cymbals are heavy) and I prefer Zildjian cymbals.
Search eBay, pawn shops and yard/garage sales. You can often find a great deal.

big Jim,

Thanks for the advice....I will ask the teacher but since we rent I know she will say continue to do so and I will be paying about 700. for one snare drum....not where I want to go with a 12 year ....yet!

Thanks.

Hey John,

Thanks I will mention the 26 rudiments....He is a little behind the other boys,they can read music so he has to play catchup....
I learned how to read last summer so I can help him with that. (basic stuff)...I have the earplugs but now I just laugh because suddenly everything in the house has become a drum....LOL

"Modern Drummer" perfect with Xmas coming....

Thanks....

Thanks Moker...I think I will start reading about drums then looking on ebay or just talking to people. You never know when someone will need to unload a set....

Thanks for the advice Shayne. I love to shop yard/garage sales so once I have an idea what Im looking for I'll be browsing.

Hi Kathy

theres a free internet bulletin board with links for all major american cities and regions.........go to http://geo.craigslist.org/iso/us/pa and then click the link for the pennsylvania city near you......theres a musical instruments section and also a musicians section. its free to post so you can go in there and say--i have 200 bucks ready for the best set of drums i can buy for that much money.....i bet you get a great deal........good luck.....the other guys have told you alot of good information about drums......craigslist is just-i feel-much easier to use than ebay.......and its free

Tom

Thanks Tom!