It’s never too late to pick up the drums, especially with how accessible drum sets are nowadays. And for an enjoyable and seamless learning experience, it’s essential to invest in the best starter drum kit.
Best Starter Drum Kit for Adults 2024 - Standouts Under $1000 | Best Starter Drum Kit for Adults 2024 - Standouts Under $1000 Product Image | Product Title | *GEARANK | **Sources | Check Prices |
 | 92 | 1100+ | |||
 | 93 | 1050+ | |||
 | 93 | 750+ | |||
 | 92 | 275+ | |||
 | 96 | 75+ |
*Gearank = Rating score out of 100.
**Sources = Number of gear owner and user opinions analyzed for these product Gearank Ratings.
Research Process: How Gearank Works
The best beginner drum sets come with everything you need right out of the box, including drums, cymbals, and hardware, so you can start playing immediately without the hassle of assembling pieces from different sources.
Designed with beginners in mind, these drum kits are user-friendly and easy to set up. You can quickly set it up and find a comfortable practice position. You also get good sound quality with minimal tweaking, to make your practice sessions more enjoyable and motivating.
We’ve carefully selected the best beginner drum sets under $1000, each coming with cymbals and hardware, so you can start playing without the hassle of piecing together a kit.
Our recommendations focus on full-sized drum sets suitable for adult-sized players. If you’re shopping for a younger drummer, be sure to check out our guide on Junior Drum Sets.
These kits also make great additions to music rooms or rehearsal spaces, even if drums aren’t your primary instrument.
Best Starter Drum Kit
Ashthorpe 5-Piece Acoustic Drum Set 22″ Kick Drum
The Ashthorpe Adult Drum Set is an affordable full-size 5-piece drum set. It features a 22-inch,10-lug bass drum, and the shells are made from poplar hardwood. This is one that is hard to beat when it comes to value for money.
Pros:
- Great value complete drum kit
- Poplar hardwood shells
- Remo heads
- Good build quality and sound
- Lackluster cymbals and hi-hats
We’re reader-supported. When you click product links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
The poplar hardwood shells are paired with Remo drum heads which is a respected drum head brand.
These features normally command a higher price range, but Ashthorpe is able to pack it all together while keeping the price really low. It’s not just about the features because build quality exceeds what you’d normally expect from a beginner kit. The kit’s good build quality, poplar hardwood shells, and Remo’s heads result in a good bounce, volume, and dynamic response.
The included brass cymbals are not as good though, but they should be adequate for beginners. Also, don’t expect the included hardware to be as good and reliable as more expensive ones.
Along with its impressive specs, it comes with everything you need to start playing down to a pair of drumsticks, a drum key, and even a padded drum throne. When it comes to value, this kit is hard to beat. The Ashthorpe 5-piece drum set comes in 4 color variations: Black, Blue, Red, and Silver.
If you want an affordable, complete down to the tiniest details drum set, the Ashthorpe is a good kit to look into for the beginning of your drumming journey.
- Drum Sticks included
- 14″ x 6″ snare drum
- 12″ x 9″ rack tom
- 13″ x 10″ rack tom
- 16″ x 16″ floor tom
- 22″ by 16″ kick drum
- 14″ Hi Hats
- 16″ Crash/Ride Cymbal
- Drum throne
- All Hardware
- Drum Key
- Poplar shells
- Remo Heads
- Brass Cymbals
Pearl Roadshow RS584C/C 4-piece Drum Set w/ 18” Kick
The Pearl Roadshow RS584C/C gives beginners access to Pearl’s brand of quality drumming hardware. This all-in-one drum kit is perfect for students who want good sound quality in a more compact package. This is the perfect choice for new drummers seeking a complete set that is easy to start with and guarantees reliable performance right out of the box.
Pros:
- Compact size, ideal for smaller spaces.
- Good sound projection for its size.
- Well-constructed with poplar wood shells
- Dual chain easy adjustable kick drum pedal
- Comes with a setup guide available online, great for first-time buyers
- Cymbals with basic sound quality.
- Smaller kits may not suit everyone.
- Bass may not be pronounced enough for heavy styles of music
We’re reader-supported. When you click product links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
This 4-piece drum set stands out with its 18″ kick drum, delivering powerful sound without taking up too much space—perfect for adults who need a compact starter drum set. The poplar shells and durable wrap finish ensure a solid build and consistent tone, making it a dependable choice for beginners.
One of the kit’s standout features is its all-inclusive package: it comes with hardware and cymbals, so new drummers can start playing immediately without the hassle of purchasing extra components.
While the included cymbals are basic, they’re functional for learning and can easily be upgraded as your skills improve. The Pearl Roadshow RS584C/C combines portability, quality, and convenience, making it a top pick for those just starting their drumming journey.
- 13″ x 5″ Snare Drum
- 10″ x 7″ Rack Tom
- 14″ x 10″ Floor Tom
- 18″ x 12″ Kick Drum
- 14″ Hybrid Hi-Hats
- 16″ Brass Crash Cymbal
- P50 Kick Pedal
- All hardware
- D50 Drum Throne
- Drum Key
- Drum Sticks with Stick Bag
- 5 Available finishes (Aqua Blue, Charcoal Metallic, Bronze Metallic, Jet Black, Red Wine)
- • 6-ply poplar wood shells
- • Tunable and replaceable drumheads
Pearl Roadshow RS525SC/C 5-Piece Acoustic Drum Set w/ 22″ Kick
Roadshow is the entry level line of drum sets from Pearl. And the RS525SC/C or “New Fusion” configuration is a standout from this series. This configuration features standard size parts which include a 22″ bass drum, 14″ snare, 10″ and 12″ toms and a 16″ floor tom.
Pros:
- Sound has good depth and volume
- Great core kit for mods and upgrades
- Complete package with some nifty extras
- High quality build and reliable
- Cymbals are the first to go
We’re reader-supported. When you click product links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Pearl is known for quality and heavy duty kits, and this applies even to their entry-level line, this kit being a great example. The RS525SC/C looks great and comes in a selection of 5 durable PVC wraps: Jet Black, Red Wine, Charcoal Metallic, Bronze Metallic and Aqua Blue.
The toms and bass all have good depth and volume, while the snare sounds as good as it looks. And this is the reason why many use this as their core kit and upgrade different parts as needed. The first to go are usually the cymbal and hi-hats, but I should note that the ones included are some of the best in class in the entry-level tier.
Apart from 2 pairs of drumsticks, this set comes with some nice-to-have extras such as a stick bag and a Pearl drum poster. All in all, you’re getting a solid value package, backed by a reputable brand.
Pearl is one of the most trusted brands in the drumming community, and it’s easy to see why with this entry-level offering. If you want to begin your drumming adventure with a set of Pearl drums, the Pearl Roadshow RS525SC/C is a highly-rated option.
- 14″ x 5.5″ snare
- 10″ x 8″ rack tom
- 12″ x 9″ rack tom
- 16″ x 16″ floor tom
- 22″ x 16″ bass drum
- 16″ Crash/Ride cymbal
- 14″ Hi-hats
- All hardware
- Drum throne
- 2 pairs of Maple Drum Sticks
- Drum Key
- Pearl Stick Bag
- Limited 2 Year Warranty
- Double Braced Hardware
- 1 Ply Coated Snare Drum Head
- 1 Ply Clear Tom Drum Head
- 1 Ply Clear Bass Drum Heads with Self-Muffling Rings
- 6-ply Poplar Shells
TAMA Imperialstar IE52C 5-Pc Acoustic Drum Set with 22″ Kick
The Imperialstar IE52C is Tama’s contender in the 5-piece, complete and full-sized, entry-level drum set market. This set features pro-quality hardware appointments such as Tama’s proprietary L-Rod and Omnisphere tom holder system that allow for maximum tom resonance and adjustment flexibility and a bass drum pedal with a solid metal base, which is uncommon at this price bracket.
Pros:
- Pro quality hardware (mounts and bass pedal)
- Good quality cymbals and hi-hats
- Premium aesthetics
- Clean and focused sound
- Requires a bit more investment
We’re reader-supported. When you click product links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
This set has more hardware, including brass cymbals are a pair of 14″ hi-hats, a 16″ crash and a 20″ ride made by Meinl in Germany. The shells come in a variety of sophisticated and attractive wood grain style wraps such as Coffee Teak, Black Oak, Natural Zebrawood, Hairline Black and Hairline Blue. Other options such as Candy Apple Mist which is a red sparkle and dark blue are available as well.
The toms and snare have a focused and clean sound that works great with many styles. Having good sounding cymbals out of the box is also another important plus, this allows drummers to focus on upgrading the drum heads, instead of the cymbals. Another high point of this drum set is the Tama hardware (especially the tom mounts) and sound, it is able to compete toe to toe with the higher end drums.
If you see yourself becoming a serious drummer down the line, the Imperialstar IE52C is definitely worth its slight price premium over other drum sets in this segment and will surely last you a good while especially after upgrading the heads and cymbals.
- Drum sticks are NOT included
- 10″ and 12″ Toms
- 16″ Floor Tom
- 22″ Kick Drum
- 14″ Snare
- 16″ Meinl Crash
- 20″ Meinl Ride
- 14″ Meinl Hi-hats
- Cymbal Stands and Mounting Hardware
- Drum Throne
- Kick Pedal
- Drum Key
- 8mm, 6-ply Poplar
- Double Braced Hardware
Tama Imperialstar IE62C 6-piece Complete Drum Set w/ 22″ Kick Drum
The Tama Imperialstar IE62C retains what’s good with the IE52C and takes it up a notch by adding a second floor tom to the mix. This 6 piece configuration is great for rock and allows for more setup options.
At publication time, this was the Best Strater Drum Set for Under $1000
Pros:
- 6-piece kit expands sound options
- Pro quality hardware (mounts and bass pedal)
- Good quality cymbals and hi-hats
- Clean and focused sound
- Requires a bit more investment
We’re reader-supported. When you click product links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Being a 6-piece kit means that expands your sound options, allowing the kit to be useful even as students gain more experience. Its expanded configuration also makes this kit viable for pros, especially when considering the brand and where it came from. The Imperialstar IE62C is essentially a professional kit at a more accessible price point. On the flip side, this also means that beginners with budget constraints will have to save up to get this kit.
The Imperialstar’s precision cut bearing edges allow the drums to ring openly and fully, providing a wide tuning range, enhanced sensitivity and response. This works great in conjunction with the kit’s clear and focused tone. The included hi-hat and cymbals also sound much better than what you’d expect from a beginner-friendly kit.
Like other Imperialstar drums, these come wrapped in your choice of Coffee Teak, Black Oak, Natural Zebrawood, Hairline Black, Hairline Blue, Candy Apple Mist, and Dark Blue. One thing to note about these wraps is that they are 100% glued all around the shells. This is unlike some other manufacturers who use double-sided tape or spot gluing, which are methods that are more prone to buzzing and lifting in the long run.
The Tama Imperialstar IE62C is the kit to get for those who want to start with or expand into a high-quality 6-piece kit.
- Drumsticks are NOT included
- 22″ x 16″ Bass drum
- 10″ x 7″ Rack tom
- 12″ x 8″ Rack tom
- 14″ x 13″ Floor tom
- 16″ x 15″ Floor tom
- 14″ x 5″ Snare drum
- L-Rod and Omnisphere Tom Holder, Tama Imperialstar Hardware, Stands, Pedal, Drum Throne.
- Meinl HCS 14″ Hi-hat, 16″ Crash, 20″ Ride
- Drum Key
- 6-Ply Poplar Shells
- 3-tier Height Adjustable, double-braced Stands
- Includes a Convertible Boom Stand
Things to Consider When Buying a Good Beginner Drum Set
Does it have everything you need?
One of the things that catches some people off guard is that they get a bargain price only to find they hadn’t bought a complete kit with all the hardware — often the really low prices for a particular model are because it’s only a shell set, meaning it only contains the drum shells and nothing else. Another common mistake is buying a set that doesn’t include cymbals. Look at the detailed list of what’s included before biting the bullet. Ensure the set includes all hardware and cymbals if you want to start playing right away.
What does the word ‘Hardware’ mean in acoustic drums?
Hardware refers to stands, mounts, pedals, and other components that support the drum shells and cymbals. You may have seen listings or advertisements that say, “All hardware included.” What they are referring to is the hardware necessary to hold cymbals, hi-hats, snares, rack-mounted toms, and any other percussion items in the kit. Many kits are sold without things like a cymbal, and snare stands because they’re intended for drummers who already have that hardware, and it’s just the drums by themselves that they want to buy. Sometimes, you’ll see the phrase ‘double braced hardware,’ meaning there are two pieces of metal adding extra strength to the bracing.
What does the number of pieces mean?
A drum set’s piece count typically includes only the drums, not the cymbals. For instance, a 5-piece set includes a snare, kick drum, and three toms. Traditionally, with acoustic drum kits, we count the number of drums as the pieces—cymbals and other items are not included in the count. So when a drum set has a snare, kick drum, and three toms, this adds up to 5 pieces, which is the most common configuration. Unfortunately, this labeling isn’t always followed by makers of electronic drum sets, who often count any triggering device as a piece, including electronic cymbals.
Should You Start with a 5-piece Drum Kit?
The standard configuration of a basic drum kit is to have 1 snare, 2 mounted toms, 1 floor tom, and 1 kick drum. This is the best configuration to start out with when you’re learning because it’s the setup many other kits will have that you’ll have to play at times. This is important because drummers often have to share kits at places like drum lessons, and in some live performance situations—drums take longer than other instruments to set up and mic up when needed. For instance, many ‘battle of the bands’ type competitions require bands to share backline equipment and drum kits. 6-piece kits are usually the same as a 5-piece kit with the addition of an extra floor tom.
Starting your drumming adventure with a well-rounded kit is key. Look for sets that include all necessary components, offer decent sound quality, and leave room for growth. Whether you’re eyeing the best starter drum kit for adults or seeking something that’s ideal for your personal style and needs, the kits listed above are all excellent choices to help you embark on your musical journey.
Are tonewoods important?
Yes, but no. You may have heard things like ‘mahogany is better than poplar wood’ on the shells of your drums—but the distinctions in tone are subtle, and when you’re just starting out, you probably won’t notice much of a difference. Don’t go spending extra money on a beginner drum set just to get ‘better sounding’ wood—just get the best kit you can afford for now, and a couple of years down the road, you’ll develop the ears you need to tell what kinds of wood suit your style of music best.
In short, while wood types affect sound, the distinctions are subtle for beginners. Focus on getting the best complete kit within your budget.
Drum Sticks
Often, these are included when you buy a drum set, but not always. They’re not very expensive, so I recommend buying a couple of sets of different stick sizes and weights: Vic Firth 5A at Amazon – Vic Firth 5B at Amazon. If you would like to learn more about your stick options then read our guide: The Best Drum Sticks + Brushes & Mallets.
Cymbal Quality
One of the ways manufacturers are able to produce drum sets at these low prices is by providing only very basic cymbals. The vast majority of people who have bought a beginner set and continued playing drums on an ongoing basis tended to get new cymbals, including hi-hats, a crash, and ride—this is probably the most common point made in verified customer reviews. You usually won’t find any “Big Four” brand cymbals such as Zildjian, Sabian, Meinl, or Paiste included with the cheapest kits.
Drum Sizes
In this guide, we state the diameter first, then the depth. So a 14″ x 5.5″ snare is 14″ in diameter and 5.5″ deep. I point this out because sometimes manufacturers and retailers state the measurements the other way around. There are plenty of different Types of Drums that come in different sizes and configurations.
Drum Rug
One long-standing struggle a drummer faces is the drum set moving around on hard floors. This is due to the vibrations a drum set produces. Although the rubber feet of the stands and bass drum can help, I recommend getting a drum carpet or rug. This prevents the drums from slipping and sliding around while you play. This has an added bonus of giving your drums a more focused sound.
Sound Dampening and Muffling
A common way to shape the sound of your drums is to use sound dampening and muffling to reduce unwanted overtones. There are many ways to do this, such as with Sound Rings (link to Sweetwater) or MoonGel (link to Sweetwater). A cheap hack is to use tape and tissue paper; some drummers even place their heavy wallets on the snare drum to reduce the ring! Another thing you can try is placing a pillow inside the bass drum for a clear sound and punchy attack.
Ear Protection
This part of drumming is often overlooked but very important for drummers of all levels. Drums are loud and prolonged exposure will lead to hearing loss and damage. This is a nasty lesson that some learn the hard way. Check out our guide to musician’s earplugs for some highly rated options.
Some Helpful Drum Terminology
- Ply
A ply is a single layer of wood. Drum shells are typically made from multiple layers of wood, so a 6 Ply shell means it has 6 layers. More is not always better, as fewer plies can also mean a more resonant sound. - Drum Kit vs Drum Set
These terms are essentially interchangeable and mean the same thing at music retailers. - Drum Throne vs Drum Stool
Drummers sit on thrones, pianists sit on stools—other than that, they mean the same thing. - Kick Drum vs Bass Drum
In terms of drum sets, these are also interchangeable and mean the same thing. Technically, a kick drum is designed to be used with a kick pedal, but there are bass drums not designed for that purpose, such as ones you might see played in an orchestra or marching band. - Cymbals
Crash, Splash, Ride, Hi-Hats… Hi-hats and Ride cymbals are often played continuously through parts of a song, while crash cymbals are used for accents and fills. Splash cymbals are just smaller, higher-pitched versions of crash cymbals. For a basic drum setup, you’ll want to have hi-hats and at least one crash cymbal. Most budget drum sets only come with a single crash or a single combined crash/ride cymbal. - Drum Heads
These are the “skins” that are installed and stretched over the open ends of the drum shells. You usually strike the batter head (the top head) and have a resonant head on the other side that increases sustain. These tend to wear out over time and are considered a consumable part akin to the strings on a guitar. Some popular drum head brands are Remo, Evans, and Aquarian. - The Drum Key
This is used to loosen and tighten the lugs on your drum heads in order to tune them to the pitch you want. Drum tuning advice is beyond the scope of this guide, but here are some helpful references: What You Need to Know About Drum Tuning by Ben Meyer at Modern Drummer, and Drum Tuning by Gene Okamoto of Pearl Corporation. The drum skins often come loose or detached on a new kit, so you’ll also need the key to properly install/tune them when your kit is delivered.
Best Starter Drum Kit Methodology
The first edition was published in 2016. The current edition was published on September 5, 2024.
We went through the entire list of sub $1000 drum sets at major online retailers in the USA and selected only the full-sized kits that were complete with all the hardware and cymbals needed to start playing the moment your new drum kit is delivered – note that this doesn’t always include a drum throne or drum sticks.
For this edition, we ended up with a short list of 18 featuring the most promising 5-piece or larger drum sets. Then we collated relevant reviews and ratings data from retailers, forums, magazines, and videos for each model, which were then processed using the Gearank Algorithm to produce the rating scores out of 100, which we used to come up with our recommended list – and for this update, the sources we analyzed grew to more than 4,600, almost double compared to the previous edition.
To summarize, the criteria for inclusion were that it had to have all necessary hardware, had to be full-sized, which in this case means at least an 18″ Kick/Bass drum, and had to have a minimum of 5 pieces. For more information about our methods, see How Gearank Works.
About the Author and Contributors
Here are the key people and sources involved in this guide’s production – click on linked names for information about their music industry backgrounds.
Lead Author & Researcher
As an experienced producer and musician, Alden loves to help fellow musicians find the right gear for the job. Aside from music, Alden’s interests include CS:GO and MLBB.
Contributors
Alexander Briones: Supplemental writing, Editing.
Denise Azucena: Supplemental writing.
Jason Horton: Editing, and Illustrating.
Media / Image Credit
Main/Top Image: Created by Gearank.com using photographs of the Tama Imperialstar IE52C and Pearl Roadshow RS525SC/C.
The individual product images were sourced from websites, promotional materials, or supporting documentation provided by their respective manufacturers.
The videos have been embedded in accordance with YouTube’s Terms of Service.
More Best Starter Drum Kit for Adults 2024. Standouts Under $1000 Related Posts
Best Electronic Drum Sets: Standard + Hybrid 2024
Best Drum Practice Pad: Tried and Tested for Proven Results
Best Drum Machine for 2024: Expert Reviews and Rankings
Best Electronic Drum Pad Recommended List – Tried and Tested
Best Drum Throne Rated on Comfort, Support & Features
Best Drumsticks, Best Drum Brushes, & Best Drum Mallets 2024
Comments:
7 responses
-
We have removed the following sets due to them being discontinued:
-
The publication of our April 2021 edition resulted in the following kits coming off the recommended list above, but you can still see our analysis of them:
-
Need a beginner drumset for son, he’s 13, tall for his age though,don’t want child drumset, I need teenage boy adult beginner drum set best deal & great quality please, can anyone help me as to where I can get one? Please
-
Hi Sug,
You’ve come to the right place because the 5-piece drum sets on our recommended list above are exactly what we recommend for a beginning drummer who is too old or too big for a child’s drum set.
You might want to consider getting one of the less expensive options at first, then if your son does stick with the instrument, he’ll know what type of drums he’ll need when he’s ready to upgrade in a year or two.
I hope this helps,
Jason.
-
-
As a result of our March 2020 update the following came off the recommended list above, but you can still read our analysis of it: Pearl Roadshow RS525WFC.
-
Today we removed the following kit from the recommended list above due to a lack of availability: Tama Imperialstar IP52KH6N.
-
The following drum sets came off our recommended list above as a result of our March 2018 update:
More Drum Guides
Disclosure
Author & Contributors
Alden Acosta
I'm a drummer and former lead guitarist of the band Callalily, a platinum selling multi-awarded band from the Philippines. I also studied music for 6 years majoring in percussion and jazz studies with a minor in classical piano.
Pearl Roadshow RS525SC/C
Cons
- Cymbals are the first to go
Pros
- Sound has good depth and volume
- Great core kit for mods and upgrades
- Complete package with some nifty extras
- High quality build and reliable
Roadshow is the entry level drum set line up from Pearl and the RS525SC/C or "New Fusion" configuration is a standout from this series. This configuration features standard size parts which include a 22" bass drum, 14" snare, 10" and 12" toms and a 16" floor tom.
Pearl is known for quality and heavy duty kits, and this applies even to their entry-level line, this kit being a great example. It also helps that the RS525SC/C looks really good, and comes in a selection of 5 durable PVC wraps: Jet Black, Red Wine, Charcoal Metallic, Bronze Metallic and Aqua Blue.
The toms and bass all have good depth and volume, while the snare sounds as good as it looks. And this is the reason why many use this as their core kit and upgrade different parts as needed. The first to go are usually the cymbal and hi-hats, but I should note that the ones included are some of the best in class in the entry-level tier.
Apart from 2 pairs of drumsticks, this set comes with some nice-to-have extras such as a stick bag and a Pearl drum poster. All in all, you're getting a solid value package, backed by a reputable brand.
Pearl is one of the most trusted brands in the drumming community and it's easy to see why with this entry level offering. If you want to begin your drumming adventure with a set of Pearl drums, the Pearl Roadshow RS525SC/C is a highly-rated option.
Items Included in this Drum Set
- 14" x 5.5" snare
- 10" x 8" rack tom
- 12" x 9" rack tom
- 16" x 16" floor tom
- 22" x 16" bass drum
- 16" Crash/Ride cymbal
- 14" Hi-hats
- All hardware
- Drum throne
- 2 pairs of Maple Drum Sticks
- Drum Key
- Pearl Stick Bag
- Limited 2 Year Warranty
Specifications
- Double Braced Hardware
- 1 Ply Coated Snare Drum Head
- 1 Ply Clear Tom Drum Head
- 1 Ply Clear Bass Drum Heads with Self-Muffling Rings
- 6-ply Poplar Shells
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| YouTube | Rodney Evangelio | /100 |
Demo
Tama Imperialstar IE62C
Cons
- Requires a bit more investment
Pros
- 6-piece kit expands sound options
- Pro quality hardware (mounts and bass pedal)
- Good quality cymbals and hi-hats
- Clean and focused sound
The Tama Imperialstar IE62C retains what's good with the IE52C and takes it up a notch by adding a second floor tom to the mix. This 6 piece configuration is great for rock and allows for more setup options.
Being a 6-piece kit means that expands your sound options, allowing the kit to be useful even as students gain more experience. It's expanded configuration also makes this kit viable for pros, especially when considering the brand where it came from. The Imperialstar IE62C is essentially a professional kit at a more accessible price point. On the flip side, this also means that beginners with budget constraints will have to save up to get this kit.
The Imperialstar's precision cut bearing edges allow the drums to ring openly and fully, providing a wide tuning range, enhanced sensitivity and response. And this works great in conjunction with the kit's clear and focused tone. The included hi-hat and cymbals also sound much better than what you'd expect from a beginner friendly kit.
Like the other Imperialstar drums, these come wrapped in your choice of: Coffee Teak, Black Oak, Natural Zebrawood, Hairline Black, Hairline Blue, Candy Apple Mist and Dark Blue. One thing to note about these wraps is that they are 100% glued all around the shells. This is unlike some other manufacturers who use double-sided tape or spot gluing which are methods more prone to buzzing and lifting in the long run.
The Tama Imperialstar IE62C is the kit to get for those who want to start with, or expand into a high quality 6 piece kit.
Items Included in this Drum Set
- Drum sticks are NOT included
- 22" x 16" Bass drum
- 10" x 7" Rack tom
- 12" x 8" Rack tom
- 14" x 13" Floor tom
- 16" x 15" Floor tom
- 14" x 5" Snare drum
- L-Rod and Omnisphere Tom Holder, Tama Imperialstar Hardware, Stands, Pedal, Drum Throne.
- Meinl HCS 14" Hi-hat, 16" Crash, 20" Ride
- Drum Key
Specifications
- 6-Ply Poplar Shells
- 3-tier Height Adjustable, double-braced Stands Including a Convertible Boom Stand
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| YouTube | Reuben Bakker | 93/100 |
Demo
Things to Consider When Buying a Beginner Drum Kit
-
One of the things that catches some people off guard is that they get a bargain price only to find they hadn't bought a complete kit with all the hardware - often the really low prices for a particular model are because it's only a shell set - that means it only contains the drum shells and nothing else. Another common mistake is buying a set that doesn't include cymbals. Look at the detailed list of what's included before biting the bullet.
-
You may have seen listings or advertisements that say "all hardware included". What they are referring to is the hardware necessary to hold cymbals, hi-hats, snares, rack-mounted toms and any other percussion items in the kit. Many kits are sold without things like cymbal and snare stands because they're intended for drummers who already have that hardware and it's just the drums by themselves that they want to buy. Sometimes you'll see the phrase 'double braced hardware', this means there are two pieces of metal adding extra strength to the bracing.
-
Traditionally with acoustic drum kits we count the number of drums as the pieces - cymbals and other items are not included in the count. So when a drum set has a snare, kick drum and 3 toms, this adds up to 5 pieces, and this is the most common configuration. Unfortunately, this labeling isn't always followed by makers of electronic drum sets who often count any triggering device as a piece including electronic cymbals.
- The standard configuration of a basic drum kit is to have 1 snare, 2 mounted toms, 1 floor tom, and 1 kick drum. This is the best configuration to start out with when you're learning because it's the setup many other kits will have that you'll have to play at times. This is important because drummers often have to share kits at places like drum lessons and in some live performance situations because drums take longer than other instruments to set up and to mic up when that's needed; EG: Many 'battle of the bands' type competitions require bands to share back-line equipment and drum kits. 6-piece kits are usually the same as a 5-piece kit with the addition of an extra floor tom.
- Yes, but no. You may have heard things like 'mahogany is better than poplar wood' on the shells of your drums - but the distinctions in tone are subtle and when you're just starting out you probably won't notice much of a difference. Don't go spending extra money on a beginner drum set just to get 'better sounding' wood - just get the best kit you can afford for now and a couple of years down the road you'll develop the ears you need to tell what kinds of wood suit your style of music best.
-
Often these are included when you buy a drum set but not always. They're not very expensive so I recommend buying a couple of sets of different stick sizes and weights: Vic Firth 5A at Amazon - Vic Firth 5B at Amazon. If you would like to learn more about your stick options then read our guide: The Best Drum Sticks + Brushes & Mallets.
- One of the ways manufacturers are able to produce drum sets at these low prices is by providing only very basic cymbals. The vast majority of people who have bought a beginner set and continued playing drums on an ongoing basis tended to get new cymbals including hi-hats, a crash and ride - this is probably the most common point made in verified customer reviews. You usually won't find any "Big Four" brand cymbals such as Zildjian, Sabian, Meinl or Paiste included with the cheapest kits.
- In this guide we state the diameter first, then the depth. So a 14" x 5.5" snare is 14" in diameter and 5.5" deep. I point this out because sometimes manufacturers and retailers state the measurements the other way around. There are plenty of different Types of Drums that come in different sizes and configurations.
- One long-standing struggle a drummer faces is the drum set moving around on hard floors. This is due to the vibrations a drum set produces. Although the rubber feet of the stands and bass drum can help, I recommend getting a drum carpet or rug. This prevents the drums from slipping and sliding around while you play. This has an added bonus of giving your drums a more focused sound.
- A common way to shape the sound of your drums is to use sound dampening and muffling to reduce unwanted overtones. There are many ways to do this such as with Sound Rings (link to Sweetwater) or MoonGel (link to Sweetwater). A cheap hack is to use tape and tissue paper, some drummers even place their heavy wallet on the snare drum to reduce the ring! Another thing you can try is placing a pillow inside the bass drum for a clear sound and punchy attack.
- This part of drumming is often overlooked but very important for drummers of all levels. Drums are loud and prolonged exposure will lead to hearing loss and damage. This is a nasty lesson that some learn the hard way. Check out our guide to musician's earplugs for some highly rated options.
Does it have everything you need?
What does the word 'Hardware' mean in acoustic drums?
What does the number of pieces mean?
Why didn't we include 4-piece or 3-piece kits?
Are tonewoods important?
Drum Sticks
Cymbal Quality
Drum Sizes
Drum Rug
Sound Dampening and Muffling
Ear Protection
Some Helpful Drum Terminology
- Ply - A ply is a single layer of wood. Drum shells are typically made from multiple layers of wood so a 6 Ply shell means it has 6 layers. More is not always better as less plies can also mean a more resonant sound.
- Drum Kit vs Drum Set - These terms are essentially interchangeable and mean the same thing at music retailers.
- Drum Throne vs Drum Stool - drummers sit on thrones, pianists sit on stools - other than that they mean the same thing.
- Kick Drum vs Bass Drum - In terms of drum sets these are also interchangeable and mean the same thing. Technically a kick drum is designed to be used with a kick pedal but there are bass drums not designed for that purpose such as ones you might see played in an orchestra or marching band.
- Cymbals - Crash, Splash, Ride, Hi-Hats... Hi-hats and Ride cymbals are often played continuously through parts of a song while crash cymbals are used for accent and in fills. Splash cymbals are just smaller, higher pitched versions of crash cymbals. For a basic drum setups you'll want to have hi-hats and at least 1 crash cymbal. Most budget drum sets only come with a single crash or a single combined crash/ride cymbal.
- Drum Heads - These are the "skins" that are installed and stretched over the open ends of the drum shells. You usually strike the batter head (the top head) and have a resonant head on the other side that increases sustain. These tend to wear out over time and are considered a consumable part akin to the strings on a guitar. Some popular drum head brands are Remo, Evans and Aquarian.
- The Drum Key - This is used to loosen and tighten the lugs on your drum heads in order to tune them to the pitch you want. Drum tuning advice is beyond the scope of this guide but here are some helpful references: What You Need to Know About Drum Tuning by Ben Meyer at Modern Drummer, and Drum Tuning by Gene Okamoto of Pearl Corporation. The drum skins often come loose or detached on a new kit so you'll also need the key to properly install/tune them when your kit is delivered.
Best Beginner Drum Set Selection Methodology
The first edition was published in 2016.
We went through the entire lists of sub $1000 drum sets at the major online retailers in the USA and selected only the full-sized kits that were complete with all the hardware and cymbals needed to start playing the moment your new drum kit is delivered - note that this doesn't always include a drum throne or drum sticks.
For this edition, we ended up with a short list of 18, featuring the most promising 5-piece or larger drum sets. Then we collated relevant reviews and ratings data from retailers, forums, magazines and videos for each model which were then processed using the Gearank Algorithm to produce the rating scores out of 100 which we used to come up with our recommended list - and for this update, the sources we analyzed grew to more than 4,600, almost double compared to the previous edition.
To summarize; the criteria for inclusion were that it had to have all necessary hardware, had to be full-sized which in this case means at least an 18" Kick/Bass drum, and it had to have a minimum of 5-pieces. For more information about our methods see How Gearank Works.
About the Author and Contributors
Here are the key people and sources involved in this guide's production - click on linked names for information about their music industry backgrounds.
Lead Author & Researcher
Alden Acosta
I'm a drummer and former lead guitarist of the band Callalily, a platinum selling multi-awarded band from the Philippines. I also studied music for 6 years majoring in percussion and jazz studies with a minor in classical piano.
As an experienced producer and musician, Alden loves to help fellow musicians find the right gear for the job. Aside from music, Alden's interests include: CS:GO and MLBB.
Contributors
Alexander Briones: Supplemental writing.
Denise Azucena: Supplemental writing.
Jason Horton: Supplemental writing, Editing and Illustrating.
Media
Main/Top Image: Created by Gearank.com using a photographs of the Tama Imperialstar IE52C and Pearl Roadshow RS525SC/C.
The individual product images were sourced from websites, promotional materials or supporting documentation provided by their respective manufacturers.
The videos have been embedded in accordance with YouTube's Terms of Service.
Leave a Reply