[Sean Francis]

This might be of interest too.

Buy Tama Imperialstar 5-Piece Standard Drum Set with 22" Bass Drum and Cymbals

It's about $200 over what you're talking right now, but a friend of mine had this set for three or four years (well, it's equivalent at the time, the Tama Swingstar) and it sounded good and got him through many, many gigs. The cymbals that come with it are pretty decent sounding.

Also, the thing to keep in mind about cymbals is this: When you are first learning to play the drums, your choice of cymbals won't matter too much. As you progress in your playing and your learning, your ears will tell you what you want to hear out of your cymbals. So, when you're first starting out, I wouldn't recommend going out and buying a super expensive set of cymbals; rather, I would say just get something to get you by and get you off the ground, more importantly. Like I said, your ears will tell you what you want to hear. Try out different cymbals when you visit music stores; talk to different drummers about their cymbal choices; maybe even find out what cymbals some of your favorite drummers play on and investigate those.

I feel like I should also say something about sticks. Try out many different pairs on a practice pad; your local music shop should have something you can tap on to try them out. If not, they're retarded; just cut your losses and go somewhere else! lol Find a pair of sticks that isn't too heavy, but also isn't too light. You'll know them when you find them; they'll have just the right amount of "thwap" down at the tip when you start playing with them.

Anyway, good luck, and have fun!

[Sean Francis]

Yeah... I just noticed that you already picked up a set. haha! I'm a little slow on the uptake... what else can I say? lol

Have fun!

[SirBlastsAlot]

Originally Posted by Pyrochazm

I'd say, if you're willing to pay a bit more than 450, go with the Pearl Forum. With a decent set of heads and some tuning, you could record with this kit and have it sound alright. The hardware on the Pearl Forum is also the best in the price range.

Heads (also known as skins) are the part of the drum that you hit. The heads that come with a inexpensive drum kit are typically garbage. At a beginner level though, I'd say play em until you punch through em and get new ones.

The cymbals that come with beginner kits are so crappy sounding that I don't recomend ever playing them. Beginner kits (Most kits for that matter) come with all the hardware you need to get started: Kick pedal, Hi hat stand, cymbal stand, snare stand . All you need to add is a set of hi hats and a ride and you're all set.

I would have to agree with him on this one... My parents bought me a Wine Red Forum back in '03 i believe, and I havnt had any probems with it, I still use it to this day (with new heads, pedals and cymbals of course) Now i have expanded it into a double bass with 5 toms and 2 snares

Tuned correctly, it is a very good sounding kit, the bass drum is a little boomy, but with a pillow up against its batter head, it cuts through really well ( I have evan's EMADS for kicks, and EC2's for toms, but I also use G2's for kick and toms, and G1 coated for snare)

With a little money invested in good heads and sound control, you can get it to sound pretty good for its modest price...

Also, the forum comes with Vic Firth 5A's and an instructionl video by Kiss drummer Eric Singer.... It also comes with a powershifter pedal, decent hats, and a decent crash/ride thats better used as a crash....

I would deffinatly recomend getting the pearl forum, even though its a little more expensive than say a pulse set, but remember, your getting Pearl's quality and expertise at drum making....

But the final decisions up to you kid, good luck and have fun!

	Pearl Drums Shop for Pearl Drums at Musician's Friend

	Pulse Drums Shop for Pulse Drums at Musician's Friend

	Vic Firth Drumsticks Shop for Vic Firth Drumsticks at Musician's Friend

[juan (the ping-pong ref.)]

A pearl. What series or what ever is up to you but if you can find one in your price range then i would get one.

	Pearl Drums Shop for Pearl Drums at Musician's Friend

[taye drummer]

Try evans G2 coated heads there great,2 ply is good for even beginners.LOOK into wuhan cymbals you might find a good set under $200.00 there great.My choice for drums,but your going to have to save up a little more,go to elevationmusic.com that is a good sight,Taye drums are great,and dont cost as much as the others do.But this is when you get serious about playing,and not just a hobby.Ive been playing for about 16 years,JR.high High School,
College, Millitary, and some Heavy Metal bands,and now in the Church(Rocking for GOD)
It' takes time and the more you ask the more you will learn.Ive even got tips from Poodie Bell
Bernard Purdie, and others, they e-mail me with tips and i went from there using what works best for me.Just take it slow and easy, learn all you can.And yes have fun.

	Evans Drumheads Shop for Evans Drumheads at Musician's Friend

	Wuhan Cymbals Shop for Wuhan Cymbals at Musician's Friend