We've included this advice page to help if you are buying your first drum kit or cymbal etc. Please take the time to read through these help pages which feature some of the most commonly asked questions in-store.
Please use the link in the contact us section for any other queries or questions.
Buying your first drum-kit
What is a standard drum-kit?
It typically comprises:
five drums - a snare, bass and three tom-toms.
the stands, pedals and fittings to go with them (typically stands to mount the cymbals, a hi-hat pedal, a snare drum stand, bass drum pedal and tom-tom holders.
a standard cymbal set to go with a standard drum-kit is generally a ride cymbal, a crash cymbal and pair of hi-hat cymbals.
Sizes
For the younger drummers, we offer real drum kits approximately 2/3 size, priced at under £200.
However, most youngsters age six and up can handle one of the standard size kits unless they are small for their age. There are three standard sizes of kit, sizes being expressed by diameter of drums with proportional depths.
- Fusion - 20inch bass, 10, 12 and 14inch toms, 13 or 14inch snare.
- 22inch Fusion - 22inch bass, toms and snare as above.
- Rock - 22inch bass, 12, 13 and 16inch toms, 14inch snare.
Selection is a matter of personal taste. Drum kits usually fall into four price categories:
under £300, £300 - £500, £500 - £800, £800 - above
Cymbals
What is a standard cymbal
set-up?
A standard set-up comprises a
ride cymbal (typically 20inch), a crash cymbal (typically
16inch) and hi-hat cymbals (typically 14inch) - a pair of
cymbals horizontally mounted which can be crashed together
with a hi-hat pedal, or played closed with a stick. Many
players choose to augment their set-up with additional crashes
(14inch-19inch), splash cymbals (6inch-12inch) or china
cymbals (10inch-18inch).
How do I select cymbals?
The tonal quality of cymbals is
the result of an interplay between the materials used and
methods of production, size, weight and finish.
Size
Reference has been made already
to the typical size of crash, ride, hi-hat, splash and china
cymbals. To state what may be obvious, smaller cymbals produce
smaller sounds and lower volumes; larger cymbals produce
bigger sounds and greater volumes. For example, some heavy
rock players have moved to nineteen or twenty inch crash
cymbals!
Weight
Thinner cymbals respond faster;
heavy models tend to be louder with longer sustain (duration).
Thin and medium thin crash cymbals are the preferred choice of
many players selecting cymbals 14inch-16inch; medium thin and
medium for cymbals 16inch-18inch, with metal and rock players
often favouring the heavy weights.
Finish
Some players prefer cymbals in
their natural state. Such cymbals are sometimes described as
having bite. Others prefer their cymbals to have a polished,
glossy look, which tends to give a smoother response.
Pitch
Much will depend on the type of
music you play. Lower pitch cymbals are perhaps more subtle,
blending easily with the music and giving a big full sound.
Higher pitch cymbals will tend to cut through the music. Ultimately, obey one simple
rule: choose with your ears, not your eyes. Forget designer
labels. There is no one definitive manufacturer or range. Mix
and match as you wish. But when choosing cymbals, take your
existing ones with you and select others that will blend in
tonally.
Value for money
Boxed sets save you money! Even when highly discounted, individual cymbals are not cheap. Buying boxed sets can save you 25%-30% on the price of buying the same cymbals individually.
Caring for cymbals
When cleaning cymbals use only a polish recommended by the manufacturer, otherwise you may remove the protective lacquer and damage both appearance and tone. A good carry-case (preferably one with dividers) will protect your instruments for the future. Properly played and properly cared for, your cymbals could last for life!
Noise
There are three ways of reducing noise:
1. Use a sound proof room
2. Use silent mesh-heads
3. Use lighter stick or brushes
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