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5 Drummer-Approved Kits and Accessories for Every Skill Level

5 Drummer-Approved Kits and Accessories for Every Skill Level

Post 5 Drummer-Approved Kits and Accessories for Every Skill Level first appeared here Results.

Results‘S Drum Week expands with our list of the five best drum sets, products and accessories for drummers of all levels. Check out our list Top 100 Drummers of All Timeyour drummer survey 65 favorite drummers’ favorite drummersand additional Drum Week favorites like our Crate Digging features Mike Portnoy, Charlie BenanteAnd David Lovering.


Guitarists and bassists They show up to gigs with their instruments, an amp, and maybe a pedal board. Singers come with just a microphone and their vocal cords, and maybe a hot cup of tea with honey and lemon. Drummers come with what feels like an arsenal. Bass drums, snares, toms, cymbal stands, hi-hats, rides, crashes, drumsticks, bass pedals, hi-hat grips, drum heads, drum keys… every time a drummer sets up to play, it’s like putting together a science project.

Buy Drums and Drum Equipment from Reverb

But when a drummer finds the right gear, putting together a kit feels a little less daunting. Like all musicians, drummers take great pride in their gear choices. The longer they play, the more specific their kit becomes. RUSH legend Neil Peart, for example, didn’t just play his mind-boggling, 360-degree mega kit from day one; it was a long process of trial and error, as Peart was extremely particular about the types of sounds he wanted to present.

With so much different equipment to accumulate, it takes time to hone those tastes from just starting out to becoming a full-fledged rock star drummer. Along the way, you’ll want to acquire a starter kit to hone your skills, a few key upgrades, and eventually, all the bells and whistles that will give you the drum sound of your dreams. Pretty soon, all the individual components of your drum kit won’t feel like puzzle pieces, but like paints on a palette.

To help guide you in your search for the perfect gear, read on for five drummer-approved kits and accessories that will take your drumming to the next level. Most of these instruments, Top 100 Drummers of All Time; if they’re used by the best, you know they’re good!


Starter Kit — TAMA Swingstar Kit

Tama Swingstar Starter Set Best Set For Beginners Best Starter Sets To Buy

Tama Swingstar

Get a TAMA Swingstar Kit

User: Travis Barker and Dave Lombardo

So, you’ve taken on the mindset of a drummer and are ready to make some noise – but where do you start? TAMA Swingstar Kit It’s a pretty good way to get the door open. These are old school kits, but they’re still reliable. The package includes pretty much everything you need to get started rockin’ and rollin’, all at a relatively affordable price. Most kits come with a bass drum, snare drum, toms, and often even additional hardware pieces (like cymbals and stands). That covers about 90% of what you’ll need to get started learning to play drums, and you can easily find one for around $300 to $700. Reverberation. There are more expensive single traps than this! Don’t believe us? Read on…

Your First Upgrade — Zildjian K Series Lightweight Travel

Zildjian K Series 24 inch Light Ride best cymbal drum set equipment

Zildjian K Series 24 inch Light Ride

Get the Zildjian K Series 24-inch Lightweight Ride Cymbal

User: Questlove, Ilan Rubin, Nathan Followill

Many starter sets come with cymbals, and often these can be of poor quality. Starter cymbals from Sabian, Zildjian, or Meinl are good places to start, but even these collections can be a bit weak when compared to what pros look for in their sound. So when you’re ready to take your cymbal set to the next level, Zildjian’s K series they’re a worthy investment. Their hats are nice, but it’s the crashes, drives, and drive/crash hybrids that really showcase the series’ versatile, dynamic range.

We particularly recommend: 24 inch Light RideThey’re a popular choice among professionals: They have all the wash and wave of sound a 24-inch cymbal should have, but they also have a light, subtle touch that’s suitable for jazz, rock, and everything in between. These cymbals range from $500 to $600, but they’re currently sold out on Zildjian’s website — which is where Reverberation.

Concert Requirement — Ludwig LM402 Supraphonic Snare Drum

Ludwig LM402 Supraphonic Snare Drum John Bonham’s Snare Drum Best Snare Drum Concert Necessity

Ludwig LM402 Supraphonic Snare Drum

Buy Ludwig LM402 Supraphonic Snare Drum

User: John Bonham and Larry Mullen Jr.

Okay, buddy, you’ve caught up with the common time rhythm, you’ve got a handful of padding up your sleeves, and maybe even started diving into the crazy world of tuplets. Now it’s time to get on stage and show off your skills. And what better excuse to splurge on some new gear than your first upcoming gig? Get ready for the gig Ludwig LM402 Supraphonic snare druma versatile, quality drum that will fill any room you’re lucky enough to be in. It boasts a 1.7mm seamless aluminum body, Ludwig Weather Master Medium Coated Head, and Ludwig Weather Master Clear Snare Side Head, meaning it’ll do you good both live and in the studio (when you’re ready to lay down some tape). Retail for one of these bad boys is $699, but you can find used ones for as little as $475 Reverberation.

Professional Upgrade — Roland TD-50K2 V-Drum Set

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Roland TD-50kv2

Get the Roland TD-50kv2 V-Drum Kit

User: Thomas Lang, Omer Hakim, George Daniel

The $5,000 price tag might put you off a bit, but trust us — these drums are worth every penny. Roland’s V-Drum kits are not only top of the line when it comes to electronic drums, they’re also an extremely practical choice for drummers of all ages and skill levels. Most drummers would agree that being able to play an acoustic kit loud and free for as long as possible is a ‘best case scenario,’ but partners (and most drummers’ neighbors) would probably say otherwise. Having the ability to play loud and freely through headphones at all hours of the day—not to mention dozens of programmed kit sounds and MIDI compatibility—is a privilege not to be taken lightly. TD-50kv2 model It’s Roland’s most complex and high-end model, and appropriately enough, one of its bestsellers. You can pick it up at: Reverberationand get ready to take your home drumming experience to the next level.

Rockstar Kit/Accessory — Gretsch USA Special Kit

Gretsch USA Custom Set Best Drum Sets Drum Equipment Rockstar Upgrade Buy Gretschc Drums

Gretsch USA Special Kit

Get the Gretsch USA Custom Kit

Used by: Taylor Hawkins, Phil Collins and Charlie Watts

If it’s good enough for the likes of Phil Collins, Charlie Watts, and Taylor Hawkins, it’s safe to assume it’s good enough for you. Gretsch has been a favorite of many all-star drummers for decades, and for good reason. US Specific Kits stylish, durable, and absolutely amazing sounding. What’s even better is that there’s room for variety and customization. Because let’s face it, if you’ve gotten to the point where you’ve shopped through sets worth thousands of dollars, you’ve probably formed an opinion or two about tones and setups. Choose how many toms you want, your favorite finish, and the size of your bass drum, and you’ve got a set that every drummer in the neighborhood will want to come over and ask if they can play. Shop the new and used options available at: Reverberation.

5 Drummer-Approved Kits and Accessories for Every Skill Level
Paolo Ragusa and Jonah Krueger

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