beginner drums

[ranger42]

ok..so after getting the message on how you all feel about the aspire line,
i ask you, what drums do you recommend for the beginner..?

[bongosnotbombs]

A used set of Lp Matadors.

[KING CONGA]

This is a topic that has already been discussed, check out the attached link.

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=4447

[taikonoatama]

Geordie and I were talking about this today, in fact, as it's a topic that not surprisingly comes up a lot here, and seems to pop up on this board about every month.

It's a bad idea to buy cheap low-quality drums because:

1. They'll sound like crap.
2. The horrible sound will turn you off from playing them.
3. The sizes (head diameters) are typically too small for an adult and will adversely affect your technique if you learn on them. You need a full-sized drum.
4. They won't hold their value and when you realize how lame they are you'll be lucky to give them away.
5. Quality used drums are not that expensive.

So what to get ... People here will recommend quality drums from all the major makers, but the single-most recommended drum for someone in your position, if you read through all the past posts on this subject, is a used Lp Matador. I don't know that I ever heard or read anything negative about them. Full-sized, well-built, quality hardware, great all-around sound, and excellent resale value if you decide on an upgrade down the road (you won't lose a dime on it/them if you get them at a reasonable price). But really, they're such good drums that it'll be some time before you'll even want to consider anything else (as least from the sound and playability angle). Great drums. You can upgrade down the road to higher quality cow/steer/bull/mule skins and take them to another level altogether.

As others have suggested, you really only need 1 drum for starters, but it can be nice to have two - a conga and tumba being the standard set of two most appropriate for playing, tonally, for playing the most common 2-drum rhythms. Nice to have an extra drum around for a friend coming over to play as well. Not necessary, sorta depends on your budget. If you only get one drum, definitely make it a conga/segundo, as it's the most versatile, and can be tuned down to a tumba-level pitch and still sound good, whereas a tumba cannot be as dependably tuned up to conga/segudo pitch without getting ringy. A quinto is too small for starters, and it's generally for solo-ing anyway (depending on the music) and I can't think of any reason to get one over a conga and/or tumba.

Used Lp Matadors. I don't know where you live, but they pop up on craigslist here in SF Bay Area all the time for like $100 - $200 each.

Used Lp Matadors.

Used Lp Matadors.

Used Lp Matadors.

You can't go wrong. Just get one (or two). Don't worry too much about them matching if the price is right.

[nickpilarski]

What is the max you want to spend?

This is very relivent for a correct choice in drum/s

[korman]

If you have to buy new, then I think it's a good idea to buy a single conga from Meinl Luis Conte series, or from Schalloch, Sonor, Tycoon. These will well constructed, full sized drums, and they can be bought separately. So you can be reasonably sure that you'll be able to buy a tumba from the same model line a few months later and maybe the quinto a year later.

[burke]

user matador - ditto
...although if I were new in game I might also look at the 'new' Gon bop line...
confusing eh?

If you are lucky enough to be near a store that actually has some decent lines available the best bet is to go and have someone who has some chops play a few for you - then pick the sound you like best.

[nickpilarski]

If you want the option i can sell you my giovanni conga and quinto for 600 plus shipping they are in great condition. I have to manny drums!!! ha! I dont need to sell them but i thought hey why not. I would also second the higher end meinls
Nick