For almost 150 years, Gretsch has been synonymous with supreme quality drums. For the last decade, they have offered the Catalina Club as a beginner-sized slice of this history, at an affordable price. Of the many beautiful finishes available, we love the Blue Satin Flame (pictured), but there will certainly be something for all tastes. This is by no means a cheap kit. It’s one of the most expensive drum kits you’ll find on the market, but it’s also one of the best 7 piece drum sets you can get. For these prices, you’ll have a larger choice of tonewoods - options like bubinga, walnut and mahogany will start making an appearance, as well as potentially some more exotic choices. You’ll still have your ‘standard’ birch and maple kits at this price point, so no worries if you’re not a wild one. Those woods get used an awful lot - and it’s because they sound killer. One of the best parts of this kit is the snare drum. It has a killer tone as well as a fairly wide tuning range. However, it sounds best when it’s cranked up tightly. Purpleheart is known for its density and tonal richness. It imparts a unique character to the drums and they produce deep, resonant, and punchy tones.

The Catalina Club is one of Gretsch’s most affordable and popular kits, and with a slew of beautiful finish options, some seriously cool shell configurations and bags of vintage style, we can’t say we’re too surprised.At best, a poorly set up drum set could be harder to play. At worst, it could lead to long-term injury. How to tune your drum kit The world of drums and drum sets is an ever changing one, and whilst some companies come and go, there is a core group of brands which produce consistently impressive drums. The companies on this list all make great, versatile drums - but they all have certain qualities which make them more suited to specific styles of music or playing.

There are also seven new Recording Custom snare drums with stainless steel, aluminium and brass shells should you wish to go all-Yamaha in the studio. A masterful return from one of the most famous drum sets ever made.

The floor tom is 14”x7”, which is quite unusual. While it doesn’t sound bad, some heavier drummers might miss the depth afforded by a traditional 14” or 16”. With this PDP drum set, I really appreciate the DW hardware touches, they do a great job in making it feel luxurious. piece drum sets are sonically and visually impressive and are fun to play. They provide a greater range of tones, more opportunities for exciting rhythmic combinations, and offer a larger visual presence. You’ll also need to make sure you have the space to accommodate a 7-piece kit, and that you have all the hardware necessary to mount it. If not, you’ll have to consider what type of hardware setup you prefer.

In a nutshell, every time you turn a tension rod with your drum key, you increase or decrease the tension of the head in that spot. For this reason, it’s crucial that you turn each tension rod equally. From here, you can use your drum key to add tension, usually a quarter, half or whole turn at a time. It’s best to do that in a ‘star’ pattern, so the tension is always equal at every point on the head.

Think of an acrylic drum set. You’re thinking of a Vistalite, aren’t you? There’s a reason why drummers like John Bonham chose the Vistalite over other kits, and it’s not just because they look awesome. Pearl makes some of the world's most highly regarded drum sets around. With the Export drums being the best-selling drum set in history, they know a thing or two about creating a versatile, value-for-money drum set - and their Masters, Reference and Masterworks kits are some of the best high-end kits money can buy. Expect punchy drums that respond well to your playing dynamics - as most Pearl kits use Poplar, Mahogany or Maple for their shells. The drums make use of Mapex’s SONIClear bearing edges (handed down from its more expensive ranges) to make the tuning range wider and easier to dial in, and SONIClear tom suspension system to help maximise the resonance. The 7-ply, 7.2mm shells are available in a few different set configurations, and there’s a snare drum included with each too. It’s fairly similar to the previous kits. However, it has a few unique features that are exclusive to Tama drums.

After playing it, I couldn’t help but think that the DW Collector’s Series Purpleheart Lacquer is one of the best drum sets you can use for recording due to how good the drums sounded through mics. If you're mostly practicing and playing in your house and can't make too much noise, then one of the best beginner electronic drum sets may be more appropriate for you. An electronic drum kit doesn't quite feel or sound the same as an acoustic one, but you'll be able to immerse yourself in your playing whilst donning a pair of headphones - and the neighbours won't hear a thing. Alternatively, grab a great acoustic drum set and a set of the best low volume cymbals for the best of both worlds. Before purchasing your beginner kit, there are two important questions you need to know the answer to. When you put a new drum head on a drum, tighten up all the tension rods with your fingers first, as much as you can. This is what we call ‘finger tight’ - and it’s a great approximation of equal tension all over the head. The first step is to get the bass drum sitting level, and adjusting your stool height so that you’re sat correctly. From here you can start placing your drums and cymbals so that everything is within easy reach, allowing you to hit them without needing to twist or become uncomfortable.Tama drums are another brand which has a rich and interesting history. Made in Japan since the mid-'70s, Tama drums have had a varied catalogue of artists, from Vinnie Paul and Lars Ulrich to Billy Cobham and Peter Erskine. Currently, Tama drums are loved for their punchy and bright tones, thanks to Maple and Birch being commonly used in shells. If you’re a Gretsch fan, you’ll have heard the ‘That Great Gretsch Sound’ saying get thrown around. Well, this is the kit that created that sound. You’ll be pleased to know that the bones of the Broadkaster are the same nearly 100 years later, with a few modern touches. The drum shells are 7-ply, 100 percent mahogany and the kit comes topped with Remo Ambassador heads. Right out of the box, the tonal depth is rich and consistent. The drums will hold tuning, even when being bashed heavily. This allows beginner drummers to focus on their technique and playing, without having to worry about frequent re-tuning. If you have a large drum setup, you’re most probably going to need more cymbals than the average drummer has. There’s nothing wrong with playing 2 crashes and a ride, but they will just look a bit bare next to all your drums. Likewise - unless you’re buying a beginner friendly, all-in-one setup - you’ll need to factor in a set of cymbals and stands (sometimes known as hardware) into your budget too, so keep that in mind when browsing.