Some Helpful Tips on What Gear to Get
There comes a time in any drummer’s journey when the question of gear enters their mind. That time is exactly the day they start playing drums. I guess it’s just the nature of the beast. Here’s some tips on when to buy new gear and what to get.
Stuff does not equal knowledge
When I got my first drum set for my 12th birthday, it took me about 1 day to think I needed more drums. When I asked my dad, he just told me no. I knew he wouldn’t budge, so I decided to up my game. I found all the right choices for new double-kick drum sets, all at reasonable prices of $1000 or more. But all he would tell me is to try to make the drums I have sound good; imagine how amazing new drums will sound after that!
Infuriating. My twelve-year-old self was appalled. He clearly didn’t understand.
It’s a tempting thought that getting a new cymbal, drum, or piece of hardware will give us the means to build more knowledge, or that it will be the “next step” for our musical growth. It’s important to understand that new stuff does not equal new knowledge. The center of your learning is you: all of your personality, knowledge, and experience is expressed through you when you play an instrument. Your gear is not the defining aspect of that: you are. When someone has an urge to purchase the “next step” in the form of gear, what they are really looking for is something new to expand themself. It’s much more satisfying and edifying to acquire new knowledge, perhaps from a teacher, book, video, or blog post like this one.
When to Get New Stuff
There is, of course, the time to get new things. If something is broken beyond repair, you should replace it. If you can’t get the sound you want from an item, you should replace it. Consider getting used gear, because it saves you money and usually works just as well. Remember, you want to sculpt your sound, not your collection!
Heads
My favorite thing to replace is drum heads, because then it sounds like a new drum set altogether. If you’re not sure what kind of heads to get, figure out what heads your favorite drummer uses and get those. Which heads you decide to get is completely dependent on what style and sound you want. Here’s some basic tips for selecting the right heads for you:
Don’t worry about the brand…yet
If you haven’t settled on a brand yet, it’s important to know that they all have their own unique qualities. Declaring one as “the better one” is pointless. Look at the material and design of the head to determine what you want.
Single vs 2-ply
Heads come in various thicknesses and have one layer or two layers of material. This is called single-ply or Double ply, with thicknesses measured in mils. For general playing, single ply heads will work just fine. They are fairly durable and have a more resonant, open, and sensitive sound than 2-ply. You would use this for lighter styles like jazz, classical snare, or motown. If you play heavier music like hard rock or metal, you will almost always need 2-ply heads. They are much more durable, with a focused sound and defined attack; everything you want for your heavy metal garage band.
Coated vs Clear
This will affect the sound in various ways depending on how you tune your drums. Clear heads will get you a synthetic, “wet” sound, while coated heads have a natural, warm, “fuzzy” sound. If you’re playing heavier contemporary styles (rock, metal, worship) you will probably end up leaning towards clear heads. For more “classic” styles (jazz, classic rock, motown), you may want coated. Snare drums are almost always coated, unless you’re going for a specific effect.
If you’re new to replacing your drum heads, don’t overthink which ones to get. Just try some out and see if you like it or not. I use Evans brand heads, typically 2-ply for durability. For my travel kit, which I use for jazz trios or pit gigs, I use single ply for increased sensitivity. These are just what I’ve found work for me personally. What you like and dislike may determine different needs; your taste is your best guide!
Cymbals
What cymbals you need will again depend on your style and taste, and there are so many options available. It can be overwhelming to find what you want specifically. Since there are so many different aspects to cymbals, I’ll simply refer you to this cymbal buying guide (https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/cymbal-buying-guide/) from Sweetwater to cover the details. For some practical buying advice, here’s some tips.
Set a price
Cymbals are shiny. Unfortunately, we are susceptible to this enticement, and end up spending more than we want. Set your price ahead of time and be intentional about your purchase. Otherwise, those charming sales associates are gonna get ya.
Check out the packs
If you need to update your overall cymbal sound, there are plenty of packs that offer great value for the price. Their arrangements vary, but they generally include a ride, crash, and hi-hat. These are a great way to improve your sound in one fell swoop.
Look for used cymbals
As I mentioned before, buying used instruments is a huge part of a musician’s life. You can find some amazing deals on yard sale sites such as Facebook Marketplace, Craig’s List, Ebay, or by visiting the local music store. As long as they’re in decent condition, they will sound just as good as new at a fraction of the cost.
Hardware
To cover the technical aspects, I will simply refer you to the Drumeo guide to hardware (https://www.drumeo.com/beat/the-complete-guide-to-drum-hardware/). This should give you plenty of information to peruse. My personal advice for buying is similar to the other sections. Be intentional about your purchase–setting your price in advance–and look into used gear. This will help you save a few dollars while serving your drumming needs.
Buying gear for your practice is a skill in itself, and takes practice. Over time, you will learn more about what sound you want and how to get it. These tips are anecdotes I’ve learned throughout my own journey that have served my purpose over the years. If you put energy into it, you will surely find your own, too.
Thank you for reading! Be sure to leave a comment below telling me what you want to know more about. Happy drumming!
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