Electric Drum Kit

amateurhour

So the Fiancee' really wants to learn to play the drums, but I want a low cost investment. Something she can use to practice on, get a sense of rhythm, seating, beat, etc. and then toss after a year or two for a nice set.

Here's what I'm thinking of.

http://www.keenzo.com/showproduct.asp?M=ION&ID=1286781&ref=GB

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006HY5PI

(both the same I think, just different reviews)


Anyone have experience with electric drum sets? We'll probably switch to an acoustic set once I know she really wants to play and has learned something, but for now I want to invest as little as possible.

Also, she's fine with electric, and I am too, since she can use headphones to practice and I've got a few guitar amps lying around.

Typhoid Manny

Rubber pads aren't optimal. They don't feel like real drum heads and after awhile the amount of resistance you get on them can really start to fuck up your wrists and elbows. You can get pads that use actual drum heads or awesome mesh dealies that make absolutely no noise when you hit them, but at that point you're looking at more than a starter-level acoustic kit. To make a decent-feeling and -sounding electronic kit takes a lot of work and money.

I suppose what I'm saying is that if noise isn't an issue, check Craigslist for a good deal on a used acoustic kit.

Also, if you do decide to get that electric kit, do not plug it into a guitar amp. It'll blow out your speakers after maybe a couple hours.

DHS Odium

Have you considered Rock Band? Besides being a game, and fun, and the drums not really being realistic, it will help with rhythm and timing and all of that. On RB2 there is a drum trainer mode, which has a ton of beats and fills to practice on.

amateurhour

Typhoid, thanks for the guitar amp advice. I'll look into different amps.

flatlinegraphics

amps, yeah you need something that is full range and can handle transients. keyboard amps or powered pa speakers. probably a bass amp would work as well. guitar amp, sure, but you'll leave little pieces of speaker cone all over the living room when they blow out.

looking at your profile, there is a set that is near you (maybe?)
http://auburn.craigslist.org/msg/865721045.html

also, edrums.info if you are adventurous/handy.

Typhoid Manny

You don't need a fancy flat-response keyboard amp or anything; the best option is probably a little 20w Peavey practice bass amp. You can find one at basically any music shop in the universe, and it probably won't run you more than a hundred clams or so.

amateurhour

Thanks for all of the help so far.

I just found an even better set at Sams Club of all places, with five pedals, including bass pedal, and three cymbals, for $300, so I'll probably go with that instead, since the ion is usb