except this is for a 12 year old, who might not even be playing drums in 6 years.

go cheap, and if she commits, reward her with better equipment.

 

they don't make the export series anymore, well they do but they changed the series name to vision seires

if you're looking for a great starter kit:
pacific z5 shell pack
it's just a shell pack but you can the hardware pack for $100 with a boom cymball stand for around 75

pacific hardware pack
with paiste 201's quite possibly the best cymbals for the price
201 cymbal pack

this was pretty much my first set up but i recently sold it for a gretch catalina maple
but there are what you'd call a tier 2 kit, about 750 for a shell pack

 

Lots of great info, thanks guys. OK, a couple more questions. Would I be better off getting a starter set brand new or try to find something of a bit better quality used? I'd like to stay at or below the $500 number. I'm figuring that if she likes it, a better set will last longer and if she doesn't like it, a better set may be easier to resale. What about maintenance, how long do heads usually last? Thanks again for all the info.

 

if you're looking at used check out daddy's junkie music stores
http://www.daddys.com/used/?department=17
they have everything from used guitars to used cymbals you should check them out
and about the heads, it really depends i use evans g2's for my toms a g2 power center for my snare and an aqurian superkick 2 for my bass
you'r snare will mave to be changed the most since it's used the most but thats about every 2-6 months

 

good heads will last a while, they just have to be kept tuned/tightened after excessive playing.

I do agree 8ball that a good quality used set would work. they are usually all over craigslist and such....and better quality sets have better heads on them. also if you get one used that person probably has some good heads (hopefully) on the set. If the heads say Remo or Evans your good.

 

Here you go... Pearl Export Set

I had an Export set growing up with a Paiste cymbal set and loved it. This is a nice moderately priced set that can grow with the kid. If she doesn't like it, you'll be able to resell at a decent price.

Some of the super cheap sets sacrifice playability and sound significantly which can discourage a starting drummer.

 

Bad advice. Going cheap typically sacrifices sound and playability. I'm not saying you have to purchase a $1k and up kit, but a nice set can be had for 5-700 bucks. IMO, going any cheaper and you're getting pure crap.

 

If she is into Jazz, get the cheapest Ludwig kit you can afford. Kick drum, at least 2 toms (maybe floor tom and a igher pitch one). + 3 Zildjian symbols, a ride, high hat and a crash. That's a bar bones start and good enough to start playing jazz. In some ways it's better to get a GOOD cymbal and learn to use that rather than buying 3 cheap and nasty cymbals. Good quality instruments sound better and help a learning musician.

 

Exactly...she will be banging something else and playing the skin flute.

 

darn right brother!

Jazz is a whole 'nother deal in and of itself. I particularly play mostly Jazz/Funk/Reggae now and those kits are pretty basic with a great ride cymbal that can be used for a crash and ride as well as great "darker" type hihats. a lower tone crash is where it's at too for jazz. My most favorite crash I have ever hit is a 17" Zildjian K Medium.

but like I said, if you get even a better quality used kit, I would hope that the heads are good quality as well as the cymbals.