I don't know anything about drums. I always felt that I have the rhythm to play drums. I'm looking at used sets in the local listings. What should I look for? any good brands to stick with? I'm seeing listings from $150 for 5pc pearl "rocker" or "tama" 5pc for $450.

 

If you're just starting out, any set of shells would probably be fine, just get some new skins on them.

For a 150 bucks I'm wondering how you can go wrong, but on a cheap set, your biggest cost is the hardware. Get solid stands especially the highhat and get get a couple decent cymbals as well.

Both Pearl and Tama make excellent drums depending on model, and I don't know much more then that.

I can say though that on our crappy Westbury beater set, our drummer can kick some serious ass, so I think skill is one of the most important things

 

oh and should I consider going electronic. That way I can practice at night, and keep the noise to myself. I'm thinking it might make learning easier, since no one else will have hear my ruckus.

 

An electronic kit will never feel like a real one, and again, I'm not a drum expert, but from what I hear, getting the feel on an electronic is tough.

 

Look in to Mapex drums

 

based on the fact that you are just starting out and don't know anything about drums, i would definitely go for the $150 set. learn to play on something like that without spending a lot of money. once you get the hang of it and want more, than spend more on a better set. by then, you'll probably know a lot more about them.

 

or if you've got money to burn you can always get the Roland V-spec drum set. They give you the feel of acoustics with the bonus being an electric kit. They start around $2k and go up as high as you want.

Pintech makes a decent set as well, through they are not as acoustic feeling as the Roland. Finally, Yamaha has a line competing with the Rolands though I haven't played it.

I used to have a Pearl Export drum set but then the noise levels bothered the wife and baby so I traded it in for a DTXpress kit about 4 years ago.

Pearl makes sweet sets. I would just followup and make sure the hardware looks well built on any set you're looking at. If you go acoustic, get a nice set of Paiste cymbals and roto toms (to do the miami vice thing).

 

I would recommend yamaha drums, they provide strong and sturdy hardwares. (better then pearl hardware I think). I would look into pearl EX series or yamaha stage custom. Cymbals you can start out with cheap starter set, as you progress in skill and finally found that cheap cymbals sounds like ****, invest on good cymbals =).

As far as sound goes i think both sound really well (pearl and yamaha), just have to tune it right (this could be hard at first). Another option is to buy drum heads especially for snare and bass drum! REMO and EVANS are good =)

 

And an added benefit of the Yamaha drums... if you put JDM stickers on them, you'll play faster!

 

I'd go with Pearl Export/Export EX... Tama makes good drums, but you have to spend at least $2k for a set that will match/beat the quality/sound of the $500-600 basic Export set. Definitely go with Remo heads (I always loved the Ebony Pinstripes (it cuts down ringing without sounding dead) Maybe an Aquarius head for the snare.

Electronic drums will cost you at least 2k, so I'm guessing they are out of the picture... You can get pads that will cut almost all the noise, so you can practice at night for really cheap. Cymbals, I have no preference... I have some Ziljian, Sabian, and Paiste.