That is so true. I don't know what it is with most drummers that makes us so obsessed with gear, it's like an addiction. We love playing the stuff we own, and dreaming about the stuff we don't.

Anyway, I wouldn't scoff (ya...scoff) at the lower end gear. I think you're (imo) being overly critical about things your son probably won't even notice. As i've mentioned plenty of times, my kit was built at the pawn shop and until I had time to fix it up it was total crap. If your son really likes to drum he'll be content with something like a forum or swingstar until the time comes to upgrade. (And it will believe me) Then in several years if he's still commited then you can get him a nice kit. But don't buy him a pro level kit only to find he'll lose interest in a year. Plenty of kids bang on pots and pans, but that doesn't mean they'll all turn out to be drummers.

I can only tell you from my experience. I have been playing a Mapex kit for a few years and think they are great drums for the price (and my kit is not as good as the one you are looking at). I don't think I would pay more for the 4 piece Gretsch than the 6 piece Mapex. It's a shame you are not close enough to play them.

Good luck..

Nice information Mediablamer, I'm sure it will help.  

Just like the law that says you have to be 16 to drive a lawnmower.  


 Just don't let him find out he has the extra toms, give them to him as a birthday present four years from now, then he'll be totally psyched.  

And when he starts caring about stuff like that, you'll know he is taking things a bit more seriously!

Although most of my post focused on the possibility of getting the 6 piece and limiting it, with more thought, I feel more confident in my suggestion of an entry level kit. The ultimate objective of the situation is to fuel his interest in drumming and allow him to develop as a drummer.

Buying a more expensive initial kit runs several risks. First of all, he could decide he doesn't want to play drums anymore, and I'll buy the kit from you when you decide to sell it on ebay Worse yet, either he'll perceive pressure to play drums because you bought him the drum set, or you actually will pressure him to play just to get your money's worth. In the long run, that's not going to drive a passion for music. Also, he's not yet mature enough as a drummer to have any idea what he'll want in an advanced kit. If you go cheap now with the intent of being generous later, he will be quite thankful. Even if the drums aren't perfect, almost all of us have fond memories of our first kit. I just let mine go a few weeks ago, and I still regret that I never had a chance to try playing that thing on a stage. No matter how many kits I play, that will always be the one that laid my foundation as a drummer, and I'll always have (please don't laugh at me) an emotional attachment to it. If he truly wants to drum, he will find ways to get as much as he absolutely can out of the beginner level kits. Eventually, he should reach a point at which his kit truly limits him as a drummer, and then it's time to get a new kit. Also, you can upgrade gradually along the way and buy a few nice cymbals. You'll either be able to sell the original kit, or save it to use as a kit for gigs if you don't want to have the nice one travel too much.

Again, ultimately, this is your decision, and you sound concerned enough that you probably know your son quite well. I'm just one drummer who is 19 years old and I've been playing for just 4 years now. Most people on here have more experience and knowledge that me. I feel that having just been through the beginning stages of drumming, my perspective can be helpful, though. I never could have learned to appreciate higher-level equipment without my beginner kit. Thus, I feel an entry level kit like a Pearl Forum, Yamaha Rydeen, Tama Swingstar, Ludwig Accent, Mapex V, or some of the many others is the best way to start. The other memebers here should help guide with that decision, though I doubt you can really go wrong. Good luck, and I hope your son catches the passion for music that many of us here on the forum share.