I bought a blue Gammon drumset. My family isn't financially equipped for a nice Pearl drumset. It came with heads and cymbals, both of which are complete crap (you can easily bend these cymbals with your hands). We're now considering returning it. I was wondering if you think realistically, new heads and cymbals would be able to save it.

In my opinion, you're probably better off returning it. If you're serious enough about drumming to hang out on these forums, you'll get frustrated by a cheaply constructed no-name beginner set in no time. You can probably find some decent used gear that won't cost a fortune. Even if it's not as nice cosmetically, you'll really appreciate the better shells and hardware.

If you decide to keep the set, new heads and cymbals would make a dramatic improvement in sound. But replacing those heads and cymbals will probably cost more than returning the set for a nicer one, and you're still left with a beginner set.

Your best bet is to return the set you bought and wait a while to save up some cash. Top name brand drumsets don't come with hardware or cymbals, I don't know what your local music store is but Giutar Center always has Pearls on sale for about $450 but with Pearl you would have to buy heads anyway because their stock heads are crap. You might want to check out some Yamaha stage customs too.

I would invest in quality if you can. Here are some things too look for. Double braced hardware, Solid Maple or Birch wood drums, solid brass cymbals. A small quality set is better than a big cheap set.

I have the same lousy set (CB) that I've had since 9th grade. I recently bought all new evans heads for the whole thing and even though it sounds much better, it's frustrating that it still doesn't sound all that great. One of the shells is out of round so that tom never stays tuned. I'd say get a better quality kit now.

That's distressing. The company won't accept it because it's been to long. 1 week is the cut off and my mom kept it from me for 5 days, BDay present. I guess I'll be going with new heads and cymbals. Advice?

Get some remo pinstripe or coated ambassador heads (my personal favorite, but you might like different), and get some GOOD cymbals, preferably big name brand like Zildjian or Sabian, and DON'T get the bottom-line stuff. Stay away from Zildjian ZBTs or ZXTs and Sabian B8s. My personal favorite are the Sabian AAX series. But the Zildjian A customs sound good too. Unfortunately they cost a lot, so you'll probably get the basic hi-hat, crash, and ride with not much room left for effect cymbals. If you're REALLY pressed for money, Sabian B8 pro's aren't too bad for beginning stuff.

as far as heads go, thats completely preference.


cymbals are preference too. remember that because cymbals are very expensive, and you will probably be using them even after you get a new set, i would buy them one at a time.
the order of priority for cymbals is: 1. hihat 2. ride 3. crash 4. alternate / second crash and effect cymbals.
save up, then visit your local drum shop and test out all the cymbals. when you find a cymbal you like, buy it. every cymbal is different, so i wouldnt trust a cymbal you havent heard in person.
good tuning can save almost any set, but cymbals are a terrible thing to waste money on

check out the Pearl drummers forum for more advice if you havent already. I'm not saying the people who posted above me dont know what they're talking about, because they do, but the Pearl forum is the most informative drum set forum on the internet. I'm sure all your questions can be answered there.

For the sake of the thread, check out Sabian AAX, AA, Vault and XS20 series cymbals. The XS20's are made of B20 bronze, which is the same stuff the AAX and AA are made of, but for much less money. Vault crashes are very very nice, comparable to the Zildjian A customs. In time, when/if you have the money you should also check out HH and HHX cymbals.

Some Zildjian cymbals to check out are A , A custom, K and K custom. All are very nice. The K's will cost more than the A's.

As said before, always buy your cymbals in person. No two cymbals sound the same, even if they are the same size and series. You should head to a local drum shop and just hit every cymbal there, find what you like, and if possible buy it/them.

Good heads:
Remo - Ambassador, Emperor, Pinstripe, Powerstroke 3 for bass
Evans - G1, G2, EC2, EMAD for bass
Aquarian - Studio X, Performance 2, Superkick 2 for bass