How Much Does A Drum Set Cost?

A drum set (or kit) is exactly what it sounds like. It is a set of several drums and cymbals. Drum sets are often categorized by the number of drums the set contains. For example, a three-piece kit would have a kick, a snare, and a tom. A kick and a snare are standard, with toms typically making up the extra numbers in a four or five-piece kit (and up). However, it is not unusual to come across a drum set with two kick drums and/or several snares. Drum sets usually come with a high-hat set of two small cymbals on one stand, though it’s not a guarantee. The number of large cymbals in a set can be quite high, though it is unusual to see more than three or four. Some kits come with only one large cymbal, or none at all. The size of the kit is indicative of the drum set cost. Thrones (the stool that a drummer sits on) may or may not be included in the drum kit, and that may be reflected in the drum set cost. Individual drum sizes, extra components, and quality of components are other factors that directly affect the cost of a drum set.

Drum Set Prices

The cost of a drum set can range from under $200 to over $5,000. The reason for this large range is the wide variety of users and uses a drum set inspires. Child-sized kits are very affordable at under $200 and are usually 3 pieces with a high-hat and sometimes a cymbal. Beginner drum sets are like big versions of the child-sized kits, but these drum sets cost an average of $400 or more. Also in this price range are cymbal-less kits that are used for a variety of musical purposes. Mid-ranged drum sets usually have improved quality and/or more pieces. The typical mid-range drum kit costs around $700. The high-end of drum kit pricing (and usually quality) begins near $2,000 and can reach thousands of dollars. The cost of a drum set can vary slightly when comparing acoustic and digital drum sets.

Acoustic Drum Set Price

An acoustic drum set is the type that you are most likely familiar with. Acoustic kits do not plug into anything and rely on the acoustics of the set pieces to generate sound and volume. Only acoustic sets can be found in child-sizes, and therefore acoustic drum kits can be much cheaper than an electronic kit.  When pricing starts to move into the high-end (over $2,000) the acoustic to electronic drum set cost difference is much smaller.

Electronic Drum Set Price

Electronic drum sets use a computer interface to generate sound, and speakers to produce it with volume. While electronic kits usually include an interface, they typically do not come with speakers. The need for speakers and wires (and/or headphones) is an additional part of electronic drum set cost. Beginner electronic kits are rare (practically non-existent) and so the cost of drum sets like these starts around $600 and can reach over $5,000 just like their acoustic counterparts.

Types Of Drum Sets

Junior drum kits are made specifically for children. The savings in material and construction allows for minimal junior drum set cost, at under $300. Drum kits for beginners are usually of modest size and typically cost in the area of $400 or $500. Professional drum kits tend to have more pieces and/or better construction and sound than lower-priced sets. The cost of a drum set in this quality range can be upwards of $2,000.

Drum Set Brands

The Groove Percussion brand of drums offers junior sets and low-end beginner kits. Some of the child-sized drum sets cost under $200, while regular sizes are typically under $500. While Groove Percussion only produces acoustic drum kits, Roland only makes electronic drum kits. An entry-level electronic drum kit from Roland costs around $600, while a high quality electronic kit can run from $1,500 to nearly $7,000. Yamaha has a selection of both acoustic and electronic drum sets. Yamaha uniquely offers high-quality junior acoustic drum kits that cost in the area of $700.  Their regular size acoustic kits start at $500 and can rise to over $3,500, while their electronic selection starts at $600. A high-end electronic Yamaha drum set costs over $3,500.