The Top 5 Brands of Drum Kits That Money Can Buy

Looking to get into the drumming scene or just joining a band for the first time There is much to learn about drumming when it comes to keeping rhythm, and some might say even more when it comes to hardware. Drum kits come in all shapes and sizes and are often tailor made to suit a particular genre or style of playing, but by finding the perfect piece for each job you can create the kit of your dreams in no time at all.

Here is a list of the top 5 drum brands that will get you started on the road to drummer’s paradise.

1. Pearl Drum Kits

Pearl is a name synonymous with the drumming world for their glorious history in manufacturing, as well as the iconic kits they have created over the past 60 years. Some of the best drummers in the world have used Pearl kits as their staple touring and studio kits, and with the phenomenal success of the Export Series of drum kit, they are sure to continue on their path of drumming glory.
Check our the Masters Series of Pearl drum kits to see how far drumming has really come in the past 60 years with Pearl. Manufactured using only the finest acoustically matched materials, Pearl drum kits scream quality and acoustic fidelity throughout the kit.

2. Tama Drum Kits

Tama is one of the brands that many touring drummers prefer to use for their versatility in both sound and construction. With a large range of matched kits to choose from such as the Silverstar range that offers versatility throughout the acoustic spectrum, Tama has pushed the bang for buck envelope even further with the Starclassic range that offers sweet fidelity at an even sweeter price.

3. Zildjian Cymbals & Percussion

Zildjian is the foremost authority in the drumming world when it comes to percussion additions and cymbals. With a wide range of cymbals to choose from, you are sure to be able to perfectly match your drumming style and musical tastes with room to spare. Used by just about every professional drummer at some point in their careers, Zildjian carries the excellent ZBT series, A Series and the remarkable sounding K Custom series.

4. Mapex Drum Kits

Mapex is another leader in the drumming industry when it comes to taking advantage of new technologies and materials to create the ultimate sounding kit. With the latest range of Rock Fusion kits becoming the go-to kit for many up-and-coming bands, Mapex is enjoying somewhat of a revival as a professional drum kit manufacturer.

Being specialists in particular hardware, it is best known for the Mapex snare drums, with many pro drummers switching out their standard kit snares for MPML Snare series drums or the rather radical addition of the new ‘Exterminator’ Snare.

6. Sabian Percussion Cymbals & Instruments

Sabian is another big hitter in field of percussive instruments and cymbals. Seemingly just as popular as Zildjian, Sabian has its own range of custom built, hand-made professional cymbal ranges that speak louder than words when it comes to effects. Known for their bright shimmering ride and splash cymbals, Sabian is a mainstay for many a professional drummer on the road.


When it comes to choosing the best equipment money can buy, stick to this list of the top 5 drum kit manufacturers and you cannot go wrong. Mix and match the kits, snares, foot pedals and cymbals to best suit your playing style, and you will find that you can create the individual sound that you are after quicker than Keith Moon’s drumsticks.

What to Look for in a Pro Drum Kit

For both beginners and intermediate drummers wanting to upgrade, choosing the right drum kit is important. With Tama drums or Pearl kits, not only will you be able to fully customise your drums individually with a wider range of options available, you will also be able to upgrade each individual part as you further progress your drumming level.

Pearl drum kits have become synonymous with high quality percussion drums for the past 60 years. The brand and has found its way to become one of the biggest drum company in the world. This Japanese company has pioneered many innovations in the industry such as wood and fiberglass shells, as well as the introduction of “Phenolic” shells combined with roto-toms to create vari-pitch drums. Pearl continues to invent and innovate today.

Pearl Kits, steeped in history

Pearl drums have a long illustrious line of kits to choose from, such as beginner kits through to professional stage percussion instruments. In between these we have a range of shells, skins, cases, stands and pedals for any drummer to create their own kit.

As with any professional level musical instruments, your budget will come in handy in giving you an idea of what you can afford. Creating your own pro Pearl drum kit may come in handy as buying the base level five-piece and later upgrading your heads and pedals make more economic sense.

The Export EXX Range

The Export EXX range of Pearl drum kits is an excellent place to start if you are looking to build your first pro kit. This is the number 1 selling drum kit in the world and benefits from all of the features you have come to know and love from Pearl. Featuring uni-lock booms, REMO coated heads, as well as premium poplar and rich Asian mahogany shells to finish the look.

Every single piece of the kit is upgradable at a later date if you wish. The Export EXX range of Pearl drums give you the options you need to further your drumming technique, as well as honing your tone to perfection. It’s no surprise so many professional drummers are using these kits.

Tama drums

Tama is another famous name in the world of drumming, thanks to their large range of professional percussion instruments at affordable prices. Tama, being one of the most recognisable names in drumming has grown to be a popular choice for intermediate and professional level drummers who wish to add an extra level of customisation to their playing.

Tama drums produce a huge range of hardware options to add to your kit, making it easier than ever to upgrade whilst you save up! Tama drummers include Stuart Copeland of The Police, as well as Metallica Drummer Lars Ulrich. With over 50 years of experience in the industry, Tama is a name you can trust to take your drumming to the next level.

The StarClassic Range

The StarClassic series of Tama drums is the ideal choice for anyone looking to buy an intermediate or professional kit. Built using only the finest materials, you have a range of finishing options to choose from, as well as configurations that suit your playing needs best. With a choice of Birch on the performer kit, Maple or Bubinga, you might just find that killer tone you’ve been looking for.

As with Pearl, Tama produces a large range of patented accessories and hardware upgrades, giving you the option to buy the standard kit and then later upgrade at will.

Choose your configuration

Creating your first pro kit is simple with either Pearl or Tama drums, offering you a huge range of options, finishes as well as configuration for your main purchase. When buying, think about what you may upgrade to in the future, and how easy it will be for your kit to accommodate it. Don’t forget to listen to each kit you wish to purchase to ensure it has the tone that suits your music or style best.

Choosing a pro kit from one of the two most popular drum kit manufacturers in the world is simple. Choose a range that best suits your playing style, ensure that you have the right configuration to make your playing easy, and pick the hardware options that suit your music best. Upgrade your kit at a later date to incorporate different tone heads and skins, play around with configurations and you will soon be in drumming heaven with your new pro kit.

Choosing One of the Big Brands to Build Your Kit

In the world of drums, there are a number of names synonymous with classic sounds, retro looks and ergonomic designs. Choosing the right drum accessories will make or break your personal drum sound, so when you are in the market for a few upgrades or looking to build your very first pro kit, making sure you know the key players in equipment is surely going to put you ahead of the curve.

Let us take a look at some of the brands that have become icons in their particular field.

Tama is one big name drum kit equipment specialist that has built its name of precision kit that sounds as great as it looks. Starting out in Japan in 1965, it launched to provide the Japanese market with affordable kits that sounded just as great as their North American or European counterparts. From there it has grown to be one of the most respected companies in drumming and lives on today providing a wealth of full kits, accessories and other important percussive tools.

Big Name Endorsements for Your Drum-kit

Some of the more famous players who use Tama kits include Stuart Copeland of The Police, and Lars Ulrich of Metallica. With ambassadors for Tama as those, you can see why this Japanese drum manufacturer has become one of the biggest names in the industry.

Pearl is another name so synonymous with percussion drum kits that is one of the few household names for drummers and non-drummers alike. Pearl kits have been used since 1945 by almost all of the major recording studios by professional musicians as famous as Ringo Star, Keith Moon and Chris Slade of AC/DC to name but a few. Pearl, being one of the world’s largest drum manufacturers also make a range of stands, pedals, drum sticks, tools and accessories.

DW Drums is another professional drum manufacturer that produces both acoustic and electronic drum sets. DW Drums is a popular choice for many aspiring drummers thanks to their great range of both beginner and professional kits. You can build your own kit from the floor up with DW Drums to create that personalised sound you are after. Names the Drum Workshop, this California based drum manufacturer is often the drummers choice for studio and gig use.

High Quality Construction is Key

DW Drums was created with the mission to produce, design and manufacture the highest possible drum kits and accessories to provide both aspiring and professional musicians with equipment they can rely on. With great sounding drums of all sizes, DW Drums offer expert craftsmanship when it comes to construction and with only the best materials used in construction can ensure high quality standards throughout.

Whatever your level of drumming skill, choosing the right equipment is an essential part of creating your very own unique sound. With the help of these big names in drumming, you will be able to fine tune your sound with an upgrade of kit or with an investment in a custom kit of your own.

Choosing high quality drum accessories that are built to last will ensure your equipment can endure even the longest of tours and allow you to take your skills to the height of excellence.

Image Source: zzounds, wikimedia, dwdrums, tama

Tama: A Musical Instrument with a Difference & a Rock drummer's dream

Despite recent declines in the level of popularity enjoyed by traditional musical instruments due to advancements in beat-making software development, drums like Tama and Mapex have somehow managed to remain relevant because of the unique sounds they create.

Tama drums are manufactured by Hoshino Gakki in Japan. Hoshino Gakki started manufacturing these drum sets in 1965, and since then Tama has remained the brand name for their line of drum sets. Even though Tama is a more recent addition to the market, it has already been proved to be very effective drum set and innovative in differentiating their drum sets from the competition.

Innovation in the Tama drums and hardware, such as the floating drum mounting system, called the star cast system, allows the tom toms to resonate more freely and easily.  This is possible because the tom tom supports do not intrude into the drum as it helps to hold the drum in place at the upper rim. And precisely because of this reason, a better sound can be produced on the tom toms.  Pretty neat indeed! isn't it!  Tama is also well known it's super heavy duty hardware on its drum sets. They also have some innovations when it comes to cymbal stands and snare stands.

There are several types of tama drums in the market today that include Star classic bubinga elite and EFX, Star classic bubinga/bubinga EFX, Star classic bubinga omni-tune, Star classic maple, and Star classic performer B/B and B/B EFX.  These drums are mainly made of wood and not really very difficult to play. 

Known for their excellent value, durability and quality, Tama drumsets are used by famous luminaries as Stewart Copeland of The Police and Lars Ulrich of Metallica.