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The best Drums ever

Today we look at a selection of what we feel are top contenders for the eight best drum kits of 2020. Seasoned drummers probably have a dream kit in their minds, and we would be willing to bet it results in a combination of brand names.

So with this in mind, we are taking a closer inspection to see what each kit comprises of and, really offers up. We have used a lot of criteria to judge this one, as a drum kit is ultimately a percussive array with individual parts and the quality of each piece needs comparing.

Most of the cymbals in these sets may not wow, but that is to be expected; usually, those who manufacture great sounding drums struggle with their crashing comrades in comparison.

First up is a fantastic 5-piece from Pearl, it is a full basic kit and available in 4 gig-ready setups with a selection of 4 different durable wrapped finishes. The bass drum, toms, and snare are all made from 9-ply poplar with triple flanged hoops. The drum dimensions are as follows 22 x 16” (bass), 1 x 8” & 12 x 9” toms, 16 x 16” floor tom and a 14 x 5.5” snare. The snare and rack toms are pre-tuned so you will only have to fiddle with the bass and floor tom.

All stands, bass pedal throne, and tom holders are included. Despite its affordable price tag, it features some professional upgraded parts. Such as a chain drive bass drum pedal and geared locking stands, which are reinforced, and double braced for longevity.

The 14" hybrid hi-hat cymbals are crisp; the 16" crash cymbal hasn't wowed some people. This kit is on the quieter side, which makes it ideal for those who have to be conscious of neighbors.

The throne is probably suited to pre-teens, if we have to poke holes in anything, it would be the initial upgrade. The whole kit, in general, has a slightly smaller footprint making it ideal for apartments and younger learners.

  Gammon Full Size

Another option we took a look a look at was this fab full-size adult drum kit from Gammon. It is a very low-priced option, but once again comes with everything you need to set up quickly straight out of the box.

The drums are all made from real wood, the Lug bass drum is 22 x 14" and comes with a chain-driven pedal. It has a 5.5 x 14" snare, and the floor tom is 16 x 16". The rack toms are mounted with adjustable tilt memory locks and are 12 x 10" and 13 x 10".

The cymbals are once again where this kit fails to satisfy, but it does make for a valuable student model. The hi-hats are 12 inches and the crash/ride is 14" in diameter and as we said to leave a lot to be desired for a trained ear.

Next on our list is a new and improved full-size model of the EXX705/c which, if the budget allows makes for another top choice from Pearls Export series. It is unsurprising to see another entry with their name on given their standing within the drum manufacturing industry.

It is a step up in price; we lose the additional cymbals, so we would have to source our own. However, in terms of product quality and drum sound, the upgrade is significant.

The shells are a 6-ply poplar and mahogany mix, which provides a louder resonance as well as being stronger. The quality of the covered wrap is an improvement too. The hardware included is from their popular 830 series. It features an advanced Opti-Loc Tom suspension system.

In direct comparison to the starter Pearl reviewed above, it has a 2 inches bigger bass drum and floor tom size (22 x 18" and 16 x 16") and incorporates Pearls superior shell technology (S.S.T.). It also comes with an upgraded pedal, the highly popular P930 Demonator.

4. MAPEX Mars Series Crossover  

This five-piece drum shell pack won't leave you disappointed. It comes with a 15-inch by 6.5-inch snare drum, a mounted tom, two floor toms, and a kick drum. The MAPEX Mars now has a new SONIClear bearing edge to increase contact between the drumhead and shell. This creates a more centered pitch. Tuning becomes effortless, which means this drum kit is especially good for beginners who find tuning intimidating.

A loss of energy can give the drums a choked sound, but this kit's suspension system increases resonance and preserves vibration in the shell, which makes for excellent sound quality. You can easily use the MAPEX for gigs.

Style-wise, you can pick the one that speaks to you, as the MAPEX Mars comes in four different colors: Smokewood, Bonewood, Zebrawood, and Bloodwood.

Why We Liked It - The MAPEX Mars Series Crossover is an excellent choice for both beginners and experenced players; whether you're just learning, or you've mastered the art of gigging, you can do so in style with this drum kit.

  5. Gretsch New Renown  

Hot off of the new Gretsch Renown series, is this fresh-faced three or four-piece kit, preserving the classic Gretsch vibe but with an updated aesthetic and sound-enhancing customization.

In true Gretsch perfection, they feature a maple mix, pairing Northern American Maple with a softer southern growing kind. Drum edges have a smooth 30-degree finish and are sealed with their exclusive silver sealer interior finish.

Just about everything on this kit is heavy-duty, from its die-cast hoops to the authentic lugs that adorn each drum. The 4-piece consists of a 22 x 18" bass drum, 16 x 14" floor tom, one 10 x 7" tom, and one 12 x 8" tom.

They are far more costly than a typical entry-level kit. You are going to need to add a snare and at least a pair of cymbals before you can crank out a few tunes, but they make for an impressive set of drums.