Your Cheap Drumset is Capable of MORE Than You Think...

[@gaboogablah]

You can make a cheap drum set sound better, but you can't make cheap cymbals sound better. Invest in your cymbals, get the best you can afford, they last long. Then later, get your dream drum set.

[@a.j.wilkes6352]

And how! The second hand cymbal market is also fun to peruse.

[@gaboogablah]

Yep, i found actually new 2002s for half price that someone just wasn't using. The deals are out there, just have to find them.

[@frankspikes4867]

Amen to that. I buy used most of the time. Save a lot of money that way .

[@VegetabIeMan]

Yup. I have Paiste 2002's and Zildian 60s cymbals.

[@gaboogablah]

I got an old Ludwig 4 piece like Ringo had for 25 bucks, and I found another tom the same size as the one it had for 25 bucks, so 50 bucks for a 5 piece Ludwig which they sell for 3 grand now. But it sounded great. I was working for a messenger company and I tried to get a cymbal and a stand as often as I could afford it, and I was getting 2002s and still have them. I've had a couple other sets since, but on the cheap drums, I got a sonor poplar set, and people think poplar is cheap, but don't realize some of the most expensive drums have poplar in them too. The 18 inch poplar bass was the best sounding bass I've had. I've had maple, poplar, mahogany, stainless steel, and walnut drums. My first set was actually Ludwig stainless steel a long time ago. But many others since then. New and used, entry level and flagship top of the line. There's nothing wrong with an entry level set, you can get them sounding great, but you need good cymbals no matter what. Cheap and bad sounding cymbals will frustrate you and you learn incorrectly because you won't hear what you want to get from them.

[@Ghostman719]

I've never seriously considered putting a tambourine on my kit, but that cheeky little smack along with the snare right at the end of the video may have changed my mind

[@a.j.wilkes6352]

I received similar advice in a lesson: "It is a poor carpenter that blames their hammer."

[@TheMashto]

Some of the realest drum advice here, thank you!

[@anthonycarado6313]

Geez...nice to know that our kit have the same age. Mine was bought May of 2009😊😊😊

[@guitpizz]

Boyz and girls. You can develop a good sense of timing on anything... including garbage cans. Most of you won't know the legendary Guy Nadon from Montreal. This colorful percussionist passed away a couple of years ago. He was quite a character. He became known decades ago after he took over the drumset of his idol Buddy Rich and showed him 'how it's done." Nadon was dead poor so his drum was mostly cans of paint, etc. Anyway, at the end of his drum solo Rich was really impressed and they became friends. Though Nadon later got real drums and played many jazz festivals... he never gave up his "poor man's drum." On this rare clip of him, he is clearly towards the end of his life but the local "Jay Leno" type of guy is asking him if he can read the weather report WHILE drumming... so there is a teleprompter in front of him and he reads the weather report while improvising on his "drum." This is in French ... so just jump to minute 1:43. He is in the snow outside. I am a guitar player, not a drummer so I can't appreciate him as much as a drummer might. Anyway he has some cool beats. Enjoy and relax when it comes to picking a drum. The drum is mostly between your ears... that's why Nadon could solo on a few empty cans of Campbell Soup for a few minutes straight. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIukYp5rpbynmpY

[@kevinbrister8801]

Just wanna say WOW! I just spent a few minutes browsing over your e book. I'll take some time and study through it. Thanks for the how too's, tips n tricks! I've been a drummer all my life well atleast for the past 41 years and still learning new things! This is awesome. Thanks again!

[@whyhatestrangers]

Seen a lot of your stuff over the last year or so. In this video, it feels like much of it adds up to fully professional advising. You've touched on some of the stuff in this vid once or thrice before in the past, but I feel like you really drove it home here and hit the nail on the head this time, giving great advice and even a bit of a demonstration on how best to approach well rounded musicianship on something as varied as a drum set. *Put thought and feeling* into your strokes, always deliver them as practiced and studied when you are performing, and to do that, you gotta study and practice them correctly, and do so in the mindset of solidity and dynamic quality. And most importantly - record yourself often and listen to the playback to strengthen your grooves!

[@andrewlee3037]

[@wep5906]

These are great tips! I have rehabbed a handful of 60s-80s MIJ kits and I agree with everything you state here, especially about how the drummer plays. A couple things I have come across that have worked well are touching up or completely re-cutting the edges and putting the right heads on for the drums. Some of the lower end kits just respond poorly to single ply heads and respond far better with two ply heads. Sure overtones are lessened, but it has worked for me.

[@GatoPaint]

there's something odd on the toms tuning that makes the overall sound of the drums really cheap

[@carlupthegrove262]

Good advise, thank you. I also have noticed an big improvement as I get more consistent with my playing and play less notes.

[@scottlowell493]

With a cheap kit a couple things ruin sound. 1) Lugs that won't hold tension. Lug locks help. 2) Factory bearing edges are often flawed , off by 1/32-1/16th inch.

[@MalikEmmanuel]

I really thought this was going to be a discussion about bearing edges, I took actually being good for granted

[@stevenmcewing2883]

I enjoy your vids and comments. Now, I do wonder why so many drum vids ignore snare-off playing. Remember, that fact, is a very important sound and option...crucial I think. I completely dig playing with snare adjustments, but I use 'off'... often! thanks

[@LucaDigioia83]

Hey how about white lithium grease for the lugs? (rdavidr swears by it) It seems a little more long lasting than spray on stuff. Gr8 video as always

[@drumfanatik316]

Luca Digioia yes!!! White lithium grease works the best and actually lasts longer. On top of that, when you put the lithium grease on the threads it actually stays there as opposed to a spray like WD-40. Unless you use a silicone based spray? Then it will actually create a thin film but still won’t last as long as the lithium grease.

[@davidstone9991]

I use the white lithium grease for my lugs and I've never had any kind of issue,,, works great

[@alejandro52612]

White lithium grease all the way

[@dirtydave2691]

Great video. Your low key approach is nice and your tutorials are great. I have found that as I have matured so has my playing. By that I mean I focus on the basics of time and subtlety more. Keep the vids coming.

[@PrairieTrading]

Great video and thank you for the free e-book on drums. I have always liked drums but never played. I hope to start soon thanks to you.

[@originate2464]

Petroleum jelly on tension rods works too

[@captainkiwi77]

Jazz pyramid for sound is quite different. Cymbals should be over everything

[@AureliusX]

Absolutely correct sir!

[@brockolea]

Just bought a Tama Club Jam kit and a combo of L80 + silentstrokes I'll definitely follow your advice on upgrades

[@EverythingisFire]

Nice. I plan on getting a similar setup.

[@iloveNgany]

My fancy starclassic maple kit hasn't made me a better player, but it sure doesnt hurt lol

[@oblivionwalker8613]

Exactly how I feel about my Starclassic Performer!

[@TheHarrisal21]

My mapex mars kit sounds like it's $2000.

[@myaliasmakaveli1]

Ludwig classic maple but I suck 😂😂😂

[@justjimmy3154]

My church had a used Yamaha Custom Stage Birch in their storage closet, with some Sabian B8 cymbals. I got the drums, cymbals, snd some great heavy duty hardware for only 200 bucks. But when I brought it home though, it sounded.........well, terrrible. The drum heads were wayyyyy out of tune and ringy, the cymbals were decorated with the most wonderful(not) gunk and stains, and the heads were also super old and worn through. But, I knew that that’s what you have to deal with when getting a used kit. After I put on new heads, cleaned up the cymbals, spent seven days figuring out how to tune drums(literally it took that long, it’s so tedious to do lol), the drums sound like a totally different kit!

[@markomarkovic5729]

Stage Custom is probably the best kit in its price range, I really like SC steel snare. Yamaha makes great stuff, friend of mine had some Rydeen kit in rehearsal room, and you probably know it's a reject from Yamaha, but maaaaaan - those toms sounded so big, like on Metallica Black album, and they sounded great with every type of head. The only bad thing on that kit was the snare drum, which he donated. There are so many affordable options today, and all of them can sound good with decent heads

[@justjimmy3154]

Marko Marković Cool! The heads make a massive difference indeed. Even a cheapo kit can sound a lot better if you grab some good Remos or Evans and experiment with good tuning!

[@maxlong3280]

I have a stage custom kit aswell, and I really love the warmth of the birch. I also just got zildjian K cymbals because I was getting complaints at gigs that my cymbals sounded bad from sound guys. Always upgrade cymbals first

[@markomarkovic5729]

@@maxlong3280 Zildjian K Custom are great cymbals, but unfortunately, they are too expensive fore me. :/ There are also many great options with cymbals today. Yes, Zildjian, Sabian, Paiste and Meinl make great cymbals, but they are very expensive, especially Zildjian and Meinl. On the other hand, Turks (who invented cymbals) have many companies that make great cymbals at an affordable price. And all of them are professional, handmade cymbals. Istanbul Mehmet, Istanbul Agop, Impression, Symrna, Anatolian, Turkish, Bosporus, Masterwork... there are so many choices! Every cymbal has its own characteristics and there are no two exact same cymbals. For instance, you can get a set of Istanbul for around 350€. I'm planning to get some Turkish cymbals soon, but I can't decide which series I want, 'cause I like most of them. :) P.S. I'm not an endorser of any of these brands, and I'm not even a Turk, not to be confused. :)

[@maxlong3280]

Marko Marković awesome man!

[@craigbrowning9448]

I don't know if I have a "Cheap" kit, but it is Garage Saled parts. I have aimed for Gretsch and Slingerland Drums, also Rogers (especially their Vintage hardware). Much I have yet to dial in better.

[@WeAreBeggarsAll83]

Appreciate your videos and especially this one! So important and overlooked. I've heard the Indian quote as well. Here's another: practice doesn't make perfect it just makes you better.

[@dighawaii1]

Um, am I the only person who hears that horrible honking snare vibration? Yikes!

[@reto_englert]

Lee Bennett no you are not

[@connorverra8857]

lol i instinctively heard Ants Marching at 5:48

[@samcollins7370]

Connor Verra same

[@Rawwr1ful]

What did you use when you first started recording yourself?

[@tristanblerf8356]

What are these "drums" you speak of?

[@carlupthegrove262]

Looks like Pearl based on the tom mounts

[@alfaholic3]

Pearl tom mounts but it also doesn't look like a pearl kit. The lugs look like something else and the smaller details of the tom mounts dont look like a proper Pearl either.

[@maxtrowbridge8787]

I have a pearl soundcheck that looks nearly identical based on the bass drum hoops

[@alfaholic3]

@@maxtrowbridge8787 very common made in china type hoops.

[@MaxwellVideos]

Pearl forum. Ludwig lugs on Tom

[@Hercules_Mavromatis]

Really nice video man, I recently realised that in my effort to play lots of stuff I ended up playing sloppy, and this video really helps cure that. Btw If you had money to buy new Cymbals like K why didn't you just buy some new drums as well :P ?

[@808drummerpercussionist9]

Name of drums? and what was your cost to mod?

[@davidreidy5750]

Nice grooves!🤖⚡

[@ACLOCKWORKDRUMMER]

IT'S THE DRUMMER...NOT THE DRUM'S...ALLLLRIGHHHT...GREAT VID!!

[@caseykittel]

Impressive hit marks on heads. Center hits mean bigger tone from each drum. Evidence of consistency

[@boobizzy4173]

AWSOME THANKS DRUMMY!!!

[@EverythingisFire]

My cheap drumset is pretty rough to look at, hahah. I don't doubt it's capable, though. Still may have to sell it for smaller shells, though.

[@alfaholic3]

You need to mount that tom better. Most modern snare stands kill tone and i can hear it on that tom.

[@LubaLuba1]

where can i buy the washers they seem like plastic ones for the tuning screws?

[@Customwinder1]

I buy nylon stand - off washers off eBay. 3mm thick

[@michaelharrison2775]

Loved this!

[@michaelharrison2775]

Less notes that sound really good! Yes.

[@deanfowles3707]

Just wondering but was taking away whatever plastic coating your drums had part of the improving the sound process?

[@basementcreatives7612]

Great video! Excellent information. Where can I hear the music you have played on?

[@jaysonrivas1173]

Really really helpful video bro. Thank you so much

[@lambCHOPSSSSS]

Are the wraps removed from this kit? I was wondering if that was another thing you might’ve done to “open up” the sound more.

[@lambCHOPSSSSS]

Also, love your videos and the practicality of them all.

[@Czyszy]

What kit is this? The tom mounting system reminds me of Pearl Forum.

[@dwightbowen8103]

What are you using to muffle your snare? Nice video...thanks Stephen

[@maxlong3280]

Dwight Bowen it’s called a drum wallet. Go check them out, they’re really cool. 👍

[@dormantart7705]

3:53 DRUMatic pause

[@nikospsycharis7667]

7:40 well, that escalated quickly!

[@ProfessorChocolateCake]

Too late, I already pre-ordered the Gretsch Brooklyn Micro

[@TheMashto]

Oh that kit is such a stunner! Congrats!

[@1955DavidH]

Cymbals & good pedals make most any set easier to play and more durable.

[@cosmicdankhead9171]

Good vid, nice chops 👌

[@belovedone151]

@Stephen Clark You used the words 'My,' 'Me,' and 'I' about a thousand times each. I'm sure there are people watching that are interested in YOU (including you) but, for those of us that don't want so much time wasted, can you please just enumerate the 'tips' in your description? I'll keep clicking your videos. I just don't want to sit and listen to the whole thing. Thanks

[@soserchristianguitar9202]

Poplar shells?

[@scottcutler7749]

I love your videos man, so enlightening and down to earth. Thanks 👍🏼.. p.s your drumming sounds awesome 😎

[@MPrint67]

I seriously don’t understand why so many drummers use Evans heads. They are absolute trash. Put Remo pinstripes on those toms with a better tuning and you’d see a world of difference.

[@scottdrown5438]

Martin McCraven would you go for clear or coated pinstripes?

[@MPrint67]

Clear double ply pinstripes for toms. I use coated for the snare, but not the black dot. I don’t like any muffling with contact heads except for the bass. I like muffling the resonance heads if it’s even necessary. All personal preference of course and what kind of tone you’re after.

[@ralphbenites1819]

Looks like a accent series Ludwig the wrap has been removed

[@drummercarson896]

What is your advice on networking?

[@JosiasSS]

Why dont you paint your drum kit

[@ashleypitman3869]

I really need your help, I have a cheap DXP and the snare has a really awful buzz. I've tried tightening and loosening the snare wires I've tuned the heads in different ways. I can't really figure it out. Should I invest in new snare wires?

[@dbp2625]

I have the same problem. I'm using a pdp and mine has a really bad ring to it, I haven't tried to tune it yet because I don't know how

[@ashleypitman3869]

@@dbp2625 on a PDP?? what model?

[@dbp2625]

@@ashleypitman3869 idk it's called mainstage

[@rickytran4164]

6:25

[@rashaunlee4207]

whats on the snare

[@enjoifps1242]

What drum set do you use

[@kyleehyo4797]

so you’re saying im a bad player

[@louislestner]

This guy plays so ‘musically’

[@bobrunk9721]

H

[@brrosskiee]

bro, imma be real with you, your snare sounds bad.

[@PNW_Sportbike_Life]

You need a better kit. No matter how well you play, and you play well; that kit is still going to sound like crap. And it does.