Looking for experimentation kit recommendations

[eyeball_kid]

Want to get a bit of a starter kit to mess around with, but prefer something more in the Flaming Lips / Led Zep style, which I assume means bigger kick and toms. Is there anything financially reasonable in this style, or we talking big bucks because that sound is generally out of fashion? Thanks for any info you can provide...

[joeq]

buying used is the way to go

the world is full of kids who thought they wanted to play the drums, found out it was hard work and gave them up. Now their parents have a set to sell. They just want it out of there.

If you are looking for something to mess around with or for recording, then cosmetic damage will also lower the price but should not be important to you.

In fact, these days, I think it borders on 'hip' for studio to have a house kit that is cosmetically compromised, maybe even mismatched, but has a cool vintage vibe.

The fact that drums are a "set" also works in favor of the used buyer. Even if there is 'something wrong' with a used drum, it is highly unlikely that something extends to all the drums in the kit. It's unlikely you can get completely burned the way you might buying a used car, for example.

stay away from anything that looks like it was exposed to water or high humidity: Rust on the metal parts or water stains on the shells.

[Dr. Mordo]

Big drums are actually in style right now.

Off the top of my head, DDrum, Gretsch, and Ludwig are making Bonham sized kits. Gretsch and Ludwig are even making cheapish versions.

Check out the Gretsch Catalina Rock and the Ludwig Zep Kit.

[eyeball_kid]

Thanks guys, those are both good vectors for my search. Yeah, this is for both recording and messing around, so it doesn't need to look pristine.