Tips on buying a used drum set.

There are several places to look for used sets; begin your search by browsing online classifieds sites like Craigslist. These sites have the advantage of being hosted locally, which allows you to inspect the drum set in person before buying.
You also have to keep in mind; who is the drum set for? Are you buying it for your kid to give them something to do in the basement or are you buying it for yourself to learn and someday join a band? These are very important factors when choosing the right drum set.
 When buying a used set, you can't guarantee that the set has been well taken care of. The first area to inspect is the shell of each drum - the cylindrical wood body. Shells should be completely free from cracks, and should have minimal to no scratches or scuffs. They should be almost perfectly round, which can be observed via the gap between the shell and the rim. This gap should be consistent all the way around the shell. Also check the bearing edges ( this is where the drum head meets the actual drum), make sure there are no chips in the wood and the edge of the drum is smooth and round.
Damaged shells cannot be replaced for less than the cost of buying a new drum, so do not purchase a kit with cracked or warped shells.
Shells can sustain damage through improper handling (such as being dropped or banged against things) or subjection to extreme temperatures or humidity.

 A drum's hardware consists of 2 rims that hold the heads on, tension rods that secure the rims, and lugs that accept the tension rods. Make sure none of these parts are missing or bent. Use a drum key to tighten each tension rod, making sure that the threads are not stripped. Note that small parts like tension rods and washers can be replaced easily if necessary. Make sure there is NO rust on the parts.
 If the drum set is being sold with cymbals, check their condition as well. Look for cracks along each cymbal's edge, and check for chipping (called "key-holing") around the center hole. Dull, discolored cymbals can be cleaned easily, but cracked cymbals cannot be repaired. Note that inexpensive starter cymbal packs are not meant to last very long, and you can always  purchase new/used cymbals.

Necessary drum hardware includes the throne (seat), the bass drum pedal, and the cymbal stands. These parts, if included in the sale, should be free from dents. All moving parts should operate smoothly, and threaded assemblies should be checked for stripping. And again NO RUST.

 Playing the drum set will tell you what a close inspection cannot - whether or not the drums sound good. If you are new to drums, consider bringing an experienced drummer along to the purchase to play the drums for you. Obviously, if the heads are bad the drums will sound bad, so take that into consideration.
Once you find a set that is in good condition, you still need to avoid overpaying for it. Look up the model online and see what it sells for new. If the exact model is no longer produced, look at other sets produced by the manufacturer. Ideally, you want to purchase the used set at a significantly lower price than a new one, with additional deductions made if the kit is damaged. Ebay is a great resource for prices, many pawn shops use this. Also, is there anything extra thrown in? Like sticks, pedals, drum key, cases, etc.
It shouldn't be too difficult finding the right drum set for you, just remember there are a lot of great local drum shops around that sell used kits. Usually they will throw in some new heads and sticks to the new drummer. So get out there and start searching for that perfect kit!!

Drummimg tips

Don't forget mental practicing. Don't have time for drum lessons or practicing? This is an often overlooked, highly effective practicing method. There have been numerous studies on this and it does work. You can sit on a bus or a plane and visualize yourself playing through drum patterns. Go over them in your mind repetitively just as you would on your real drums. I do this all day long. I picture myself playing a beat over and over. Or tap a beat with my fingers and imagine myself playing it live.

 It's about time. Our primary responsibility before anything else is to lay down a steady drum beat for the band. This is before drum fills. You should understand "groove" thoroughly and be able to lay a backbeat down like nobody's business. Drum fills are secondary. Don't forget to use a metronome or drum machine during your drum practice sessions. Practice to AC/DC or the Beatles. These are fairly simple but damn near perfect time drummers. This will help ensure accuracy and imporve your overall time.

  Insurance: You should seriously consider insuring your drums. You'll then be covered If they're ever stolen or go up in a fire. Check into the "Island Marine" policies or attach it to your homeowner's insurance.

 Relaxation is the key to a superior performance on the drums. Practice relaxing during drum practice. Stretch out before you play. Take some deep calming breathes. And just let it flow naturally. The more you do this during practice, the more it will translate on stage.

Have fun! The last tip is another given – have fun no matter what you are playing. This means even if you are practicing boring rudiments, try and find a way to make it fun. If you are not having fun when you are playing, then you will not learn nearly as much. So play what you want to play, and practice what you want to practice! Drumming is supposed to be a way to express yourself in a good and positive way, so make sure you are having fun!

SAVE THE EARS!!

• Protect your ears! I can't stress this enough. Most musicians take this for granted. Buy a good set of ear plugs and start using them, especially while you practice. For the longest time I never used earplugs or any kind of hearing protection. I'm now paying the price for that disregard.

I now have Tinnitus, which I know many, many musicians have. It's extremely annoying and it will never go away. It makes it very hard to fall asleep and having peace & quiet is next to impossible.

Musical instruments can generate considerable sound and thus can also cause hearing loss. 
 In addition, attending live concerts (where noise levels can exceed 120 dB) can damage hearing, as well as listening to loud music through headphones.
If you think you have grown used to a loud noise, it probably has damaged your ears, and there is currently no treatment – no medicine, no surgery, not even a hearing aid, that truly corrects your hearing once it is damaged by noise.
There are a number of strategies that can be used to reduce the change of noise injury from other instrumentalists. Musicians ear plugs are generally “flat” so that bass and treble notes are not relatively favored, thus distorting perception. Nevertheless, a “vented” ear plug can be used to tune the ear cavity to low frequencies, which are less damaging. Drummers should use musicians ear plugs, such as the ER-25. Guitarists and vocalists can use the less attenuating ER-15. Too much ear protection can result in overplaying and not enough protection can result in hearing loss.
Plexiglas baffles can be used to reduce the noise from other instruments. These are particularly relevant for drummer’s high-hat and cymbals. Drums can be a problem. Ear monitors are small in-the-ear devices that look like hearing aids that can be used to electronically protect hearing, while allowing the musicians to hear themselves. Acoustic monitors are stethoscope like devices that block sound from other in the group, but allow the instrumentalist to hear their own instrument.
Loudspeakers produce both high- and low-frequency sounds. High frequencies tend to emanate in almost a straight line, while low frequencies are present in nearly all directions. Thus, standing besides a high-frequency source may provide some protection. Humming just prior to, and through a loud noise such as a cymbal crash or rim shot may provide some protection. Small protective muscles in the ear contract naturally when we sing or hum, and thus humming may protect from other noises.
The price of hearing should not be a factor when it comes to choosing the right ear plugs. So choose wisley, not cheaply!! Spending the extra money will determine whether you can hear when your 70 or if you're using a hearing aid when your 40.
So, save the ears so you can hear your kids and spouse enjoy music for the rest of your days. 

Drum tip of the day

Have a "Don't forget" list for packing up your drums before you head out the door. This works!! Type it out on your PC (or your Mac) and maybe laminate it. You can keep this in your stick bag as well to make sure you have everything before you leave for your gig. Drummers normally have more gear than anyone else in the band, so it only makes sense.
How many times have you gotten everything set-up only to find out that you can't find your drum key or beater? It happens. So having a "Don't forget list" is a great idea and could save your ass at a very important gig someday.

Drum tip of the day.

Listen to "all" styles of music.
This boosts your creativity on the drums and makes you more aware of how to approach these styles if you ever confront them in your band.