I've played before and gave up for a few years and now I'm playing again. I've been practicing on a pad and I'm planning on buying a set soon so the question is electric or acoustic? The major pro to electric is that I can play anytime, the downside is I don't much like the feel of playing electrics (esp. mesh heads). Any thoughts on electric vs. acoustic?

Also what are the laws regarding noise? I mean, I don't plan on playing real early or late, I usually have an hour or two in the late afternoon. Most people in my area are pretty decent but the parents of a cop live behind me so that's a potential problem b/c they seem like they can be dicks (early 60's assholes that look like they need to be in Florida).

10/9/2007 2:47:25 PM

I picked up a set of Roland Tour V-Drums last fall on sale and love them.

10/9/2007 2:50:06 PM

I've used both, and V-Drums have come a long way in the past couple years.

I'd get the electric ones unless I know I'd be gigging every week or so, escp. if you live in a cookie cutter subdivision with neighbors 15 feet away.

10/9/2007 2:51:46 PM

I liked the Yamaha DTxplorer but I've seen a few nice acoustic kits for around the same on craigslist lately.

10/9/2007 2:55:21 PM

Ok I grew up playing acoustic drums.....Make no mistake about it...as far as electronic drums have come they still don't sound like acoustic drums. Like I said I grew up playing acoustic....however about 5 years ago I bought a set of Roland V drums....they were nice, and like you mentioned you can practice with them with little or no disturbance to the neighbors. I even played out at gigs with them and they weren't too bad. In the end I just couldn't get the sound I wanted out of them, and about 6 months ago went back to acoustic drums and bought a set of Tama's. It all comes down to what your planning on doing with them. If you are just going to have them to knock around and play in your house then electronic drums will work great.....but if you are planning on playing in a band and giging...then you need to go acoustic....I have played both and acoustic drums sound better....but again it depends on what you are going to do with them....

10/9/2007 3:20:06 PM

I don't plan on playing in a band, pretty much it's just for something to do, possibly jamming once in a while. I was sort of leaning towards the electrics, maybe I need to look closer at the Roland kits.

Thanks.

10/9/2007 3:27:41 PM

Look on line....not just local shops....you can sometimes get a good deal from some stores that have specials.....However I bought mine from Guitar Center and was very happy with them.
Oh one other thing....you will need to also purchase an amplifier (12 or 15 inch should do for what you want) a Kick pedal, a throne, and headphones, none of which comes with the electronic kits....

10/9/2007 3:31:58 PM

http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/product/Roland-TD3SW-VCompact-Electronic-Drum-Set?full_sku=103722005

10/9/2007 4:27:36 PM

^ That's a nice kit, it's very similar to the one I want but about $600 or so less. And like gforce said, I'd need to factor in buying a throne, pedal, headphones, and amp. I think they have one on the floor at Sam Ash. Does 2112 have good deals? I never think to stop in there.

10/9/2007 10:49:25 PM

I would highly recommend an electronic drum kit if you are interested in looking like an enormous tool.

10/10/2007 1:37:27 PM

^I already look like an enormous tool anyway, in any case no ones going to be there to see me. What about the pads that go over the heads? I've been considering those but I don't know if they'll keep things down enough.

10/10/2007 4:21:00 PM

since when does an electric kit make anyone a tool

obviously acoustic kits are preferable for general use but they're often not practical. I'd say your tool is the guy that buys a sick acoustic kit that takes up half his room, pisses off his neighbors, and doesn't play enough to ever be good at them.

go with the electric kit if you plan on keeping it in your house. buying an acoustic kit and finding a practice space would be ideal, but that can also get expensive. depending on where you live and how considerate of a neighbor you are, you'll probably find yourself not playing often or long enough to ever get very good if you go with the acoustic...when I brought my shells into my last apartment, I was so excited to see them every day but I didn't play them near as much as I'd have liked out of consideration for my neighbors and ended up barely maintaining my skill.

if you HAVE to keep them in your house, and you live close to or share walls with neighbors, go electric. and go with some roland mesh heads.

10/11/2007 4:06:07 AM

I like my neighbors, most of them anyway, but I try to be considerate in any case. I wasn't sure if I could get away with using those silencing pads that go on top of regular heads plus putting up something to block sound from getting out. I use heavier sticks, mostly 5Bs, although I don't know if that makes much of a difference. I think my best bet is an electric kit. I was on the fence but it seems pretty obvious now.

10/11/2007 12:38:41 PM

yeah the pads are a nice thing if you already have an acoustic kit, but they really are a short-term fix. there's no point in muffling an acoustic kit if you don't ever plan on gigging or recording with it; if all you want is a kit to learn the rudiments on that won't piss off your neighbors, go with the electrics.

10/12/2007 12:55:29 AM

I'd like to own a set of V-Drums. I've always had a serious dislike for every other electric kit I've played including the Yamaha DTExpress drums. Those things just sucked in my opinion. It's better than nothing if you live in an apartment though.

10/12/2007 11:41:24 AM