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How many kits do you really need?

bearblastbeats

bearblastbeats

Senior Member
For a working drummer, I think a minimum of two is necessary. One for gigs which is ultimately in bags until show time, and then one again set up in the rehearsal space. Same with hardware, cymbals, and consumables in case something breaks or gets stolen.

As far as snares are concerned, I know some of you have dozens.

I have 3 acoustic and 1 electric. I'm in the process of setting all of them up because... why not.. I just need one more snare and throne to essentially be able to make this happen but snares and thrones can easy be moved from kit to kit lol.
 
I need four:

One to stay in the trailer with all the other gear.
One to stay at my house so I can practice.
One to stay at our band rehearsal space so I don't have to set up and tear down every time we practice.
One as a beater.
 
I think you only need one, but I like to have two…I’ve got a top line Prem Gen X for recording and “better” gigs and my Pearl Export gigger that I intend to use for less glamorous venues/gigs/kit shares etc…:)(y)
 
bearblastbeats said:
are they all the same sizes?
Click to expand...

No.

Kit that stays on the trailer: Ludwig Classic Maple: 24, 13, 16, 18 with 14 x 8 Black Beauty
Kit that stays home: Ludwig 3 ply 1965/68: 22, 13, 16 with 14 x 6.5 Black Beauty
Kit at rehearsal space: Ludwig Classic Maple 20, 12, 14 with 14 x 6.6 Pork Pie Cherry/Walnut snare
Beater kit: Pearl Vision Birch 22, 12, 16 with 14 x 5 Pearl Masters Maple snare

If we don't take the trailer to a gig, I'll take the vintage Ludwigs.
 
I have 3 which I think I should cover my needs:
- Gretsch Renown (home studio)
- Roland TD-9 electronic kit (home studio)
- Gretsch Catalina in bags for gigging / rehearsals (if necessary)

I had a Tama Superstar (the Renown replaced it) but sold it a couple of months ago because it sat unused in bags for over 8 years.
 
PorkPieGuy said:
No.

Kit that stays on the trailer: Ludwig Classic Maple: 24, 13, 16, 18 with 14 x 8 Black Beauty
Kit that stays home: Ludwig 3 ply 1965/68: 22, 13, 16 with 14 x 6.5 Black Beauty
Kit at rehearsal space: Ludwig Classic Maple 20, 12, 14 with 14 x 6.6 Pork Pie Cherry/Walnut snare
Beater kit: Pearl Vision Birch 22, 12, 16 with 14 x 5 Pearl Masters Maple snare

If we don't take the trailer to a gig, I'll take the vintage Ludwigs.
Click to expand...
do you find it ever challenging to switch between the sizes of the bass drums?

I can never get comfortable behind my 24, 20 is best for me, but currently use a 22.
 
“Need” is not the best word. As many as you want, to make your life easier. Right now, I have 2 kits set up at different churches for those gigs, a kit set up in the pit for a musical I’m playing, two kits set up in the teaching studio, one big kit for the rock group, one kit for another group, one kit for studio gigs, one kit for general gigging, and one other kit that’s just for fun. So, I have 10 at the moment, I use them all regularly, and having less than 9 would be more of a hassle than having 9. YMMV.
 
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You "need" one. Its is far more convenient to have one for gigs, and one for pratcice. Another if you have a dedicated rehearsal space.

I have four kits (plus pieces to another) but only decent cymbals for the one gigging kit (right now...hopefully another set later this year). I do have some odds and ends that could be pressed into service were the need urgent. My practice kit is an ekit, my main kit lives in the band trailer, I have another smaller kit that I have at home for smaller venues and the odd fill-in gig. And one spare kit that I acquired rather inexpensively, I've loaned it to a friend a couple times when he was in a bind.
 
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I will gladly echo what others have already said. I think that for many of us, it actually saves a considerable amount of time, energy, and money to have multiple full kits at our disposal. (hardware & cymbals included) I certainly fall into that category. Having to schlep the same kit everywhere I need to be would not be a good use of my time or energy. I’m fortunate that I can afford and justify having multiple kits.
 
T_Kauff said:
As a studio owner and drum tech, I need at least my 5, to cover my business. from 8" to 18" Toms and 20" 22" 24" kicks (x2) each. plus, an additional 18" & 26" Maple kick.

Fiber glass
Birch
Maple
acrylic
Mohogany
Click to expand...
If I am reading this correctly, that is approximately 40 toms and 32 kick drums?
 
But does this question mean “totally complete”? Like you’re not borrowing anything from the other kit, right? So a complete set of drums, with its own hardware, and its own cymbals?

If so, then two: one to stay home to practice on, and one cased up ready to go. And both should be identical so you’re not having to readjust from one kit to the other. My Rogers and Yamaha kits are identical in size, and the Rogers is cased and ready to go out when the call comes.
 
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