Are kids and hobbyists getting priced out of drumming?

Winston_Wolf said:
When I was a kid a cheap, entry-level complete drum set cost about $500. Today (40-ish years later) an entry-level kit is about $600-650. That's not a big increase over that amount of time, and I'd say that the quality of those beginner kits is better than they were back in the 80s. So I think a kid or someone just getting started can still get started for almost the same amount they always could have.

But if you want to move up a tier or two, mid-level and lower-end professional drum prices have exploded in the last few years, and while there are still a few that have "only" increased 20% or so I doubt it'll be long before those "bargains" are gone too.
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Fully agree with this here.

Perhaps I was of a different socio-economic class than OP, but my memory of being a young drummer 25 years ago is quite different. I had to save up money for a LONG TIME before I could afford my first Stage Custom. That same kit costs only $100 more today and is way better than it was back in the day.

As for the prices of lower-end professional kits exploding, my interpretation is that it's just music companies seeing the writing on the wall. Baby boomers / older gen X'ers are at the peak of their disposable income years, and also represent one of the largest cohorts of music instrument shoppers.
 
I have 4 kits ( 1 Roland ekit) but only use 1 at a time. 1 kit a year gets new batters and i only change resos every other year on on one kit. get most of my sticks and heads from long island drums on the drumming deals site. Just got a 10, 12, 14 g2 pack yesterday for $34.95. I only buy attack pro flex 1 for resos cause they are cheap and sound great. I also get LA special sticks from sweetwater for $7 a pair(exactly the same as Pro mark)

You gotta look for deals and pull the trigger when they happen.
 
Otto said:
I am betting that 'hobbyists' have more to spend than 'professionals'....on the average.
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Makes me worry for the 'pros' out there.
 
vyacheslav said:
That is absolutley INSANE! At the Music City Drum Show last weekend, the Guitar Center booth was doing brand new 14" Coated Ambassador heads for $12.99 each as a show special. They were individually wrapped in plastic bags (no boxes). I know Pro Drum is a great place, but that price is VERY high and out of whack with the "current market price". Sweetwater is selling them for $20.99 each. Pro Drum is selling them for around $30 each? Yikes. You can get a 20" Powerstroke 3 Bass Drum head for $40 online at GC and Sweetwater. Again, I'm not trying to bad mouth Pro Drum, but I'm sure they probably price match? Any time I need to buy a head, I always check online prices on my phone. Any reputable store should price match. You may want to to go back there and/or call them. They are charging nearly 50% more than Sweetwater. I know it's great to support local drum shops and I do as often as I can, but not by paying 50% more! I will state again: I LOVE SUPPORTING LOCAL SHOPS and try not to buy online unless I have to, and I don't mind paying a few dollars more to support a local shop, but 50% more. Uh, no. Their prices should be generally be in line with the rest of the market.

I'm glad I'm in the same boat as many.....I have plenty of heads and can get years out of them.

One thing to mention-Attack heads are great and are way less expensive than the "Big Three". These days, it doesn't hurt to try some out at prices of what heads SHOULD cost.

RVC, you should definitley go back there and/or call them. I'm not accusing them of ripping you off by any means, but that's way higher than any reputable store is selling them for.
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I second on Attack. Ive tried proflex 1 and proflex 2 and they are very good for almost half the price of Evans.
 
classikdrummr said:
I second on Attack. Ive tried proflex 1 and proflex 2 and they are very good for almost half the price of Evans.
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I bought a snare that was shipped with a new Attack batter head and the coating chipped away within a week in the center. I'm a light hitter and the Evans and Remo heads I've used look great after months. This was when Attack was still under Cardinal. I emailed and their solution was to mail them back the head on my dime for a replacement, which wasn't worth the expense and effort. Customer service might have improved with the change, though.
 
they're being priced out of classic standard vintage gear that's for sure. $1037 used snare drums -anything that smells rare- are insane- low price in New can be found
 
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