Red: http://cgi.ebay.com/Ludwig-5pc-Acce...=65:15|66:4|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:200 Black: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-5-Piece-LUD...=65:15|66:4|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:200 Use Bing.com to search for a Ludwig drum set then click on the ebay link and then find a good set you like and pay with paypal. The sets above will run you around $500 total. They are entry level but they are complete and you can upgrade as you want. The shells and hardware are pretty good so they should last for years. You may want to upgrade your cymbals over time (good one are very pricey and be careful as not all sets include cymbals) and heads (a fairly cheap upgrade). But you don't drop a lot of money to find out if you're serious or not. And when you are done from either lack of interest or going for a complete upgrade, you should be able to sell this set and get a good portion of your money back (assuming it stays in good shape).
I would go with an electric set over a entry level kit. Cymbals are the key to good sound and good sounding ones cost much more than the garbage that comes in the entry kits. My advice is if you still want acoustic drums to invest in the good stuff in stands and cymbals and save money on the shell kit. I can tune even crappy shells to sound good but you cannot "tune" a cymbal or a HH stand.
Hey now, IMA drummer also, been glossed Ron Bonham, I have the same birthday as Bonzo. Not as quite crazy!! I usually do all my drum shopping at Houston Percussion Center off of Old Katy and Portwest Dr. They do an amazing job of tuning up my kit for me and have all different lever kits.
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pearl has some servicable entry level kits, and as far as cymbals go, buy used. you can get some great deals on quality cymbals instead of the crap people usually try to sell you with a new kit.
With this little information, it's hard to give any suggestions other than to just spend a couple hundred dollars on Craigslist. I got my first one for $150 of lawn mowing money at a garage sale when I was in the 7th grade. My ride cymbal looked (and sounded) like a trash can lid and I honestly think someone had run over the hihats with a car. Did I care? No way.
Just picked one up a few months back for my sister for her bday. Ran about $500 new, from Guitar Center...and yeah, your starter cymbals will sound like trash can lids for sure.....but hey you can always upgrade!
Or just get an electric set that can use headphones and sound perfect from the start. And take up less space.
I'm hurt. Honestly, I can't recommend Pearl enough. Even their entry level stuff is solidly made and quality.
Fatty, I have reported all of the infractions. Prince, please don't get electronic drumset. An acoustic set will develop your feel, dynamics and stick control in ways an electronic kit cannot touch.
Do not buy an electronic drum set. Do you plan on performing with others in the future? They'll laugh at you. I'll laugh at you. In all seriousness, as Roxfan said, you'll develop into a better overall drummer with a real kit.
If you are going to do that you might as well do this set up and get a ps3 or Xbox with rockband 2. http://www.ionaudio.com/ied07 I've played one of these and it's a lot of fun and nice quality for the price. I'll be playing one on Saturday with some friends but mostly I'll be belting out some wicked lyrics as the front man.
I second this - I would assume that part of your interest in getting a drum kit is becoming good enough to play in a band. And with a few very crappy exceptions, most bands want a drummer with a real kit. If practicing is a problem, I would recommend finding someone (person or band) who wants to split the costs of a 24-hr rehearsal studio. You can keep your drums there and practice at any time.
