The Most Popular Set of Drums, Ranked

Choose the set you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 28, 2024 06:48
In the world of music, the beat of the drum sets the pace and vibe for songs and performances. Ensuring the quality and appeal of this pivotal instrument is key to enhancing any musical experience. That's why having a ranked list of favorites can help new and seasoned drummers choose the best set that resonates with their style and needs. Here, fans and musicians come together to cast their votes, influencing the live rankings of popular drum sets. This dynamic system reflects real-time preferences and trends in the drumming world. By participating, users not only affirm their top choices but also assist others in making informed decisions when selecting their next set of drums.

What Is the Most Popular Set of Drums?

  1. 1
    35
    votes

    Pearl Export

    Pearl
    The Pearl Export is one of the most popular drum sets in the world, known for its high-quality sound and affordability. It is a versatile drum set that is perfect for beginners and professionals alike. It is durable and has a great sound, making it a popular choice for musicians of all genres.
    The Pearl Export is a highly popular drum kit known for its versatility, durability, and affordable price. It is often considered a standard entry-level drum set, suitable for beginners, intermediate players, and even professionals. The Export series has been a consistent favorite among drummers for over three decades.
    • Shell Material: 6-ply Poplar and Mahogany blend
    • Sizes: Multiple size configuration options available
    • Hoops: 1.6mm triple-flanged hoops
    • Hardware: Double-braced stands and kick pedal
    • Tom Mounts: Opti-Loc suspension system
    Pearl Export in other rankings
  2. 2
    23
    votes

    Yamaha Stage Custom

    Yamaha Corporation
    The Yamaha Stage Custom is a high-quality drum set that is known for its great sound and durability. It is perfect for live performance and recording, making it a popular choice for professional musicians. It is also available in a variety of colors, giving drummers the ability to customize their kit to fit their style.
    The Yamaha Stage Custom is a highly popular set of drums known for its professional sound quality and versatility. It was created by Yamaha Corporation, a renowned Japanese musical instrument manufacturer with a long history of producing high-quality instruments. The Stage Custom is a professional-level drum kit suitable for both studio recordings and live performances.
    • Material: 100% Birch
    • Shell Thickness: 6-ply
    • Finish: Glossy lacquer
    • Sizes: Various configurations available (e.g., 10x7-inch and 12x8-inch toms, 14x13-inch floor tom, 20x17-inch bass drum)
    • Tom Mounting System: YESS (Yamaha Enhanced Sustain System)
  3. 3
    23
    votes

    Ludwig Classic

    Ludwig Drums
    The Ludwig Classic is a timeless drum set that has been used by some of the most famous drummers in history. It is known for its warm, classic sound and is perfect for rock and roll, blues, and jazz. It is a high-quality drum set that is built to last, making it a popular choice for serious musicians.
    The Ludwig Classic is a legendary drum set known for its timeless design, superior sound quality, and durability. It has been a go-to choice for professional drummers for decades.
    • Shell Material: 3-ply maple/poplar/maple with maple reinforcement rings
    • Shell Configuration: 22" x 14" Bass Drum, 13" x 9" Rack Tom, 16" x 16" Floor Tom
    • Hardware: Chrome-plated
    • Hoops: Triple-flanged
    • Finish Options: Various wrap and lacquer finishes available
  4. 4
    12
    votes
    The DW Collector’s Series is a high-end drum set that is known for its superior sound and craftsmanship. It is made from the finest materials and is designed to be completely customizable, allowing drummers to create the perfect sound for their style. It is a popular choice for professional drummers who demand the best.
    The DW Collector’s Series is a line of high-quality drum sets known for their exceptional craftsmanship and versatility. These drums are handcrafted to perfection, offering professional drummers an unparalleled playing experience.
    • Shell Material: Various options available such as maple, cherry, birch, mahogany, and more
    • Shell Construction: Vertical grain, cross-grain, or diagonal grain veneer shells
    • Shell Thickness: Multiple options available, including thin, medium, and thick shells
    • Bearing Edges: Various styles to choose from, including roundover, 45-degree, and double 45-degree
    • Hardware Finish: Options include chrome, gold, nickel, satin chrome, and black nickel
  5. 5
    14
    votes
    The Tama Starclassic is a high-quality drum set that is known for its superior sound and durability. It is perfect for touring and recording, making it a popular choice for professional musicians. It is also available in a variety of finishes, giving drummers the ability to customize their kit to fit their style.
    The Tama Starclassic is a highly regarded and widely popular set of drums that offers exceptional quality and versatility. It has been a favorite among professional drummers across various genres for its superb sound, durability, and innovative features.
    • Shell Material: Birch/Bubinga blend
    • Number of Ply: 6
    • Shell Thickness: 5mm
    • Hardware Material: Die-cast zinc
    • Bearing Edges: 45-degree inner edge / 8-degree outer edge
  6. 6
    15
    votes

    Gretsch Renown

    Gretsch Drums
    The Gretsch Renown is a high-quality drum set that is known for its warm, vintage sound. It is perfect for jazz, blues, and rock and roll, making it a popular choice for serious musicians. It is also available in a variety of finishes, giving drummers the ability to customize their kit to fit their style.
    The Gretsch Renown is a highly acclaimed series of drum kits known for their superior sound quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. It is considered one of the most popular and widely used drum sets in the industry.
    • Shell Material: 6-ply maple
    • Shell Configuration: Standard 5-piece (kick, snare, 2 toms, floor tom)
    • Finish Options: Multiple available (e.g., Gloss Natural, Satin Tobacco Burst)
    • Bearing Edges: 30-degree double-cut
    • Hardware: Chrome-plated
  7. 7
    9
    votes

    Mapex Saturn

    Mapex
    The Mapex Saturn is a high-quality drum set that is known for its great sound and affordability. It is perfect for beginners and intermediate drummers, making it a popular choice for musicians of all levels. It is also available in a variety of finishes, giving drummers the ability to customize their kit to fit their style.
    The Mapex Saturn is a highly regarded set of drums known for its exceptional sound quality and professional-level performance. It is designed for both studio recordings and live performances, making it a versatile choice for drummers of all levels. The Saturn series is made by Mapex, a renowned manufacturer of high-quality musical instruments and drum sets.
    • Shell Material: Maple and Walnut hybrid
    • Shell Construction: 7-ply
    • Shell Thickness: 6.1mm
    • Bearing Edges: 45-degree
    • Finish Options: Multiple finishes available
  8. 8
    6
    votes

    Sonor SQ2

    Sonor
    The Sonor SQ2 is a high-end drum set that is known for its superior sound and craftsmanship. It is made from the finest materials and is designed to be completely customizable, allowing drummers to create the perfect sound for their style. It is a popular choice for professional drummers who demand the best.
    The Sonor SQ2 is a highly sought-after drum kit known for its exceptional craftsmanship, versatility, and top-notch sound quality. It is a professional-level drum set that offers musicians a wide range of tonal options and outstanding performance capabilities.
    • Shell Construction: Handcrafted 100% maple shells
    • Shell Thickness: Multiple thickness options available
    • Finishes: Wide variety of high-quality finish options
    • Bearing Edges: Customizable bearing edge profiles
    • Hardware: Premium-quality hardware components
    Sonor SQ2 in other rankings
  9. 9
    5
    votes
    The PDP Concept is a high-quality drum set that is known for its great sound and affordability. It is perfect for beginners and intermediate drummers, making it a popular choice for musicians of all levels. It is also available in a variety of finishes, giving drummers the ability to customize their kit to fit their style.
    The PDP Concept is a highly regarded drum set that offers exceptional quality and versatility. It is designed and manufactured by Pacific Drums and Percussion (PDP), a subsidiary of DW Drums. With its high-end features and affordability, the PDP Concept has gained popularity among both professional and amateur drummers worldwide.
    • Shell Material: All-maple
    • Configuration: 5-piece
    • Bearing Edges: True-Pitch tension rods with graduated counterhoops
    • Tom Mounting System: Suspension-mount system
    • Finish Options: Multiple high-quality lacquer finishes available
  10. 10
    8
    votes
    The Premier Genista is a high-quality drum set that is known for its great sound and affordability. It is perfect for beginners and intermediate drummers, making it a popular choice for musicians of all levels. It is also available in a variety of finishes, giving drummers the ability to customize their kit to fit their style.
    The Premier Genista is a well-known and highly regarded set of drums in the music industry. It is known for its exceptional craftsmanship and outstanding sound quality. The Genista is a professional drum set that has been widely used by both studio and live drummers.
    • Shell Material: Birch
    • Number of Pieces: 5
    • Shell Thickness: 6-ply
    • Shell Configuration: 22" x 18" Bass Drum, 10" x 8" and 12" x 9" Rack Toms, 16" x 16" Floor Tom, 14" x 5.5" Snare Drum
    • Hardware Material: Chrome-plated Steel

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Ranking factors for popular set

  1. Build quality
    The durability and craftsmanship of the drums are key factors to consider. This includes the materials used, the quality of the hardware, and how well the drums can withstand regular use and transportation.
  2. Sizes and configurations
    Different drummers have different preferences for drum sizes and setups. A popular set of drums should offer various options for drum sizes and configurations to cater to a wide range of drummers.
  3. Price
    A popular set of drums should offer good value for the price. This means providing a balance between sound quality, build quality, and affordability.
  4. Brand reputation
    The reputation of the brand in the drumming community plays a significant role in ranking popular drum sets. A trusted and well-respected brand is more likely to have a popular set of drums.
  5. Aesthetic appeal
    The visual appearance of the drums can also impact their popularity. Unique finishes, attractive designs, and customization options can all contribute to a set's appeal.
  6. Versatility
    The ability to cater to various musical genres and playing styles is crucial for a popular set of drums. This includes the types of drumheads used and the overall tuning range.
  7. Ease of tuning and maintenance
    Drums that are easy to tune and maintain are more likely to be popular among drummers. This includes features like well-designed lug systems and efficient mounting hardware.
  8. Available accessories and add-ons
    A popular drum set should have a wide range of compatible accessories and add-ons available. This allows drummers to customize their setups to suit their preferences and needs.
  9. Reviews and recommendations
    Finally, popular sets of drums are often those that have received positive reviews and recommendations from professionals, educators, and fellow drummers. These reviews can provide valuable insight into factors like sound quality, build quality, and overall performance.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular set of drums. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or set is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1696 views
  • 145 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each set once every 24 hours. The rank of each set is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular set of drums

Drums have been a staple of music for centuries, and their popularity has only increased with time. Today, there are countless sets of drums available on the market, each with its own unique sound and style. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which set of drums is truly the most popular. At StrawPoll, we've collected data from thousands of polls and rankings to help answer this question. From acoustic to electronic, beginner to professional, we've analyzed the results to bring you the most popular set of drums on the market today. Read on to discover which set of drums made the top of the list and why they're so beloved by drummers around the world.

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