I'm looking in the ~$300 price range
preferably a 5-piece set

so
just throw some information at me
brands to look out for or whatever

also I don't know how to play
that's probably pertinent

not really looking for amazon links or anything (I'm probably buying from a music shop... it's cool to try shit out before buying, right?) just information

I didn't know how to play and I bought a Gretsch set for around a thousand. I think the toms, snare and bass itself were only like five, but then you need stands, cymbals, what have you... So I don't know if you could possibly get a Gretsch set on the super-cheap. But it seems like conventional wisdom among a lot of drummers I've talked to is that they're the best. It's what I use, but I wouldn't really know the diff. now would I. I've been happy with it though.

Definitely go with the Sabian B8 cymbal pack. Not the pros, they're a little more expensive.  It's cheap and very decent.  It comes with a crash, a ride and hats.

Also, at 300 dollars, it doesn't really matter what set you get because they all sound shitty in comparison to a 1,000 kit. I started on a $400 Peavey set (I didn't even know Peavey made drums) and they were shitty, but I didn't know that because they were my first set but they really got me a long way. I learned a lot on them and I upgraded my cymbals to the B8 pack I mentioned and they were great. You can also upgrade the drum heads later on once you begin to understand the difference in quality and material.

When I was in the school band for 4 years a played on 3 different Yamaha kits so if you can find a Yamaha kit I highly recommend the brand.  That and Pearl. Those are the only 2 I have thoroughly experienced though.

Yamaha all the way.

Craigslist is your best friend for a good drum kit with possibly cymbals for that price*********

and you only use music stores to try out shit, don't buy you're getting ripped off.

and you live in fucking massachusetts

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/msg/1342199740.html

bam

two seconds looking

avoid

cheap pdp and no name brands, ludwig and pearl make shitty entry level kits.

chill and lay low for awhile on craigslist and once a good deal comes up snatch that bitch up

I don't live in massachusetts. who said I live in massachusetts?

Quote from: Slurpee;1655193I don't live in massachusetts. who said I live in massachusetts?

oh woops your information is all silly nonsesnse where do you live? ill help you find something nice

oh lol

I live in california
east sf bay

Quote from: Slurpee;1655212oh lol

I live in california
east sf bay

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/msg/1342354125.html

Get this one. This is a studio kit I think. A expensive one, like $2K. If it's legit than you're in some real fucking luck. If you quit you can always make a huge profit off it

probably fake, im bit too excited for you sorry haha. definitely watch craigslist though rather than buying at a store. how far are you willing to travel to purchase a kit?

with 300$ range, no point in looking at brands or anything, you just go to craigslist, and wait till you get that sort of deal.

Apollo makes a decent entry level kit, but you'd be better off doing what these bros said, and just craigslisting one

OK THANK YOU