Best high-end drum kits: A great sound for those willing to pay

After you’ve been playing drums for a while it’s nice to treat yourself to a drum kit upgrade. And if you have a healthy budget you can invest in a high-end drum kit

A lot of these kits only come with the shells, so you should keep in mind what you’ll do about the snare, cymbals, and hardware. But investing in high-quality shells is a huge step forward in your setup.

And if you have enough budget getting a good cymbal and hardware setup shouldn’t be too much of a stretch. We did a rundown of our top picks for drum kits under $1,000.

These are some of our favorite high-end models.

Best high-end drum kit overall:  DW 4-Piece Performance Series

There comes a point in your drumming career where your budget will match up with your talent. This is the perfect time to invest in a rock solid kit.

Different tone woods used in the shells and overall construction, the type of snare, and cymbal alloys all factor into the sound of each kit. It’s tough to narrow down a best overall, especially with how varied drummers tastes are. But we went with this Performance Series model from DW for a few reasons.

This 4-piece kit comes with a 22×18 in. kick drum and 12×9 in. and 10×8 in. rack toms and a 16×14 in. floor tom. The shells are a great combination of punch and portability. The maple tone wood cuts right through the mix while giving the sound a warm bottom end.

The HVX shells are easy to tune, and each piece is easy to set up thanks to the 45 degree bearing edges. And the True Pitch tuning rods give you superior tuning stability.

A snare, hardware, and cymbals are not included – which is really the only downside. The kit comes in 11 different colors, so no matter how you’re trying to match the look you have plenty of options.

In the conversation about the best high-end drum kits Drum Workshop knocked it out of the park.

Best high-end drum kit over $1,000: DW Collector’s Series Satin Specialty 5-piece

It’s hard to choose just one high end drum kit in this category. To a lot of drummers, any kit over $1,000 is high end. But this top shelf model from DW features some of the most innovative design elements in drum manufacturing.

The shells are all North American maple and each shell features 3-ply, 6-ply, or 7-ply reinforcement hoops. Vertical Low Timbre design on the rack toms means less tension and more resonance.

It’s staggering the engineering acumen DW dedicated to create this kit. But one principle stands above all else – it’s designed to give drummers a meticulous level of control.

Every drummer wants a massive sound and drums designed to bring that to life.
This kit provides that and more, albeit at a hefty price tag.

Best custom high-end drum kit: Pearl Music City Custom Masters Maple Reserve

Simply put, this kit is phenomenal. It’s not so custom that you have to special order it, but it comes with all the classy quality that a custom drum kit is known for.

The four kit pieces include a 22×18 in. kick drum, 12×8 and 10×7 in. rack toms, and a 16×16 in. floor tom. Pearl’s Superior Shell design approach creates the perfect air chamber in the drums.

The plies use Pearl’s “AcoustiGlue” proprietary manufacturing that gives the shells the ideal resonance. The 4-ply maple kit pieces are drilled with a CNC machine and hand-made in Nashville.

It doesn’t skip on looks either, with a Black Oyster Glitter finish that will catch anyone’s eye. There’s generally about a two week turnaround from ordering to when they ship, but the wait is well worth it.

Pearl’s highest level of quality is on full display with the Music City Custom Masters kit. It also comes in a few different variations. So no matter what type of music you play this kit can find a home in your setup.

Best high-end drum kit for rock: Ludwig Classic Oak 3-Piece Fab Shell Pack

Ludwig made a name for themselves early on in the drum game, especially when it comes to rock music. Their kits are big, bold, and provide the perfect fullness rock calls for. And even at just 3-pieces, this kit is a no-frills rock music machine.

It’s got a massive 22×14 in. kick drum, 13×9 in. rack tom, and 16×16 in. floor tom. The shells are a mix of maple and oak with a balance of frequencies.

They’re made of 3-ply North American Maple with inner and outer plies of American Red Oak. With 45 degree bearing edges and triple-flange hoops tuning won’t be an issue

With only three pieces, it’s definitely a smaller model. You’ll have to figure out what type of snare and cymbals to pair with it. But the overall construction and sound quality lives up to the Ludwig name.

Best high-end drum kit for jazz: DW SSC Collectors Series 4-Piece Satin Oil Shell Pack

This 4-piece pack that’s perfect for jazz drummers is made with some of the best sound and build quality you’ll find in the drum world.

DW hand selects each maple shell, and they have the tone qualities that are perfect for the jazz genre. They use their SSC (Specialized Shell Configuration) to dial in the perfect resonance and projection.

For hardware, TruePitch 50 tuning rods and True Hoops reinforce the shell and stabilizes the tuning of the batter and resonant heads. Precision-machined hardware means they’re durable and consistent.

Best high-end drum kit for touring: Yamaha Tour Custom

When you’re on the road, you want a drumkit that can stand up to the abuse of constant load ins and outs. But you also want one that’s easy to set up, and sounds as good as it looks.

The Yamaha Tour Custom is just that. With it you get a 20×15 in. kick drum, two rack toms, and a floor tom.

The 6-ply maple shells provide great projection and resonance. And the clear satin finish is a beauty to look at. 2.3mm steel inverse dynahoops give you a sound that cuts and stays in tune well. They come stock with Remo USA heads, so pound away!

Considering how high-quality this kit is, there are some drawbacks. It doesn’t come with a snare, and you’ll have to figure out your cymbal situation. But this means you can get really particular about what type of hi hats and ride cymbals you use.

You’ll also have to put together your own hardware setup. But all things considered, the Tour Custom is a great kit that sounds as good as it looks. And at just $1,360 you should have plenty of budget to fill in the gear gaps, like drum accessories.

Best high end electronic drum kit: Roland TD-17KVX

When it comes to the best high-end drum kits, electronic drums are a totally different animal.

There are some fantastic kits out there that will easily run you a few thousand dollars. But Roland’s TD-17KVX kit is the best of all worlds – especially when it comes to price point. And it doesn’t disappoint.

The heads are all mesh, adding a level of realism electronic drum kits have tried so long to achieve. They’re sturdy too, and gone are the days of unfolding a rickety frame. These can definitely take a pounding.

The cymbal pads are larger and feature a dual-trigger build, so you’ll be able to add articulation just like you would with acoustic cymbals. The hi-hat is a floating design that mounts on normal hardware, so whether you’re playing open, closed, or anything in between that realism is present.

And the sound module packs in decades of Roland technology with 300 drums and 100 kits. It even offers on-board recording so you can examine your playing time and save it to an SDHC card.

It also comes with a number of learning and practice features. Rounding things out are effects and EQ. Simply put, you can create any drum sound you want.

Best acoustic/electronic high end drum kit: Roland VAD507

The days of cheesy, cheap sounding electronic drum kits are long gone. The technology is better than ever, and Roland is one of the premier manufacturers of electronic drum sounds in the music industry.

With a 5-piece kit of wood shells, this acoustic/electronic drum kit runs on Roland’s PureAcoustic Ambience Technology and provides the sound of high quality acoustic drums and different room spaces. Next generation mesh drum heads and multi-sensor cymbals means that your playing articulation translates as accurately as a full acoustic kit.

Provided are a number of great drum samples, and via an SD card you can import your own samples in .WAV format. And to make recording easy there’s a 28-channel USB interface. If you need to expand the kit even further there are three auxiliary inputs that make integrating additional kit pieces easy.

The biggest downside to the VAD507 is the cost. If you’re looking for a drum kit under $1,000, these are some of the best. But if you consider the amazingly realistic sound and feel as well as the convenience that electronic drum kits provide this flagship model from Roland is a great investment.

What to look for in a high-end drum kit

Shell material and construction

The type of wood or shell material greatly affects the tone, projection, and resonance of the kit. High-end drums often use premium woods like maple, birch, mahogany, or hybrid shells that combine different plies for a custom sound.

Look for precision in shell construction like thickness, number of plies, and bearing edge craftsmanship. Uniform bearing edges and hand-finished interiors are indicators of a well-made shell.

Hardware quality

The lugs, mounts, hoops, and tension rods on a premium kit should feel solid, smooth, and durable. Look for heavy-duty components that can withstand regular tuning and gigging without slipping or loosening.

Innovative mounting systems that enhance sustain and reduce shell contact are proof of high-end kits. Check for memory locks and other features that improve consistency and an easy setup.

Sound and tuning range

A high end drum kit should have a wide tuning range and sound full at both high and low tunings.

The shells should respond well to subtle dynamic changes. High-end kits are typically more resonant and easier to tune, thanks to better shell construction and head-to-shell contact.

Test for warmth, punch, clarity, and how the kit reacts to different head choices.

FAQ

What company makes the best drum kits?

You definitely have no shortage of options here. DW, Pearl, Tama, Mapex, and Orange County Custom Drums are all fantastic. But these are by no means your only options.

How much is a good quality drum kit?

Good quality kits usually start around the $600 range, but obviously the more expensive it is the higher quality it is.

What drum kits do professionals use?

This goes back to the first question. Pearl and DW seem to be really popular with the pros. But there are a lot of custom companies that make great kits.

What is the best drum kit on the market?

The “best” drum kit on the market is subjective to each drummer. Quality aside, you need to consider what you need out of a drum kit. Do you want a full kit that includes a snare and cymbals, or do you want to piece it together from a shell pack?

Think about the type of tonewoods that give you the sound you’re after, the size of the drums, and the style of hardware too. There are a lot of factors that impact the sound of your drums.

Remember when budgeting, unless you’re buying a beginner kit of cymbals and hardware are sold separately.