The 10 Best Drum Sets of 2021
Another year is almost behind us. Over the past 12 months, we’ve been fortunate enough to play and review dozens of the industry’s finest drum sets. We’ve curated this list of the ten very best kits 2021 had to offer!
#10 - Sonor Vintage 3pc Rock Drum Set
Sonor Vintage Series drums are a relatively new offering from our German friends. Sonor's Vintage Series Drums are handmade in Germany to extremely tight tolerances. The 9-ply, 6mm German beech CLTF constructed shells generate a punchy, fat sound with more emphasis on mid and low frequencies. The rounded bearing edges harken back to Sonor drums from the 1950s and'60s, and project a focused, drier tone with slightly shortened sustain that is less likely to require muffling. The gorgeous redesigned teardrop lugs now feature Sonor's TuneSafe technology, and the 2.3mm hoops are an updated version of Sonor's original roundover Superprofil hoops. Sonor's Vintage Series has true vintage sound and features without sacrificing reliability. This 3pc Rock drum set has a 22x14 bass drum with a mount, 13x8 tom, and a 16x14 floor tom. We are huge fans of these drums at the Drum Center of Portsmouth!
#9 - Canopus Yaiba 24 3pc Drum Set
The new Canopus Yaiba 24 3-piece rock configuration delivers boutique level attention to detail at an intermediate price point. These Japanese made, medium-thick birch shells, combined with high-end Canopus hardware produce massive attack with ultimate articulation. The Bolt-Tight leather washers also hold your drums in tune for the duration of your gig. Available in 5 gorgeous finish options, this kit needs to be on your short list if you're in the market for a top-tier rock drum set!
This 3-Piece Shell Pack Includes:
- 24x14 Bass Drum - No Mount
- 13x9 Rack Tom - RIMS mount included Tom Mount Sold Separately
- 16x16 Floor Tom
#8 - DW Collectors Contemporary Classic 3pc Drum Set
Based on the vintage-sounding DW Classics shell, the Contemporary Classic shell was designed with a soft, plied poplar core, with African mahogany inner and outer plies for warmth. The absence of reinforcement hoops provides a less focused sound and increased resonance. 22x14, 13x9, 16x16.
#7 - Ludwig Classic Oak 4 Piece Drum Set - Pound Town
Take your entire audience to POUND TOWN! This is a DCP - designed configuration to pack the most thump in your setup! We took the massive volume and tone of Ludwig’s new Classic Oak series, and dressed it up with ‘70s Black Cortex flair! All drums feature Mach Lugs and resa-cote interiors.
24x14 w/Double Tom Mount
12x8 with Vibraband and Classic Bracket
13x9 with Vibraband and Classic Bracket
16x16 with Classic Brackets
#6 - Tama Star Bubinga 5pc Drum Set - Natural Rosewood
LIMITED TO 15 KITS WORLDWIDE!
Star is the new flagship line for Tama drums. It takes the knowledge and research we cultivated for the Starclassic series to the next level, by reexamining every detail to enhance shell resonance. Star Bubinga features a much thinner shell than Starclassic Bubinga. In addition, every shell comes equipped with 9mm thick Sound Focus Rings (SFR) for structural support. This shell configuration provides clear projection and resonance to highlight the distinct sound of Bubinga. 22x16 kick drum, 10x8 and 12x9 rack toms, 14x14 and 16x16 floor toms.
This Exotic Natural Rosewood Gloss finish is one of the finest we've ever laid eyes on. Truly a work of art.
#5 - Mapex Saturn Evolution Workhorse 5 Pc Maple Drum Set
The Saturn Evolution has Evolved into something VERY Special.
The revolutionary "Halo" mount, a lateral, unique "under lug-line" suspension system, unlocks the freedom of full resonance and allows the drum to sing with an open, pure tone. The Adjustment Knob acts as a built-in Equalizer that can slightly dampen the resonance of the shell, producing a tighter and quicker decay. Whether you like to go dry in a jazz gig, or sound huge in a packed arena, the Saturn Evolution has the whole package for you.
#4 - Gretsch USA Custom 4pc Drum Set - Amber Walnut Burst Satin
This gorgeous 4 Piece USA Custom Rock kit features Gretsch’s formula 6-ply maple shell and is the cornerstone of That Great Gretsch Sound. All shells are straight-sided with hand cut and hand sanded 30-degree bearing edges and Gretsch Silver Sealer interior.
Gretsch die-cast hoops produce a full focused tone that are easy to tune and stay in tune. Die-cast hoops have been included as standard on all toms and snare drums since the mid 1950s.
The Gretsch Tom Suspension System (GTS) is non-invasive and suspends the drum shell to optimize maximum shell resonance and tone.
Gretsch Permatone by Remo USA heads come standard on all Gretsch USA drums. Toms come standard with coated single-ply batter with clear single-ply resonant heads. Bass drums come standard with Powerstroke batter and coated single-ply resonant heads.
- 22x16 Bass Drum
- 10x8 Tom w/GTS Mount
- 12x9 Tom w/GTS Mount
- 16x16 Floor Tom with Legs
#3 - Tamburo Opera Series 5pc Stave Shell Pack
The Opera kit we tested is what we would consider to be a standard rock configuration - 10x7, 12x8, 16x16, 22x16, with a 14x6.5 snare. These drums project a clear and punchy “birch-like” note with a decent amount of sustain. The kick is predictably boomy for one that is equipped with an EMAD. We imagine these drums would show even more character with a switch to single-ply coated heads. The snare drum is, well…legendary. Something about the thin staves and diecast hoops allows this drum to sing with clarity at any dynamic level!
#2 - Ludwig Legacy Maple 4pc Bonham Drum Set
At the Drum Center of Portsmouth, we are suckers for 2 things - Ludwig Drums and BIG drums. This Ludwig Legacy Maple 4pc Bonham Drum Set ticks both boxes. HUGE, round tone that is THE unmistakable sound of Zeppelin.
- 26x14 kick (no mount)
- 14x10 rack (no mount)
- 16x16 floor
- 18x16 floor
#1 - Pearl Masterworks 8pc Drum Set - White Sycamore w/ Ebony Inlay
This is THE featured kit on Pearl's Masterworks website. Quite literally their crowning achievement to date. A timeless heirloom statement crafted to elevate your custom drum vision into reality. This is a Studio Recipe (Maple Gum Shell) with Artisan Exotic Fiddleback White Sycamore outer veneer. As fine as this kit looks, it sounds EVEN BETTER.
- 8x7 Tom
- 10x7 Tom
- 12x8 Tom
- 14x12 Floor Tom
- 16x14 Floor Tom
- 15x5 Snare Drum
- 14x5 Snare Drum
- 22x14 Bass Drum
There you have it! The top 10 greatest drum sets, according to us. Let the drum experts at Drum Center of Portsmouth help you find YOUR ideal drum set for the upcoming year!