Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 12 hours ago

---

We know how it is being a working drummer. Today, we've compiled our 5 current favorite drum sets under $1500 that we'd feel comfortable throwing in the back of a Ford Transit.
Links to purchase below the chapters.

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
1:39 - The Cymbals
2:03 - PDP Concept Maple
6:03 - Pearl President Deluxe
10:34 - Yamaha Stage Custom
13:35 - Gretsch Catalina Club
17:12 - Tama Superstar Classic
21:06 - Head 2 Head Comparison
22:53 - Our Picks

PDP Concept Classic 3pc Drum Set Oxblood/Ebony Hoops
drumcenternh.com/products/pdp-classic-3pc-drum-set-oxblood-ebony-hoops

PDP 10ply Maple Snare Drum 14x5.5 Black Wax
drumcenternh.com/products/pdp-10ply-maple-snare-drum-14x5-5-black-wax-pdsn5514bwcr

Pearl President Series Deluxe 3pc Drum Set 22/13/16 Desert Ripple
drumcenternh.com/products/pearl-president-series-deluxe-3pc-drum-set-22-13-16-desert-ripple-69239

Pearl Sensitone Heritage Alloy Snare Drum 14x5 Steel
drumcenternh.com/products/pearl-sensitone-heritage-alloy-snare-drum-14x5-steel

Yamaha Stage Custom Birch 4pc Drum Set 22/12/16/14 Matte Surf Green
drumcenternh.com/products/yamaha-stage-custom-birch-4pc-drum-set-22-12-16-14-matte-surf-green

Gretsch Catalina Club 4pc Drum Set 22/12/16/14 Dark Cherry Sparkle
drumcenternh.com/products/gretsch-catalina-club-4pc-drum-set-22121614-dark-cherry-sparkle-22121614

Tama Superstar Classic 3pc Drum Set Dark Indigo Burst
drumcenternh.com/products/tama-superstar-classic-3pc-drum-set-dark-indigo-burst

Tama SLP G-Hickory Snare Drum 14x6.5 Gloss Natural Elm
drumcenternh.com/products/tama-slp-g-hickory-snare-drum-14x6-5-gloss-natural-elm-lgh1465egne

Cymbals:
Istanbul Agop Xist Natural Hi Hat Cymbals 14"
drumcenternh.com/products/istanbul-agop-xist-natural-hi-hat-cymbals-14

Istanbul Agop Xist Brilliant Crash Cymbal 17"
drumcenternh.com/products/istanbul-agop-xist-brilliant-crash-cymbal-17

Istanbul Agop Xist Power Ride Cymbal
drumcenternh.com/products/istanbul-agop-xist-power-ride-cymbal

Istanbul Agop Xist Ion Crash Cymbal 18"
drumcenternh.com/products/istanbul-agop-xist-ion-crash-cymbal-18

Microphones used to capture the drums:

Bass Drum:
Lauten Audio KICK MIC Microphone - drumcenternh.com/products/lauten-audio-kick-mic-microphone
sE Electronics BL8 Boundary Cardioid Condenser Microphone w/EQ Control - drumcenternh.com/products/se-electronics-boundary-cardioid-condenser-microphone-w-eq-control
Lauten Audio CLARION FC-357 Microphone - drumcenternh.com/products/lauten-audio-clarion-fc-357-microphone

Snare Drum:
sE Electronics V7X Studio-Grade Instrument Microphone - drumcenternh.com/products/se-electronics-studio-grade-instrument-microphone
Lauten Audio SNARE MIC Microphone - drumcenternh.com/products/lauten-audio-snare-mic-microphone

Toms:
sE Electronics V BEAT Snare/Tom Drum Microphone - drumcenternh.com/products/se-electronics-snare-tom-drum-microphone
Earthworks DM20 Gen 2 Small-Diaphragm Condenser Drum Microphone - drumcenternh.com/products/earthworks-dm20-gen-2-small-diaphragm-condenser-drum-microphone

Overheads:
sE Electronics Voodoo Active Ribbon Microphone w/Shockmount & Case - drumcenternh.com/products/se-electronics-voodoo-active-ribbon-microphone-w-shockmount-case
Lauten Audio LA-320 V2 Microphone - drumcenternh.com/products/lauten-audio-la-320-v2-microphone

Room Mics:
Earthworks QTC30 Small-diaphragm Condenser Microphone - drumcenternh.com/earthworks-qtc30-small-diaphragm-condenser-microphone
Lauten Audio LA-320 V2 Microphone - drumcenternh.com/products/lauten-audio-la-320-v2-microphone


drumcenternh.com

Follow us on:
facebook.com/drumcenternh
instagram.com/drumcenternh
twitter.com/drumcenternh