Deciding what’s the best jazz drum kit for you personally is not an easy decision!
In this article we’re rounded up the key considerations when it comes to getting a great sound, and reviewed 8 different drum sets that are commonly used in the jazz world.
When it comes to jazz drum kits, there’s an iconic image of the classic set up. Usually a small bass drum, two toms, two quality ride cymbals, a hi-hat and a slanted snare drum.
The best of these help with highly dynamic playing, with the various surfaces reacting equally well to sticks, brushes and mallets. And the sound, of course, should be warm and resonant, to blend with the band and the acoustics.
But when it comes to actually choosing the drums themselves, how do we decide what to get? You’ll find the full round up below but, in case you’re in a rush, here’s the quick round up from all of our research…
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So read on for a look at the evolution of jazz drums, what parts make up a standard jazz set up, the various factors that can affect the sound and, of course, which specific models and brands might be best for you.
In order to give you a broad picture of what’s available as a drummer, we’ve picked out eight drum kits suited to playing jazz. The first four are pro-level instruments, and the last four are more affordable and more transportable.
We’ve not even confused things but getting into cymbals, but you can find our complete roundup of the best jazz cymbals here.
Best Jazz Drum Kits (Pros)
Gretsch USA Custom
This is a high-end instrument which will stand the test of time and continues a lineage of design which, for over 65 years, has been known as ‘That Great Gretsch Sound’.
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Buying the Gretsch USA also give you the option of a custom build.
For instance, the bass drum can come with no tom mount, a standard mount, vintage-style rail or vintage-style cymbal holder. The hoops come as die cast, or you can swap them for single flange.
There is an enormous selection of drum sizes and finishes, meaning you can truly put together a drum kit to suit your personal needs.
However, you might consider buying hardware such as stands and bass drum pedal separately; Gretsch’s reputation as a superior drum maker does not necessarily extend to the ironwork.
DW Jazz Series
Drum Workshop is normally associated with rock drummers and pop sessions, but their contribution here shows no naivety of the jazz drummer’s needs.
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Each drum has a big tuning range, making it stylistically flexible and there are plenty of shell size options. You can choose your finish from a huge library or even have them match a colour to exact specifications.
Buying a DW Jazz Series drum set also gives you access to DW’s first-rate hardware. This includes innovations such as an additional rod inside each floor tom leg which, when adjusted, will fine-tune the resonance of the drum.
Gretsch Broadkaster
This offering from Gretsch not only attempts to recreate the sound of drums from the past, it also tries to look like them!
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The Gretsch Broadkaster also come with the option of 1950s-style hardware components, including double-ended tension rods.
Double flanged hoops are also a more traditional choice, encouraging a more ambient resonance from the drum. A combination of thin shell and roundover bearing edge results in a clear tone and sensitivity to lower dynamics.
However, this range comes with limited shell size options, so it is not possible to personalise as with other models.
Canopus Yaiba Bop Kit
Canopus is a small, Japanese company which prides itself on custom products for its endorser artists.
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Although their catalogue for the consumer is small, each drum receives bespoke treatment: they do not have a rigid bearing-edge policy, instead preferring to find a made-to-measure angle for each drum.
The Yaiba Bop Kit is usually cheaper than other models from Canopus, and this has led to some cost-cutting, such as the direct mount in the rack tom.
However, the tuning range is wide, and each drum’s ‘sweetspot’ covers more of the compass of the head than many competitors.
Best Affordable Jazz Drum Kits
Gretsch Catalina Club
The Gretsch Catalina Club kit is small, light and relatively cheap – and yet takes advantage of the trickle-down effect of good technology and engineering which can only happen at a big company.
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The Gretsch Catalina’s Mahogany wood gives it a great vintage sound, and triple flange heads won’t eat up your sticks.
It’s shallow bass drum – at 14” depth – delivers a fast, incisive tone.
It’s perfect as a house drum kit in a jazz club, or a good second kit you can fit in the back of a car with passengers.
There isn’t the range of shell sizes and finishes available with more expensive kits – in fact, they’re sold as pre-set three- or four-piece combinations.
Yamaha Stage Custom Bop Kit
This is a great resonant kit and, as with the DW Jazz Series, Yamaha pays close attention to the hardware on their drums.
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A suspension mount on the rack tom is attached to the side of the shell (as opposed to on the hoop like with Gretsch drums) and rubber gaskets separate any two surfaces which might cause a rattle.
The Yamaha Stage Custom Bop Kit does not come with a snare, which makes it slightly less value than its competitors in this price range.
There is also only one configuration of shell sizes.
Ludwig Breakbeats
This jazz drum kit is specifically designed with city living in mind!
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The Ludwig Breakbeats set has a tiny bass drum (16” diameter) which is on a riser so the pedal doesn’t hit off-centre.
The drums can be tuned low, so that the kit sounds bigger than it is, and the ride cymbal can be easily mounted on the bass drum if space really is at a premium.
Created by drummer Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson, this is designed by a drummer, for a drummer.
Pearl Midtown
If you’re looking for a highly portable and compact drum kit for playing jazz, the Pearl Midtown is an excellent low-budget option.
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Like the Ludwig kit, the bass drum for this kit is a mere 16” (it includes a riser) and is limited in configurations and finishes.
However, the snare drum is a smaller 13” diameter which, with the 13” floor tom, fits into the case more neatly. And the shell thickness is one-ply less