Finding the best acrylic drum sets can bring your skills to the next level, as you won’t struggle with getting the right sound. At the moment, there are plenty of options to choose from, but some are better than others.
Drum sets differ in how they are made, their sound qualities, design, and more. Acrylic drum kits that you can find in this article will be suitable for junior players and those who consider themselves semi-pro. They can help you launch your drumming career and reach new heights in your creativity. To learn about their peculiarities and get recommendations on how to choose the most appropriate one for you, continue reading.
Table could not be displayed.Top 3 Drum Kits for Beginner and Intermediate Drummers
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Making the right decision when it comes to purchasing an instrument can be quite daunting. But, when you carefully compare all the features of the available drum sets, it becomes a lot easier. Here are 3 options that I consider worth your attention.
1. Pearl Crystal Beat CRB524FP/C730 – Reliable Transparent Drums With Big Sound
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Specifications:
- Drums: 4
- Material: Acrylic
- Drum sizes: 22″x16″, 16″x15″, 14″x13″, 12″x8″
- Bearing edges: –
- Item Weight: 35 Pounds
If you are looking for a clear drum set that will be a good value for money, the 4-piece Pearl Crystal Beat can be just the right one. Manufactured by the Japanese brand, this drum set is a great choice for both beginners and intermediate or semi-pro players.
The set features seamless acrylic shells, and there four pieces included. The material is durable and will surely last through many playing sessions. In the case of this drum kit, the shells are molded rather than rolled, which ensures a high level of reliability.
When purchasing this drum set, you get a 22×16-inch bass, 14×13-inch and 16×15-inch floor toms, and 12×8-inch tomtom. The tom shells are 6mm thick, while the bass drum shell is 7mm. One thing to note is that the tom holders don’t come with the 4-piece set, so you have to buy them separately.
What’s included:
- Crystal Beat Series 4-piece shell pack (22″x16″, 16″x15″, 14″x13″, 12″x8″) (Cymbals/Hardware sold separately)
Another important thing that should be mentioned is obviously the sound of this kit. It is just what you need for rock performances because the sound it delivers is clear and punchy. It certainly has quite an impressive sonic attack, which will be useful in concert situations. Besides rock, this drum set will also be ideal for playing in big band jazz.
- Beautiful design;
- Excellent durability and quality of materials;
- Well-balanced sound.
- Tom holders have to be bought separately.
2. DW Design Series 5-Piece – A Durable and Stylish Set of Clear Drums
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Specifications:
- Drums: 5
- Material: Acrylic
- Drum sizes: 22″x18″, 16″x14″, 12″x9″, 10″x8″, 14″x5.5″
- Bearing edges: –
- Item Weight: 60 Pounds
Acrylic drum sets are extremely popular among rock musicians, as the loudness of sound they produce allows drummers to be heard even with guitar amplifiers turned to the max. With these types of drum sets, you can expect a powerful sonic attack, so it’s something to consider before you get one. If you are interested in getting a transparent drum set, the DW Design Series 5-piece may be a good option to consider.
The set can work for both junior and more experienced players. This particular 5-piece set from the brand includes a 22×18-inch bass drum and a snare that is 14×5.5 inches.
When it comes to the different toms, you will get three – 12×9-inch and 10×8-inch ones and also a floor tom that is 16×14 inches in its dimensions. This is quite a standard selection and sizes for the drum sets, so most players find such configurations convenient and familiar.
What’s included:
- DW Design 5-Piece Clear Acrylic Shell Pack
- Produces loud and powerful sound;
- Excellent design;
- Durability;
- Affordable cost.
- Hardware doesn’t come with the shell pack.
3. Ludwig Amber Vistalite Zep Drum Set – A Gorgeous Tinted Acrylic Drum Kit
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Specifications:
- Drums: 5
- Material: Acrylic
- Drum sizes: 16″x18″, 16″x16″, 14″x26″, 6.5″x14″, 10″x14″
- Bearing edges: –
- Item Weight: 70 Pounds
Ludwig Drums is a brand that has been around for over a hundred years and earned the reputation of being one of the best manufacturers in the world. For this reason, the drum sets from this US brand are not exactly budget-friendly. At the same time, if you are looking for a drum kit that will surely last and attract a lot of attention, this may be just what you need.
The interesting thing about Vistalite Amber is that this drum set was made to recreate the one played by John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. The kit comes with 5 pieces, which is a standard number for many sets. The floor toms are 16×18 and 16×16 inches, the bass drum is 14×26 inches, the snare drum is 6.5×14 inches, and the tom drum is 10×14 inches.
Design-wise, Vistalite Amber has a true vintage feel to it because of the history of how it was first made. The acrylic material of this kit is tinted in an amber-orange hue, so it looks bright and cannot go unnoticed regardless of where you decide to play. What is more, Led Zeppelin fans will definitely appreciate the look of this drum set.
What’s included:
- Ludwig Zep Set 5-piece
- Incredible tinted design;
- A great range of features;
- Outstanding durability;
- Quite expensive compared to the similar sets.
What You Should Know Before Buying a Drum Set?
Understanding the peculiarities of an acrylic drum set can help you make a more informed decision and ensure that you enjoy playing it for a long time. It’s important that a drum kit meets your requirements.
A complete drum set or a shell pack
If you are a beginner, it’s important to understand the difference between a complete drum set and a shell pack. The latter are the options presented in this review, and they come with floor toms, a bass drum, and rack toms.
Such configuration is great for those who are moving on from beginner sets to another level. When you choose a shell pack, you should expect that you don’t get hardware, a throne, cymbals, or a bass drum pedal.
A complete drum set, on the other hand, includes all of the mentioned pieces, which is why they are often chosen by complete beginners. However, there is no strict rule, and you can buy pieces together or separately if you need them.
Consider the drum hardware
If you decided to buy a shell pack, drum hardware is also something you will also need. The hardware that is considered essential for your playing includes a snare stand, a bass drum pedal, and one or several stands for cymbals.
Even if you buy a complete drum set, the hardware that you will get can differ depending on the manufacturer and the type of set you purchase. It is possible to buy hardware packs as opposed to purchasing the items separately and this allows you to save money.
What do acrylic drums look like?
As opposed to the traditional wooden drums, acrylic ones certainly stand out thanks to their modern design. Usually, acrylic drums consist of drum shells that are tinted or completely clear. This means that you can easily see the drummer during the entire show, which becomes a spectacle of its own.
A clear drum kit certainly has a unique look, and despite such models being around for a while, they still attract a lot of attention.
Tinted or frosted drums are available in various colors, yet they still retain a degree of transparency.
What is also great about acrylic drums is that you can make them more interesting with the use of LED light. Usually, dual-sided lights are used for lighting the set, and they create an eye-catching look.
Which drum sticks are used for acrylic drums?
When it comes to the material, shape, and size, all types of drum sticks can be successfully used on an acrylic set. It depends on what effect you want to achieve with your playing.
There are lighter and heavier sticks available. When you want to get as much volume as possible, purchasing heavier 2B sticks should help you achieve your goals. But, if you want to play jazz or acoustic, there are 7As and other lighter options that don’t produce such intense sounds.
It’s not uncommon for drummers to use heavier drumsticks when practicing to develop enough stamina for the shows.
Besides thickness, you can choose sticks made from different materials, such as nylon or wood. Generally, the ones made from wood offer a warmer sound while the nylon drum sticks produce a brighter sound, especially in combination with an acrylic drum set.
How acrylic drums are made
The way acrylic drums are made depends on a particular manufacturer, but they all go through the same stage in the beginning. The sheets made from acrylic should be properly heated so that they can then be bent to the cylindrical shells.
After that, a sheet of acrylic should be attached in some way – welded, tabbed, or glued. You can also notice that some manufacturers choose to glue a plastic strip to cover the seam and ensure that everything stays together.
Acrylic Drum Sets FAQ
Here are some questions that are commonly asked by those getting into drumming.
Do acrylic drums sound good?
Sure! Acrylic drums are known for their punchy and loud sound, which is what makes them great for rock music. The sound is quite similar to that produced by wooden drums, but they are slightly punchier because the acrylic material doesn’t absorb any sound compared to the wood. The difference is not huge, so a lot of players switch between such drum sets.
What is the best drum kit for intermediate?
There are many drums sets out there that are excellent for intermediate players. They are usually in the middle or high range when it comes to price, as when you have the experience, you don’t want to get the most basic option.
Both acrylic and wooden 4 or 5-piece sets are great for intermediate players. Each acrylic drum set in this review can be used by semi-pro drummers who are either looking for an upgrade from the beginner level drums or want another set in their collection.
What’s the difference between acrylic and wooden drums?
There are several differences when we compare acrylic and wooden drums. Firstly, there is a slight difference in sound, as acrylics tend to have a more intense sonic attack and are slightly louder as opposed to the wood.
Secondly, there is a significant visual difference. Acrylic drums have transparency to them, which allows the audience to properly see the drummer. It is a matter of personal preferences whether a drummer wants more attention or not, but it is definitely something to keep in mind.
Thirdly, acrylic drums tend to weigh more compared to wooden ones. For most people, this is not an issue, as you don’t carry them in your hands when touring.
Powerful Sound and Unique Design
Acrylic drums have earned a prominent place in the world of drums thanks to their features and also the fact that they have been used by notable players throughout history. Acrylic kits have interesting designs, which is one of the main reasons they are often chosen by modern players, both beginners and experienced ones.
When it comes to the value for money, Pearl Crystal Beat is a great option for players of all levels. It is reliable, has a well-balanced sound, comes with pieces, and is made by a respectable brand. The completely transparent design of this drum set is fun to look at and offers a lot of opportunities for creativity on stage, as you can spice things up with LED lights.
Have you ever owned an acrylic drum set? Or, are you looking for your first one? I would like to hear from you! Please, share your experience of playing these types of drums in the comment section.
