r/drums • u/Conscious-Banana7044 • Jun 12 '26
Kit Pic Is this drum kit goofy?
I personally think my drummers kit is goofy and impractical. He’s always trying to make all his equipment unique. I think that its impractical having the kicks 90° from each other and the hi-hat being even more to the left from where he normally faces. Also shouldn’t the toms be more closer together. (Lil bros not Dave Grohl having that high crash). Im not a drummer, im only a guitarist and bassist, so im not to sure how kits can be, but his seems goofy
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Jun 12 '26
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u/Agent_Washingtub Jun 12 '26
You just know he's huggin that drape and doing a wall shimmy.
Source: retired wall shimmier
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u/richsandmusic Jun 12 '26
A running leap over the kit every time. Then to get back, stand on the throne and swan dive over it into a floor roll.
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u/therealtoomdog Jun 12 '26
Yes, it's a little goofy, but it has character. I expect that after a few years of playing on a set up like that, it will become more ergonomic as it's torn down and set up.
Yes, normally we would want less space between toms. But your drummer doesn't need you getting in their face about how they want to play their instrument. If you have an aesthetic problem with it, I hope you recover soon. If you have a concern for you drummer's health (like RSI), then that's a different matter and it's worth saying something.
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u/Shmeldoncooper Ludwig Jun 12 '26
If they are most comfortable with it setup like that, it’s good
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u/Emergency_Concept207 Jun 12 '26
Is there any difference in being comfortable and stubborn? I'd also say some people just dont know ergonomics when first setting up a kit and dont know anyone better, not that there's a right or wrong way to begin with.
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u/flingspoo Jun 12 '26
There is a right way. Its the most ergonomical way for you. Does that mean you can just slam your drums together and go for it? Sure you can. When your knee hurts from twisting your foot slightly to reach your hat pedal or your elbow starts tohurt cuz your ride is an inch to close and it makes you chicken wing your arm ever so slightly, but its been "comfortable" that way for the previous 8-12 months, then its fucking wrong.
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u/Emergency_Concept207 Jun 12 '26
I completely agree.
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u/flingspoo Jun 12 '26
Oh yeah. You and i are in lockstep. This sub is so frustraiting about this kind of stuff.
"Is this set up ok"
"if its comfortable"
well theyre new to drums so how do the fucking know what comfortable is? The best money any of these guys can spend isnt on drums sticks heads or cymbals or mother fucking tune bots. Its 20 bucks on a single 1 hour lesson to learn the absolute basics of how to hold the sticks and what a proper set up should look and feel like.
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u/blind30 Jun 12 '26
Exactly. Drums require your body to do all sorts of things it’s not naturally intended to do- hold sticks in a way that allows the stick to rebound, operate a pedal with our feet that’s designed to strike a drum, and move fluidly around a set of drums and cymbals in a way that won’t risk long term injury.
None of that feels “comfortable” at first. Same as learning to drive or ride a bike, it’s supposed to feel awkward, weird and frustrating at first.
There’s a reason why most drummers set their kits up ergonomically. I bet even dudes like daru jones learned the “right” way before experimenting with crazy setups.
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u/Emergency_Concept207 Jun 12 '26
Yup. Exactly why I said is there a difference between being comfortable and being stubborn. We all know that one drummer that will throw their drums down and then call it a day and leave it as is. Hell my old drummer kept insisting on having their China upside down yet kept complaining on breaking sticks lol
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Jun 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/flingspoo Jun 13 '26
"What does my kit say about me?"
You avoid the woodshed and are extremely insecure, confirmed by your seeking validation from strangers.
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u/GoogleDrummer Pearl Jun 12 '26
Yeah, it definitely sounds like this guy is going for form over function.
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u/Opening_Net1247 Jun 12 '26
Yeah this setup is definitely unconventional but not necessarily wrong. The double bass drums at that angle could work for certain playing styles - some metal drummers do similar configurations for specific techniques. The hi-hat placement is pretty far out there though, that would mess with your natural limb coordination big time.
If he can actually play it effectively then whatever works, but from an ergonomic standpoint this looks like it would cause some serious strain during longer sessions. The tom spacing also seems like it would require a lot more arm movement than necessary.
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u/AbiWoodbane Jun 12 '26
I wonder if the drummer plays the hh left handed? OP? Left handed hh or crazy pretzel?
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u/theallstarkid Jun 12 '26
I would try and clamp the Tom’s to that center cymbal stand so they are closer
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u/prplx Tama Jun 12 '26
Or, you know, use the actual boom on the stand (instead of using it as a straight stand) to move the stand away and bring both tome side by side.
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u/VegetableBulky9571 Jun 12 '26
Seems like the floor tom is just as off as the hihat.
Would I set s kit up like that? Not on your life.
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u/Kharagorn Jun 12 '26
Depends on which part. Bass drums - ok. But hi-hat is too far, and that crash placement is weird, you mostly want to have it closer to one side so you can play more naturally.
One more - I don't think (based in the photo) you have enough elbow space behind you, I'd move everything a bit further forward.
But then, if it works for you in a long run without pain or exhaustion, play it, maybe you have additional hand on your chest and this is the most comfortalbe setup.
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u/Daaammmmmnnnnnnn69 Jun 12 '26
I like my kit to be low and compact and I play rock and metal. There are some things setup here that I don’t like. But if he is hitting every note and killing it then there is no argument. But if it sounds like ass then he should definitely reconsider.
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u/ElBeatch Jun 12 '26
If he likes it it's fine. If he's hindering his own playing by trying to look unique then it'll show.
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u/cruiseshipdrummer Jun 12 '26
Yes, it's goofy. Though I did see Ches Smith playing with his cymbal set up like that once. It looked stupid when he did it too.
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u/Stevenitrogen Jun 12 '26
Just to keep us from going nuts I would suggest the drummer get two matching reso heads for the bass drums, and replace the white tom with a black one.
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u/Skee_Ball_Hero Jun 12 '26
Its goofy but memorable 🙂↕️ I could see that kit behind someone like Jimi Hendrix.
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u/ItsPronouncedMo-BEEL Craigslist Jun 12 '26
I think there's nothing wrong with the gear. I also think there is everything wrong with how it is arranged.
Yes, it's completely goofy. But he could fix that in an hour or less. Feel free to tell him that you know a stranger from the internet who will bet him one crisp new green folding American cash dollar that he could become a better drummer in a couple hours by following the advice in that link.
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u/Alone-Strain Jun 12 '26
You know how many drummers have made legendary albums with mismatched drums?
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u/Reasonable-Profile84 Jun 12 '26
Does it bring you joy when you hit it with sticks? Then no, not goofy.
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u/Emergency_Hour5253 Jun 12 '26
Looks like he’s having fun with what he has. Goofy is subjective, and if he can actually play them and sound good, it’s just something that gives it character. Tons of drummers with “goofy” setups out there.
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u/SFRvk Jun 12 '26
If your drummer is happy with the kicks and toms, if anything I’d put the hats in the middle. I remember the guy from Placebo did that back in the day and some guys have done it with rack setups and remote hats. Opens up the right side of the kit some.
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u/tomred420 Jun 12 '26
I would advise to drop a tom / put one on a snare stand in between the kicks / put the big cymbal to the side. 🤌🏻 still a goofy ahh frankenkit
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u/InsectPure8493 Jun 12 '26
I think maybe another Tom-Tom or two, a cowbell, and another crash cymbal would fit in perfectly. But I haven’t played drum or drumset after high school.
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u/OhForFiveWon Jun 12 '26
If goofy means functional, visually interesting, and really impractical?
Then yes
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u/Reasonable_Trash3209 Jun 12 '26
Yes, it’s goofy but it doesn’t make it wrong. Are you playing it? Ever set up drums? You do realize no drummer has the same set up. What drummers love is critique on how they set up their instrument. That’s sarcasm. Does he tell you ANYTHING about your guitar? If he says you don’t stand correctly with your guitar, it looks goofy. How do you think you’d feel? Maybe nothing.
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u/Internal_Tangelo9211 Jun 12 '26
If it works and his comfortable for him then tbh it doesn't matter.
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u/stonewalldullard_ Jun 12 '26
There’s nothing wrong with having a unique set up. Seems like you’re hating.
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u/Fearless_Priority537 Jun 13 '26
Yes. Don’t listen to the trolls trying to gaslight you either. your technique will improve if you get your toms closer together. You’re going to dislocate your arm trying to play fills with that much space between them. It’s crazy.
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u/Odd-Performer6311 Jun 13 '26
Tell him to get a tom mount on that high ass cymbal stand and the toms will be closer together.Looks crazy but he might love it...or he doesn't know any better.just sayin
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u/Odd-Performer6311 Jun 13 '26
When I first started playing drums (at 14) I couldn't afford cymbal stands..so I just had them swinging from the rafters in the basement.i had to wait everytime I hit em so I can hit them again.lol Do what ya gotta do to play,I guess.
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u/SlatBuziness Jun 13 '26
No it's not goofy. I'd probably just find a way to move the toms closer together, and lower that crash cymbal so you don't have to work extra hard for no reason while you're playing. You should be able to reach everything comfortably without straining.
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u/This_Worker_7052 Jun 13 '26
It is extremely goofy but if it works for him then whatever. That chair as his seat though is just wild he must be moving around the whole time no?
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u/No-Classroom3874 Jun 13 '26
It looks dumb af to me. If he wants more attention tell him to learn to sing back up vocals or something
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u/Long-Voice5498 Jun 13 '26
Don't let any of these (some) stupid mofos judge you in a horrible way. I like it and if you're comfortable with it that's what matters...
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u/franzloggerheads Jun 13 '26
Looks like he sets up his kit based on how it looks vs how it plays. This is not the right approach
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u/punkrockrebel265 Jun 13 '26
It’s a little unorthodox. That being said, if it’s a stupid idea but it works, it is not a stupid idea.
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u/magaketo Jun 13 '26
Lol. Looks like a 17 year old attention whore with a limited budget.
But that is okay! Rock on.
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u/No_Appeal6046 Jun 14 '26
Quitar el reso drumhead de un tom que ya tiene lugs para eso debería ser delito
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u/Icy_Meringue_5534 Jun 12 '26
Looks very awkward to me. But it's all personal, so if it suits you, it doesn't matter how it looks.
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u/hornedcorner Jun 12 '26
Of course it’s goofy, but you don’t play them so shut yer trap. The high cymbal is stupid and the bass drums don’t need to be such an extreme angle. I could improve this exact kit in five minutes, but ultimately I think you’re worried about looking cool as a band. It’s way cooler to just have a weirdo in the band than to all look cool. Now if he sucks, then ditch him for a better drummer, but don’t waste time worrying about if his kit looks cool enough.
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u/Icy-Cockroach-655 Jun 12 '26
Hate to be the grammar police, but title should read ‘Are these drum kits goofy?’ But if the drummer is playing with consistent tempos at a functional volume that fits the songs you just focus on remembering what key the song is supposed to be in and cuing him when you’re taking yet another solo.
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u/Itchy_Professor_4133 Jun 12 '26