Jazz music is one of the most challenging playing styles on the drums. This style requires a high level of coordination and musicality, which is why it is a style that mostly intermediate and advanced percussionists play.
However, if you are a beginner player and love jazz, don’t let this bother you. It might be the style that suits you perfectly regardless of its complex needs. For this reason, many jazz drummers are in doubt about what kind of kit they should buy, and being on the budget is always a matter of consideration.
Here, we outlined the best jazz drum sets for the money, independent of your skill level.
 | 1.Best Jazz Drum Set for the Money Editor’s Choice – Gretsch Drums Renown 3-Piece Rock Shell Pack This 3-Piece Rock configuration delivers a big pumping sound; therefore, it is great for big jazz bands. Drums’ build quality ensures a long lifespan while being able to withstand the demands of life on the road. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 2.Best Beginner Jazz Drum Set for the Money – PDP New Yorker 4-piece Shell Pack This set features standard Remo heads and low-mass, teardrop mini turret lugs. It exhibits full, warm tones, thanks to its all-poplar shells. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 3. Best Kids Jazz Drum Set for the Money– Ludwig LC178X025 Questlove Pocket Kit The Ludwig Questlove is ideal for our little ones discovering the world of drums. Totally affordable, this kit features 4 piece drum sets, Hi-hat and crash cymbals, and hardware. Everything you need to get started! | Buy on Amazon |
 | 4.Best Jazz Drum Set for the Money Overall – Gretsch Drums Catalina Club It features 6-ply 100% mahogany shells and maple bass drum hoops. Catalina Club drums have pre-muffled bass drum heads coated single-ply heads on top and bottom of toms and snares. | Buy on Amazon |
Best Jazz Drum Set for the Money Reviewed
Best Jazz Drum Set for the Money Editor’s Choice – Gretsch Drums Renown 3-Piece Rock Shell Pack
The most valuable feature of this Gretsch Drum Renown set is its versatility. The drums produce a warm, rich sound, great for different music styles, including jazz. Thus drummers of all kinds can fit right in with the Gretsch Renown.
Another great feature for us would be the great build quality. The drumming set targets professional players mostly. However, beginners can also fit in if they are not planning to change their drum set since it is built to last.
The drums feature 7-ply maple shells. Thanks to the maple wood, the drums sound warm and smooth compared to shells crafted from mahogany and birch. Despite being warm, they still provide enough cuts to be effective in any situation.
Drum-bearing edges are a bit more shallow than usual, resulting in a softer attack than most other drum kits in the same category. Therefore, you get a very unique-sounding drum set.
Pros
- Exceptionally versatile
- Professional sound
- Easy to tune
- High-quality construction
Cons
- Maybe a bit expensive compared to other budget drum sets
Check out the sound of the Gretsch Drums Renown and see whether this is the jazz sound you prefer.
Best Beginner Jazz Drum Set for the Money – PDP New Yorker 4-piece Shell Pack
The PDP New Yorker is a compact drum kit with a polished diamond finish. Its small size is suitable when moving or traveling a lot. Plus, its low mass lugs make the kit lightweight! Due to its size may lack a tonal range, but you can still get some good sound out of it. Its 4 piece set has an affordable and reasonable price;but, it does not include hardware or cymbals.
When it comes to its construction, the shells are all-poplar, which will deliver more freedom if played in an ensemble like jazz. In addition, the drums are crafted from decent-quality material, considering their mid-to-low price range.
The bass drum features a full-sized mount with an auxiliary clamp. You will also receive a lifter to accommodate your pedal better. In addition, the drum set comes with True-Pitch tuning rods to help with precise tuning. Overall, it might take a while before your set is completely tuned to your liking.
Pros
- Good value
- Great sounding toms
- Totally affordable
- Suitable for traveling
- All-poplar shells
Cons
- Complicated bass drum pedal mounting system
- Minimal tonal range
- Require tuning
Let’s check how PDP New Yorker sound!
Best Kids Jazz Drum Set for the Money – Ludwig LC178X025 Questlove Pocket Kit
The Ludwig Pocket Kit is our warm recommendation for kids and adults who are about to start learning drums.
In addition to winning the hearts of many grateful parents, these drums have also gained popularity among adult beginners. However, the drum size is too small, especially for drummers taller than 6″1, so it is suitable for kids below 12. On the other hand, we would not recommend it for adults with serious drumming ambitions.
The best feature of this Ludwig set is that it includes everything you need to get started. Therefore, you don’t have to make an extra purchase!
Its wraps’ multiple, high-quality finishes are far above the common standards. It features quality hardwood body construction, but steel is the main component. Of course, you cannot expect professional sound at this price point, but it is more than satisfying for our future little drummers!
Plus, let’s not forget that you will also get all the 14 pieces in one package! And this includes cymbals and pedals and all other accessories to get you grooving.
Pros
- Very budget-friendly
- Easily transportable
- Durable hardware
- Suitable for both kids and adults
- Quick and easy assembly
- Comes with free introductory lessons
Cons
- Cymbals are not of the greatest quality and sound
- Drum heads might not be very durable
- The size is not suitable for bigger/ taller adults
Here’s a little demo video if you are interested in how Ludwing Questlove Pocket Kit sounds.
Best Jazz Drum Set for the Money Overall – Gretsch Drums Catalina Club
The Catalina Club series has a classic and pleasing sound with small-size features. It is a main reason why it’s so popular among drummers looking for a dedicated kit for jazz.
These Gretsch Catalina Club drums have 7 ply mahogany shells and no maple/gum shells. Since mahogany is the softest wood, it produces warm, rich tones. These drums have all of those characteristics without sounding muddy.
The 30 degree bearing edge increase the contact area between head and shell, transferring more vibration to the shell, and resulting in more giant drum resonance.
In the Gretsch Catalina set, the toms are our favorite feature. They produce a beautiful, sustaining ring when tuned high and a powerful boom when tuned lower. The floor tom especially is capable of producing classic and vintage tones.
Pros
- Very versatile
- Compact and portable
- Solid snare sound
- Hardware included
Cons
- The bass drum might not suit everyone’s taste
- Might need to change the drum heads
Here is how Gretsch Drum Catalina Club sounds!
Buying Guide
What is the best wood for a jazz drum set?
The best woods for jazz drum sets are maple, birch, and poplar. Maple and birch wood are both used to manufacture high-quality drum shells. Poplar is a great choice for crafting drum shells and making affordable drum sets.
Birch and maple will produce a wonderful drum kit sound that is versatile in tuning. Even though you have a small kit, widespread for jazz sets, these woods will produce a big sound even when tuned low.
As for poplar wood, it gives the drums a vintage sound. They are pretty similar to the drum sounds of the 20th century. Drum kits with poplar wood are suitable for a drummer in a big jazz band since they will help you achieve that big vintage sound.
What are the types of drums used in jazz music?
In general, small drum kits are the most popular ones in jazz music. Look out for drum kits that feature 16″ or 18″ kick drums since jazz requires higher tunings.
But if you are planning on playing in a big jazz band, you will probably have to get a more prominent drum kit. As you can see from our list, Gretsch drum kits are one of the most popular manufacturers of jazz drum kits. Although other drum companies also produce quality jazz drums.
How much does a jazz drum set cost?
Drum sets have a wide range of prices. For example, portable drum kits can cost from $250 to $1000, beginner drum sets for jazz drummers can go from $400 to $1500, and intermediate and advanced drum sets go from $1500 to $5000.
Overall the cost of the drum set will depend on your budget. If you are still a beginner, we recommend not opting for high-end ones since you will need some time to find your groove. Plus, there is also a chance that that kit does not suit your needs and you need to change it. So there is no point in spending your whole savings on that.
Conclusion
Jazz music is probably one of the most demanding types of music to play. And having the suitable kit for your preferred style is half the job done.
Luckily, today we have an entire market of different drum kits available for different pockets and music genres. Therefore we picked out the four best jazz drum sets for the money.
Among those sets, we chose our favorite one, and it’s Gretsch Drums Catalina Club. The kit is budget-friendly, it produces a beautiful sound, and it is excellent for both beginners and intermediate-level players. These drums are lightweight and compact, and for their price money, you will also receive solid hardware. What more can we ask?
Last update on 2023-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
