Drum Key – All Drummers should have at least 5…because you never know when we are going to lose them!
Speedy Drum Key
– A little faster than your standard drum key.
Drill Bit Drum Key
- The fastest way to change your drum heads! (You would also need a drill)
Metronome
– One of the best gifts you could ever give a drummer.
L-Rod For Mounting Your Rhythm Watch
– Easy way to keep your metronome close!
Music Stand
– You can pack this baby up in your hardware case and take it to all your chart reading gigs!
Drum Heads – Check out my post describing my preference in drum heads – My preference in drum heads (Blog Post)
Mono Cases Drum Stick Bag
– This stick bag is by far one of the coolest stick bags I’ve ever seen!
Mono Cases Cymbal Bag
– To match your stick bag of course!
Pork Pie Drum Throne
– Trust me… don’t go cheap on a drum throne. This is what the drummer lives on top of. Skimp on this and you could be paying for it in visits to the back/neck/spine doctor! I have used a Pork Pie Drum throne for about 10 years now, they are amazing.
Roland Spd-s – Because it’s one of the cheaper ways to add some out of the box electronics to your set-up (Check out some of my Roland SPD-S Videos)
Roland Octapad SPD-30 Digital Percussion Pad
– Because it’s a step up from the Spd-S. Much better sounds, and functionality.
Roland SPD-SX Percussion Controller, Sampling Pad
– Honestly, I just can’t get enough of all of the Roland drum pads…This one seems to have just come out, would you like to buy it for me?
Drum! Magazine Subscription – A great drum magazine.
Modern Drummer Magazine Subscription – The world’s most widely read drum magazine.
In Ear Monitors
– Chances are, if you keep drumming, you’ll need a pair of these. There are some great options out there: Shure SE-425 (I use these) (They also have one of the best warranties), Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10, Shure SE535-V, Westone 4 are among some of the better models.
Ray-Ban New Wayfarer Sunglasses
– Because you’ll need them at all the outdoor festivals you play at. Plus, you’ll look just like Guy “Shades” Patterson!
Drum T-Shirt That You Can Play! – Because there will always be “that guy” that wants to play the drums on your shirt, but when you wear this shirt you’ll give them a very nice surprise…it really plays!
Drum Lessons with a Pro – There lots of drummers that will actually give drum lessons over Skype. Paul Wandtke is just one of them, and he has great prices!
Coffee Drum Table that you can play! – How awesome would it be to have a drum circle in your living room using your coffee table!
Zildjian Black Classic T-Shirt
– Let people know what you like to play!
Got Drums? Mens Hoodie
– Everyone needs a hoodie!
I’d Rather Be Playing Drums Metal License Plate Frame Tag Holder
- Now everyone behind your car will know the truth…
Zildjian 24 Inch Bar Stool 2-Pack - Obviously for the bachelor pad or drum room.
SKB Drum Cases with Padded Interiors
– I have used SKB Cases for about 10 years and absolutely love them. Did I mention they have a lifetime warranty?
Sabian HHX Super Cymbal Pack
– I am positive that any drummer who got this as a gift would indeed be grateful.
Sabian 24″ Symphonic Gong
– Even though most drummers will admit it, they secretly wish you would buy them a gong!
Quick Set Cymbal Mate
– I started using these a couple of years ago when I got tired of the cymbal wing nuts falling off the stand in a dark venue when I was changing cymbals. See my video review of the product.
The Making of a Drum Company : The Autobiography of William E. Ludwig II
– This is a great book on the history of Ludwig drums told from the perspective of William Ludwig himself! I own it and think it should be required reading for all drummers who want to start a drum company! I also wrote a blog post on the History of Ludwig Drum Company a while back you might want to check out!
Neil Peart Taking Center Stage: Lifetime of Live Performances
– This is Neil Peart’s latest DVD. One of the most famous drummers in the world. Know for playing drums for the band RUSH.
Blue Man Group: How to Be a Megastar Live!
– I own the first Blue Man Group DVD and really want this one. If you need inspiration for drumming, just pop this in the dvd player! Incredible engaging live show.
STOMP Live
– Again, I own the first Stomp DVD and I really want this one. More drumming inspiration!
Audix DP7 Drum Microphone KIt Dynamic Mic Package
– This is a really great set of drum mics that can get you started in the pro audio/drummer world!
Feel free to email this post to your friends and family and let them know which items are on your list!
Is there something on your list that I’ve missed? Tell me by leaving a comment below!
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Here are a couple low cost items that I have found helpful
Hot Rods – quieter sticks for practice or smaller venues, and your ears might benefit from them as well!
KickPort – get a more focus kick drum sound
Moon Gels – help control the overtones on your snare and toms
Jesse,
Those are all great drum gifts! What is your experience with the KickPort? I’ve heard lots about it, but not enough to make me want to buy it.
Philip,
I don’t have many chances to play mic’d up so I can’t really comment on how it changes in a live mic’d setting. In the practice room, here are a few things I like about it.
1. It eliminates any unwanted ringing that comes from the resonant head. This is especially helpful if you don’t have any sort of muffling or sound control on your resonant head. It also eliminates the need to stuff your kick drum.
2. Tightens the response on the batter
3. The low end seems to be a little more pronounced..not a lot but a little.
You’re welcome to borrow it and try it if you’d like..maybe use it when you play at the Stone sometime. I’d be curious to see how might change the mic’d sound
Here are a couple other missed items:
1. DrumDial DRUM11 Precision Drum Tension Gauge Tuner ($50)
2. Hansenfutz Fütz Practice Pedal ($50)
3. Dunlop System 65 Cymbal and Drum Care Kit ($20)
and the gift that gives to the giver:
1. Control Acoustics 5-piece Acrylic Drum Shield ($300)
Excellent call on the Dunlop 65 System. It did an AMAZING job restoring a neglected lacquer finish.
Here’s another gift idea, specially for those drummers without access to a kit
Practice Pad ($20)
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