The Knowledge

What do you look for in your very first kit? It's a question RT gets asked alot.

Who better to ask than Simon Stevens. Simon drummed for 22 years professionally before working as tech for the likes of Rick Latham (Quincy Jones' drummer) among others. He now manages Repercussion Drum Store in Hull.

RT: You're off to the shops to buy your first kit that's going to see you through a few gigs. Where do you start?

Kill Surf City's drummer travels light

SIMON: If you are looking for a kit to gig it is important that your engine room is the best that you can afford. The engine room is KICK DRUM (bass) - HI HATS - SNARE DRUM. We call this the engine room as it is the back bone of most rhythms and the driving force behind most grooves .

RT: What would you be looking to spend?

SIMON: Spend as much as you can. This is not the shop keeper talking, this is the drummer! Do as much research as you can, visit your local music shops and check out reviews on line( www.mikedolbear.com would be a good start) . You will get to know who knows their stuff and it'll be an invaluable resource.

RT:What would your basic, good kit be for a working drummer?What's your top choice?

SIMON: Mapex M (birch) or Sonor Force 3007 (maple)

RT: And what would be the one thing that you shouldn't skimp on?

SIMON: Cymbals.  When you buy a starter kit you are led into a false sense of security. Companies give cymbals away free and when it comes to the gigging musician you will have £500/£600 in your drums and hardware and up to £1,500 in your cymbal case. Cymbals are very very important.

You don't need a huge kit like Cozy

RT:Worth shopping around and getting different advice from different people then?

SIMON: Yes, ask as many professionals as you can as well as dealers

RT: And how important to sit down and have a really good go of a kit before you buy?

SIMON: This is the difficult one. As a shop keeper, I am loathe to let customers bash around on new kits but with good knowledge you should be able to get the kit you want. Good tuning is a must.

RT: Kits get chucked around in the back of vans so are good cases important?

SIMON: Cases are more important than the drums. Would you buy a £200 pair of sunglasses and not expect them to have a case?!

RT: C'mon, tell us about your favourite kit?

SIMON: My Ludwig Bubinga or Simo's DW (but it's a personal thing!)

RT: Anything to add?

Thanks Simon!

Simon is Manager of Repercussion on Beverley Rd in Hull
and Executive Producer of Rhythm Of Life.