Drumming can be expensive, but these accessories will make your life easier for a very small out-of-pocket amount.
Drummer To The Bone is not affiliated with any of these companies or products. This is based on personal experience, and in the spirit of providing valuable info to fellow drummers.
Our top 5 drum products for less than $50
1. Kickstrap ($32.95):
The Kickstrap stops your bass drum and hi hat from sliding or moving. You can also use it on keyboard pedals, cajon slave pedals, electronic drum pedals and double bass drum pedals.
The Kickstrap stops your bass drum and hi hat from sliding or moving.
Kickstrap has a clamp that attaches to your bass drum pedal and a hook that goes to your throne, so it’s firmly fixed. You won’t depend on a drum rug (and even sometimes with a rug, drums and hi-hat stands start sliding).
Kickstrap's pedal clamp
In my experience, Kickstrap has been a fantastic solution for those “just-bring-your-cymbals-and-snare” club gigs, where you are depending on a venue’s backline (which is usually terrible). With Kickstrap I know my kick and hi-hat won’t be sliding and having to rearrange my drum set after every song.
Kickstrap set up
A single Kickstrap is $32.95, but they have a 2-pack, which is highly recommended, for $49.95.
2. KickPro Weighted Gripping Bass Drum Pillow ($44.95)
Instead of stealing pillows and blankets around the house, use the KickPro Weighted Gripping Bass Drum Pillow. This pillow was developed by LA drummer and drum tech, Jon Nicholson. It's a simple, compact, and versatile way of making your kick drum sound great.
KickPro The Weighted Gripping Bass Drum Pillow
Its design allows the pillow to be positioned with as much, or as little contact, with the drumhead as desired, yet keeps it securely in place without applying Velcro or other adhesives to the drum.
It creates the optimal balance of muffling, tone, punch, and power, and it's great for studio and live situations.
Jon Nicholson says: “I developed the KickPro based on years of working in the studio with bands like Foo Fighters, Deftones, Queens of the Stone Age, Alice in Chains, Tool, Bob Dylan, Three Days Grace, Chris Daughtry and producers Nick Raskulinecz, Howard Benson, Matt Hyde, David Bottrill and many more. After stuffing anything and everything inside kick drums, my clients and I agree that the simple, compact, versatile and extremely effective KickPro makes bass drums sound great.”
Kickpro's pillow is very versatile
A few years back, during a recording session, I had an old heavy blanket inside the kick. The engineer told me “get all that stuff out of your kick, let’s use this instead (pointing at the KickPro pillow)”. Took out the front head (of course…), and proceeded to arrange and rearrange the pillow inside the bass drum until we found the sound we were looking for. Loved it.
3. Vic Firth Stereo Isolation Headphones ($32.95)
Disclaimer: this is not the newest Bluetooth version (V2). We’re referring to the old version.
Vic Firth Stereo Isolation Headphones
I’ve had the Vic Firth Stereo Isolation Headphones since 2011. They are lifesavers. Whether you use it plugged to a music input to play along or just use it as ear protection during rehearsals, it saves your ears and your sanity.
Tom Sawada's studio set up
Designed with the great Rod Morgenstein, these headphones reduce up to 25 dB of noise, which means you can still hear your drums perfectly while getting the other instruments. In small rehearsal studios or places without proper sound treatment, these are essential.
Vic Firth developed these headphones with Rod Morgenstein
Sturdy (have been using them for 12 years!) and effective. Love them. If I had to point out a negative aspect is that after a while (45 minutes or so) your ears might start to hurt a bit. These headphones run really hard-pressed to your head!
Tom Sawada in the studio, 2014. Still using the same headphones. A great investment
4. Native Tongue’s RhymStryker ($34.99)
A few days ago I saw a video of percussionist Taku Hirano playing a cowbell with his hands and I was really impressed. What is that?
That is Native Tongue’s RhymStryker. It allows you to play woodblock and cowbells without the need for sticks. Great idea for hand drummers.
Native Tongue’s RhymStryker's full set up
They also have the Hi Hat Stryker ($44.99) which - as you might have guessed - allows you to play a hi-hat with your hands.
Native Tongue’s Hi Hat Stryker.
I haven’t tried it yet, but I think I’ll get a Hi-Hat Stryker and see how that feels.
5. Vic Firth Stick Wax "VicWax" ($9.50)
This wax is formulated to be 25% tackier than all other waxes on the market. VicWax is a handy way to apply any level of coating on the stick, according to a player's desired feel.
Vic Firth Stick Wax "VicWax"
I still remember the days when I used to make little cuts on my sticks with a kitchen knife before shows to improve my grip (never liked using tennis grips or gloves), also tried very coarse sandpaper and glue. Sweaty shows are a problem.
This wax solves a lot of those problems. Of course, adding things to your sticks can have its problems (wax residue on your sticks, or if you have sensitive skin, it can get itchy). But, if you have a “slippery stick” problem, then it might be worth trying it.
Have you tried any of these products? Let us know your review in the comments below!
