You might think guitarists get all the gear love. Electric and acoustic guitars. Amps. Pedals. Cords and cables. Accessories and even more stuff. Well, not to burst your stringed-instrument bubble, but drummers use a ton of gear, as well—everything from the grand (complete acoustic and electronic drum kits) to the practical (stick bags, practice pads, metronomes) to essential goodies (drum keys, cleaning products). All of this is wonderful news if you’re looking to buy your favorite drummer something fun or useful. The Guitar Center staff has curated the following gift suggestions, so you can make an informed choice regarding the perfect “percussion present.” And, of course, if you want to leave the choice up to them—there’s always that no-risk Guitar Center gift card.

Pictured: Zildjian Black DIP Drum Sticks 5B Nylon

Table of Contents

Give a Top-Selling Snare Drum as a Gift
   Ludwig Polar-Phonic Brass Snare Drum With Copper Hardware 14x6.5"
   DW Design Series Acrylic Snare Drum 14x6.5" Sea Glass
The Best Cymbals and Accessories for Gifting
   Zildjian K Sweet Cymbal Pack 14", 16", 21" With Free 18" Crash
   SABIAN AAX X-Plosion Cymbal Pack With Free 18" Crash
   TAMA QC8 Quick-Set Cymbal Mate Single
Popular Presents: Essential Drum and Cymbal Maintenance Gear
   Music Nomad Premium Drum & Cymbal Care System 4-Pack
Top Tuning Tools and Accessories as Gift Options
   Bass Drum O's Hole Cutter
   EVANS Torque Drum Key
   tune-bot Studio Drum Tuner
Gift Your Drummer a Gig Bag
   Road Runner Boulevard II Backpack Cymbal Bag
   Road Runner Rolling Hardware Bag
The Best Drum Throne You Can Gift a Drummer
   ROC-N-SOC Nitro Drum Throne
Give Top-Rated Drum Sticks as Gifts
   Zildjian Black DIP Drum Sticks
Groove Gifting

Give a Top-Selling Snare Drum as a Gift

Pictured: DW Design Series Acrylic Snare Drum 14x6.5in Sea Glass

Ludwig Polar-Phonic Brass Snare Drum With Copper Hardware 14x6.5"

What Makes This a Great Gift: It’s a sophisticated-looking brass snare in a polar white finish with copper-plated hardware.

Things to Consider: Brass snares typically offer a sharp snap, dark overtones and a robust low end.

Shop Now: Ludwig Polar-Phonic Brass Snare Drum With Copper Hardware 14x6.5in

The classy, made-in-the-USA Ludwig Polar-Phonic Brass Snare Drum features a seamless 1.2 mm brass shell, copper-plated hardware and die-cast hoops. This limited-edition snare produces flexible timbres that can work with various musical styles and production settings. Its loud, focused attack can cut through dense band mixes, and yet it also possesses a dry tone that doesn’t require excessive dampening to sound sweet, harmonious and tuneful.

Explore More: Learn more about snare tuning.

DW Design Series Acrylic Snare Drum 14x6.5" Sea Glass

What Makes This a Great Gift: It’s a fabulous snare drum that’s also a work of functional art.

Things to Consider: Acrylic shells often produce a loud punch with a nice attack and expansive projection.

Shop Now: DW Design Series Acrylic Snare Drum 14x6.5in Sea Glass

As striking as an iridescent jewel in a fantasy-quest video game, the DW Design Series Acrylic Snare Drum looks amazing and sounds powerful. The snare’s 14x6.5" size offers versatile tuning options—go low or high to complement specific musical styles—and ensures timbral integrity with DW True Pitch tension rods. Typically, acrylic drums are known for producing a potent, straightforward attack, but the DW Design Series snare also delivers enough sensitivity to manage subtle dynamics for ghost notes and swelling buzz rolls.

Explore More: Up your snare tuning game.

The Best Cymbals and Accessories for Gifting

Pictured: SABIAN AAX X-Plosion Cymbal Pack With Free 18" Crash

Zildjian K Sweet Cymbal Pack, 14", 16", 21" With Free 18" Crash

What Makes This a Great Gift: One-stop cymbal shopping—a full set in one pack.

Things to Consider: Zildjian K Sweet cymbals are articulate, yet also dark sounding and complex.

Shop Now: Zildjian K Sweet Cymbal Pack 14", 16", 21" With Free 18" Crash

The swanky Zildjian K Sweet Cymbal Pack costs more than your traditional stocking stuffer, but it includes everything a gigging drummer could want for crash, sizzle, ping, choke and wash articulations. Made from thin, hammered bronze, the K Sweet pack serves up 14" “thin top over extra-heavy bottom” hi-hats for crisp washes, very thin 16" and 18" crashes with unlathed bells for swift attacks, and a fully lathed 21" ride for vivid definition and dark overtones.

Explore More: Get tips on how to shop for crash cymbals.

SABIAN AAX X-Plosion Cymbal Pack With Free 18" Crash

What Makes This a Great Gift: These bright, cutting cymbals really flourish in aggressive music settings, such as rock and metal.

Things to Consider: They’re called “X-Plosion” cymbals for a reason.

Shop Now: SABIAN AAX X-Plosion Cymbal Pack With Free 18" Crash

The SABIAN AAX X-Plosion Cymbal Pack is a durable, totally fabulous assortment of cymbals that can power through even the most dense, multilayered music mixes. The set includes 14" hi-hats, 16" and 18" crash cymbals, and a 21" “crash-able” light ride. These are beautifully belligerent cymbals with excellent sustain, coherent overtones and a punchy attack. You may get some sideways glances from bandmates if you bring AAX X-Plosion cymbals to a trad jazz or folk gig, but they will deliver thrilling punctuations and washes for rock, metal, prog and other hard-hitting musical acts. 

Explore More: Learn how to best capture cymbal sounds in the studio with our How to Record Drums tutorial.

TAMA QC8 Quick-Set Cymbal Mate Single

What Makes This a Great Gift: Near instant cymbal setup and breakdown.

Things to Consider: You may need to plan a going-away party for your current cymbal wing nuts.

Shop Now: TAMA QC8 Quick-Set Cymbal Mate Single

The TAMA QC8 Quick-Set Cymbal Mate is one of those ideas that is so simple and so brilliant that it approaches a Leonardo Da Vinci level of genius. Quick-Set Cymbal Mates replace conventional wing nuts that require unscrewing, and in rapid set-changeover situations, always seem to spin off their posts and fall to the stage—usually skittering to the most inconvenient or unseen places for retrieval. That won’t happen with Quick-Set Cymbal Mates, as you simply push the device’s side buttons and lift it straight off the post with your grip intact (unless you happen to be, um, exceedingly clumsy). “Quick” definitely describes this wonder gadget, as you can effortlessly setup or remove two crashes and a ride in under 20 seconds—and that includes the time it takes to walk in front of your kit for easier cymbal access. Brilliant!

Popular Presents: Essential Drum and Cymbal Maintenance Gear

Music Nomad Premium Drum & Cymbal Care System 4-Pack

What Makes This a Great Gift: Super handy method for keeping your drums and cymbals spotless. Easily fits into a crowded cymbal case or hardware bag.

Things to Consider: Includes two washable microfiber towels.

Shop Now: Music Nomad Premium Drum Cymbal Care System 4-Pack

The Music Nomad Premium Drum & Cymbal Care System features the company’s Drum Detailer, Cymbal Cleaner and two high-quality microfiber towels. Scrubbing up your drums and cymbals offers more than just making them look pretty—although who doesn’t want a shiny and sparkling kit? For example, the lathing grooves in cymbals can trap dirt, hand oils and other muck that can diminish high frequencies and darken tone. There’s a preventative benefit, as well, because discoloration and rust invite the possibility of metal fatigue and cracking. Admittedly, polishing toms and kick drums is more of a beautification process, but frequent cleaning provides an opportunity to check hardware condition and stability, which can increase a drum’s lifespan and help reduce friction and squeaking.

Explore More: When a kit is all cleaned up and ready to roar, check out these pointers for recording drums.

Top Tuning Tools and Accessories as Gift Options

Pictured: tune-bot Studio Drum Tuner

Bass Drum O's Hole Cutter

What Makes This a Great Gift: Renders the eternal debate over whether to stick with a unported resonant kick drum head moot. Now, a relatively simple procedure can transform an unported head into a ported one.

Things to Consider: This is an easy operation, but it’s still a do-it-yourself proposition.

 

Shop Now: Bass Drum O's Hole Cutter

Drummers with unported kick drum heads always risk the ire of studio engineers and live-sound techs who prefer a port for positioning their microphones. The Bass Drum O's Hole Cutter makes it possible to make those people happy—and without having to invest in another resonant kick drum head. All you need to do is call the venue or studio a little bit before the gig, ask the technician’s preference, and if you don’t mind cutting into your head, get out the Hole Cutter and make a circular sound hole from 2" to 10" if they request a ported kick. To ensure your port looks customized and fabulous, cut a 4" circumference and cover the edges with Bass Drum O’s 4" Chrome hole-reinforcement system.

EVANS Torque Drum Key

What Makes This a Great Gift: It’s a professional-level drum tool with significant advantages in ergonomics and operation over freebie and basic-quality keys.

Things to Consider: Slip-resistant magnetized head hugs the lug.

Shop Now: EVANS Torque Drum Key

The EVANS Torque Drum Key is a savvy upgrade over basic keys with its torque handle (that can be set to release at a specific tension for uniform lug tuning), comfy ergonomic grip, knurled knob (for rapid spinning when putting on new heads and removing old heads) and heavy-duty construction with a lifetime guarantee. Even more exciting for anyone who has dropped keys on dark stages while trying to rapidly freshen up tuning is the Torque Drum Key’s magnetized head. Not having to fear your key slipping off lugs multiple times is not just a timesaver, it’s a mood guardian.

Explore More: Learn how the Drum Doctor approaches drum tuning.

tune-bot Studio Drum Tuner

What Makes This a Great Gift: Exceptional, accurate and sonically balanced drum tuning remains a mysterious and often frustrating task for many drummers. The tune-bot delivers science-assisted precision.

Things to Consider: Free tuning app offers lug-pitch suggestions based on drum size and artist tunings from Dennis Chambers, Ray Luzier and other pros.

Shop Now: tune-bot Studio Drum Tuner

It’s perhaps a truism that drum-tuning foibles are usually endured by new drummers. However, even experienced players and studio engineers have gone on record admitting the tune-bot Studio Drum Tuner has been an invaluable resource for achieving improved and consistent drum tones. This tuning tutor clips to the drum hoop and uses an internal microphone to take pitch measurements. A color LCD shows the readings, and you can store settings for five kits of up to 10 drums each.

Explore More: Get drum tuning tips from Los Angeles super tech Ross Garfield, the Drum Doctor.

Gift Your Drummer a Gig Bag

Road Runner Boulevard II Backpack Cymbal Bag

What Makes This a Great Gift: Prized cymbals need protection, and a full set of them can be heavy. The Boulevard II offers foam liners for cymbal security and backpack-style straps for comfy transport.

Things to Consider: Stores five cymbals up to 22".

Shop Now: Road Runner Boulevard II Backpack Cymbal Bag

Drummers have to pack a lot of gear, and the Road Runner Boulevard II not only cradles hi-hat, crash and ride cymbals, but it also provides bonus storage pockets for drum sticks, setlists (paper and/or mobile device), various tools, dampening gels, gaffer’s tape and more. In addition, the bag’s removable dividers aren’t simply nylon fabric (although those work nicely), they are padded for extra cymbal snuggling. The handle is padded (a welcome feature when you’ve beaten up your hands throughout a long gig), as are the shoulder straps (a calming option if your hands have been so brutalized they can’t bear lifting even a drum stick). Rubber feet prevent slippage—no more “kerranging” falls when leaning the bag against a wall, amp or monitor speaker.

Road Runner Rolling Hardware Bag

What Makes This a Great Gift: Drum hardware is often viciously heavy—which, in turn, can make lugging hardware bags awkward, cumbersome and even painful. This one has wheels. Bliss.

Things to Consider: Built tough.

Shop Now: Road Runner Rolling Hardware Bag

The Road Runner Rolling Hardware Bag features a reinforced lining, ballistic-quality exterior and interior, and heavy-duty zippers. These brawny bits are essential, as tossing in and removing cymbal and hi-hat stands, tom mounts, floor tom legs and other heavy metal pieces can really take a toll on a case—especially as many drummers tend to overload their hardware bags to save trips from transport to stage. The 38" length accommodates most cymbal stands without necessitating removing adjustable tubes to fit inside the bag. Incredibly, the Rolling Hardware Bag offers a shoulder strap as a “non-rolling” option. But swinging a full-to-bursting hardware bag across your shoulder is something only the Hulk should consider.

The Best Drum Throne You Can Gift a Drummer

ROC-N-SOC Nitro Drum Throne

What Makes This a Great Gift: Ergonomic posture and drummer comfort starts and ends with a great seat.

Things to Consider: The ROC-N-SOC features a nitrogen-gas shock absorber for a cozy bit of bounce during performances, rehearsals and practice.

Shop Now: ROC-N-SOC Nitro Drum Throne

The top-selling ROC-N-SOC Nitro Throne has provided drummers with fabulous comfort for years. The motorcycle-seat design helps position legs for optimum drum posture and reduced fatigue, while the nitrogen-gas shock absorber provides hard hitters and other active players with some soothing bounce. (Drummers who feel the action of the shock absorber may somewhat diminish power and speed can opt for the ROC-N-SOC Original Saddle Drum Throne.) The Nitro Throne adjusts from a height of 18" to 24" to ensure all limbs are in prime position for kick-drum grooves, snare swacks, drum fills and cymbal work. 

Explore More: Check out some other sweet seats in our article, The Best Drum Thrones of 2024.

Give Top-Rated Drum Sticks as Gifts

Zildjian Black DIP Drum Sticks

What Makes This a Great Gift: Zildjian’s DIP coating provides enhanced grip—ensuring less instances of drum sticks slipping from sweaty hands and thumping the backside of singers, bassists or guitar players.

Things to Consider: Oval nylon tip produces clear, articulate attack on cymbals, toms and snare drums.

Shop Now: Zildjian Black DIP Drum Sticks 5B Nylon

Not every drummer needs a bit of help holding onto drum sticks, but for those with perspiring hands, physical challenges with achieving an optimum grip and/or a lack of control during speedy passages, Zildjian Black DIP sticks offer a comforting slip-free, tacky surface. DIP drum sticks come in a medium weight/medium length 5A model, as well as other sizes. The stick’s hickory construction offers excellent toughness and balance, but we’re thinking many drummers will most appreciate the DIP coating’s increased grip, decreased shock on hands and wrist, reduced fatigue and improved control.

Explore More: Learn about drum stick construction and peruse a bounty of options in our guide, The Best Drum Sticks of 2024.

Groove Gifting

 

Pictured: ROC-N-SOC Nitro Drum Throne

We’ve scrutinized our “top-sellers” and “top-rated” gear to curate what we believe are some of the best gifts for working drummers. But perhaps you’re looking to delight a very picky percussionist and remain unsure at what would be the perfect gift. If that’s the scenario, then let your demanding drummer choose their own present by giving them a Guitar Center Gift Card. If you live near one of our stores, you might also consider helping them upgrade their drum chops with Guitar Center Lessons.