Shell Packs VS. Drum Kits: What's Right for You?

Whether you're looking for your first beginner drum kit or your dream gigging setup, you will undoubtedly come across the term 'shell pack'. You'd be forgiven for missing it first time - most of the time you'll see images showing a full drum kit with cymbals, stands, snare, and stool included. Read on to find out how to navigate the shell pack vs. drum kit conundrum!

Putting it simply, shell packs are just your toms and kick, whereas drum kits are the whole package! The key thing here is what you get in the box. Here it is in a nutshell:

Generally speaking, choosing a shell pack gives you more control and flexibility to build a kit that matches your sound and playing style. But that's not all:

• Customisation: Want a Tama snare, Zildjian crashes, and Mapex toms? Go for it. Our shell pack selection makes it easy to mix and match.
• Quality control: Kit bundles often include entry-level hardware. Shell packs let you invest in better components where it matters.
• Room to grow: Start with high-quality shells and build up as you go.

Generally a shell pack includes a kick drum, tom(s), and tom mount(s). If you check out any of our shell pack listings, you'll see a list of what’s in the box. Sometimes manufacturers use generic images featuring a full kit, but we'll always clearly label something as a 'shell pack', with more details in the description. If you're not sure about which packs include what, contact the manufacturer or our in-house team for a quick answer!

Choosing a drum kit is the fastest way to get what you need and get playing! It includes all the pieces you would need, with the exception of sticks and sometimes a throne!

Going for a drum kit over a shell pack means you can be sure you've got exactly what you need and saves you from learning all the complicated differences between all sorts of different drums, cymbals and hardware!

A drum kit will include, the kick drums, the toms as well as the snare. It will also have the tom mounts, cymbal stands and all the other hardware you need to get going! The only things you may need to add on would be a throne, drumsticks and maybe some earplugs because it can get loud!

This is where things get personal. You’ll be surprised how much a small tweak can impact your playing comfort and control. Watching how your favourite drummers set up their kits can also give you ideas - whether you’re chasing big arena rock vibes or tight jazz grooves.

 
Here are some quick setup and positioning adjustments you can try:

• Adjust throne height for posture and balance.
• Find the right snare angle.
• Move your ride or hi-hats around and see what feels natural.

If you're near our Guildford store, you’re welcome to try out some different hardware and pedal combos. Sometimes there’s no substitute for hands-on experience!

At Andertons, we have more hardware to choose from than you can shake a (drum) stick at, and at first, the choice might seem a little daunting, so let’s try and make sense of some of the terminology!

• Single vs Double-Braced Hardware: Double-braced stands are more stable but heavier. Great for gigging; single-braced is lighter and more portable.
• Boom Stand: A cymbal stand with an adjustable arm, ideal for flexible positioning.
• Throne vs Stool: Just different names - both refer to your drum seat.
• Rack-Mounted: A frame system for mounting toms and cymbals - neat, sturdy, and adjustable.
• Cymbal Arms: Compact mounting arms that save space and allow creative cymbal placement.