Purpose

The purpose of this guide is to give some advice and options to those brave explorers on the interweb who are about to embark upon their first e-drum purchase - focussing on the popular DD502 e-drum kit.

Preamble

Firstly, congrats on not considering one of the "ion", "alesis", "pacific digital" type of kits as I have spoken to retailers (with shops and everything!) who can't believe that these things are actually being bought (and advise against them - even if they stock them) due to the inherent lack of feel which equates to limitations in the users' ability to transfer the skills they are learning to a real acoustic kit - they also talk about complaints not dissimilar to Repetitive Strain Injury being developed because of the unforgiving nature of the playing surface.  There are also plenty of less-than-complementary articles and reviews (by respected magazines) of these kits on the web - be smart, do a google before you buy anything!

So... About the DD502s...

The DDx02 kits are re-branded under various names "medelli", "Jobeki", "koby", "millenium", "legacy", "osp" etc and they are great for practice and for triggering drum software 'romplers' like DFH superior and BFD.  The going rate for a DD502 kit on eBay is 'round about the £300 mark (ex delivery) which does seem like a great deal - and it is - these things are brilliant value for money!

However, the potential buyer should be aware that the going rate on eBay is a touch on the high side.  Obviously I can't provide links but, there is a certain German retailer who sells a "MILLENIUM MPS-100" which is AMAZINGLY similar to the dd502 for 319 euros (£219) - and that includes delivery to the UK.  Closer to home, a major UK music retailer with branches everywhere is selling a "LEGACY DD502" for £249.