How to Build an Acoustic Drum Kit For Your Church

Building the Perfect Acoustic Kit for Your Church

By Erik Johnson

When it comes to selecting the right acoustic drum kit for your church, it’s not a one-size-fits-all decision. Worship drumming requires intentionality—everything from the kit’s setup to the heads and hardware impacts how well it fits your church’s style and environment. In this post, I’ll walk you through my thought process for selecting and customizing a kit for a modern worship setting.

Start with the Basics: Kit Configuration

For most worship contexts, simplicity is key. I recommend starting with a basic four-piece kit: kick, rack tom, floor tom, and snare. This setup is versatile, easy to manage, and suits most worship styles. When choosing your configuration, consider the skill levels of the drummers in your ministry and the tone you’re aiming for.

Personally, I love a “fat” sound—beefy tones from the toms, a rich kick, and a snare that pops but still feels warm. For this video, I’m using the Vertical LP kit, a fantastic option that I’ve been loving for its tone and build quality.

Drum Shells: Wood Types Matter

The type of wood in your drum shells dramatically impacts your sound. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Mahogany: Warm, rich, and full-bodied. Perfect for modern worship where a fat tone is desirable.
• Birch: Bright, cutting, and punchy, though it may feel harsh for some worship environments.

For modern worship, mahogany shells strike a great balance, giving depth without being overly resonant.

Drumheads: Find Your Tone

Drumheads are just as important as the drums themselves. I recommend Evans G2 Coated heads for toms—dual-ply heads that cut down on overtones while preserving the body of the drum. For the kick drum, I use the Evans EMAD with a built-in dampening ring. It gives a controlled, fat sound without hollow overtones.

Pro Tip: Add a small blanket or pillow inside the kick drum for extra dampening and a tighter sound.

The Snare and Cymbals: Don’t Skimp Here

Two areas where you should invest are the snare drum and cymbals. These components define your sound and are worth the extra cost.

Snare Drum

• My go-to is the Ludwig Black Beauty (5.5×14 brass). It’s versatile, with a crisp tone that works across tunings.
• Use a Snareweight M80 for adjustable dampening. Its magnetic design makes it incredibly flexible.

Cymbals

For modern worship, look for large, washy cymbals:

• 22-24-inch rides and 20-24-inch crashes work best.
• I currently use Heartbeat Epic Special Edition cymbals for their warm, full-bodied tone.
• Avoid smaller, brighter cymbals as they can cut through too harshly.

For hi-hats, I use 16-inch crash cymbals paired together for a unique, big sound that combines clarity with washiness.

Hardware: Balance Durability and Budget

You don’t need top-tier hardware, but don’t settle for low-quality either. Here’s what I recommend:

• Mid-level stands with double-braced legs for stability.
• Splurge on a high-quality hi-hat stand—I’ve used the DW 5000 and Iron Cobra models for years, and they’ve been rock-solid.
• Invest in a good kick pedal like the Iron Cobra Power Glide or DW 5000 with a double-chain drive and a metal base for stability.

The Throne: Comfort Is Key

A good drum throne is essential for long-term comfort and stability. I recommend the Tama Ergo-Rider—a hybrid between a bicycle-style and circular seat. It’s sturdy, comfortable, and keeps you in rhythm.

Avoid hydraulic thrones as they can create a bouncing effect that disrupts your playing.

Microphones: Capture the Right Sound

To get the most out of your kit, proper miking is crucial. Here’s a setup I recommend:

• Snare: Shure SM57 (top and bottom).
• Kick: A dual-mic setup (kick in and kick out) is ideal, but a single mic works too.
• Toms: Sennheiser clip-on mics for consistent placement.
• Overheads: AKG condenser mics. These capture everything beautifully, even eliminating the need for a dedicated hi-hat mic in most cases.

Drumsticks: Personal Preference Meets Practicality

Drumsticks influence both feel and volume. For worship drumming, I recommend:

• Promark Forward 5A Hickory for balanced playability and durability.
• Vic Firth American Classic 5A or 5B for a slightly heavier feel.
• Lighter sticks like 7A are great if you need to reduce stage volume.

Building Your Worship Kit

When selecting an acoustic kit for your church, remember that it’s about finding the right balance of tone, playability, and durability. The Vertical LP kit has been a game-changer for me, offering incredible sound and build quality.

If you’re in the market for a new kit, I highly recommend exploring Vertical Drums. As a dealer, we can help you find the perfect kit for your church. Click the link below to connect with us and learn more!

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