What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £700 (~$932) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £595 (~$793) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £455 (~$606) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £315 (~$420) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £175 (~$233) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Neck and truss-rod problems on stringed instruments, and undisclosed repairs — especially a repaired headstock break, which permanently changes what an instrument is worth.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether an electronic drum kit is worth what is being asked:
- Dead or double-triggering pads
- Torn mesh heads
- Missing looms and rack clamps, which are specific
- Discontinued modules with no support
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Mesh heads rather than rubber pads
- Modules still supported with available spares
- All cables, loom and rack clamps present
- Recognised brands with a following
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeits of premium guitars exist and usually show in the headstock shape, the logo decal and the serial format.
Ask for the serial number and where it was made, whether anything has ever been repaired or replaced, and for a photograph sighting down the neck from the headstock.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about an electronic drum kit, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Test every pad and rim on the module and say which you verified. Dead triggers are the standard fault.
Say which. Mesh feels far closer to acoustic drums and is worth meaningfully more.
Check. The multi-core loom is model-specific and expensive to replace, and its absence is a serious deduction.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Play every pad and check for consistent triggering
- Inspect mesh heads for tears
- Confirm the loom, clamps and power supply are present
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The full kit set up, from the front
- The module close up, screen on
- The pads, showing mesh or rubber surfaces
- The rack, clamps and loom cable, plus any tear or crack
Details to confirm before you commit
- Module brand and model
- Which pads are mesh and which rubber, and how many of each
- Number of cymbal pads and whether they are choke-capable
- Rack condition, loom cable, and whether pedals and throne are included
Live electronic drum kit listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse music & instruments for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
Lifts in September and before Christmas. Kits with recent modules and mesh heads sell within days.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have an electronic drum kit sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell electronic drum kit for what to photograph and how to price, or what electronic drum kit is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used electronic drum kit?
Around £98 to £455 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check an electronic drum kit before buying?
Ask for the serial number and where it was made, whether anything has ever been repaired or replaced, and for a photograph sighting down the neck from the headstock.
Is buying an electronic drum kit second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Neck and truss-rod problems on stringed instruments, and undisclosed repairs — especially a repaired headstock break, which permanently changes what an instrument is worth.
See also: all buying guides · electronic drum kit value guide · selling electronic drum kit · Music & Instruments · condition grades.