The short version
- Typical range: £120 – £600
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Music & Instruments
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used drum kit is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for drum kits, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £600 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £510 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £390 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £270 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £150 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
These are the five grades WishThrift listings use, and sellers set the grade themselves — see what each condition grade means. Figures are shown in pounds as a reference point. On WishThrift prices display in your own currency, and sellers set their own asking price.
What raises the value of a drum kit
- Complete kits with hardware, stands and pedals
- Shells with no cracks or bearing edge damage
- Recognised makers with a resale following
- Cymbals included, which often carry much of the value
What lowers it
- Cracked cymbals, which are effectively finished
- Missing stands, pedals and clamps
- Damaged bearing edges that prevent proper tuning
- Wrapped shells with lifting or peeling covering
How to work out what yours is worth
- Lay out every shell, stand, pedal and cymbal and photograph together
- Check each cymbal edge carefully for cracks
- Inspect the bearing edges by removing a head
Once you have those three answers you can place your own drum kit on the table above with reasonable confidence. If it sits between two rows, price it toward the lower one — items priced honestly sell faster than items priced hopefully.
Ready to sell it? Listing on WishThrift is free, there is no commission, and you keep the full amount you agree with the buyer — see how selling works or create a free account.
Frequently asked questions
What is a used drum kit worth?
Completeness drives it. Shells alone are worth far less than a kit with all its hardware, stands, pedals and cymbals.
Are cracked cymbals worth anything?
Very little as instruments, though some buyers repurpose them. Disclose any crack clearly — they are easy to miss in photos.
Should I sell cymbals separately?
Good cymbals often raise more sold separately, since they hold value better than entry-level shells.
More value guides: music & instruments guides · all value guides · browse live music & instruments listings.