Best Drum Shell Sets for Upgrade 2026
Perfect drum shell sets for upgrade - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Customization
For Upgrade
For Professional
For Studio
For Custom Build
For Advanced
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple Standard PG
Professional
Upgrade
Customization
Key Feature:
• Mix and match components
✓ PROS
- • Ultimate customization flexibility
- • Professional shell quality
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than complete kits
- • Requires separate hardware purchase
Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple Standard PGShell SetCatalina Maple series7-ply maple shellsChrome shell hardwareNewly...
⭐
4.6/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 622335
$1,088
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple Standard AM
Studio
Upgrade
Advanced
Key Feature:
• Choose your own hardware
✓ PROS
- • Build exactly what you need
- • Choose your own hardware
✗ CONS
- • Assembly knowledge required
- • More expensive than complete kits
Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple Standard AMShell SetCatalina Maple series7-ply maple shellChrome hardwareNewly designed...
⭐
4.6/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 622400
$1,088
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple Studio AM
Upgrade
Custom Build
Professional
Key Feature:
• Choose your own hardware
✓ PROS
- • Ultimate customization flexibility
- • Professional shell quality
✗ CONS
- • Assembly knowledge required
- • Time-consuming to build
Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple Studio AMShell SetCatalina Maple series7-ply maple shellChrome shell hardwareNewly...
⭐
4.9/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 622368
$1,022
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple Standard LS
Upgrade
Advanced
Studio
Key Feature:
• Mix and match components
✓ PROS
- • Build exactly what you need
- • Ultimate customization flexibility
✗ CONS
- • Time-consuming to build
- • Assembly knowledge required
Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple Standard LSShell SetCatalina Maple series7-ply maple shellChrome shell hardwareNewly...
⭐
4.8/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 622403
$1,088
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Mapex Mars Maple Stage Shell Set OD
by
Mapex
Professional
Customization
Studio
Key Feature:
• Mix and match components
✓ PROS
- • Ultimate customization flexibility
- • Build exactly what you need
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than complete kits
- • Assembly knowledge required
Mapex Mars Maple Stage Shell Set ODShell SetMars Maple SeriesStage configuration7-ply7.2 mm thick maple...
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 618099
$967
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Mapex Mars Maple Bebop Shell Set WM
by
Mapex
Upgrade
Professional
Studio
Key Feature:
• Mix and match components
✓ PROS
- • Professional shell quality
- • Mix and match components
✗ CONS
- • May need professional setup
- • Time-consuming to build
Mapex Mars Maple Bebop Shell Set WMShell SetMars Maple SeriesBebop configuration7-ply7.2 mm thick maple...
⭐
4.8/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 618095
$868
#7
⭐
4.4/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Mapex Mars Maple Stage+ Shell Set KD
by
Mapex
Upgrade
Advanced
Customization
Key Feature:
• Mix and match components
✓ PROS
- • Mix and match components
- • Choose your own hardware
✗ CONS
- • Requires separate hardware purchase
- • Assembly knowledge required
Mapex Mars Maple Stage+ Shell Set KDShell SetMars Maple SeriesStage+ configuration7-ply7.2 mm thick maple...
⭐
4.4/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 618104
$1,165
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple 7-piece LS
Advanced
Studio
Professional
Key Feature:
• Choose your own hardware
✓ PROS
- • Mix and match components
- • Build exactly what you need
✗ CONS
- • May need professional setup
- • Assembly knowledge required
Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple 7-piece LSShell SetCatalina Maple series7-ply maple shellsChrome shell hardwareNewly...
⭐
4.9/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 622394
$1,428
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple 7-piece PG
Customization
Studio
Advanced
Key Feature:
• Professional shell quality
✓ PROS
- • Ultimate customization flexibility
- • Choose your own hardware
✗ CONS
- • Requires separate hardware purchase
- • Time-consuming to build
Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple 7-piece PGShell SetCatalina Maple series7-ply maple wood shellsChrome-plated shell...
⭐
4.5/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 622340
$1,428
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple Studio SG
Upgrade
Studio
Professional
Key Feature:
• Mix and match components
✓ PROS
- • Choose your own hardware
- • Build exactly what you need
✗ CONS
- • Requires separate hardware purchase
- • Time-consuming to build
Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple Studio SGShell SetCatalina Maple series7-ply shell hardwareChrome shell hardwareNewly...
⭐
4.5/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 622329
$1,022
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Mapex Mars Maple Bebop Shell Set WI
by
Mapex
Customization
Professional
Advanced
Key Feature:
• Ultimate customization flexibility
✓ PROS
- • Choose your own hardware
- • Mix and match components
✗ CONS
- • Assembly knowledge required
- • More expensive than complete kits
Mapex Mars Maple Bebop Shell Set WIShell SetMars Maple SeriesBebop configuration7-ply7.2 mm thick maple...
⭐
4.5/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 618094
$868
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Mapex Mars Maple Stage+ Shell Set WI
by
Mapex
Professional
Custom Build
Studio
Key Feature:
• Professional shell quality
✓ PROS
- • Professional shell quality
- • Ultimate customization flexibility
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than complete kits
- • Assembly knowledge required
Mapex Mars Maple Stage+ Shell Set WIShell SetMars Maple SeriesStage+ configuration7-ply7.2 mm thick maple...
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 618105
$1,165
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Mapex Armory Stage+ Set OZ
by
Mapex
Professional
Upgrade
Custom Build
Key Feature:
• Build exactly what you need
✓ PROS
- • Mix and match components
- • Professional shell quality
✗ CONS
- • Assembly knowledge required
- • May need professional setup
Mapex Armory Stage+ Set OZShell SetStage+ configuration7.2 mm thick6-ply birch/maple shellsChrome shell...
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 615992
$1,318
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Mapex Mars Maple Stage Shell Set WI
by
Mapex
Upgrade
Professional
Studio
Key Feature:
• Choose your own hardware
✓ PROS
- • Mix and match components
- • Ultimate customization flexibility
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than complete kits
- • Requires separate hardware purchase
Mapex Mars Maple Stage Shell Set WIShell SetMars Maple SeriesStage configuration7-ply7.2 mm thick maple...
⭐
4.6/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 618101
$967
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha 22" Tour Custom Set CS
by
Yamaha
Custom Build
Customization
Advanced
Key Feature:
• Professional shell quality
✓ PROS
- • Mix and match components
- • Ultimate customization flexibility
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than complete kits
- • Requires separate hardware purchase
Yamaha 22" Tour Custom Set CSShell SetTour Custom Series6-ply5.6 mm thick maple shellsMatte lacquer...
⭐
4.8/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 616726
$2,199
How to Choose the Best Drum Shell Sets
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced drum shell sets typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
