Union UJ50 Junior Drum Set

In shopping for a junior drum set for James (almost 5), I discovered that there's not much information about them to help me out. So, after purchasing one for James, I thought I'd upload a short video and give my thoughts on the Union UJ50.

I narrowed my selections to the Ludwig LJR-106 and the Union UJ50 (now named UJ5) sets. I read some great reviews for the Ludwig, but the Union comes in at about $80-100 cheaper (w/ free ship).

The kit comes with a 16" bass drum, two mounted toms (8" and 10"), one floor tom (13"), one snare drum (12"), hi-hat cymbals, crash cymbal, and the stands for snare, hi-hat and crash. It also comes with a pair of mini sticks (we won't be using them), and a mini drum throne (sturdy enough to support daddy). The Ludwig set comes with the same components, but with slightly different depths for the drums. The other tom in the video with a mounted cowbell and mini-cymbal is NOT part of the set.

The set comes unassembled. Assembly is easy unless you've never seen a drum kit before. For the most part, the hardware on the Union is pretty good for the money. The whole set feels very sturdy and withstand quite a beating (from the target age group). I had low expectations on the cymbals (hi-hats and crash), but they're really not that bad. Keep in mind that a single Paiste,Zildjian, or Meinl crash cymbal can easily cost more than this drum kit alone.

CONS: The hi-hat assembly is very tight and the tension is unadjustable. It's best left in closed position. The kick drum pedal is also on the tight side, making it difficult for James to keep a beat for more than a few measures. My thought is that the pedals should have a much lighter tension by default, given that the lower range of the target player is 3 or 4.

With the exception of the kick pedal and hi-hat assembly, I think this is a very good value for the price. The age range is given as 3-8, but I would say more like 4-7. At 8 yrs and up, it may be worth purchasing a used full-size set for your kid(s)... especially if they are taking lessons on a drum kit.

KIT UPDATES: Pearl kick pedal and hi-hat. Entry-level Meinl cymbals (hi-hat, crash, splash, ride). 13" PDP piccolo steel snare. [The Pearl hi-hat was a bad selection, as it towers over James.]

UPDATE(3/6/2011): I've made some edits to the original description. 2 years later, with James nearing 7 yrs old, my verdict on this junior drum kit remains the same. I think it's a great value for young drummers 4-7 years of age. If the Union (Cascio) folks have lightened the default tensions on the kick pedal and hi-hat stands on the kit (now named UJ5), then even better.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• JamesRock
• drums
• junior
• union
• uj50
• uj5

[drummermylo]

Thanks for encouraging this kid to play drums. Too many parents can't handle the noise that's created from kids playing drums, but if he sticks with it, he will always have it with him and no one will be able to take it from him. My father is a great drummer and that has always been a source of connection for us. Keep it up!! I'm sure your son will always have this video to cherish.

[teratags]

@drummermylo Thanks for you comment. Kids tend to lose interest in things quickly, but music is too vast to get bored of in short time (at least, that's what I think). So, I do encourage him to try most anything related to musical performance. As for the noise, we're okay with it as long as he wants to keep improving...

[smileyfry89]

is it loud in the house? or do you have mufflers or muters on the drums?

[teratags]

@smileyfry89 As James gets older, he hits harder. So, yes, it's very loud in the house when he plays w/o mutes. If you look at the follow-up video to this (under Video Responses), you'll see Sound Percussion mutes on his drums. They help w/ the noise level. But as you can hear in that video, the drums are still too loud for apt living, IMO.

[AwesomelyEpic50]

@teratags Ive had a jr. with your specs from pulse. I record with it sometimes but I usually use my other kit

[teratags]

@AwesomelyEpic50 I saw the 5-pc jr Pulse kit and it looks very much like the Union. Did you swap out some components (snare, kick pedal, hi-hat, cymbals, etc.) before you started recording with it?

[myhungryhippo1]

@YayhooTube telling a 3 year old he sucks at drums is like telling a 80 year old he's got some wrinkles, either your just an idiot or you dont have a girlfriend

[mkristie91]

Thats awesome. I have one for my 3 year old son. And to yahootube, your our definitely an uneducated piece of trash. For your info kids that play with instruments even at 3 they develop critical thinking skills and excellent kinestetic skills and always excel in school and unlike you they usually pursue college and do very well. And since you were raised like garbage I will tell u the life lesson your parents failed to mention. "if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all"

[ColtyRamone]

oh my god how can you stand that noise...

[123Kellar]

NOT CUTE!

[AwesomelyEpic50]

Mine came with cymbals from stagg though so they were fine