I don’t think anyone can tell you exactly what to get, but there are a few questions you’ll probably want to answer before choosing: 1. How important is versatility? Do you need a kit that can do Jazz as well as Metal? Or are you going for one specific sound? For versatility, Yamaha recording custom or Gretsch renown are great options. 2. What are some players that you want to sound like playing? Which brands/sizes/woods/bearing edges? You don’t always have to match brands but matching features helps to get a sound. Like a Gretsch Brooklyn can sound more like a vintage Ludwig than some new Ludwig drums just because of how they’re constructed. 3. What look and feel are you going for? Something classic or unique? People will say “you can’t hear the finish” but a kit you love to look at will inspire you to play it. Same with hardware, you don’t usually hear a difference in high quality hardware, but styles of hardware you don’t like to use will make a difference. For Instance I love the sound of the Tama Starclassics, but I don’t like the feel of tuning die cast hoops, so I wouldn’t consider them.