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Average Price: $490

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$999

$2500+

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Description

Designed in collaboration with Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson of The Roots, the Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove 4-Piece Shell Pack redefines portability and sound for the modern street, club, and studio drummer. This compact set-up is not just about space-saving; it's about delivering a full, punchy sound that defies its smaller footprint. With 7-ply hardwood shells and a 45-degree bearing edge, these drums punch above their weight class, proving that size isn't everything. Complete with a riser for optimal bass drum positioning and bags for easy transport, this kit is ready to play right out of the box, whether on the street or in the studio.

Key Features:

  • Designed in collaboration with Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson
  • Compact design for easy transport and space-saving setups
  • 7-ply hardwood shells for a robust sound profile
  • 45-degree bearing edge for precise, sharp attack
  • Includes a kick drum riser for enhanced playability
  • Comes with bags for convenient storage and transport
  • Configuration: 14x16 bass drum, 7x10 rack tom, 13x13 floor tom, 5x14 snare drum

Product specs

Brand Ludwig
Model Breakbeats by Questlove 10" / 13" / 16" / 5x14" 4pc Shell Pack
Finish Azure Sparkle, Black Sparkle, Mojave Red Swirl, Sahara Swirl, White Sparkle, Wine Red Sparkle
Year 2013 - 2022
Made In China
Categories Drum Sets

FAQs

What are the sizes of the drums included in the Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove shell pack?

The Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove shell pack includes a 14x16" bass drum, a 7x10" rack tom, a 13x13" floor tom, and a 5x14" snare drum.

Is the Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove shell pack suitable for small performance spaces?

Yes, the Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove shell pack is designed for compact spaces, making it ideal for small venues and city living. Its compact size allows for easy transport and setup in tight areas.

Does the Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove shell pack come with hardware or cymbals?

The Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove shell pack does not include hardware or cymbals. It consists of the drum shells only, so additional components need to be purchased separately.

What finishes are available for the Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove shell pack?

The Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove shell pack is available in several finishes, including Azure Sparkle, Black Sparkle, Mojave Red Swirl, Sahara Swirl, White Sparkle, and Wine Red Sparkle.

Is the Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove shell pack suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove shell pack is suitable for beginners due to its compact size and ease of setup. It's also favored by more experienced players looking for a portable kit.

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Introducing "Breakbeats by Questlove," the New Ludwig Drumset

Video thumbnail for Introducing "Breakbeats by Questlove," the New Ludwig Drumset by Guitar Center

Introducing "Breakbeats by Questlove," the New Ludwig Drumset

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Video thumbnail for Ludwig Breakbeats 4-piece Shell Pack with Snare Drum Review by Sweetwater by Sweetwater

Ludwig Breakbeats 4-piece Shell Pack with Snare Drum Review by Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Ludwig Breakbeats Drum Set | Portable but how does it sound? by Thomann's Drum Bash

Ludwig Breakbeats Drum Set | Portable but how does it sound?

Thomann's Drum Bash

Thomann's Drum Bash

Video thumbnail for Ludwig Breakbeats Drum kit by ふくゆー

Ludwig Breakbeats Drum kit

ふくゆー

ふくゆー

Video thumbnail for The BEST Drum Set For Beginners? (Ludwig Questlove Breakbeats Review) by Nick Cesarz

The BEST Drum Set For Beginners? (Ludwig Questlove Breakbeats Review)

Nick Cesarz

Nick Cesarz

Video thumbnail for Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove and Meinl Cymbals HCS. Soundcheck at Home by Josh Soto

Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove and Meinl Cymbals HCS. Soundcheck at Home

Josh Soto

Josh Soto

Video thumbnail for Ludwig Breakbeats Drums by Questlove by Drumladen

Ludwig Breakbeats Drums by Questlove

Drumladen

Drumladen

Video thumbnail for Ludwig Breakbeats By Questlove 4 piece Shell Pack with Snare Drum Demo by Chad Garber

Ludwig Breakbeats By Questlove 4 piece Shell Pack with Snare Drum Demo

Chad Garber

Chad Garber

Reviews

PROS

  • Compact size is perfect for small spaces and easy transport

  • Excellent sound quality for hip hop, soul, and jazz genres

  • Great value, offering quality comparable to more expensive kits

  • Comes with drum bags, adding convenience and protection

  • Attractive Sahara Swirl finish impresses visually

  • Ideal for beginners and those returning to drumming

CONS

  • Kick reso head is made of cheap plastic, needs improvement

  • Metal hoops on the kick should be upgraded to wood

  • Bearing edge level requires more attention for better sound quality

  • Stock heads may need replacing for optimal sound

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove 4-Piece Shell Pack.

Comparisons

  • It's noted that the Ludwig Breakbeats have distinctive sonic characteristics due to their unusual sizes, which affect tuning and sound compared to more standard-sized drums like the Catalina Club.

    Source
  • The Pearl Midtown is recommended over Breakbeats for jazz and small kit applications, offering slightly smaller sizes but reportedly superior sound quality.

    Source
  • A Tama Clubjam Flyer kit, featuring a 14x10 bass drum, is mentioned as an alternative compact option for live use.

    Source

Build quality

  • Some owners mention craftsmanship issues with Breakbeats, indicating potential problems with overall quality when examined closely.

    Source
  • The snare clutch feels flimsy but stays secure, though positioning the snare in the stand can feel awkward despite its traditional size.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Ludwig Breakbeats are considered adequate for genres like jazz, hip-hop, and funk, despite not being exceptional in any specific area.

    Source
  • Owners find the Breakbeats kits enjoyable for small gigs, with a sound that surprises in quality despite their compact size.

    Source
  • The snare's whip-like, crisp sound excels in funk and jazz but isn't ideal for heavy rock or metal, though some metal drummers may prefer its higher pitch.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The kick drum does not come with a riser, requiring an additional purchase to position it correctly for pedal use.

    Source
  • The rack tom provides a satisfying balance of "thump" and "boooom" with minimal ringing, though the rim and lugs feel slightly cheap.

    Source

User experience

  • Early versions had issues with the bass drum riser, which has since been improved in newer models.

    Source
  • The kit delivers a cohesive sound where each component complements the others, creating a unique mesh that feels integral to the set's overall performance.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The bass drum's riser is awkward to set, requiring patience to position correctly for optimal pedal use.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Although it performs like a higher-cost kit, some owners feel the $400 price is steep given the hardware issues, suggesting $300-350 as more appropriate.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Ludwig BreakBeats Review - CompactDrums

compactdrums.com

The Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove shell pack is a mixed bag. While the kit impresses with its phenomenal sound quality and versatility, particularly for its compact size, it's marred by some hardware issues. The bass drum riser is poorly designed, causing compatibility problems with various pedals, and the snare strainer is a tight fit. On the plus side, the kit’s shells are well-made, and the drums offer a surprising range of tonal options. However, potential buyers should be prepared for some DIY fixes to unlock the kit's full potential. Overall, it's a good choice for those who don't mind a bit of tinkering but might not be ideal for those seeking a plug-and-play experience.

Ludwig Breakbeats Review: Best Beginner Kit in 2024?

drumspy.com

The Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove is a standout drum set for beginners, offering a compact yet powerful kit designed for tight spaces and easy transport. Its warm sound, quality construction, and versatility make it suitable for studio sessions and live gigs alike. However, it's only a shell pack, meaning the initial cost can rise significantly once hardware and cymbals are added. Despite this, the Breakbeats set is a worthy investment for those looking for a reliable and impressive-sounding beginner kit.

positive

Ludwig Questlove Breakbeats Kit review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove shell pack delivers on its promise of portability and quality sound, making it ideal for groove players and kids alike. This compact kit excels in style and sound, offering a solid build with quality hardware. However, its Ludwig/Questlove badge feels cheap, and the bass drum riser may shift during play. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Breakbeats kit stands out for its affordability, versatility, and surprising power from its smaller bass drum. It's a fantastic choice for drummers needing a budget-friendly, space-saving solution for gigs.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 14 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
metronohm808

Also WOW

I have used this kit for small gigs, busking and even recording. It sounds amazing for its size and it fits very nicely into the Hip Hop/Soul/Jazz category of drumming. I especially love the coated heads because it gives a really warm yet poundy feel to the kit.

M

Great starter drumkit

This is a great first drum kit for anyone. The shells are better quality than most starter drum kits and it sounds great for the price. I would recommend replacing the stock heads with better ones to improve the sound, but, all in all, a great drum kit for the price.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how FKJ uses Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove 4-Piece Shell Pack

FKJ

Guitarist, Bassist

...
Verified via Photo

Ludwig Breakbeats drum kit is in his studio in this photo.

See how Questlove uses Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove 4-Piece Shell Pack

Questlove

Drummer, Keyboardist

The Plastic Ono Band

...
Verified via Photo

"Need a great kit to fit in a cab, or your apt? Want a great quality kit that will be your kids first kit? Buying that kit for school or church? THIS is my dream come true. My first line of drums! They sound great (used them on "Undun" & new Costello project. Coming soon to @GuitarCenter #BreakBeats"

See how Ginger Root uses Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove 4-Piece Shell Pack

Ginger Root

Singer, Bassist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video titled "Finding Sounds with Ginger Root (Episode #2)" by Goodhertz, Inc.,in 2:20 Ginger Root is clearly seen playing the Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove 4-Piece Shell Pack. Additionally, this drum kit is visible in his older Instagram posts: https://www.instagram.com/p/-VIgfmGVI_/.

See how Tarjei Strøm uses Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove 4-Piece Shell Pack

Tarjei Strøm

Drummer

Ylvis

...
Verified via Photo

In this instagram post, Tarjei writes, that he borrows the set of his son. Here you can read, that it is a Breakbeats by Questlove Kit.

Album Usage

The Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove 4-Piece Shell Pack has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Community setups

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jacopogobber

jacopogobber

Gear IQ 480

1 alternative for Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove 4-Piece Shell Pack, curated by the Equipboard community.

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