Union UJ50 Junior Drum Set
Jun 2, 2012 drum sets
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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.
Duration : 0:1:25
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
Three things 1: in …
Three things 1: in the description, u gorgot to add sabian, they r better then all those companies.2: it really makes me mad when i see parents spending a bunch of money on drums when their kids have no idea wat to do with it and when they dont want it, just sayin 3: moooooooorrrrrrrreeeeee ccccooooooowwwwwbbbbbbeeeeeelllllll!!!!!
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
You live in an apt? …
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You live in an apt? OMG your poor neighbours LMAO! My son is 5 also his been playing drums since he was 3 yr old. I’m blessed thou we only have one neighbour & live next to a park.
Keep up the good work…kids do bore easy but if he likes drumming he will continue to play & like all things in life…practise makes perfect
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
Needs way more …
Needs way more cowbell.
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
telling a 3 year …
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
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
Thats awesome. I …
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”
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
Thanks for you …
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…
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
Thanks for …
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.
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
oh my god how can …
oh my god how can you stand that noise…
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
NOT CUTE!
NOT CUTE!
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
As James gets older …
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.
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
is it loud in the …
is it loud in the house? or do you have mufflers or muters on the drums?
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
Mine came with …
Mine came with cymbals from stagg though so they were fine
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
Also I have double …
Also I have double bass pedal
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
Yes my crash is a …
Yes my crash is a sabian xs20 and I added a wuhan china
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
I saw the 5-pc jr …
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?
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
@teratags Ive had …
@teratags Ive had a jr. with your specs from pulse. I record with it sometimes but I usually use my other kit
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
weird
weird
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
I would recommend …
I would recommend looking at a non-junior beginner kit (used would be my route). For one thing, the snare stand that comes with this kit is made for its 12″ snare. So upgrading to a 14″ means a new snare stand. Next, the bass drum is 16″, which is too small for James’s Pearl pedal. The mallet hits the bass head high above it’s sweet spot. Head over to a drum shop and give a few kits a try. The Tama Stagestar kit has an 18″ bass drum, which may work, or try a 20″.
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
how about someone …
how about someone whos 5,0?
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
Tough call for a 2 …
Tough call for a 2 year old. My guess is that the Union and Ludwig 5-piece are going to be too big for most 2 year olds. You may consider going w/ a cheaper 3-piece (bass, snare, single tom) to start w/ your son. He can stand and play until he grows enough to sit and play. And you’re right, the included crash is not bad for the price of the kit.
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 am
Those are the …
Those are the cymbals that came with? Those seem waaaay better than the others I have been seeing. My son is 2 & is drum crazy. I drum myself & could assemble no problem.
Would these be sized ok for a 2 year old?
Been between Union & Ludwig & I saw your post.
Thanks for your help my friend!