The best thing for someone who is starting out. The 10 and 11-inch toms can be placed quite low, just above the bass drum, so even a short kid can play comfortably. The first thing I would change is the cymbals (hi-hat, crash, ride). The Remo UC (low-end) heads are okay, but if tuned correctly, they sound good. Muffling is a given on all drums, and there is a hole in the front of the bass drum with fabric-blanket-pillow insert for a punchy sound. The birch is a medium wood, previously used in drum set construction.