I myself am a bass player by nature. However, I do play some drums in my band for a tune or two, and also own a Roland electronic kit. Additionally, while working with a half dozen different drummers over the past 15 years I've seen my fair share of kits and know what sounds good and what works.

My first bit of advice focuses on those drummers who are looking at buying their first kit. That advice is to aim low. Why is this you ask? Well, for starters, you aren't sure about your commitment level at this point. You may quickly get bored with this expensive item, so it's worth it to 'ease into' it. Part in Parcel with this is the fact that many second hand kits are available due to other people upgrading or quitting. Given these previous tow factors, updating in the future is a snap; there's always going to be a turnover of people upgrading or selling gear they simply don't use.

Another thing to remember is that many drummers forget that several kits may not come with cymbals or hardware. Make sure these are included, or budget for them, as these are more expensive than you may anticipate. You're also going to need a stool - fortunately these can be had for fairly cheap.

So then, back to the drums themselves. You've likely seen ads for several 'piece' drums kits, and may be wondering what it all means. For our purposes, here's what a standard drum kit consists of:

1 - the bass drum - the largest drum that typically sits on the floor and is played with the foot.
2 - snare drum - smaller drum with a metal snare attached to the bottom - site between the legs.
3 - floor tom - larger drum that sits to the right of the kit on the floor.
4 - rack tom(s) - smaller drums that sit above the bass drum.
5 - hi-hat - 2 cymbals closed together via a pedal controlled with the left foot.
6 - cymbals - large round plates of various size and tones (i.e. crash, ride, etc)

Generally speaking, the 5 piece drumkit is the 'standard' style of kit. This traditional kit will generally consist of a Bass drum, a  snare, a floor tom, and two rack toms. Remember, unless you are buying a package deal, many 5 piece kits will not include your hardware or cymbals.

I'll leave particular brands, colors, and sizes up to you. Remember, opinions are just that - use your own ears and eyes when choosing a setup that works for you.