Ive played Pearl Forums great beginner kit good hardware, decent sound, and the snare sounded pretty good. I suggest buying a quality used kit though 500-600 US dollars for a beginner set is kinda steep. You can probably pick one up for 300 to 400 dollars on Ebay.
I play Pearl masters now have Birch and maple pieces.....
Great sounding kit, very good hardware, stock heads on the bass are good, dint have stock heads on the toms or snare when I got it so I dont know how they are. I havent had any problems with loosining hardware, actually I have had the opposite happen where the it seems to tighten as I play on them and sometimes a pain to remove the toms, but at least I know they wont loosen and move on me or *gasp* fall off. Price is where these fail....but I got them used so I payed less than half the price you find on musiciansfriend or other discount site. Great serious kit that comes with a serious price tag. For everything I have on my kit cymbals and all cost me about 4,000 US. dollars I estimated to replace them or buy them new would cost about 8,500
here is pics
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/oneroaddrums/DRUMS11-05-04.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/oneroaddrums/drums411-05-04.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/oneroaddrums/DRUMS210-05-04.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/oneroaddrums/BIRDSEYE11-05-04.jpg