Get him a used kit, there just as good for learning as a brand new one. My first drumset was an old ludwig that was about 15 years old when I got it. It turns out its very very rare and worth quite a bit of money. I sure wish I held on to it:( Ohhh and bigger is not better, I can get just as much sound out of a 4 piece kit as I can out of 12 piece.