Question about drums sizes

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dren68	Question about drums sizes		Lead	[-]
Posts: 36 06/18/07 5:45 PM	Tags : None I'm thinking about buying a new kit and I'm trying to decide if I should get a 6.5 x 14 or an 8 x 14 maple snare. Does anyone out there have an 8 x 14 snare? I have a 7 x14 10-ply snare and I love the way it sounds! I'm just wondering how much the additional inch affects the sound. Also, what are your opinions about the difference between a 14 x 16 vs. a 16 x 16 floor tom? I've heard that the drum with a more shallow depth is easier to tune. And what about floor tom suspension mounts vs. floor tom mounts on the shells? Thoughts and/or opinions?
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Gary in Boston		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 776 06/21/07 8:02 PM	Hey there I saw this post a while ago and nobody has answered so I thought I'd try. On the snare. The 6.5" x 14" is one of, if not the magic size for a snare. They always work. They always sound good. They tune well. They are versitil.Etc Etc It's like the 16" x 24" bass drum. Another magic size. It aways works. On the 16" floor tom............ Hmmm 16" toms can be tough to tune. They can be very growly and indistinct. I know it is the classic size. You could try the 16" x 14" as an experiment? But that's $$$$$. I bought my DW kit with a 13" x 15" floor tom. It has many of the props of the 16" but fits tonally better with the 13" rack tom and it is perhaps a bit easier to tune. That's my two cents Gary
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cease firex		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 233 06/21/07 9:56 PM	i suggest a 16x14. they are a pain to tune, but once you find that spot, it stays there, ands its perrrfectttttt.
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dren68		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 36 06/22/07 9:14 AM	Hey guys, Thanks for the input. I agree with the comment about the 6.5 x 14 snare being very versatile. So, are you saying the 8" x 14" might not be as versatile? I just wish there was a way you could try out drums before you buy them (apart from whatever your local music store may have on the floor). There are so many different variables that can affect the sound of a drum, it's hard to know exactly what to get. And it would be extremely expensive to have to buy different drum sizes just to see what you prefer. As Gary said, that's $$$$$! I think I am going to go with the 14 x 16 floor tom, although I'm still undecided on whether I should use a RIMS mount or just get it with the mounts on the shells. I've noticed that most drums companies use RIMS mounts for the rack toms, but still use the traditional floor tom mounts on the shell. I'm wondering if it's a cost issue, or if it really doesn't make a difference sound-wise.
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Gary in Boston		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 776 06/22/07 7:57 PM	Hey there, The 8" x 14" is a deep drum. I have never had one. I would think it would be / might be hard to get and articulate sound out of it. On the other hand for a "Rock Ballad" it might be just what the doctor ordered. In fact I think I just heard some drum company has come out with the "ballad snare" that is huge and fat. The 6.5" x 14" can be fat and full and if it's cranked up it can be quick and articulate. Not as articulate as a 5" x 14" perhaps but very good. I do have an old Ludwig 5" x 14" that is so thin, wood wise that it too can get really fat sounding... fat and woody sounding. It can also be tight with a great cluck to it. I also built a 6.5" x 14" with a 5 ply shell and only six lugs to try for a big sloppy fat sound leading me to believe that the thin shell can add fat to one's drum diet. Anyway an 8" x 14" could be fun and depending on the music you play a perfect choice. The 16" floor tom. I would not use the rims. I have a DW kit and my floor tom is 13" x 15" When I first got the kit I had DW's version of rims on it. It wiggled and wobbled but never fell down. It did however move too much for my liking. I bought DW legs and leg holders PLUS these big rubber feet made by Pearl. They have this band / bridge that the rubber tip sits on and kinda floats the drum off the floor. Works well, much more stable then the DW rims things, Good luck Gary
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el matt2003		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 572 06/23/07 12:03 AM	"The Collector's Series® Ballad Snare is a 10x16" snare drum on legs. As the name suggests, the Ballad Snare provides plenty of low-end punch for heavy backbeat applications. Complete with custom snare beds, snare wires and Delta throw-off, it can be ordered in any Collector's Series® finish combination." http://www.dwdrums.com/drums/specialty.htm#ballad Just putting this here cause Gary was talking about it, and I was at DW's site last night. Matt p.s. I agree with the theory of an 8X14 may work for you, but I wouldn't go any deeper than 6.5. With the right combo of heads and tuning, it'll do just about anything you want it to. Just my two pennies.
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PJE		#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 7 09/11/07 5:00 PM	Hi, I have a beautiful Artwood (TAMA) 8x14, white piano lacquer finish (so it was billed--so it looks just like a snare drum Elton John might have if he had a snare drum....) Anyway, it sounds great, and I never ever play it. It would be pretty sweet for a big loud gig that stayed that way. As with the advice above, I find shallower shells have more uses, more dynamic range, and faster response from the snare head. I like the sound of 16x16" floor toms, 15x15" floor toms, and even the 14x14"s (though not so much, they are drifting into tenor range for me.). But, I find tuning any drum a challenge where the standard practice often gets you into the ball park and then you are on your own. My preference sound wise is to put the floor toms on legs, add some iso feet, and let them honk. (Not partial to the sonic effect, and the wiggling inherent in hung toms--though they work for Gadd.... Have fun. Patrick
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squirtnik		#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 64 11/24/07 11:51 AM	I have to agree, use legs. I also put those Pearl feet on my 14x14 and it made a difference. The 14x14's are a little tough to tune, they like to be tuned high, I get a great low sound out of mine where it is a hair tighter than finger tight but it won't stay there. As far as the snare, you can't have to many.
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Drummin4Christ		#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2079 11/24/07 4:10 PM	I have a Pearl (CB 700, actually) 10 X 14 marching snare; I use it for the martial music we play in the Veteran's Band, and I've experimented using it with my big-sizes wood kit (24, 24, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 20, and usually 6.5 X 14 BB). After playing around with the 10" deep snare, I think an 8" wouldn't be too deep, especially if you play a lot of loud arrangements or if you're unmiked & trying to cut through the guitars. Let us know how it works out. Good shot, Squirtnik, "As far as the snare, you can't have too many." That'd make a good epitaph for some of these guys. Ed <>< Bullseye Custom Drums
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squirtnik		#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 64 11/25/07 5:51 PM	Thanks. I saw John Mayer when he came through Chicago this summer and his drummer changed snares almost as much as John Mayer changed guitar.Never saw that before but it was cool.
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Question about drums sizes

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