Anybody here dislike a 13" mounted tom as much as I do? I never can seem to get one tuned to my liking! I've got an early 70's Luddy kit with 12/13/16 toms. The few times that I have used all three toms, the 13 sounds ok. But if I attempt to use the 13" as the sole rack tom, it sounds like crap to my ears....
Any of you fellas have the same issues? I normally play a four piece set up, using the 12" rack and 16" floor, and LOVE the sound of them together.
No, I really dont have that problem but I am not a pro musician either. TO me the 13 is the easiest drum to tune. THe kit I set up at my buddies house for band practice is a 22, 14, 16, 18 and I really like that sound.
I have a boat load of them, I love all of mine.
Couple things if I could, please:
#1.) Tuning, baby, tuning. Mentally define the sound you want, then go about finding the tension ratios between top and bottom heads that will get it.
2.) On Ludwig (or anybody else's) mounts from that era, I've had the opposite problem as you. One rack on the BD and she sings like a li'l birdie. Mount both at once and all the vitamins are sucked out of both of 'em. The culprit is vibration transfer. RIMS-type mounts'll totally put that fire out, provided that resonance is what you're after.
If you're looking for that real dead-type thing, try a Buck Rogers-style snare stand. I personally think they're an abomination but if it's dead you want, that'll get ya there.
Please post your results if you go to experimenting.
ive pretty much gone to a 12 ride tom on most everything now. I just like the sound that they give me. the size looks right as well.
mike
I agree with 12,s but its because i never put much effort into 13,s. I just think 12,s are more versatile. Having said that, in frustration i worked on a 60,s Rogers 13 and i put a 2 ply head on top and it sounded pretty good to me. I never use 2 ply batters but for 13,s it just might be the head for me if i decide to play them.
Thanks guys for your replies! I normally use coated Remo Emperors on my toms. Always like the sound of those. I got to thinking, it could be the room that I have my drums in that makes that drum dead sounding. I may try and force myself to bring the 13 wirh me to the gig this weekend and see how is sounds. With my 12" tom, it seems I can find a good sound with the tuning high or low
Well, I played a country music gig last night and brought the 13" tom instead of the 12". I believe my problem is maybe the way it sounded in my house... I really liked the sound of it at the club last night! The whole kit just sang!
I usually use a 12" with a 22" and 16" floor Tom. If I use my 24" bass drums I will either use the 13" on a stand or mount a 12" And 13" on a double Tom stand.on my classic Ludwig and Slingerland sets that I only have the matching 13" Tom, I tend to tune it up higher. I like the sound of larger drums tuned up.
I do think the 12" tom is always a good choice if your just using one mounted Tom. A set looks balanced size wise to me with a 12, 16, 22 kick or 13, 18, 24 kick.
