Well, this is a thread that is related to putting a 15" tom, 14" deep between two 26 x 16 bass drums and being able to actually reach everything. After adjusting everything, I finally got the 15 in close enough to easily reach. I also found that it is easier to play than the "bonzo" set-up with tom on a snare stand to the left. I added the second bass drum this weekend and paid $400.00 for it. I still have to change the front head to match the bass drum on left and pick up some t-handle tension rods to match as well. The new bass drum is a more recent make however the serial numbers are somewhat close,326....and 323, both keystone badges. Obviously, these kick drums will never be identical (4 spurs on left drum and the newer two spurs on right). A couple of questions: First, the new kick drum matches perfect with my snare, the 15 tom and 16 and 18 floor toms;however, it is a lighter shade of wood compared to the left bass drum. Is this because of age? possibly giging in a smoke filled bar for many years? Anyway, can I leave the darker drum in direct sunlight to lighten it up or would you guys just forget about it especially with some major cleaning and stage lights. From twenty feet most people can't tell or don't care. My second question is this: I really want to put a 13 and 14 tom up front instead of the 15. I found a 13 x 10 and a 14 x 11, mapple classic, keystone toms for $200.00 each in excellent condition on CL. The only thing is the toms have the short lugs. Anybody out here playing this set-up (13 and 14 up top) with lugs that don't match? Thanks
BONHAM DOUBLE BASS PROJECT-need advice Last viewed: 2 hours ago
I had a kit with the 11x14" on it, I just prefer standrd sizes not power toms.Your bass drum doesn't have mach lugs so I don't see it as a big deal the floor toms then would be the only drums with them.. Also let me make a suggestion to play you floor toms easier move the front floor tom in a little behind the bass drum and to play the back floor tom easier angle it out a little, So your body will have a natural motion to it, If you follow what I'm suggesting?
You might want to consider a 12" and 14" for a more even spread tone wise on your kit (12-14-16-18 + 26x2).
I have 12", 13", and 14" toms - mostly playing two up top. I mixed the sizes regularly, but mostly came back to the 12" and 13" configuration just to get the right tom a little lower over my 26's.
I think the classic lugs will look fine as that is what you're sporting on the BD's... an alternative is to get the drums and then shop for some Mach lugs. I'm sure the holes are the same but I'll defer that to some of the other members for accuracy.
Here's an old photo of my kit with 12/13 up top.
Mark, I know what your talking about. Saw that on Austin City Limits last Saturday night.
And, from my experience, the holes on mach lugs are not the same as the classics.
I had a 13, 14 high tom set up with a single bass drum and 16, 18 floor's for a while. I removed the 14 so I could place my ride cymbal where the 14 was. Now the ride is nice and low and I don't have to raise my arm up to play it.
I think your set up is awesome looking, I guess the drum size and configuration really depends on the tone you want to hear. I like the 14, 16, 18 toms myself. Did Bonham play a 14 x 15" tom between two 26's like that?
Myself, I don't think anyone but you will ever notice the difference in the color of the drums. I would not worry about it, they look great.
Thank you!
Jeff C
"Enjoy every sandwich" Warren Zevon
Thanks guys. Damn Hoppy....that kit is BAD ASS. Yes, Bonham did play the same set-up I have, same maple classic, except he had a cymbal mount on right bass drum. If you go to goggle images and type in ludwig double bass the Bonham picture will pull up. He's smoking a cigarette while he's playing. It's a pretty rare photo.....I don't see it that often. Yeah, I will adjust my floor toms like you said, that makes sense and I noticed I felt a little "pinched" coming around to the 18 floor tom. Oh, I called some drum restoration shops and the long (mach) lugs will NOT fit short lug holes. The man told me the holes are off by about 1/8 inch. So, like you guys stated, the bass drums have short lugs so the toms up top will match. Now, I have another question....what do I do with the 15 with no mounting brackets? Maybe play it as a floor tom left of hats? or maybe buy a heavy duty cymbal stand, put some of those RIMS free floating mounts and have a 13,14,15 up top. The only thing is that the 15 is so long, I'd need sticks three feet long to hit it because it would have to be mounted very high.
John henry only used a 12x15" on his stainless steel kit, He used a 12x14" and a 10x14" on his maple thermo gloss kit, you could either sale your 14x15" power tom or cut it down 2 inches. or drill it for a mount and put it to the side of the other mounted toms.
Here's the picture of Bonham on a double bass set-up. I'm not sure what size that tom is....maybe 13"?
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