It's the classic scenario - hip, young (particularly indie-oriented) bands get what gear they can cheaply. The real old stuff people like us have and are prepared to pay well for.

Then there's all the "unpopular" stuff like concert toms which they can get much cheaper. Get half a dozen of these indie guys getting national TV appearances and hey presto, it's a trend.

Same with vintage clothes, furniture etc. It's out of fashion until enough people start using it again - then it's in fashion. Love it.

So, so, so true!!!! Look what happened to Les Paul Jrs...

Also, it's about time for a concert tom revival.

I used to play concert tom kits in the 70s. I think they are just fine. Some of my favorite albums were recorded with 'em. Hissing of Summer Lawns, for instance...I think it's cool if they make a resurgence as long as there is some good new music to go with it!

as compared to the wet paper bag sound of don henley's drums on those 70's Eagles albums.

I have a question: Supposedly, concert toms were introduced because they were louder than double-headed ones. I tried taking the bottom head off my 3ply Amati tom and it didn't sound all that bad, but it got completely lost in the noise the rest of the kit was making. How come? I have Coated Emperor on it.

The sound of your single-headed tom did not get lost... it projected loud and strong forward away from you, the player. We drummers get wrapped up in how our drums sound from behind the set even though we're the only person listening from that perspective. The tone and volume your drums are projecting, especially a single-headed tom, can sound quite different to the audience in front of the kit. Try having someone else play your Amati while you listen from the front, then walk around to the back and note the difference. You may be surprised, and it may change the way you tune all your drums.

Oh, and those of us who removed our resonant heads back in the '70s didn't do it just to cut through the Marshall stacks; some of us did it just to replace worn batter heads when we couldn't afford to buy new ones.

mchair303, thanks for the reply! I have to try that some time - the art of acoustics really is exciting!

Now I'm digressing, but it struck me quite some time ago, how even professional drummers back then used incredibly beaten up heads with coating all worn off, dirty, etc. Sometimes it even looked like they used almost dead batter heads for resos. I think it's kinda funny how many drummers today change their heads every month and are incredibly obsessed with purity and resonance of shells etc. whereas back then, drummers played beaten up heads on toms with holder brackets attached directly onto the shell and still sounded great - I even dare to say many of them sounded better!

Funny thing about this thread... the "debate" reminds me of another one that comes up from time to time (you know, the glue vs tape one... :) ).

Some like the sound (and look) of the concert toms, some don't... oh well.

Well, I like the sound. Always have. My playing "time" was the 70s, and I'm sure that has everything to do with my opinion. Remember those times when the "fad" was to remove the resonant heads? Heck, I've cut the resonant heads out to have the sound of the concert tom but the look of the double-headed toms (that's what happens to my old beat-up batter heads!). Been doing that for years!

One thing I may note, regardless of opinions... I've never had any trouble selling concert toms, especially the smaller sizes (6, 8, 10). Always moved very quickly and brought good prices. So, IF there's a "revival" of sorts coming, that will be very good for the "market!"

They are loud, especially when you hit them very fast/hard !! That`s useually why the heads don`t last, ..I know mine don`t. When you got the divit the size of a small frying pan, it begins to mute the drum. The black dot helps to prolong that.

The other thing, most C-tom kits have rack toms as big as most people`s floor toms !!

Rats. I just converted my mid 70's Slingy single head bass into a double header. I am so far behind the curve.

Greg