-Fold up about 5 paper towels into about a 2" square.

- Do that 3 times.

- Put one on the floor under each floor tom leg.

That's the appalachian engineering way of opening up a floor tom. That'll also tell how it's tuning is. Works like a charm.

If your toms have an internal tone control installed you can remove them, leaving the two factory drilled hole openings clear through the shell. This will serve at least in a minimal way to vent the air chambers and may well have a noticeable affect on both the playing response as well as the sound; perhaps being enough to solve the issue. You can hold your hand over the holes once the drums are reassembled and strike the head, feeling the release of the air pressure just as from a grommet hole. This has worked for me frequently and is a much better alternative to drilling vintage shells. You can always achieve head muting using tape or other accessories so you won't miss the internal mufflers. Last but not least make certain that your choice of heads and the tensioning of them allows for maximum "boom" and resonance. A bottom head tensioned too tightly can increase 'choking' and loss of tone. Good luck!

I had considered this also. I don't even have the pads touching the heads...well, didn't...I just traded that kit last night for a 40s RK kit.

I do appreciate the advice!

Lynn

Many, many thanks to all the great tips! I don't have the kit anymore, see this thread: http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=35582.

I welcome any additional input, however, as I traded ventles drums for ventless drums.

Thanks again!

Lynn