13/14/16, or 13/16/18?

[bon viesta]

i’m deciding on drum sizes for the ludwig kit i’m ordering later this year, and i’m stuck between 14 and 16 inch floor toms or 16 and 18 inch floor toms. also, ala mitch mitchell, the 14/16 kit would also have a 24x12 bass drum. 16/18 would be 24x14.
any experience you have with either set up would be appreciated!

the case for 14/16:
easier to reach the two floor toms, which might be an issue with an 18 inch.
won’t have to worry about the drums being “too low” as 14 inch floor toms naturally want to sit pretty high, which will lend itself nicely to the 16 inch. i like high tunings on drums, think mitch mitchell or dino danelli and the like.
the combo of 24x12, 14 and 16 with a snare stand mounted 13x9 will look pretty sweet and unique. also be easier to transport.
will definitely be cheaper than 24x14 and a 16x18.

the case for 16/18:
a more standard, common or reliable set up.
likely more versatile, as people from jazz to hard rock to heavy metal have played kits that were 13/16/18/24.
better resale value??
i know i can get some very heavy tones out of this set up if i feel like i need to, or i find myself having to do so.

 

[Treviso1]

You either do a 12, 14FL, 16FL or 13, 16FL, 18FL. Keep your bass drum a standard 14x24. Anytime you veer off from the standard sizes, you take a chance of not being able to sell your kit in a pinch. Keep with tradition on this one. Besides, a 14x24 bass drum is THE KING of all bass drums. It does everything and anything you want. I am convinced that this is the drum that every drumset should have.

 

[mkelley]

I have a kit with 14 and 18 floors and a kit with 14 and 16 floors. I like the spread between the 14 and 18 but if I had to use mics regularly I would prefer the 14 and 16

 

[el_37]

26/15/16/18- go big or go home!

 

[stevesmithfan]

13/16/18

 

[fenrir]

13,14,18 like Steve Jordan

 

[JohnnyVibesAZ]

I heard a 12x24 bass drum and I liked its sound better than the 14" depth. It was punchier and full-sounding to me.

 

[Heartbeat]

Three of my kits have 13/16/18. I'm small and I can reach the 18 just fine. That combo is just thunderous, but I don't think you can go wrong either way.

 

[Ludwig4life]

18” is best you will not regret it. You can tune them super high and still won’t sound tinny. I only use and 18” floor

 

[bon viesta]

I heard a 12x24 bass drum and I liked its sound better than the 14" depth. It was punchier and full-sounding to me.

i remember hearing the drum solo by mitch mitchell on that video from 1969 in stockholm two years ago and thinking how wide open and huge those bass drums sounded. they were 24x12! as is the one he used at woodstock.

 

[p83]

if you go 16/18, make it 16x14 and 18x16. get some spread.

 

[wflkurt]

I have 14",16" on my set. I find it easier to fit the smaller combo but I'll bet an 18" sounds nice though.

 

[mgdrummer]

I’d either go 12/14/16/22 or 13/16/18/24 I would also vote for keeping the kick at 14” deep.

 

[T-Dub]

love my 13, 16, 18 and 24x14 kick.... not hard to reach at all.

 

[Jhouse86]

I’d either go 12/14/16/22 or 13/16/18/24 I would also vote for keeping the kick at 14” deep.

+1

 

[1988fxlr]

I have 13/16/18 and 14(rack)/16/18. Theres enough overlap in the tuning range of 13” and 14” that I think 13/16/18 makes for a better setup than 13/14/16

 

[foxy_shazamtastic]

Don’t listen to these squares, man. Get those unique sizes, I love that set up and I can tell it speaks to your heart. Sounds like your kit.

 

[JDA]

dining room? or Game room.

 

[CherryClassic]

My late 80's Ludwig came with a 13, 14, 16, 18 all racked mounting and all deep big boys. A nice big sound and with a 16x22 bass.

sherm

 

[T_Weaves]

You either do a 12, 14FL, 16FL or 13, 16FL, 18FL. Keep your bass drum a standard 14x24. Anytime you veer off from the standard sizes, you take a chance of not being able to sell your kit in a pinch. Keep with tradition on this one. Besides, a 14x24 bass drum is THE KING of all bass drums. It does everything and anything you want. I am convinced that this is the drum that every drumset should have.

I can't fit a 24x14 in my car. Hence both my kits are 22x16 bass drums. Tom sizes discussed here sound about right.

 

[doubleroll]

I agree with most on here…12/14/16 or 13/16/18. Bass drum at 14” depth. I used to use 16/18 floors but now both my kits have 14/16…since the largest mounted Tom is…you guessed it…12”