15" toms - Which famous drummers use them?

[MustangMick]

Billy Ward used the 15/18 floor combo a few years ago. I used them for about 25 years. Love 15's.

Yes Billy has a lot to answer for, from his "Big Time" DVD.
I went with the 15x13, 18x14 Floor toms as a result.

15" Floor Tom can be tuned up for Jazz or down for Rock, very versatile

Cheers
Mick

 

[Drum Mer]

He probably has 9, 11, 17, 19 and 21 in there, as well. And yes- DW makes 21 and 23” bass drums as they had that for awhile and those shells are now used for their Gong Bass drums. I have a 21” (22” with head) gong bass.

Not entirely correct.

They made the 23” size becauze of Neil.

But they made 21” gong drums long before that, and before those they made 20” gong drums as is the original size (with the 22” head).

 

[Drdrumdude3009]

Not entirely correct.

They made the 23” size becauze of Neil.

But they made 21” gong drums long before that, and before those they made 20” gong drums as is the original size (with the 22” head).

Yeah- couldn’t remember the entire story. A few birthdays and you’ve seen a lot, done a lot and remember some of it LOL I can’t recite catalogues like I used to be able to LOL

I knew Peart was using an odd size bass drum. My gong bass is actually used as my third floor tom on that kit. I need to pull that set out of the cases.

 

[Vintage Old School]

Neil Peart used two 15" toms on most of his tour kits: 15" X 12" on his right and 15" X 13" on his left.
Herman Matthews uses a 15" X 13" floor tom with an 18" X 15" floor tom.
Last I heard Gavin Harrison uses a 15" X 13"' floor tom with a 16"X 14" floor tom.

 

[idrum4fun]

I'm FAMOUS! Well...at least in my mind, anyway!! I converted a Rogers 12x15 marching tenor tom to a floor tom for use with my 1966 Headliner. My avatar shows the kit with the 16x16 floor tom, but you can see the same kit with the 12x15 pictured here. I love 15" floor toms!

-Mark

 

[Paistekid]

This classic interview of Pat Torpey (RIP) outlining his set-up (including a 15”) is still fun to watch after all these years

 

[TorchmanRG]

A few years ago I was kicking around having Nodar Rode build me a kit. He recommended what he called the "chameleon kit" - one kit that can do it all. 20-12-15. He was very big on 15's! I didn't end up with one of his kits, but I mostly play that config now and gotta say, he was right on the money.

 

[Han]

Jeff Porcaro switched his 14" floor tom out for a 15" floor tom on at least 1 recording...Kingdom of Desire. It was his last Toto recording.

 

[Drum Mer]

Yeah- couldn’t remember the entire story. A few birthdays and you’ve seen a lot, done a lot and remember some of it LOL I can’t recite catalogues like I used to be able to LOL

I knew Peart was using an odd size bass drum. My gong bass is actually used as my third floor tom on that kit. I need to pull that set out of the cases.

I loved the DW gongs.

Had a red 21”, the 20” used by Ponk Flpyd (bottom), and the 20” used by Marco Minneman (top).

To bad I didn’t had space for them anymore.

Thunder.

Btw my kit had a matching one of a kind 15x10 snare too.

 

[Formula 602]

I can’t believe. you all forgot…Carmine!

Didnt he use one..way back in the day?I recall seeing him use one in a Ludwig Drummer issue…..late 60s…

 

[Formula 602]

12 by 15….with twin bass…a la Louie B.

 

[dsop]

I believe Gavin Harrison mentioned in a recent interview words to the effect that he never met a 14” floor tom that he liked.

It made me re-think the 14” floor tom idea. I sold mine and since found a 15” Ludwig snare that was converted to a tom and a Yamaha Turbo 8000 15”. Bigger “booms” but still easier to fit on tight stages than a 16” tom.

I like 14" floor toms (or mounted toms), but I would like them better if they had one less lug (7 instead of 8). I wish more companies still made 15" toms.

 

[Hellwyck]

Mike Bordin of Faith No More uses a 15" rack tom.

 

[Grooovepig]

I believe Dave Weckly used them in the 80's.

 

[spelman]

Neil Peart used two 15" toms on most of his tour kits: 15" X 12" on his right and 15" X 13" on his left.
Herman Matthews uses a 15" X 13" floor tom with an 18" X 15" floor tom.
Last I heard Gavin Harrison uses a 15" X 13"' floor tom with a 16"X 14" floor tom.

No, its 15 and 18.

 

[spelman]

12×11, 13x12, 14x13, 15x14:

14x12, 15x13 :

 

[Vintage Old School]

No, its 15 and 18.

Thanks! I stand corrected.

 

[vsp39o2]

Phil Collins' most recognized concert toms are 8, 10, 12, and 15

 

[Drum Mer]

No, its 15 and 18.

15x13, and 18x15 indeed

From last month’s vid

 

[dje31]

Doesn't / didn't Steve Gadd use one? Too lazy to look it up.