Precision will probably have great ideas when I give them a call. I'll bet they've worked on almost every drum out there and no doubt they've worked on a MC bass before.
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Cut down a Yamaha Maple Custom bass drum or live with it?
- Thread starter Cauldronics
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Targalx
Very well Known Member
Yes. I, too, am not thrilled about my MC bass drums (both are 22x16). I've owned two MCs (vintage and black maple finishes), and neither kick was ever all that satisfying to me.
The MCA I have is a better kick, in my opinion. Easier to tune, provides more oomph, just feels better in general.
snappy
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Try filling a MC bass drum close to half full and then hit it.
Tommy D
DFO Veteran
Or you could try an Emad batter head. Many people love them, myself included, others say they turn every bass drum in to sounding the same. If the latter is true, your bass drum should sound great because Emads sound great.
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If you want to keep it Yamaha , wait and see if someone will trade you an Absolute Maple .
I love Yamaha drums, except their bass drums - Oak Custom , Birch Custom , Maple Custom ,have been problemical for me . Today I try to exclusively use the thinnest shelled bass drums and matched to whatever combo of toms are appropriate .
Don't cut it, you might be worse off .
I love Yamaha drums, except their bass drums - Oak Custom , Birch Custom , Maple Custom ,have been problemical for me . Today I try to exclusively use the thinnest shelled bass drums and matched to whatever combo of toms are appropriate .
Don't cut it, you might be worse off .
I'm still going to try snappy's idea of filling the drum halfway with blankets, but it looks like everybody is equally divided between cut and don't cut.
One other factor is how much it would cost shipping a 22x18 from one coast to another and back. It might not be worth the trouble, but I'll call Precision and see what they know about keeping the cost down.
One other factor is how much it would cost shipping a 22x18 from one coast to another and back. It might not be worth the trouble, but I'll call Precision and see what they know about keeping the cost down.
That might be a good suggestion except I'm not an Evans guy. Don't mean to rain on the idea, just being honest.
When I had a set of the newer Tama Superstar Classic, the bass drum was thin, punchy and about half the weight of some of my others. The only problem with the whole kit was a lack of projection and power, and not enough sustain. The tone was great, though. If I was mostly playing live gigs with mics, I would've kept it.
I had an Oak Custom awhile ago. That kit needed a bigger room to handle the power, projection and attack. That kit had a brittle attack and I had to let it go.
One area where I think Yamaha have improved in recent decades would be their bass drum sound. I've heard a lot of people mention issues with older basses.
With a natural finish kit, you could also get another shell, maybe 7mm maple, and put the MC hardware on! No idea how much this would cost though. You could get another 18x22 and compare, or go for a shwlloer drum right away if you prefer this size overall.
Even an SK~2 And a regulator did not help
Targalx
Very well Known Member
I agree, except for the Oak Custom. I have a 24x17 OC that will shake the walls of any venue! It is the most thunderous kick I've ever played and provides an extremely satisfying pedal feel.
BNK
Well-Known Member
You're hearing the bass drum from the drivers seat, have you had someone else play the drum and stood ten feet away to hear from an audience perspective?. Have you heard it on tape?. How big is your port hole?. Exactly what head combinations have you tried?. What type of bass pedal beater do you use?. How is the batter tuned in relation to the resonant head?. Have you considered installing a KickPort?. Have you considered muffling only the batter side head?.
Another thing to consider is, what if the drum is damaged in transit?. Can you live with a crack, scratch or worse on a classic drum?.
Personally I would only consider cutting the drum down after exploring all other avenues.
Another thing to consider is, what if the drum is damaged in transit?. Can you live with a crack, scratch or worse on a classic drum?.
Personally I would only consider cutting the drum down after exploring all other avenues.
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Only thing I can think of with all these "complaints" about "yamaha bass drums---
as an aside does anyone remember when Modern Drummer road tested 10 Top line sets? ( the Yamaha MC was the only one a bass drum complaint was noted...)
two things:
Either the Shell is too Thick?
Or the Edge.
So maybe new edge (which could be done locally) would fix it
Is there something "unusual" about the edge ?
Is the shell unusually thick?
as an aside does anyone remember when Modern Drummer road tested 10 Top line sets? ( the Yamaha MC was the only one a bass drum complaint was noted...)
two things:
Either the Shell is too Thick?
Or the Edge.
So maybe new edge (which could be done locally) would fix it
Is there something "unusual" about the edge ?
Is the shell unusually thick?
Trilock_Gurtu
Very well Known Member
I agree. I would be more likely to buy that kit because it was cut down, especially if Precision did the work.
Just needs a different edge.
Like to see what's on it now
Like to see what's on it now
BNK
Well-Known Member
I had a 1991 Yamaha MC, turquoise with gold lugs but the bass drum was 22x16 deep.
I have to think an 18" should be boomier, even if it's a thinner shell late version MC.
EyeByTwoMuchGeer
Well-Known Member
If you aren’t local-ish to Precision, try to find a decent tech in your area. Have the edges recut first. On a MC, it will be easy. That might fix the issue. If that still won’t help, then cut it up!!!
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