Does anyone else NOT like 16" floor toms?

[Rivot]

What's not to like about a 16in floor awsome sounding tom the kit would be bare without one come on.

 

[Fat Drummer]

Since I don't play jazz, I never have a real reason to tune up my floor to a higher pitch, so staying in the lower register has me preferring 14 and 15" floors. I use a 14" most of the time and notice I can hear the fundamental pitch better in the 14" than my 16's, but I can feel those 16's in my bones.... so much energy, I just don't "hear" them as well as the wave needs a few feet to develop. Never cared for 18's as much but crazy about 14, 15 and 16's"!

 

[TheDrummerFromAmsterdam]

Back at the 16” again

 

[p83]

15 & 17

 

[AtlantaDrumGuy]

14, 16, 18 FT…all have their place. I have some of each. The 18 FT is a pain to carry around, but it’s nice for a big sound.

 

[Furious Styles]

I like 15 inch FTs and I can not lie.

 

[Skyrm]

My first kit was a used Ludwig 22, 12, 12, 16. Then I ordered a new Gretsch in 22, 12, 13, 16. (And sold the Luddies)

Years later I found a Rogers 20, 12, 16 at a garage sale. Great kit.

Sold the Gretsch and the Roger’s when we bought our house back in 2009. Picked up a used PDP 22, 10, 12, 14 for $300. I ended up putting an Aquarian Studio-X on the bottom of the 14, and that did add some depth to the tone.

When I bought my Stage Customs last year I got the 20, 10, 12, 14. It wasn’t long before the desire for a 16 kicked in, so finally I’ve a “big” floor tom again. Nothing like it.

 

[brokenstick]

Started on a 14 in '66 been playing twin 16's since '73

 

[Blue Zurich]

After owning nothing but 16's since 1980 I just switched to a bop with a 14 of course, if I need a bigger drum, I use my foot. (18" kick occasionally tuned like a 3rd tom) very happy. Now, if I get all misty and reminisce about playing like Kid Congo Powers, I guess I'm screwed.

 

[boomstick]

Don't have one, but I like them.
15 hits the sweet spot for me.

 

[WLVN]

I was a diehard 16x16 rock 'n' roll guy for a long time. I owned several kits with 16x16s and sometimes struggled getting them to sound good. Compared to the 20x18, tuning the 16x16s seemed relatively easier but still somewhat compromised. I never owned or particularly cared for the 14x14. Over the years, my playing style and musical tastes broadened. I bought Yamaha RC's with 14x12 and 16x14 hanging toms and they have become my favorites for their ease of tuning and remarkable resonance. There is something special about the shorter depths coupled with the YESS suspension.

 

[Neilrush88]

Sometimes the 16" FT is harder to tune than a smaller tom, bad tuning sounds like tymp, but when you get the optimum tuning point you cant not love it. I feel that 14 FT sounds more like a Power rack tom that a FT, maybe for the round sound and less attack that 16 FT.
I've never played a 15" FT, I'd love it. Neil Peart almost always played a 15" FT.

 

[DrFrankCoco]

14 then, now and forever.

 

[Steech]

15 & 17

View attachment 559850

17? Where do you get your 17” heads from?

 

[Steech]

Sometimes the 16" FT is harder to tune than a smaller tom, bad tuning sounds like tymp, but when you get the optimum tuning point you cant not love it. I feel that 14 FT sounds more like a Power rack tom that a FT, maybe for the round sound and less attack that 16 FT.
I've never played a 15" FT, I'd love it. Neil Peart almost always played a 15" FT.

I love 15” floor toms but 16s are easier to get bags and heads for.

 

[p83]

17? Where do you get your 17” heads from?

remo

 

[pwc1141]

Never had a 16" floor tom and not likely to ever have one. I like 4 piece kits and 12,14,18 is my current kit with a 12 x 7 snare. For the jazz I play it's all I need.

 

[DavedrumsTX]

nope..been a staple in my kits since the 70s...and I wouldnt change a thing - except maybe add an 18FT as well.

F

Right there with you. I have and 18 and 20 too. I’m not a 14 FT fan. I prefer a 15” for lighter gigs.

 

[McLovin’ me Ludwigs]

I love a 16! I also love my 18s double! I’m always on the lookout for a 20. I get it in the jazz arena.

 

[Monday317]

I know the 12/13/16 is a common setup, and even some 10/12/16 sometimes. It seems like a LOT of people default to the 16" FT.

I can't stand em. Might as well be a 70" floor tom IMO. They're just HUGE and hard to tune and even when I have them tuned up right they're just too deep and too flabby for me. And they seem physically huge. Might as well be a kick drum, or a timpani.

So I go 10/12/14 if I'm using 3 toms.

Does anyone else prefer to go no bigger than 14" for their floor tom?

(edit: the ONLY think I like about 16" floor toms is that they give me a place to store my sticks without them rolling off the drum - but I have to believe their are cheaper, more energy-efficient means of storing sticks during gigs and practices and such.)

I play 10/13/16 and love it.