Only One Drum Kit?

[shuffle]

I don't know, these sound pretty good to me!

They are real good!

 

[Sully151]

I am really interested in learning more about 20” vs 22” bass drums. Pros and cons. It seems like a lot of people really like the 20. Is it simply because of the ability to move it or is the sound that much different.

I would have thought, through my limited knowledge, that the types of music I like would require a bigger boomier kick drum.

 

[rsmittee]

Another vote for Renown. This video was one of many reviews that sold me.

 

[1988fxlr]

count me in as a Rogers swivo-era player who would add a 14x14FT and I'd take the matching wood Powertone snare.

I’m with you, but that might take it above the budget being discussed without some condition issues or luck

 

[theludwigman]

I'm starting to really like the idea of just having one set of really good drums, and just using that one set for everything, even if it is a little more inconvenient at times. But I haven't quite cured the G.A.S yet...someday, maybe...

That one set will likely be a brand spankin' new Ludwig Legacy in super classic sizes with a supra (or Jazz Fest, or both, if it's allowed). New is important in this case cause I've never actually bought a new set of drums, and I know it essentially means nothing since the used & vintage market is filled with gems but just once I'd like to be the first owner of something shiny!

And now to spend a year agonizing over which finish to choose!

 

[Elvis]

I see so many people have multiple kits, but what If you could only have one, what would it be?

Here are the parameters-

1. Mid Range (Renown, Tour Custom, Neusonic, etc. not limited to those three)

2. Five piece max (room size constraints)

3. Drum sizes- Bass Drum, Toms, Snare (depths included)

4. Mostly played in a small room for pleasure and fun. Sometimes with other people.

5. Music Genres- Alternative, Indie, Post Punk (REM, The Cure, The Decemberists, Head and the Heart, The Clash, the Smiths, etc)

I know this is very subjective and drum kits are very personal. I like that about the question, I am trying to get opinions and ideas.

I'm gonna fall outside of this list a little and not use a mid range kit.
Suffice to say, I'm pretty happy with my Sonor Force Custom kit, but if I had to do this all over again, and I found myself in the position I did 25 years ago, but it's nowadays, I think I would do.....

...Gretsch Catalina.
20x14/12x8/16x16 with two 14x5 Ludwig Universal Snare drums. One wood, one metal.
This roughly mimics a kit I owned during most of the 1990's and it was great.
Good enough to return to and relive the joy all over again.

...HOWEVER...

I get that you're looking for that "forever kit" and are fielding opinions, so given that...in your case, I would suggest the same sizes I laid out, but maybe look at Tour Custom and the Neusonic, first.
However, you'd do yourself an injustice if you didn't just get out to the music stores and drum shops and try as many different mid-range kits as you could find.
I did this same thing, 25 years ago, and I would caution you to have something specific in mind.
Otherwise you'll be so overwhelmed by all the offerings, you'll likely end up with something you'll hate in a couple of years.
I looked for about 2-2.5 years before I ended up with my kit, so be patient too.

 

[theludwigman]

I'm gonna fall outside of this list a little and not use a mid range kit.
Suffice to say, I'm pretty happy with my Sonor Force Custom kit, but if I had to do this all over again, and I found myself in the position I did 25 years ago, but it's nowadays, I think I would do.....

...Gretsch Catalina.
20x14/12x8/16x16 with two 14x5 Ludwig Universal Snare drums. One wood, one metal.
This roughly mimics a kit I owned during most of the 1990's and it was great.
Good enough to return to and relive the joy all over again.

...HOWEVER...

I get that you're looking for that "forever kit" and are fielding opinions, so given that...in your case, I would suggest the same sizes I laid out, but maybe look at Tour Custom and the Neusonic, first.
However, you'd do yourself an injustice if you didn't just get out to the music stores and drum shops and try as many different mid-range kits as you could find.
I did this same thing, 25 years ago, and I would caution you to have something specific in mind.
Otherwise you'll be so overwhelmed by all the offerings, you'll likely end up with something you'll hate in a couple of years.
I looked for about 2-2.5 years before I ended up with my kit, so be patient too.

Good points!

 

[Elvis]

Good points!

Thank you! =)

 

[Stephen.DeBoard]

I am really interested in learning more about 20” vs 22” bass drums. Pros and cons. It seems like a lot of people really like the 20. Is it simply because of the ability to move it or is the sound that much different.

I would have thought, through my limited knowledge, that the types of music I like would require a bigger boomier kick drum.

20" X 14" bass drums lack bottom end punch for me. 22" X 14" and 24" X 14" are the Goldilocks zone. I noticed that a lot of players here like 20" bass drums. I personally don't get it. I've had a few and they left me wanting. I'm thinking a deeper shell like 16" or 18" with a 20" may provide additional punch.

 

[1988fxlr]

I am really interested in learning more about 20” vs 22” bass drums. Pros and cons. It seems like a lot of people really like the 20. Is it simply because of the ability to move it or is the sound that much different.

I would have thought, through my limited knowledge, that the types of music I like would require a bigger boomier kick drum.

I like big bass drums but have recently come around to a 20” after finding a great one (Rogers). I suggested one with the Rogers suggestion mostly because its probably the most common setup for that brand back in the 60’s so you can find good deals on them.

 

[Sully151]

I would definitely go vintage. The same budget that would buy the renowns or nuesonics would absolutely get a nice vintage kit. Playing in a small room for pleasure, the drawbacks of vintage hardware aren’t an issue to me. So my top two choices to cover anything would be:

3 ply Ludwig Super Classics 13/16/22 with a supra.

Swivo era Rogers 12/16/20 with a wood or brass Powertone.

I am not opposed to going vintage. The problem I am running into is there isn’t a lot near me. I am in SoCal but when I look online a lot of the kits are either really beat up, or so nice that they cost as much as a new kit.

 

[1988fxlr]

I am not opposed to going vintage. The problem I am running into is there isn’t a lot near me. I am in SoCal but when I look online a lot of the kits are either really beat up, or so nice that they cost as much as a new kit.

Yeah, the old stuff takes a bit more patience to find a deal but the nice thing is that if you ever decide to sell them, they are still vintage. If you decide to sell a mid level kit bought new in a few years, they are an old mid level kit

 

[Sully151]

I'm gonna fall outside of this list a little and not use a mid range kit.
Suffice to say, I'm pretty happy with my Sonor Force Custom kit, but if I had to do this all over again, and I found myself in the position I did 25 years ago, but it's nowadays, I think I would do.....

...Gretsch Catalina.
20x14/12x8/16x16 with two 14x5 Ludwig Universal Snare drums. One wood, one metal.
This roughly mimics a kit I owned during most of the 1990's and it was great.
Good enough to return to and relive the joy all over again.

...HOWEVER...

I get that you're looking for that "forever kit" and are fielding opinions, so given that...in your case, I would suggest the same sizes I laid out, but maybe look at Tour Custom and the Neusonic, first.
However, you'd do yourself an injustice if you didn't just get out to the music stores and drum shops and try as many different mid-range kits as you could find.
I did this same thing, 25 years ago, and I would caution you to have something specific in mind.
Otherwise you'll be so overwhelmed by all the offerings, you'll likely end up with something you'll hate in a couple of years.
I looked for about 2-2.5 years before I ended up with my kit, so be patient too.

Yeah, I am trying to find shops to go try sets out, but it’s not as easy as I thought it would be.

I have two guitar centers close by, they each have a Stage Custom, a PDP, and some $3000 DW. That’s it.

 

[Steech]

Yeah, the old stuff takes a bit more patience to find a deal but the nice thing is that if you ever decide to sell them, they are still vintage. If you decide to sell a mid level kit bought new in a few years, they are an old mid level kit

I’ve had nothing but trouble with the hardware on vintage kits that I’ve owned.

And seating modern heads on vintage shells can also be a pain.

Not worth it imo. Even entry to mid level kits these days tend to play and sound better than lots of vintage kits that are on the market

 

[1988fxlr]

I’ve had nothing but trouble with the hardware on vintage kits that I’ve owned.

And seating modern heads on vintage shells can also be a pain.

Not worth it imo. Even entry to mid level kits these days tend to play and sound better than lots of vintage kits that are on the market

Different strokes for different folks. I haven’t had any more issue with vintage hardware than modern and I’ve never heard of old Ludwigs or Rogers being hard to fit heads too unless they had seen some serious abuse/neglect.

I just don’t find modern entry or mid level kits remotely interesting or desirable. Reasonable minds may differ and I’ve never been concerned with being reasonable

 

[Jazzhead]

I’ve had nothing but trouble with the hardware on vintage kits that I’ve owned.

And seating modern heads on vintage shells can also be a pain.

Not worth it imo. Even entry to mid level kits these days tend to play and sound better than lots of vintage kits that are on the market

That’s why you only get a Premier or Rogers vintage kit. Built beautifully with solid hardware (70’s Premier), shells and bearing edges look flawless and fit modern heads like a drum set made in 2023.

 

[RogersLudwig]

I’m with you, but that might take it above the budget being discussed without some condition issues or luck View attachment 623380

Yeah, I thought long and hard about that. More likely a nice 12/16/20 will be had for around $1200.

 

[Redbeard77]

I am really interested in learning more about 20” vs 22” bass drums. Pros and cons. It seems like a lot of people really like the 20. Is it simply because of the ability to move it or is the sound that much different.

I would have thought, through my limited knowledge, that the types of music I like would require a bigger boomier kick drum.

Although I've mostly been playing a 24x16 kick for over a decade because it works for my sound, my favorite size for a do-it-all kick is 22x16. It can sound big when needed, but also get a tighter sound than larger drums.
But as I mentioned earlier, I had a Renown kit with a 20x16 kick and it was punchy and definitely didn't sound small. I picked that up as a practice kit and for smaller gigs where space and volume were factors, but had to sell it during my last move. Anyway, this video is what sold me on it:

 

[Elvis]

20" X 14" bass drums lack bottom end punch for me. 22" X 14" and 24" X 14" are the Goldilocks zone. I noticed that a lot of players here like 20" bass drums. I personally don't get it. I've had a few and they left me wanting. I'm thinking a deeper shell like 16" or 18" with a 20" may provide additional punch.

Personal preference.
You're not wrong for wanting what you want, but the OP was asking for each of our individual opinions...I was giving MINE.
It doesn't have to be yours.
You're also not wrong about the additional depth, either, although there is a point of diminishing returns.
I've played on 16 and 18 inch deep bass drums. 18's seem to get a bit too boomy. Even with self-muffled heads, it gets overly.....echo-ee.
The larger the diameter, the greater the effect.
20x16 would be cool, but 20x12 would be, too.
The key to getting a good "Rock" sound from a smaller bass drum is realizing that you don't need to use nearly as much muffling as you do with larger drums.
Once you realize that, I don't think you'll have nearly as much issue with smaller bass drums, as you do now.

 

[T_Weaves]

Why can't I go down to just one my kits that I have now?