How much do you use your 8" Tom?

[JRH7]

I am thinking of adding a 8" tom to my kit. I was wondering if it is worth the investment of $550.00. Right now I play on 10x8,12x8, 14x14. I am adding a 16x16 Floor tom. How often do you guys use your 8" tom. Does it add that much to your musicality? Let me know as soon as you can because I have to complete my order tomorrow.

J.

[MadJazz]

I'd buy a 2nd snare instead.

I see two useful setups with what you've got: 12 - ride - 14 - 16.
Alternatively, replace the 12" by 8 & 10".

[Afrolicious]

Wow, 550 bucks is a lot of money. I only spent 100€ on mine and I use it quite a lot, but I could live without it, especially if I saved $550.

[Class A Drummer]

I almost never use it. Thats why i made a thread yestarday on how much it would be worth selling my 8 Inch session.

[maddrummr]

I have a 10inch that I barely use. Right now I'm running 10",12",14" and 16". I play mainstream rock with a band and really, I dont need a high pitched tom even at 10 inches.
Of course every once and a while is nice.

[fourstringdrums]

I got my first 8" tom with my Gretsch Renown and I've been using it quite a bit, mainly for accents. I'm thinking that I may just be using it more because it's new, but the novelty may wear off. I find it's a bit too high and cracky sounding to use all the time, that's why I position it to the right of my 10" so it's not the first tom I have to go to.

[mofle]

I allmost never use it, allthough it comes in handy from time to time. What kit is it that you have to spend $550 on a 8''? DW?

[harryconway]

I know I wouldn't use it $550 worth. I think you need to look at your drumming style and type of music you play. Do you constantly wish you could start fills higher or accent with a higher voice? If the answer to that is yes, then maybe that's a good move. Might want to also look at Tama octobans http://www.nextag.com/octobans/search-html which wouldn't match either of your kits, but they're accessory drums, so they're really not supposed to match.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I would love to see the rest of your set if the cost of an 8 inch tom is 550.00. I just bought mine, but my set is apart now while I await new carpet, but I plan on using it, more for a jazz setting.

[JRH7]

It is Sonor Designer in Bubinga Matte Finish. I bought this kit last May and this is the last month Sonor is making add on drums for the Designers. I ordered a 16x16 FT. I am just not sure if I should get an 8x8. Let me know what you guys think.

[Deathmetalconga]

I use my 8 inch tom all the time. It really adds to the melodic possibilities to have higher toms. Personally, I think the trend nowdays is to having gigantic toms and multiple floor toms, like they're compensating for something. Get the 8 inch because this is your last chance.

[frank0072]

considering this is your last chance you can buy it, I would do it (if I would have that much money), your set gets a lot more value I think, because it's not made anymore.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Very nice looking set, and if it were me and the money wasnt an issue, I would buy it. Who knows, the person you may sell it to one day may want an 8 inch tom.

[d.c.drummer]

I use my very seldom. Admitidly, it adds a little color to my fils but i wouldnt pay 550 hard earned dollars on it. If money is not an issue it may be different....

[Tama Player]

I use mine alot. I use it for some melodic tom grooves usually. It add a certain essence that makes it sound really cool. But 550$ on a 8" tom does sound like a little much. But if thats what you want, when I say that I mean that specific tom, then I say go for it.

Peace
AGR

[fusssion]

You're not getting it because you want to emulate Steve Smith are you?!

Analyze the music you play, ...if you NEED it....get it.....if not........DON'T!!

NICE KIT by the way!! WOWZA!!

[JRH7]

I decided to order the 8x8" and the 16x16". I figured why not! Its not that I need it now but I might But, I guess that is okay I just like nice equipment. Thanks for your comments.

J.

[JCM]

I got an 8" in my church set up but I do not use it. Haven't really warmed to it yet. But guess it could be because it's not tuned properly.

[gcarlet]

Why is it $550?

I use mine for little quick triplet fills, etc. I like having it as an option, but it doesn't usually get used in regular fills.

[mikei]

I play my 8 inch all the time!! I probably use it more than my 18!

I play rock, to funk to thrash metal, and use it for each.

Nothing is better than jamming fast metal and throwing a long tom run in starting with the 8. My guitarist loves it.

[Mapex589]

I don't have mine on my set at the moment. I do have fun with it when it is on the kit but I like 2 up (10",12")so it kind of gets in my way. 8" toms are fun but personally, for that kind of dough I would invest in something else , but hey, if you think you will enjoy it go for it!!

[aceman]

8" toms can be tricky to tune but when they are, they sound great. I use mine everyday and would probably be lost without it. they actually sound better with a single ply head being they are so small. It really brings out the color in the smaller toms. But yes, If you have 1 shot of getting it and want 1, then get it. I think you'll like it.

[Pukeboy]

I don' t own a 8" tom. but one day I will for sure !!! I recently bought me a 10" and 8" splash and they really fit in my drumming style. I play a stewart copeland inspired style and I think a 8" tom will fit great, just like my spashes do.

grtz

[macmarkus]

... your set gets a lot more value I think, because it's not made anymore.

no, frank, that's not true, unfortunately. my designer selling price was much less than half of the new ...



@ JRH7

nevertheless i'd go with 8x8 and 16x16 ... it's really smith-like.
hope you get the right wood colour.

[hateplow]

I like my 8-inch a lot, but I've actually set it to the left of my hi-hat because I use my 16 more frequently, and don't like twisting my body to reach it.

[n2xlr8n]

Budget considerations aside, I'm of the opinion that you'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

When I purchased my Mapex Saturns last year, I bought from 8" to 16"....simply because I didn't want to deal with availability issues down the road...sure enough, one year later: My finish is discontinued. Good thing I bought the extras.

The 8" tom has never been mounted.

SRJ

[Red Hawk]

I totally agree.

When my kit got discontinued, i had to choose between getting the 16" floor and getting the 8" rack. I got the 16 because I knew it more, but looking back, I wish I would have sucked it up and gotten both, because finding a NOS tom for my kit isn't going to happen... ever.

[Skitch]

I decided to order the 8x8" and the 16x16". I figured why not! Its not that I need it now but I might But, I guess that is okay I just like nice equipment. Thanks for your comments.

J.

You made the right decision here! The drum is going out of production and you will kick yourself down the road for not having it! Who knows what use you will have for it and if you want to emulate Steve Smtih or Dave Weckl, I say go for it! Don't let the Bonham clones make you feel bad for doing this. Trends in drum kit set ups change over time and the 26" Kick, big rack tom and two floor toms fad may pass soon!

Also, you added a 16" floor tom here, and this makes for a versatile setup. You can use the 12" mounted tom and the 14" and 16" (new) floor toms and have the Alternative Rock set. You can use the 8", 10" and 12" or 14" for jazz stuff. You can use the whole array for mainstream rock and even country if you like!


Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com


http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=drummermikemccraw

[JRH7]

Thank to all who posted their opinions. As I posted earlier I did order the 8" for the shear fact the SQ2 8" will be about $80 more than the Designers and they are not making them anymore with round style mounting knobs. They are super expensive drums. I will tell that I have gotten a ton of complements on how great these drums sound. Though I do like Steve Smith's set-up and respect him greatly as a drummer I didn't get the 8" just because he plays a 8x8,10x8,12x8,14x14,16x16. I figured that I can get two drum set out of my Designer because I also have matching 18x16 Bass Drum. That way I can set kit up for smaller gigs (8,10,14,18 BD) and a bigger kit for rock(12,16,22 BD). There are many combinations I can set-up. Plus if I ever sell the kit I can sell it as two seperate drum sets. I have noticed that larger high-end drums sets loose alot of value compared to what they are worth new and smaller kits sell faster and hold there value a little better. Maybe I am wrong, it would be interesting to see what you think of my observation. Anyway, thanks again.

J.

[thumper]

I special ordered an 8" Tama Swingstar tom to go with my old Stagestar kit...it took 8 months to arrive, and in that time period, I had ordered a CB set of Roto Toms (6", 8" 10") to suffice in the meantime. To make a long story short, I traded in my Stagestars (for 5pc Yamaha SC Nouveaus), and I'm still using the rotos...I held on to the 8" Tama , and I told my wife to use it as an urn for my ashes if I should die suddenly. As my brother in law was tragically killed at work, and we had to deal with unreal questions such as a receptacle for his ashes, I specified that I would like mine in the 8" tom when my wife and I made our wills.
Hope I don't gross anyone out, but there it is.....

[Nick5]

It is Sonor Designer in Bubinga Matte Finish. I bought this kit last May and this is the last month Sonor is making add on drums for the Designers. I ordered a 16x16 FT. I am just not sure if I should get an 8x8. Let me know what you guys think.
That beautiful kit of yours is screaming for an 8" tom. Go for it.
I love my 8"......................tom.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e297/NickP5/IMG_0352.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e297/NickP5/IMG_0348.jpg