Differences between Power, Fusion and Jazz sets

[malt]

Hi,
I'm a newcomer and am looking to buy my first set. It will mainly be for recording and maybe playing out if I ever get any good and want to do more band stuff (used to play bass). I'm looking at all the drumsets out there and I'd like to narrow my searches down by finding out your opinions on the sizes of the toms. If I'm a beginner and mainly recording, would it be best to get one with smaller toms? It seems the differences are between 10, 12 and 14 (floor tom) or 10, 12 and 16, or 12, 13 and 16.
I like and play all sorts of music, so its hard to choose the type of sound I'm looking for.
Thanks for any help on the subject.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I would think you could record any size. I would buy what is going to fit my music style if I play out somewhere. If its rock I would say 12, 13, and 16. Jazz more than not seem to be 10, 12, and 14, or 16. You need to play some and hear the sound and let your ears decide. Most of the major brands are going to cost about the same within those size ranges.

TRy Musiciansfriend.com
ZZounds.com
Mass MUsic.com
Samash.com
Music123.com
Guitarcenter.com and see whats available, and try some local music stores, and see what you like. You will get many opinions on this forum, and none of them are wrong or right but just personal preference. Good luck with your hunt.

[Jeremy]

size choices aren't really about skill level, but sound and portability. If you don't plan on moving them much it's just about sound.
If you like a real deep and big resonating sound, you should get big drums, and if you like fast playing with lots of definition you should get shallower drums.
In terms of pitch, smaller drums will be more versatile because they sound better tuned low than big drums do when tuned high.
The only thing I would say is try and keep at least a 2 inch difference between head sizes, because it's hard to get a 12" and 13" to sound different enough to make them worth having both.

[tamadrummer132]

i would HIGHLY advize getting a fusion set. I apsolutely hate playing power sizes.

power are: 12,13,16 and REALLY deep. meaning crappy to tune, and hard to configure

typical five piece fusion is: 10,12,14. not too deep not too shallow, easy to tune, easy to configure

jazz: i didnt know there were specific jazz sizes...

[Pukeboy]

If I'm not mistaking, 10,12,14 is easier to record.

[Deathmetalconga]

i would HIGHLY advize getting a fusion set. I apsolutely hate playing power sizes.

power are: 12,13,16 and REALLY deep. meaning crappy to tune, and hard to configure

typical five piece fusion is: 10,12,14. not too deep not too shallow, easy to tune, easy to configure

jazz: i didnt know there were specific jazz sizes...

I don't consider a drum deep unless its depth is more than its diameter. Oddly, square sizes are considered deep, when they're just square. Throughout history, most drums have been much deeper than wide. Only in the Western drum set are shallow drums considered the standard.

I have square sizes 18 bass and 8, 10, 12 and 14 toms. Yes, they do take more time to tune (thank God for Drum Dials!) but the trade off is deep, rich authoritative tone. Shallow drums sound .... shallow.

[hawk9290]

whatever you do, stay away from power toms, (12,13,16)- they just don't cut it- and thats literal. the size doesn't really matter for recording or skill level- its mostly about preference. Personally, I'd look at a kit like a Gretsch Catalina Maple or Mapex M Birch (good kits for beginners, intermediates, and pro's who dont want to risk ruining a $5000 DW kit)- they have good deals on 6 piece sets, so that way you get 10,12,14,16 toms, which gives you a lot of versatility.

[malt]

Hey thanks everyone for the great suggestions. You're giving me some good ideas.

[Ozzy Biz]

I play a four piece, and I like the bigger sizes so I'd be leaning towards the 'rock' set with 12, 13, 16 toms but scrap the 12".

[Skitch]

i would HIGHLY advize getting a fusion set. I apsolutely hate playing power sizes.

power are: 12,13,16 and REALLY deep. meaning crappy to tune, and hard to configure

typical five piece fusion is: 10,12,14. not too deep not too shallow, easy to tune, easy to configure

jazz: i didnt know there were specific jazz sizes...

Depends on the type of jazz:

Most be bop players prefer the 14x18" Bass Drum. 8x12" tom and a 14x14" floor tom. Please don't call the bass drum a kick and no suspended floor toms either. The 18" bass drum came about because it was the only size bass drum which would fit into a taxi cab, or so I am told......


Mike

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

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=drummermikemccraw
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=78564594