Tom Sizes for Jazz?

[RobertM]

Are there any thoughts or comments regarding preferences for tom sizes for jazz playing? The standard sizes I'm familiar with, coming from a Yamaha and Gretsch background, have usually been 12x8 and 10x7 or 10x7.5.

Pearl Masters Premium and Tama SC Maples only come in 10x8 and 12x8, and Taye Studio Maples in 12x9 and 10x8.5. Would these sizes work? I know that possibly any drum size can work for any kind of musical situation, if tuned right, but I've always been under the assumption that 12x9 toms were standard "rock toms."

Also, is it better to have both toms differ in depth (7" or 7.5" alongside 8", or 8.5" alongside 9") instead of an equal match (e.g., 10x8 / 12x8)?

Thanks for the feedback!

[Stevesmithfan]

8x12" rack tom and 14x14" floor tom is the standard.

[Drummer Karl]

I think that it more depends on the brand who built the drum and from which wood they are made.
As Stevesmithfan said: 8x12, 14x14 are the standard sizes, then again you should look out who builds the shell.

For example: Sonor shells have a really great and warm sound, for me they fit very very well in Jazz music and are able to produce this typical "Jazz-sound" although the toms of the 2003 in our school are 10x9, 12x10 and 14x14...so not the traditional sizes. It isn`t right that those traditional Jazz size toms automatically produce a great, musical and warm sound, prefered for the style.

And no, nothing wrong with having for example 10x8, 12x8 rack toms. Works very well.

Karl

[Erik Lund]

I've got a "jazz kit" - Yamaha Maple Custom (Vintage finish - all with wood hoops - about 8 years old) and my toms are 10x7.5 and 14x14 (18x14 BD)

Sometimes I wish I got a 12x8, but when I hear my kit recorded, I'm so glad I didn't get something that everyone else has. My toms sound so good to these ears, and unlike most people out there (helps that I know how to tune...)