Drumset setup

[PeartWeckler]

Hi all!

I just got back into playing after a 5 year layoff, and am trying to figure out the best setup of my drums --22x16 BD, 8x8 TT, 10x10 TT, 12x11 TT, 16x16 FT. Currently, I have them setup with 12x11 on top of the BD, ride cymbal to the right of that, then the floor tom. Inbetween the HH and 12x11 are the 8x8 and 10x10.

The question I have is: how high should my toms be mounted, and at what angle? I play traditional grip, and have my 8x8 about 7-8 inches above my HH so that the butt of my stick does not hit the HH. But, now the rest of the toms have to be high too (so I can do fills from one drum to the next) and it just looks funny, compared to what I see other people playing of late (small jazz kits, and they have the toms not much higher than the SD).

It feels comfortable but looks weird. I mean, I would prabably have trouble doing any kind of SD-TT fills.

Steph
PS. My HH-SD diff is about 6 inches. I'm 5'6" and I sit mid-height on my throne, legs slightly angled down.

[fourstringdrums]

You don't have to have your 10 & 12 toms at the same height as your 8. You can have the toms gradually get lower from the 8. Take a look at how Neil Peart sets up using that technique. Also Rick Latham (take a look at the videos here where he has a mullet) sets his 10 higher than the 12 & 13 he uses, while those are the same height. Your other option could be to mount the 8 to the left of your hi-hat, or have 8 and 10 over the bass and have 12 to the left of your hi-hat. That would be great to open up to incorporating some left hand patterns and fills.

[PeartWeckler]

You don't have to have your 10 & 12 toms at the same height as your 8. You can have the toms gradually get lower from the 8. Take a look at how Neil Peart sets up using that technique. Also Rick Latham (take a look at the videos here where he has a mullet) sets his 10 higher than the 12 & 13 he uses, while those are the same height. Your other option could be to mount the 8 to the left of your hi-hat, or have 8 and 10 over the bass and have 12 to the left of your hi-hat. That would be great to open up to incorporating some left hand patterns and fills.

I'm also constricted by the 12x11 being mounted on the 22 inch bassdrum. I could get rid of the 12x11, move the 8/10 pair to the right, away from the HH, and lower them. Still, I think my traditional grip will cause me to hit something.

Or, I could get rid of the 8/10 pair, and move the 12 to the left of the BD and down. I think I'll try that and maybe put the 8 to the left of the HH.

Steph

[Wavelength]

Still, I think my traditional grip will cause me to hit something.

Hmm, I thought that hitting something was the whole point!

[PeartWeckler]

Hmm, I thought that hitting something was the whole point!

I knew someone was going to say that!

:)