20" basses out of style?

[Schnitzel]

Hello!

Why do most medium-level kits have a 22" bass, are smaller ones out of style? Is it just because most people buying those kits play rock or why is that? I have a 22" bass too and I'm looking for a 20"one since its more versatile, I play jazz and rock, latin and funk and it has to serve for all those styles.

What do you think, ain't 20" bassdrums so much more versatile?

[Michael G]

A 22" is more versatile than a 20"....

And 22s aren't only used for "rock."

[Mr. Pasquini]

I have an 18" that I want a 20". They're cool shindigs, qute versitile. Raymond Herrera plays 2 20" bass drums. I think DDrum is all about some 20x20 Bass Drums. Maybe one day... Anyways, 22s are whats most popular.

[T.Underhill]

Seems to me people are going smaller lately. Smaller kits, smaller drums. Less 18" toms, 24" BD's, more bop kits, etc. I think they'll stick around although probably never gain the popularity of the more standard 22".

[Garvin]

I would definately argue the versatility issue between 22 and 20 inches. Admittedly, I'm a small bass drum guy. I've got a jungle kit with a 16" and a kit with an 18" bass as well as an old Tama Rockstar with a 20" and sold my pearl with it's 22" last year.

I feel like 20" bass drums are easier to move, set up smaller, are easier to mic and have a lot wider tuning range than a bigger 22". I feel like 20" is even too big sometimes, but if I only had to own one kit, I'd go for a 20" bass.

Before I get my head torn off for saying so, let me just say that yes I know how to tune a drum, and I've played in countless different types of venues including outdoors and in the dreaded gymnasiums of the world. It's just my opinion.

[cnw60]

When I got back into playing a couple years ago and started looking for a new kit - I just assumed that I'd get a 20" bass drum just like I'd always had playing 20 - 30 years ago. That's when I found out that 22's had pretty much taken over as the standard.

I ended up getting a bop kit w/ an 18" bass, which I do really like and it's serving the purpose of giving me something to practice on, but I still wish that I had been able to find a 20". I always felt like the 20's went deep enough for anything I needed and were just easier to carry around and set up.

[intooder]

Hindsight's always 20" X 20".

[Mr. Pasquini]

Hindsight's always 20" X 20".
clever...

20 nice ones...

[T.Underhill]

Hindsight's always 20" X 20".

*cue rimshot*
.

[fourstringdrums]

I find 20's to be more versatile. I don't own one now, I have an 18, but when I did I found that I was able to tune it up higher and get a better tone than I could with a 22, and also tune it down lower like a 22. With the 22, I could of course tune lower, but once I started to tune up, it just started to feel and sound "boingy". The 20 also had better all around head response I felt.

[Drummer Karl]

I have a Superstar with a 22x18 bass (more or less through an over-sight) and a Custom Basix kit with a 20x18 and I find the 20" much more versatile.
When I bought my Basix I could choose either a 22" or a 20" and went clearly for the 20".
Sounds much sweeter, open tone when needed but can also produce an awesome low-end punch.
I would like to sell my Superstar with the 22" bass and get a kit with an 18" bass drum, a reason is that I`m mainly into Jazz (Bop, cont.)

My 22" has too much volume for me, too boomy...that is my opinion about the sizes, I prefer smaller sizes like 20, 18 or even 16".

Karl

[drum.lad]

im getting a 24 "18 she will be a beast i dodnt think 20s are out of style there just not as common although my uncle the jazzer in the family only uses 20 inch bas drums he thinks they go for everything

[The Ploughman]

The only place 20" kicks seem to be out of style is with the idiot ordering heads at GC.

My Style:




1964 Rogers Red Wine Ripple 20-12-16 Last weekend.
http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/23962/2073290270028342110S600x600Q85.jpg

1966 Rogers Sparkling Blue Pearl, 20-12-14-16, Two weeks ago.
http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/22496/2265291780028342110S600x600Q85.jpg

[Colonel Bat Guano]

I went with a 20x16 on my latest kit. Aside from being able to do the versatility thing, I like how the 20" effects the height if the kit. I mount the rack tom on the BD, and I really like how I can sit up "over" the toms, which doesn't happen as much with a 22" for me. The overall footprint of the kit is smaller too, so a tighter set up results for me. The 20" is also a great size for schlepping around to gigs.

I see the 20" and the 22" as the two versatile, figure-out-a-way-to-make-it-work kick diameters for everything. Like a "low" and a "high" setting. Between the two size kicks I feel like you could make something happen for 99% of drum set music styles. With varying degrees of success, buy hey, I'm talking versatility here. Not perfection.

I gigged with an 18x16 for a while (talk about a compact set up). It can convincingly do plenty of styles, but I'd rather have different options for, let's say, a big band gig or a big ol' metal gig. The 22" could be made to work in either situation. (Sort of like what Karl said, the 22" just seems like a big drum to me nowadays, but in a good way). For a bop gig, you wouldn't want a 24" or 26", but the 20" would work fine and with head changes, it would kill in a rock setting the next night.

...

[harryconway]

In style, out of style, point of reference timeline. Look at most drum catalog's from the 50's and 60's, and the 20 and 22 kicks were what was offered "on the average". The 20, 12, 14 and the 22, 13, 16 being very common size combinations. 18 inch kicks were "very" rare (unlike today). Music got louder, drums got bigger. By the late 60's, more 24 and 26 inch kicks started showing up, as well as 18 inch floors. The 70's brought us deeper drums. Power sizes. Now days, I think you have more choices than ever before.

[Signals]

I'm in the market for a new kit (again), and I cannot decide between a 20" or a 22." Anyway, I've *heard* that DW will be releasing a 21" (and a 23") at this year's NAMM, and if so, then that's the one for me!

[Ozzy Biz]

I'm in the market for a new kit (again), and I cannot decide between a 20" or a 22." Anyway, I've *heard* that DW will be releasing a 21" (and a 23") at this year's NAMM, and if so, then that's the one for me!

Can you even buy 21" and 23" bass heads?... If so I imagine the options are a little limited.

[Signals]

Can you even buy 21" and 23" bass heads?... If so I imagine the options are a little limited.


From what I understand, DW's head supplier (Remo?) has them ready to go.

[KzSgDrummer]

I have a 20" and only once in a while do I miss that extra punch a 22" or larger can give. But 95% of the time I can get exactly the sound I want out of mine.

[bballdrummer34]

20" is what im wanting right now. I play jazz mostly, but my 18" sounds like a toy when i play funk gigs. 20" seems middle of the road to me.

[NIMBY]

i really want a 20" bass, so i could put my toms lower.
plus i think they give a better punch then its 22" counterpart

[bballdrummer34]

i really want a 20" bass, so i could put my toms lower.
plus i think they give a better punch then its 22" counterpart

same here

20202020202020

[TopCat]

I've been dying for a 20" for ages.

[Guillermo]

I don't agree they're "out of style"... nor that they are "less versatile".

I've had 22", 18", 20" and 24"... PERSONALLY I strongly believe that the most versatile of all those sizes is the 20".

20" can sound big... 20" can sound tight... 20" can tune low... and can tune high... 20" is responsive... and has perfect height if you like using your toms lower... if you like them high, just bring the tom holder up.

I think that what's been happening is that drumsets in general are less and less visible... there are almost no encounters with drums in the media... we used to see them in music videos all the time... now practically NEVER... in fact less than half the music videos regardless of style are showing on MTV and VH1 than were 10 years ago... but look at the pics from kits on shows in magazines and stuff... they're there... so are 22"s, 18's, etc.

[gearup]

I have what I call a "mix and match "set. Yamaha Recording Customs
22 kick
20 kick
10 12 13 toms
14 16 floor toms

I throw togeather what I think will fill the bill ,add the best snare choice and cymbals and go. Now...I will admit , the 20 sounds great and can sound like a 22 recorded BUT...unless Im sure the venue is small and the band is gonna be less than rockin, I get cold feet and always take the 22!! Im probably the only one on the gig who would miss the 22 over the 20. When in doubt , Ill always take the 22.

[TheAnalogKid]

I'm a huge fan of 20"x20." I've only owned 16"x22" and 18"x22" but I've played around with some 22"x20" and 20"x20" and I can honestly say, if I had the money, I'd have Pearl make me some custom 20"s.

If you play lots of double-bass, you can muffle them, tune them down a bit, use a slam patch, and it feels like the bass is kicking you in the chest! For jazz, you can definitely get a soft touch from a 20" also.


I wish I had some 20"s

[bojangleman]

my CB kit has a 20x16 kick. its pretty punchy and i have it tuned as far down as it will go with out being flat sounding! that is my favorite part of the kit probably.

Alex

[Ekim]

I want a 20" BD really bad. I think the head response would be more what I want than my 22". I think I would set up both though. A double bass kit with two different sizes. If I could possibly do it, I'd want to keep my double pedal on the 22" and have a single pedal on the 20". That way I could really mix it all up.

Of course, I also want an 18" too... I'm just greedy that way.

[6and21]

In the 90's most kit's had 20's. At the guitar centers, and such. Same in the catalogs. kinda like the whole 12,13,16 to 10,12,14 thing during that time. Now you have kits with 13 and 15 toms. Crazy stuff. Me, I love the 24x20., but being 5'1" I got real tired of my toms being that high. So the kit I bought this year I ordered with a 22x20 and a little bit shallower toms.
DW with 21 and 23 kicks you say?
........does anyone remember those bass drums that were round on the top, kinda widened out on towards the mid section and were flat on the bottom??????? I know remo still makes heds for those flat tire looking kicks LOL. I wonder if the price for the odd diameter kick heads will be steep or if they will make enough to keep the price under control?

[Wavelength]

Does anyone remember those bass drums that were round on the top, kinda widened out on towards the mid section and were flat on the bottom?

You mean Trixons?

http://home.hetnet.nl/~hidehitters/2005neu_isenburg/Trixon.jpg

[The Ploughman]

He means North or Stacatto.............. the weird horn shaped drums. maybe. Then again, maybe he dont


There must have been a lot of people on drugs all the time when those drums were built.

[Wavelength]

He means North or Stacatto.............. the weird horn shaped drums. maybe. Then again, maybe he dont

North drums...

http://www.staccato-drums.de/others/northdrums/nof000k.jpg

...and Staccato drums

http://www.endino.com/pics/drums1.JPG

...neither of which is "round on top, wide in the middle and flat at the bottom". Maybe, just maybe he means Trixons, which incidentally happen to be shaped round on top, wide in the middle and flat at the bottom.

[Ozzy Biz]

Maybe, just maybe he means Trixons, which incidentally happen to be shaped round on top, wide in the middle and flat at the bottom.

Also shaped kind of like a "flat tire".....

[Ozzy Biz]

You mean Trixons?

http://home.hetnet.nl/~hidehitters/2005neu_isenburg/Trixon.jpg

What happens when you leave your drums outside in the hot sun for too long

[6and21]

Wavelegntth it the nail on the head, I was talking about the Trixons. The North drums do more of a "cornucopia" thing.









(Pssst, I'm not a "he" LOL)

[Wavelength]

(Pssst, I'm not a "he" LOL)

In Finnish language everyone's a "he" (or "she", since it's so ambiguous), and unless I'm certain about a person's sex, I usually don't bother to bring forth the mouthful of "he or she". :)

[stickers]

I think 20" kicks have the best controlled low end or punch, its there but not overly boomy .. And they are still cute like an 18". :)

Oh and I don't like the 20x20. Its sounds cannon like me and yet to my ear sounds kinda boxy.

14X20 or 16X20 is the way best to go for a 20".

[radiofriendlyunitshifter]

You mean Trixons?

http://home.hetnet.nl/~hidehitters/2005neu_isenburg/Trixon.jpg

if dali was a drum builder...

[onemat]

Here's a short little video with my '64 Luddies. The kick is a 20 and I love it. There is no port in the front head and no miking. What you hear, especially torwards the end of the song where we go to this 3/4 time feel, you here the kick. The song is new and the singer is my wife. She lost the thread in a few spots... so did I come to think about it :)
http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f357/onemat/Karen_Trio%20at%20Richards_10262007/?action=view&current=DejaBlue.flv

[metal overlord]

IMO 20" is pretty versitile.But now days, people want lower, deeper, harder and louder thuds out of their bass drums (like me).

[jackothedrummer1]

I've been wanting a 20" for a while - I'm running a 22" now, I'd like a 20x18 - I feel like the presence of the bass is felt as much as heard in funk/rock stuff. The jazz stuff just has to be tuned up a few pitches.

The only drum size I feel that is "out of style" more or less is the 15" rack tom.

[Ozzy Biz]

IMO 20" is pretty versitile. But now days, people want lower, deeper, harder and louder thuds out of their bass drums (like me).

That has been going on since the '70s. Look at the kicks that John Bonham, Ian Paice, Bill Ward, Carmine Appice and just about all those rock/hard rock guys used.
All 26"s for the most part.

[zidjan]

I don't agree they're "out of style"... nor that they are "less versatile".

I've had 22", 18", 20" and 24"... PERSONALLY I strongly believe that the most versatile of all those sizes is the 20".

20" can sound big... 20" can sound tight... 20" can tune low... and can tune high... 20" is responsive... and has perfect height if you like using your toms lower... if you like them high, just bring the tom holder up.

I think that what's been happening is that drumsets in general are less and less visible... there are almost no encounters with drums in the media... we used to see them in music videos all the time... now practically NEVER... in fact less than half the music videos regardless of style are showing on MTV and VH1 than were 10 years ago... but look at the pics from kits on shows in magazines and stuff... they're there... so are 22"s, 18's, etc.

I fully agree with what you said....i have a Yamaha Oak custom with 20x17..it is the most perfect drum size i've ever had...it is funky but it can also rock out....i guess the rick is not to put a drumhead that's too thick...i used a coated emperor....just perfect balance between resonant and punch.....i think if you play a alot of straight 2's and 4's ....22' is better way to go.,..but I play alot of gospel style music with alot of double and triplets kick...so 20' is the best choise for me.

[onemat]

That has been going on since the '70s. Look at the kicks that John Bonham, Ian Paice, Bill Ward, Carmine Appice and just about all those rock/hard rock guys used.
All 26"s for the most part.

One MAJOR exception : His right Kick was a 20, cut down to a 20 X 10! and the left was the then standard 22" X 14. Now go listen to his kick on the 1968 version of "Crossroads". That big kick sound you hear during Eric Clapton's first solo is THE TWENTY. There was no processing in those days, and drum miking was rare. It ain't just the size here it's the shells. Ludwig 3 ply...
Matt

[LiveGoat]

Actually the optimum tuning for a 26 inch kick is high and tight. Thats why you need a big one so you can have the punch but still some bottom as well. They're made for big rooms.

---LG



IMO 20" is pretty versitile.But now days, people want lower, deeper, harder and louder thuds out of their bass drums (like me).

[zambizzi]

I've been debating this, myself. I want to have a stave kit built soon and I'm leaning toward a 20"x20" or 18"x20" because I do like my toms low (..everything really..cymbals, etc.) I've heard some really *great* sounding 20" kicks and I'm thinking stave will be even deeper and more powerful.

However, I've never actually played a 20" kick, I own two 18"x22" and I've only played 22" and 24" kicks. Will I see a significant difference in rebound from a 20"? I play a lot of heavy-ish funky rock in my band...but we'll switch to some easier, laid-back blues...and all other variations therein. I'm also moving toward playing more jazz, so I figured a 20" would be more easily subdued into that type of setting.

I need versatility, I guess.

[nickg]

1964 Rogers Red Wine Ripple 20-12-16 Last weekend.
http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/23962/2073290270028342110S600x600Q85.jpg

that Rogers set is the next best thing to sex for an orgasmic experience!! the only thing that would make it better would be a full set of Paiste 602s. if i could find a vintage Rogers kit in Pink Oyster Pearl type of finish i'd buy it in a flash...even if i had to trade in the wife to do it!!