20x18, 20x16, 22x16 Bass Drum Sizes For Rock

[delta]

So I wanted to get people's opinions on these bass drum sizes for rock type music... not anything too heavy like metal music. It seems like the standard now is 22x18 bass drum size. I'm upgrading my kit and want to look into getting a more "punchy" sound with my bass drum. Think I want to stick with birch. I've been reading around here and it seem's like a shallow depth can help with that (with the right tuning). Some of my favorite drummers use depths like 24x14 and Gadd supposedly uses a 22x14.

I wanted to ask experienced players what there experiences were with those above bass drum sizes... 20x18, 20x16, 22x16. Can they cut through a band enough with the right tuning during a live gig with no mic'ing? I usually see 18x16 or 20x18 for drum kits in a jazz configuration, but I've also been told that a good 20x18 can be tuned to be just as "loud" as a 22x18.

[dharma bum]

Up until a few years ago (well, maybe 10 or 15?) 20x14 or 22x14 were pretty standard for rock, with a few guys going up to a 24 diameter. Now you can't get a 14" deep bass in some lines. I have a couple older sets with the 14, and a Pro M with a 22x18 bass, and frankly, I think even 18 is overkill - I just don't think it helps, and in fact, it seems to make it more difficult to get a punchy bass sound, which I want for my rock and blues playing in small clubs. So even unmiced, a 14 or 16 deep bass is fine, I think - they can get plenty "loud", and are more easily "focused".

[harryconway]

60's rockers used 22x14 as "the" size. Which is why so many 22x14's are on the vintage market today, whether it be Ludwig, Rogers, Slingerland or Gretsch. Guy's wanting bigger boom opted for 24 or 26 inchers, still 14" deep. Deeper kicks became more popular in the 70's. And even more popular in the 80's. Certainly, a 22x16 will serve you well. My Yamaha Recording Custom kick was a 22x16. Very nice drum. I had 2 matching Ludwig Vistalite virgin kicks, 22x16 and 2 (1 virgin, 1 flange) 22x14 Vistalites that served me very well for over 25 years. No complaints with those either.

[caddywumpus]

The smaller depth gives a more "punchy" sound when compared to the "boomy" sound of the deeper drums. Of course, tuning the heads makes all the difference in the world. You can get big "boom" out of a shallow drum, or "punch" out of a deeper drum. Different depths lend themselves to certain characteristics. Shallow drums are also easier to get a "note" or "pitch" out of them. I've gotten huge sounds out of my 18x14 (especially when mic'ed), but it's harder to get a tight "punch" out of my 22x18 without using muffling.

That's been my experience. Whatever sound you like, I'm sure you can get it out of any of those sizes, but with different degrees of difficulty. If you want a "punchy" sound in a live, unmic'd gig, I would go with a shallower drum. The "boom" that comes with a deeper drum might sound great mic'd, but doesn't quite cut through a mix unamplified.

Oh, and I've never been able to get my 20x16 kick to be louder than my 22x18, but I think it has more to do with diameter than depth.

[razorx]

Ive only ever play a 22X18 and a 22X16. IMO the 22X16 is the most punchiest. you put a super kick 2 on that and you are set to go.

[Royal]

I wanted to ask experienced players what there experiences were with those above bass drum sizes... 20x18, 20x16, 22x16. " .

With the proper tuning 24 & 26 can be awesome.
Are you not interested in them?

[volvoguy]

Meh.

I don't see the point with all of the uber deep bass drums. Almost as if, since the bass drum lays on its side, there's no constraint holding the depth back. In another 10 years, we'll just have these endless tubes... projecting to the horizon. I find it kind of a drag, actually, because there are lots of nicely priced shell packs out there with these stupid bass drums and funkily sized rack toms. Bleh.

That said, with our loud blues-rock-Coltrane noise band, it's hard to get my friend's 20" x 14" or 16" 1960's Slingerland bass drum to cut through... whereas my 22"x16" Ludwig bass drum does just fine... and effortlessly.

-Ryan

[delta]

I think maybe the 24x26 was a joke...??

[Royal]

[QUOTE=delta;438449]I think maybe the 24x26 was a joke...??[/QUOTE


NOT 24 x 26.
24 or 26.
Anyway it seems you've answered the question of being interested in larger bass drums.
Maybe you didn't know they existed.
I wish you the best of luck.....

[Mendozart]

I played a 16x24 Tama Superstar bass drum for over 20 years and it worked in every situation I played in. Now I play an 18x24 Keller shelled DW and it's just as impressive. The only thing I don't like is it won't fit through my back door of my BMW, so I'm limited to what vehicle I use. I just recently picked up a ' 71 Ludwig 3-ply 14x22 and it is surprisingly powerful. For me, I like to have a bigger bass drum that will be powerful when I need it, and by playing dynamically, I could still do a dinner set with it.

[Royal]

I played a 16x24 Tama Superstar bass drum for over 20 years, I like to have a bigger bass drum that will be powerful when I need it, and by playing dynamically, I could still do a dinner set with it.
-------------------------------------

I agree Mendozart.
I mainly use 24 or 26. So versatile. By changing beaters from wood to felt & (all the in-betweens) it keeps everyone happy & for rock........well......
When you know how to tune it, you can really drive the band "anywhere."

Like you, getting it in the car is a pain. I put mine in a hard case which make it SEEM massive when trying to load it.
But simultaneously squashing it onto the back seat & pushing hard it just gets in. Need a BIG for-door saloon.
(I get bored with vans).

It's all worth it though......a fantastic sound. I'm happy.

[Mendozart]

It's all worth it though......a fantastic sound. I'm happy.[/FONT]
Just recently I sat in for another drummer who couldn't do a gig. He ended up swinging by at the end of the gig, and talking to him after, the first thing he said was " Man, that bass drum sounds so good" It wasn't even miced up. I run an SKII / PS3 combo, wide open, and it pumps! BTW, this is the 18x24 that I'm talking about.

[Ozzy Biz]

Just recently I sat in for another drummer who couldn't do a gig. He ended up swinging by at the end of the gig, and talking to him after, the first thing he said was " Man, that bass drum sounds so good" It wasn't even miced up. I run an SKII / PS3 combo, wide open, and it pumps! BTW, this is the 18x24 that I'm talking about.

What sort of gig was it?

[Mendozart]

What sort of gig was it?
Well, it was my guitar player that has a little side project with a chick singer. She's actually pretty good, but is still green as far as full band gigs go. She usually does solo acoustic gigs. Anyway, we ended up taking over with some blues/rock ala SRV & Hendrix, because she had pretty much lost her voice from being sick. The room had good acoustics with alot of wood, high ceilings. My Brady snare also sounded really good in this room.

[aruration]

Hey man for me it's a 20x18, mainly because i can set the drums closer and the toms lower.

It has a nice tight punchy sound with enough bottom end.

Ofcourse in a gig it will have to be miced.

[baz]

...the loudest, punchiest, ost monstorous bass drum that I ever played was a Yamaha 22x14" Maple custom with an Evans EQ-4/ Fibreskyn head combo.

I also had an MCA 20x16 that would have put a lot of bigger bass drums to shame.

I now own a couple of various DW bass drums that may have a little more near field boom, but do not project anywhere close to what the Yammies did.

Barry

[Royal]

This is what a 32 x 16 B-D looks like as part of a kit.
Somewhere out there, a marching band is loosing step :-))

....................................http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/7853/3216bdrs7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)