6'' Toms

[The Parasprinter]

Anybody know what companies make 6'' toms for drumsets? I've got a Mapex Pro-M kit, but unfortunately, Mapex doesn't make a 6'' drum and there are rumors of them discontinuing the Pro-M line completely. I saw a kit on this forum where a guy had made one out of the shot drum from a marching tenor set, though I don't have the tools to create a bearing edge for a bottom head. I could get a double-headed orchestral tom, but ideally I'd like something designed for a drumset, and somewhat close to my Pro-M. Anyone out there using a 6 who could tell me where they got it?

Also, I had an idea of putting legs on an old 20'' bass to make sort of a low floor tom out of it. Has anyone done a similar conversion, and did it work?

[Wavelength]

Kumu does.

[harryconway]

Keller makes 6" shells, so any "boutique" drum company could make you a 6x? drum, and hopefully match it close to your Pro M. Octobans are 6" and Roto-Toms have a 6'er. Score a "donor" mapex tom off eBay, and at least you'd have matching lugs. You could also look for an old drum kit type bongo shell, like here: http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-LUDWIG-6-TOM-BONGO-needs-repair_W0QQitemZ230309372109QQihZ013QQcategoryZ380 96QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Todd Sucherman]

Parasprinter---

Most custom boutique drum companies can make you a 6" tom. Pearl makes them but they don't have an Optimount that will fit, so you have to use the old telescoping hardware that penetrates the shell. I had a 6" when I was with Ayotte and I have a 6" Rosewood Sonor Phonic on my old Rosewood kit.

As far as the 20" goes, I hoisted my 20" Pearl Masterworks bass drum up on a two armed tom stand (as I have the tom mounts in the bass drum to accept the arms) and it was a KILLER gong drum. You can check out some of the clips from the DVD here:

http://www.altitudedigital.com/sucherman-moreclips.html

Hope this helps!

Cheers-
Todd

[razorx]

Yeah turn the 20 into a gong drum

[spleen]

I believe Taye also makes a 6" tom.

spleen

[eddiehimself]

Parasprinter---

Most custom boutique drum companies can make you a 6" tom. Pearl makes them but they don't have an Optimount that will fit, so you have to use the old telescoping hardware that penetrates the shell. I had a 6" when I was with Ayotte and I have a 6" Rosewood Sonor Phonic on my old Rosewood kit.

As far as the 20" goes, I hoisted my 20" Pearl Masterworks bass drum up on a two armed tom stand (as I have the tom mounts in the bass drum to accept the arms) and it was a KILLER gong drum. You can check out some of the clips from the DVD here:

http://www.altitudedigital.com/sucherman-moreclips.html

Hope this helps!

Cheers-
Todd

wow dude that's a really good set of videos you have there, i agree with the idea of making a gong drum, hey maybe you could do both and just end up with a huge set! You can order SJC drums in 6". They are quite expensive though.

[The Parasprinter]

Thanks for your help everybody! What do you guys mean by a gong drum? That's just a single-headed bass, right? Or am I thinking of something else?

[The Parasprinter]

Awesome video clips! I just watched them, so I think I see what you mean now.

[Todd Sucherman]

eddiehimself--

Thanks, man. The DVD is over 5 hours shot in HD. 8 songs, bunch of lessons, solos, stories, etc. Hope you consider checking it out.

Parasprinter--

The gong drum is traditionally a single headed bass drum. My 20" I used for the DVD was a double headed traditional bass drum I hoisted up on the tom stand in the "gong drum position." Here's a pic (if it works) of my 20" single headed gong drum from my live rig.

Thanks again, guys. Good luck with the drum add ons!

Todd Sucherman

[trkdrmr]

wow dude that's a really good set of videos you have there, i agree with the idea of making a gong drum, hey maybe you could do both and just end up with a huge set! You can order SJC drums in 6". They are quite expensive though.

1. I am sure that by now, Todd is in a position to simply say "Oh Pearl boy... fashion me a gong drum...and be quick about it..." and it will happen.

2. DIY gong drums are easy to make, it's just like making a single-headed kick on a couple of tom stands. I did it once. Ye olde Tama gong drums of yore used a drumhead that was an inch or two larger than the shell.

3. My new gong drum will be somewhat simpler and more practical. I call it a Mandala pad. ;)

[eddiehimself]

1. I am sure that by now, Todd is in a position to simply say "Oh Pearl boy... fashion me a gong drum...and be quick about it..." and it will happen.

2. DIY gong drums are easy to make, it's just like making a single-headed kick on a couple of tom stands. I did it once. Ye olde Tama gong drums of yore used a drumhead that was an inch or two larger than the shell.

3. My new gong drum will be somewhat simpler and more practical. I call it a Mandala pad. ;)

to be fair i was on about the TS here. And yes i think it probably would be better to make one out of a kick, but i was talking about the 6 inch tom here.

[trkdrmr]

to be fair i was on about the TS here. And yes i think it probably would be better to make one out of a kick, but i was talking about the 6 inch tom here.

If Mapex won't special order one, any custom drum shop can. It would need (as stated) a direct mount bracket. The only issue would be for it to match.

The cheapest soloution for $150 or less, would be the Peace high pitched octaban set of two 6x6 and 6x8 (iirc) with stand.

[rhythmjunkie]

I just want to say 6" drums rock.

[Wavelength]

I just want to say 6" drums rock.

...and if you strip them of their hardware, they'll also roll!

[diosdude]

Ludwig used to make 6" toms, don't know if they still do. In addition to the peace octobans, ddrum makes a 6x6 and 6x8 set. Ludwig also makes actual 20" floor toms with a triple flanged rim (not a bass drum hoop). I also saw recently a Tama superstar 20" tom on ebay. I would just buy that keller shell though and find the matching wrap and matching aftermarket hardware.

[Ozzy Biz]

buy a mapex tom off ebay to score yourself the lugs, then get a custom builder (eg someone at ghostnote.net) to finish a 6" keller shell so it matches. You're probably going to struggle to get a suspension mount to fit, so you might just have to run an old-school mount. Slap some ambassadors on it and you're set!

[silly]

taye studio maple has a 6" tom