Bassdrum: a 26" or a 24"?

[Aleksandr]

I am going to either refurbish a bass drum for personal use soon, or I am going to build one from scratch.

I can't really decide on the size I would like. I am currently using a 22" bass drum and I definitely want to upgrade the size. But how much, I am debating.

At one of my shows out west Virginia I saw a drummer who used a beast of a bass drum, it was either a 24 or a 26, I can't really remember. His drum had absolutely no problem filling the room, and it sounded great. So now I am craving what he has; I want a drum that can do the same.

The problem is I have never had the chance to play on a bass drum larger than a 22", so I am not really sure what to expect with the final product.

I would like to ask those of you who have played on said bass drum sizes, what do these drums sound like? I play in a hardcore punk band, so I need a good amount of punch to my drums to cut through the loud overtones of the guitar, but I also really enjoy a deep thump. Can I find this kind of sound in a larger bass drum like a 26"? Or will it be no attack, and all deep thud.

I have to say that I am leaning toward building a 26". I am a big guy, so I think it would match me well. :)

Thanks! Please share your thoughts.

[gmrakich]

I'm sure DW has a 25" inch shell around somewhere they will sell you.

I have both, and use the 24 more. Just a little better feel, and much more of a focused sound.

[Aleksandr]

What do yo mean by focused sound? Does the 26" sound like its almost muffled?

[wloeb]

What kind of car do you drive? Will a 26" fit?

Wayne

[zambizzi]

I'm craving a 26" myself...I might order a Ludwig Classic Maple kit w/ a 26"x14" today. I'm still debating it internally. :)

I've played a 24", they sound great but a 26" sounds *amazing*. If you're a big guy and don't mind the height (and weight) of a big 26"...I'd encourage that!

[caddywumpus]

The depth is just as important to the overall sound as the diameter. If you want more of a "punch-in-the-gut" kind of sound, get one that's 14" deep. Any deeper, and the "focus" will get obscured by "boominess". Plus, it will be more and more harder to transport it, the deeper you get.

[Royal]

26" for live & 24"(max): for studio.

[trkdrmr]

I'm craving a 26" myself...I might order a Ludwig Classic Maple kit w/ a 26"x14" today. I'm still debating it internally. :)

I've played a 24", they sound great but a 26" sounds *amazing*. If you're a big guy and don't mind the height (and weight) of a big 26"...I'd encourage that!

Why not just add a 26" stave kick to your kit?

[Evilbagua]

I usually use a 26x16 or 28x16 live, and I love them nothing can match the sound. I recently got a 24, all 3 have the same depth but the volume increase each 2 inches is quite noticable to me. I run all three with SK II's and they kill. Not for everyone, but if you already have a 22 why not get a 26?

*edit I play Extreme Grind/Death metal and it sounds fine for that I'm sure it would work for Hardcore punk.

[Aleksandr]

Is it cheaper to build a stave shell then to order a keller shell? I usually see only stave snare drums, so you can build a 26" stave bass drum? Im new to this haha.

Also, can you wrap stave shells, or does this defeat the purpose?

[zambizzi]

Why not just add a 26" stave kick to your kit?

Well, for a few reasons. I'm not sure frank can do a shell that big, I'm pretty sure he said his limit is 24" (though I could be wrong). Even if he could, that thing would be so prohibitively heavy, I'd never want to haul it around. I'm sure it'd be just as prohibitively expensive, too.

I love the Ludwig sound and would love to own another LCM. Massmusic has great prices too! I got a quote today and they gave me an 8-12 week lead estimate.

[Jon_Gwon]

I just went throught the same problem you're having right now, so maybe I can shed some light on the situation here. In my head I wanted a 26" for the looks, for the sound, well... everything, I'm and absolute tone freak and for me bigger is normally better. But I play in a really fast and noisy band that requires articulation and clarity, so all the endless comparison charts started...

As you said, you're a big guy, so your probably not all too worried about moving the air in a 26" drum which can be a problem for some, but the biggest factor that affected my decision and I ended going for the 24" myself, was that I wanted the faster response for the really intricate parts. When I played on 26's I found that when I tuned them up for a quicker response, I compromised how it sounded when I wanted big open tones. With the 24's I didn't have as much trouble, I could tune it down a bit for the body I wanted without getting lost in the mix. It was always fairly clear with good attack and very well rounded. The perfect combination of tone and clarity!!!

There are some variables to take into consideration here as the 26's (x14") I've played were all Acrylic and the 24 (x17") that I know well is a Pearl Masterwork Maple/Mahogany so it's a little hard to properly compare, but still, I think the main traits of the sizes were apparent. What eventually sold me was the fact that I would rather have a down-tuned 24" than a higher tuned 26".

IMO, for faster more aggresive music, the 24" was just more practical, and that's what it should really be about, having the right tools for the jobs.

Hope that helps, best of luck

[Aleksandr]

I think I am going to go for the 26".

I already have a solid 22", so I figure why not give the 26" a try.

I would absolutely love to be able to restore an old ludwig or any refurb project in general, but I don't know if I am going to be able to find one. So I think I may order a 26"x17" keller shell and start the building from there.

ALSO, I am going to be putting a really radical stand out wrap on this baby, anyone want to point me in the direction to where I can find abstract wraps?

[zambizzi]

I think I am going to go for the 26".

I already have a solid 22", so I figure why not give the 26" a try.

I would absolutely love to be able to restore an old ludwig or any refurb project in general, but I don't know if I am going to be able to find one. So I think I may order a 26"x17" keller shell and start the building from there.

ALSO, I am going to be putting a really radical stand out wrap on this baby, anyone want to point me in the direction to where I can find abstract wraps?

Right on! That's how I feel...a 24" would be too close to what I've got. I turned in my order sheet for a quote...I'm on the fence and I'm not sure I'll order...but it's tempting.

I'm looking at 26"x14", 18"x16", 16"x16", 13"x10".

There's a dude on the Ghostnote forums who sells really far out, beautiful wraps. I can't think of his name but you should be able to find him there.

[zambizzi]

I might also go the builder route, who are you getting your shell from? I know Keller makes a 26" but I can't find someone who sells them. I'd prefer re-rings, too...if I could get 'em.

[harryconway]

I think I am going to go for the 26". I would absolutely love to be able to restore an old ludwig or any refurb project in general, but
My Rogers/Ludwig project here: http://harryconway.typepad.com/ The kick drum was $41. Shipping was $50. Great drum for "under" $100. This is my 3rd marching-drum-to-kick-drum conversion.

[Aleksandr]

My Rogers/Ludwig project here: http://harryconway.typepad.com/ The kick drum was $41. Shipping was $50. Great drum for "under" $100. This is my 3rd marching-drum-to-kick-drum conversion.

Harry, where did you purchase your marching drum, and is there any radical difference in sound from marching drums to standard drum set kick drums?

[KarlCrafton]

I might also go the builder route, who are you getting your shell from? I know Keller makes a 26" but I can't find someone who sells them. I'd prefer re-rings, too...if I could get 'em.

Zam--

Precision offers Keller shells with re-rings. 6-8-&10 ply with rings.
They do a superb job, and are quick.
I have 3 bass drums they have done and they are fantastic instruments--and I haven't waited longer than 3 weeks for anything.

Aleksandr--

If you want a 26, here's my take on the sizes, as I own 16,18 & 20 deep X 26, & have played several 14x26's. I also own a 14x24.
All drums are set up with the same head combo, muffling etc...

The shallower the depth, the 'faster' it will seem to react because the overall note is shorter (most people get that).
The punch on all the sizes is about the same, but the depth of tone, and length of the note itself will vary.
You can get a clean, solid, full & punchy sound out of the deep 20x26 too, it doesn't have to be a short drum.

These are descriptions on my drums:

The 16x26 8 ply Maple has a big, pretty punchy sound, solid, with decent note length to have it sound "big", but a shorter note than the other sizes.

The 18x26 8 ply Maple has a very full sound, with a lot of oomph, and you can feel it under your foot more than the 16 deep.
Bigger 'boom" sound, but not "boomy" where it's not pleasant or a problem or getting in the way of other instruments.
And it's a comfortable feel under the foot.

The 20x26 (have 2 of them) 10 ply Maple has a fat, beefy, punchy full sound.
It has a real nice balance of punch, attack, tone and articulation.
It also if feels good under your foot, comfortable and fun to play (it's made converts of a few people :-) ).

Overall, this 20" deep size suits me more than any other depth.
I have great luck with, and like the sound of generally any size diameter if it's a 20" deep shell. I also have a 16x28 and a 20x28, and I prefer the 20 deep--for ME, it has a great balance of all the things that go into a great BD sound.

The 20x26 reacts very well and I can do multiple strokes and have them all come out solidly and cleanly without loosing anything in the translation-- what I hear behind the drum, through monitors and from the main PA speakers when I'm hearing the drum live.

Simon Philips really liked the sound of my bass drum too!

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h257/KarlCrafton/meSimon1.jpg
(com'on!! SIMON PHILIPS how cool is THAT!?!)

It's even excited sound guy's to where they got a gleam in their eye and grabbed another mic to make it sound extra cool (when does THAT ever happen?!? Extra mic?!? Let alone a gleam of happiness in the eye of a sound guy? Unheard of haha!)

I've used this size in the studio as well and it recorded great (and easily) for the rock tune I was called in for.
Here it is in the studio--20x26.
I can post a sound file of it if you want, I just have to get in in the computer.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h257/KarlCrafton/KitInStudio.jpg
.........
For a bigger than average sound, on the more 'contained' side with quicker response....
I'd suggest an 18 or 20x24.

You still get the punch that a shorter shell has, but the extra length gives you the option of a slightly longer note which gives you a bigger sound.

I say the option, because you can control how open or tight the sound of the drum is by how much and what type of muffling you use, and your tuning.

Mikei should chime in on this too because he had 2 different 14x26's, and went up to an 18x26.
I know he gets more satisfaction out of the 18 deep and likes the sound & feel better than the 14.

Good luck in your decision!

[zambizzi]

Excellent post Karl, thanks! I may go the DIY route, much cheaper!

And, I'm now considering a deeper drum, myself. I *was* looking at a 26x14" but you made an excellent point about having more options w/ a deeper shell.

[harryconway]

Harry, where did you purchase your marching drum, and is there any radical difference in sound from marching drums to standard drum set kick drums?
My drums were all bought off eBay. In the case of the Ludwig 26x14, it's the same 6 ply shell that was used on my previous Ludwig 6 ply kick. The "other" marchers I converted were Yamaha drums. A 20x14, and a 28x14, and both drums had similar "kick" drum cousins in the family as well. So they sound "the same".