12x8 Toms

[TheIronCobr4]

So I have a question concerning 12x8 toms. Right now I'm at a cross roads of wanting to sell my kit or keep mine. The kit I'm considering is the Tama Silverstar in sizes of 18x14 bass, 14x14 floor, 14x5 snare, and 12x8 tom. Right now I have a Ludwig Accent Custom Elite kit in 10x8, 12x10, and 13x11 toms, 16x16 floor tom, and 22x18 bass drum. The kits are both 100% birch and the only difference (besides the sizes) is that the Tama kit I want is a wrap but that doesn't bother me.

I guess my main question is how will playing a 12x8 feel as opposed to playing the 10x8 as my main tom? I really dislike playing the 12x10 tom that I have now as my main rack, but mainly because of the depth, its just too hard to angle. I love 10x8 inch toms though and I know that Tama Silverstars offer a 10x8 tom in that wrap as well. Would Tama be willing to sell me the shell pack with a 10x8 instead of 12x8 or would i have to buy that seperate?

Thanks for the help guys.

[Drumolator]

You will probably have to buy the 12" tom with the kit. Since it is shallower than your current one, you will probably not have the positioning problem you have now. Also, the 18" bass drum should eliminate all positioning issues. Good luck.

[bobdadruma]

I think that you will like the 8x12. I like 7x12 toms also. both 10 and 12" toms work well as mounted toms on a 4 piece. I would give the 12 a fair chance.
Don't forget that an 18 inch bass drum with a riser is like a 20 inch bass drum.
I really like 18 and 20 inch bass drums.

[BillBachman]

I definitely like shallower more so that the toms can be positioned any which way over the bass drum without needing to go higher. And yes, 20" bass drums have been great to me too.

[Naigewron]

10x7 and 12x8 works for me. The 12x8 comfortably mounts exactly where I want it, regardless of what setup I feel like playing at any given time:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff200/EskilSeter/IMAG0061.jpg

[TheIronCobr4]

I have a good feeling that this may very well be my next step, and worse comes to worst (which wont be bad) I'll add the 10x8 tom. And as far as the 18 being like a 20 bass drum because of the riser, I actually prefer that due to the fact that I've been wanting to downsize my bass drum as well.

[bobdadruma]

One of my fav kits that I own in my Tama Stagestar with 14x18, 10x8, 12x8, and 12x14.
It is always a joy to play this kit.
It tunes so nice! It sounds almost vintage. (very warm with open mid range)

[TheIronCobr4]

What is the quality of the Stagestar kits?

[Bo Eder]

So I have a question concerning 12x8 toms. Right now I'm at a cross roads of wanting to sell my kit or keep mine. The kit I'm considering is the Tama Silverstar in sizes of 18x14 bass, 14x14 floor, 14x5 snare, and 12x8 tom. Right now I have a Ludwig Accent Custom Elite kit in 10x8, 12x10, and 13x11 toms, 16x16 floor tom, and 22x18 bass drum. The kits are both 100% birch and the only difference (besides the sizes) is that the Tama kit I want is a wrap but that doesn't bother me.

I guess my main question is how will playing a 12x8 feel as opposed to playing the 10x8 as my main tom? I really dislike playing the 12x10 tom that I have now as my main rack, but mainly because of the depth, its just too hard to angle. I love 10x8 inch toms though and I know that Tama Silverstars offer a 10x8 tom in that wrap as well. Would Tama be willing to sell me the shell pack with a 10x8 instead of 12x8 or would i have to buy that seperate?

Thanks for the help guys.

More importantly, since I just went through this with the same Silverstar kit (I ended up returning it because of this issue and another) - make sure you like where your bass drum pedal is on that mount. The beater has a greater traveling distance where Tama decided to drill in the bass drum pedal plate. I sorta' solved it by removing it, but that made me unhappy because then the beater didn't hit dead center. Try before you buy if you haven't already.

[bobdadruma]

What is the quality of the Stagestar kits?The Stagestar kit is a beginner kit that just seems to work. Poplar wood and PVC wrap.
Kind of like the way that a Pearl Export works even though at first glance one in compelled to think that it shouldn't be any good.
It is just something that I stumbled upon a few years ago while looking for a used budget jazzer kit.
The Sonor Safari is yet another example.

[harryconway]

So I have a question concerning 12x8 toms. Right now I'm at a cross roads of wanting to sell my kit or keep mine.
Seems to me, selling your kit, in today's market, you';re gonna take a "hit-on-the-chin", or in the wallet. Just to loose two inches on a rack tom ..... Depending on what type of music you play ... 18" kicks simply don't work too well, for rock ... jaazz ... sure .... some acoustic gigs .... OK .... but they seriously lack the "sack" you need, for a rock kit. Why not cut down your 12x10 to a 12x8 ...if you can't DIY ... have a pro shop do it for you. Then, if you like the results, you can do the 13x11 too. You'll wind up with a Ludwig "Hyperdrive" kit.

[Davo-London]

The IC

I've just bought a bebop Silverstar kit. I thought the same as you re the 12" tom. Since the snare and floor tom are 14" a 10" rack tom would be a nice contrast.

Having said that the 12" has a lovely tone and maybe 12" toms are easier to get sounding right than 10".

Either way the 18" kick is fine, but see Bob's thread about the design flaw of the riser.

Cheers
Davo

[drumdevil9]

Seems to me, selling your kit, in today's market, you';re gonna take a "hit-on-the-chin", or in the wallet. Just to lose two inches on a rack tom ..... Depending on what type of music you play ... 18" kicks simply don't work too well, for rock ... jazz ... sure .... some acoustic gigs .... OK .... but they seriously lack the "sack" you need, for a rock kit. Why not cut down your 12x10 to a 12x8 ...if you can't DIY ... have a pro shop do it for you. Then, if you like the results, you can do the 13x11 too. You'll wind up with a Ludwig "Hyperdrive" kit.

Yeah I agree. And plus that Ludwig kit sounds killer. If you really want the little Tama maybe you could save up and and have it as a second kit. Just my two cents.

[Cephalic]

I love my 12x8. Up until getting it, my 12" toms were always 10" deep. I was never a huge fan of them, and usually preferred the 10x9s. Now I love the 12x8! If only I could find a matching 10x8 or 10x7 to go with it...

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/9647/32150631.jpg

[drumdevil9]

Nice kit! I have a Fiberskyn on the front (and back) of my small kick too. Sounds great and looks cool.