Thanks FE, I will indeed be taking off the tom mounting platform from the kick, I need to order (supplied in packages of 4) replacement lugs for the top two lugs, as they are a bit shorter in profile due to sitting on top of the base plate of the mounting platform, else the tension rods will not line up with the inserts properly. Since I've tinkered with them a little more today, my initial impressions in placing sound from darkest to brightest would be in the following order - Saturn, RMV, Taye. The two walnut inner plies do indeed have a profound effect on the sound of the drums, considering that the other 4 plys are maple, and that the Taye SM I have is also a six ply premium grade maple shell of almost the same thickness, yet sounds quite a bit brighter by comparison. The 14 inch FT sounds like a 16 inch FT, it's that deep. The snare drum has similar sonic qualities to an aluminum snare but with less dryness and more pleasing sonic ring, based on comparing to an older Mapex (black panther predecessor) aluminum snare that I own. This is a versital set, but based on the depth and darkness of sound, it would be especially killer in a rock/metal environment or anywhere else a deep dark sound is warranted.