Deepest tone from a 16" kick

Toolate · #1 08-21-2012, 03:09 AM

Been experimenting with small kick that I made from a tom and trying to make the deepest tone possible out of it.

Current thought is that I am going to run a PS3 (I have an EC2 that I thought I would try too) tuned JAW with maybe some felt to dampen/deepen it and no reso. White felt beater or maybe bomber. Am I nuts?

It seems that the reso might just serve to offer higher pitched overtones due to the inability to tune it any lower than the PS3.

Not concerned about anything but the depth/volume of the note produced- not for jazzy stuff as much as rock and odd small gigs so aiming for as much of a thump sounds as I can wrong out of it.

What would you do?

Funk · #2 08-21-2012, 03:16 AM

use the thickest heads you can get, which may be the ec2 coated or some kind of aquarian (look into their offerings more, i know they have super thick heads, but am unsure of the specifics), keep the reso head at the lowest point possible before the head begins to wrinkle. experiment with some felt strips on both heads or individual ones, which can soften the highs and give the tone a little more fuzzy warmth. try various tunings on the batter head, and use that vintage bomber beater or a large felt beater, try the modern double sided beaters too, and try both the hard and softer sides.

Soupy · #3 08-21-2012, 03:34 AM

I agree with Funk. Thicker heads tune to a lower pitch. If you already have it, try the EC2, but as I think you've realized, you might want the thicker heads on both sides of the drum. I think the Aquarian head Funk is thinking of might be the Force 10, which is two 10 mil plies.

Funk · #4 08-21-2012, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupy

I agree with Funk. Thicker heads tune to a lower pitch. If you already have it, try the EC2, but as I think you've realized, you might want the thicker heads on both sides of the drum. I think the Aquarian head Funk is thinking of might be the Force 10, which is two 10 mil plies.

thanks man!!! here's some links for aquarians thickest heads

look at the two ply performance 2 w/ dot, each ply is 7mm thick: http://www.aquariandrumheads.com/pro...ance-ii-series

here's some 10mm heads single ply heads w/ and w/out dots:
http://www.aquariandrumheads.com/pro...tudio-x-series

ineedaclutch · #5 08-21-2012, 09:07 PM

My favorite combo for my 16 has been, for the last 5 years, a clear PS3 batter and a coated PS3 reso. Great all around combo for low-end punch or an open tone depending on tuning. Beater choice will make just as big of a difference on a kick of this size in my opinion and experience.

ron pangborn · #6 08-21-2012, 09:19 PM

I use an Evans MX1 on the batter (a marching head) and a smooth white Emp on the reso. I'm really happy with the sound!

>http://youtu.be/cqNXImamW3Q

keep it simple · #7 08-21-2012, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron pangborn

I use an Evans MX1 on the batter (a marching head) and a smooth white Emp on the reso. I'm really happy with the sound!

>http://youtu.be/cqNXImamW3Q

Ron, that's a great sounding kit, & may I say, lovely playing too :) I think your head choice works very well on the 16" bass drum, although some of that low end can be attributed to the mahogany shells.

If I wasn't told otherwise, I'd swear those shells were sepele (a wood I prefer to "modern" mahogany).

ron pangborn · #8 08-22-2012, 12:04 AM

Thanks for your kind words. They're Keller Vintage Mahogany shells circia 2010. They have maple re-rings.

Mikecore · #9 08-22-2012, 01:39 AM

I would also suggest a lifter or cradle of some sort. Getting the drum off of the floor and the beater near the center has really drawn the most out the 18" that I'm using right now. I use a DW 9909 bass drum cradle with good results. The only drawback I have had with this system is that the drum will bounce and rotate a bit if I go at it with a double pedal and start doing metal type stuff, but I think the hardware can be adjusted to prevent this.