12" to 13" tonal difference

[Strix Varia]

I was pretty well decided on my final setup: 10x8, 12x9, 13x10, 16x16 for toms. But then I started hearing things like "12 to 13 isn't enough of a tonal difference", and "13 toms are more difficult to tune than other sizes". I'd go for a 14 tom in stead, but I don't think it would fit nicely in the 3 up config that I want.

Has anyone had much trouble tuning a kit with a 13 in the lineup?

[Ironcobra]

13" is hard to tune, I don't know why, maybe it's just the odd numbers? 7" 9" 11" 15" and 17" are not common, maybe theres a reason? I would try and get the 10", 12", 14" set-up. If you want 3 up, I'm sure there is a stand that will do just the thing for you.

[jdschnee]

Yeah, 13" toms have a notoriety for being hard to tune. I also seem to have the same problem with 12" toms, but not so much as 13".

I think there is a common misconception that people think of when others say that 13's are hard to tune. They don't mean that 13's are hard to tune by themselves, instead they mean that they're hard to tune in conjunction with other toms only an inch apart (12 or 14).13" toms are the only odd numbered tom besides a 15" which isn't as common. They're hard to tune because it's difficult to get as much of an obvious pitch difference between drums that are only one inch apart, and drums that are two inches or more.

[gmrakich]

I have never had issues tuning 13" toms. I have seven of them right now and they all sound sweet.

[jdschnee]

Originally Posted by fourstringdrums

I think there is a common misconception that people think of when others say that 13's are hard to tune. They don't mean that 13's are hard to tune by themselves, instead they mean that they're hard to tune in conjunction with other toms only an inch apart (12 or 14).13" toms are the only odd numbered tom besides a 15" which isn't as common. They're hard to tune because it's difficult to get as much of an obvious pitch difference between drums that are only one inch apart, and drums that are two inches or more.

I should have mentioned that. It is easy to any drum and get it to sound good on it's own, but like you said it is hard to fit it with 10, 12, and 16" toms...

[Strix Varia]

It's hard to find appropriate pictures, but what sizes do these look like? This is the kind of setup I'd like (ignoring the very first tom, which I think is an 8").

http://www.pearldrummersforum.com/at...d=141053&stc=1

[Ozzy Biz]

Originally Posted by gmrakich

I have never had issues tuning 13" toms. I have seven of them right now and they all sound sweet.

Damn Greg, do you always have to show up everyone about gear?!

There's no 13" on the Brady, right?

[joeybeats]

Here's a link where you can obtain additional info on tuning issues relating to sizes and drum intervals. Plenty of other good info there, also. Joey

http://home.earthlink.net/~prof.sound/id9.html

[cdrums21]

I have a 10/13/16 set up. I never had a problem tuning a 13" tom. They've always sounded fine. The problem with having a 12" and 13" tom in a configuration is that there is only one inch difference in shell diameter between the two, so it is sometimes difficult to get enough of a pitch interval without taking one of the toms out of its optimal pitch range, especially when you throw a 10" tom into the mix. In the configuration you speak of, the 13" tom will probably have to be tuned a bit lower than maybe where it would speak the best. That's not that big of a deal though as they sound good in that lower register and that configuration is used by people such as Anton Fig on the Letterman show and Manu Katche to name a few. A 14" tom would keep your toms symetrical and allow for a bit broader range to tune in, but I think they could both work, depending on how you want them to look, spacing of the toms on your kit, etc.

[Drummertist]

On my next kit I'm having one Rack and one floor. I was thinking of getting a 12/16 or a 13/16.

How about a 10/14 couple?

I want a simple kit, but one I can play anything from Funk to Rock and it sound good on my toms. I was thinking of a 20'' Bass

[aydee]

Originally Posted by Drummertist

On my next kit I'm having one Rack and one floor. I was thinking of getting a 12/16 or a 13/16.

How about a 10/14 couple?

I want a simple kit, but one I can play anything from Funk to Quiet Rock and it sound good on my toms. I was thinking of a 20'' Bass

20, 10, 14, would be my call, given the music you describe. 20s will give you great height for your toms too

Originally Posted by Drummertist

On my next kit I'm having one Rack and one floor. I was thinking of getting a 12/16 or a 13/16.

How about a 10/14 couple?

I want a simple kit, but one I can play anything from Funk to Rock and it sound good on my toms. I was thinking of a 20'' Bass

This would be a great setup for both funk and rock. I played the 10/14 setup, mostly with 20" basses for about 4 years. Only recently I went back to 12/14 because I was slightly tired of the tonal separation. Not that it was bad, it was a great contrast, but I just missed having the 12". I felt that sometimes the 10" only was a bit too high.

[Drummertist]

What would be the most versatile of the setups for a 4 pc?

Originally Posted by Drummertist

What would be the most versatile of the setups for a 4 pc?

12/14/20 is the most versatile I think.

[Drummertist]

How about if I wanted to add a 16'' floor into the mix of the 12/14/20?

Originally Posted by Drummertist

How about if I wanted to add a 16'' floor into the mix of the 12/14/20?

Yeah, that would be fine. It's a good combination. Some may say that a 16" is too big of drum to have with a 20" bass, but I like the 20" because it can be tuned down to sound like a 22" or up higher where a 22" can't go.

[cdrums21]

Originally Posted by Drummertist

How about if I wanted to add a 16'' floor into the mix of the 12/14/20?

If you did add a 16", you could go with a shallower one, like a 16 x 14 rather than a 16 x 16 to allow it to speak a little quicker and blend with the smaller toms and kick. Just a thought.