drummingman
Gold Member
How much does 1 inch in the depth of the size of a tom effect it's sound? For example, 12x8 vs 12x9. Or 16x13 vs 16x14. Would there be a huge difference in the sound of these vs examples? I'm talking about with maple drums.
I think you would be hard pressed to hear a real difference of only 1 inch depth.
I second that. You wanna "change the sound" ... drastically? .... put different heads on the drum ... or just tune it differently ...
I've put 16x14 and 16x16 floor toms side-by-side, and got them to sound exactly the same. And I've also put identical 16x16 floor toms side-by-side, and tuned them to sound way different .... so a 1" depth difference ... almost a moot point. Might as well just buy what you think looks better, 'cause sound wise, it ain't gonna matter enough for the human ear to hear the difference.
Pretty much on the money IMO.If you had two of the same make/model drums in the same material and the same heads and tuning, I think you would be hard pressed to hear a real difference of only 1 inch depth. Although thats probably exactly what you'ld get. A little deeper tone, a little more resonance and a bit less attack.
I could be wrong though. Of course I havent ever had the oportunity to do an A/B. I cant imagine many have with these exact circumstances.
I am curious to hear other opinions though.
Geez, I keep trying to convince everybody there is no difference between regular toms and fast-sized toms for a while now. Maybe everyone will listen to Harry instead!
I was just contemplating a similar question. On my next kit I was thinking of getting 2 racks, a 10" and a 12", but both only 9" deep. With a 22" bass drum, and rack mounted toms, the 9" depth puts the racks where I want without being too high and without hitting the bass drum. So it should sound just fine I would think.
I think that's fine Larry. All three of my top toms on the Guru kit are 10" deep. The different diameters gives me all the pitch range I want, & the depth gives them a tonal family feel.I was just contemplating a similar question. On my next kit I was thinking of getting 2 racks, a 10" and a 12", but both only 9" deep. With a 22" bass drum, and rack mounted toms, the 9" depth puts the racks where I want without being too high and without hitting the bass drum. So it should sound just fine I would think.
I think that's fine Larry. All three of my top toms on the Guru kit are 10" deep. The different diameters gives me all the pitch range I want, & the depth gives them a tonal family feel.
The deeper the toms, the longer the sound wave. Some Engineers don't like these deeper toms cause they are harder to mix separation giving a muddy feeling on tom work. At least, that's what I've been told by more than one; I'm not an Engineer so who knows.
What about 2 inches when it comes to bass drum depth? 20x18 vs 20x20? Would I have to kick a 20x20 harder then a 20x18 to make it open up all the way?