Looking at a 2nd smaller kit

A-customs

Silver Member
Hi fellow Drummers, im having some serious debate in my head over what to get.......Im now playing in a dance cover band Casino Lounge ac and in the summer outside in a great venue..Its high energy stuff ,and we play quite lively,Lots of Fun. BUT VERY LITTLE ROOM!!! Heres the thing My current lit Has a 22x18 Bass drum,and im really tired of dragging this thing to these gigs,plus its tight storing in my back seat of truck.......I Want a smaller kit.BUT Not 2 small!!!! ive been looking and those sonar safari kits,the luddy club dates etc.... and thoses 18"drums just dont look like they will cut it to me .I luv my Kick drum and its a driving force in my playing.....Dont really want to go smaller than a 20x 16.Any one have the 18 bass drums and are REALLY Happy the way they cut??? want to stay in the 5 to 700.00 price point... Thanks in advance!!!
 
I was really surprised when I played a 16" Kick. Maybe it's worth checking out. Is your kit being mic'd?
 
You buy small, shallow drums and that's exactly how they sound by themselves. There's no way an 18" will sound like a 22".

I don't know what your bass drum sounds like, but I could probably find a tuning on an 18" that would be acceptable to me. The toms are easier to tune. It'd be fine inside doing a dance/cover gig. I think the problem you're going to run into is an 18" isn't going to cut it outside without a microphone. It's simply going to disappear.

For what it's worth, I love those little sets. I'd buy one if I thought my wife would allow it.
 
I've had 18,20,22, and 24 inch kicks. For me the most versital is the 20. I liked all the other sizes but if I could only have one it would be the 20. Don't overlook the 20 x 14. The 14 inch depth is where you save the space but you don't sacrafice on sound. I think you would really be satisified with the "tried and true" 20, 12, 14 kit. John
 
ok a couple of things. You only mention your bass drum when looking to save size. how many toms etc. do you have? i recently tried converting an 18 inch floor tom to a bass drum using a Dunnett tom cradle and it came out to 23 inches tall. so i went with my 22 inch bass drum, what was the point? also i can understand not wanting to haul around a heavy 22 inch bass drum, my Pearl bass weighs a ton but my 24 inch 3ply Ludwig is very light in comparison. maybe look for a 3 ply 22?
 
This has been discussed many times here on DW; the general consensus is that if you are adverse to small bass drums like 16" and 18" - then the best possible all-around, any style bass drum is a 20"x14".
As other have said, as far as stage space goes, the real concern is how far out the bass drum sticks out; (on a stage I think of this depth as the 'Z axis' ) so an 16 x 16 takes up more space than a 20x14. There is almost always enough room in the diameter or X and Y axis for any size bass drum you want.
Then there are other considerations like how the size affects a comfortable setup, the need for a microphone, storage/transportation, etc. The 14" depth is shallow enough for the resonant head to really be involved in the sound - both harmonically and just overall volume of the attack.
It all adds up to 20x14 = ideal for a smaller solution.
And hey, what year is it? Coincidence? Hmmmm....

Neal
 
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+1 to the last 2 fellows. As the informal loudmouth spokesperson for the 14 crew I can assert with confidence that the solution for your problem is a shorter bass drum. After taking 3" off my 17" deep bass drum I still sometimes marvel at the ease with which I can maneuver it into doors and cars. Plus now I take up less space on stage as I don't have that extra bass drum sticking out.

What kit are you playing now? Maybe a spare bass drum would be an affordable solution. Either that or paying a skilled drum-guy to slice it down for you.
 
+1 to the last 2 fellows. As the informal loudmouth spokesperson for the 14 crew I can assert with confidence that the solution for your problem is a shorter bass drum. After taking 3" off my 17" deep bass drum I still sometimes marvel at the ease with which I can maneuver it into doors and cars. Plus now I take up less space on stage as I don't have that extra bass drum sticking out.

What kit are you playing now? Maybe a spare bass drum would be an affordable solution. Either that or paying a skilled drum-guy to slice it down for you.

One finger on the right hand, four on the left. Throw 'em up, playah!

Yes...20x14 IS the ideal size, and it would happen to save you space on stage. Win/win!
 
Ive been looking for a used Yamaha 20x14 but cant find one without spending 4 a new one.thought there would be a load of them around,but its not easy.
 
I have a Ludwig Breakbeats I use in contrast to my 13/16/24 classic maples and if mic'ed up, the breakbeats can do a gig. However, I understand what you mean by getting used to a smaller bass drum sound.

To me, I think if you had a 14x22 bass drum instead of 18x22 that would make a big difference. My 13/16/24 kit is the same depth as my breakbeats kit, but maybe a little narrower, but the width is kinda' constant since I'm part of the width. Depth is where you save space. I say look around for standard old skool sizes, like a 8x12/9x13/16x16 and 14x22 kit and that will not only save space on stage, it'll fit into your car much easier.

When I was a kid driving around in an old VW Beetle, I was able to get my entire five-piece Slingerland with hardware and cymbals into it and still have room for a front passenger!
 
...ive been looking and those sonar safari kits,the luddy club dates etc.... and thoses 18"drums just dont look like they will cut it to me ...


The Safari has a 16" bass drum. I don't care much for 16" bass drums, but I'm just fine with 18's and 20's.
 
I'd go with a 22x14, or a 20x14. As others have said, you don't save much real estate by going to a smaller diameter. Your toms might sit a little lower. And while the drum is a little narrower, you've probably still got a floor tom on one side .... and a hi-hat on the other. The overall footprint of your kit isn't gonna change that much. But, if you currently have a 22x18, going to a 14 inch depth is gonna save you 4". Figure your heel/foot/pedal is always gonna be in the same location. Where you save space is how far forward your kit protrudes onto the stage.​
 
Looking at a Sonar Safari kit anyone have one reviews????

I have one. It's a great little kit. Really nice sound, especially considering that it's made of "select hardwood"

Bo was doing some shilling on here for the Safaris a while back. Do a search on here for "Safari". They are quite a popular little kit...and for good reason.

I highly recommend one.
 
Went with a club date with the 20x14 bass drum.Shpuld be here early next week....pics 2 come.
 
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