Floor Tom Selection

[Pleasure_Paulie]

I'm getting a new kit: 22 bass, 10/12 fusion Toms on a Sonor 2005.

However, I cannot decide on the floor tom. I can easily get a 16" floor tom on legs, or a 14x12" HANGING floor tom. Otherwise, I can wait 3 months for a custom order from Sonor and get a 14x14" floor tom on legs.

I would have preferred to get a 14" floor tom on legs because a hanging tom means you essentially loose a cymbal stand and they tend to bounce. I've had a 16" floor tom, and I'm not sure the depth they offer compliments the sound of the fusion size mounted toms, plus they are harder to tune with less definition.

Is it worth waiting 3 months for the 14x14" floor tom on legs, or should I go with the hanging 14x12 solution?

All help is greatly appreciated!

[Talos]

My next kit will have a hanging floor tom, 16" floor toms and too deep and I dont particularly like them. Try both of them out but I think if you want a 16" floor tom go for Rock or Standard sizes, 10" to 12" to 16" is too bigger increase

[ian1988]

I would of prefered to get a 14" floor tom on legs because a hanging tom means u basically loose a cymbal stand and they tend to bounce.

I'd concur on that, I use my stand to mount my ride and 14' tom....its sturdy as hell!

[Aaron]

i'd suggest waiting if your hearts set on the 14x14, or even better if you can afford it, get the 16x16 and save for an aditional 14x14

[ian1988]

yeah get both! Get a rack mount 14' and a 16'x16!

[Talos]

Go 14" for the time being though :thumb:

16" Sounds horrible

[Pleasure_Paulie]

I'd concur on that, I use my stand to mount my ride and 14' tom....its sturdy as hell!

Does your 14" tom bounce much when mounted on the stand from a clamp?

[Aaron]

Go 14" for the time being though :thumb:

16" Sounds horrible
i love the sound of 16"s, i think they're the most versitile floor-tom size.

[ian1988]

Does your 14" tom bounce much when mounted on the stand from a clamp?

Um.. slight bouce. Just a lil more then the bass mounted toms.. but thats due to the star cast mounts otherwise it would be alot more solid. nearly stagnent. only complaint i would have about it is the versatility of the ride placement.

[TaylorRules]

Go 14" for the time being though :thumb:

16" Sounds horrible

My 16" sounds amazing. Hence why I've got an 18" being delivered. I love the sound of deep booming toms.

I'd say go for the 14"x14" if you prefer legged floor toms. Or if you can afford it, get both 14" and 16".
I hate using mounted floor toms too. I have a 14" as a main floor tom just now until I get my second floor tom and I can't stand it.

[Pleasure_Paulie]

Do you find that the floor toms with legs can be mounted as close to the mounted toms? Or are hanging toms better for more accurate placement?

Thanks for the help guys!

[aznriceball]

u dont lose a stand. and they only bounce if u dont know how to place the weight (on a leg)

[GhostNote]

i love the sound of 16"s, i think they're the most versitile floor-tom size.


I have a 13x11" floor tom and that thing is really versatile. I think its all about the way you tune your drums.

[Pleasure_Paulie]

Do the hanging floor toms (14x12) has a much different sound to a 14x14 with legs? As there must be a reason as to why Sonor include a hanging floor tom as standard!

[aznriceball]

the 14x12 is just slightly shallower, not too much difference in tone per-seh, but the 14x14 has slightly more low end. i prefer the 14x12 for gigging and tuning

[Talos]

My 16" sounds like a hollow bass no matter how I tune it I still get the same results. I tried putting something in it, a hooded jumper, but it didnt work:upset:

[aznriceball]

what heads you got?

[Talos]

Pinstripes

[Dookiedude3005]

can't there be a compromise and just have a 15x14 hanging tom? I think hanging toms are way better even if you do sacrifice a cymbal, you get alot more resonation and looks cool and doesn't puncter the shell(huge down grade in my books is punctered shells). It's also easier to set it up because you just slide it on and put a lmem lock on it instead of playing with legs and buying 3 mem locks for'em

[slickrick1688]

I dont like 16 inch floor toms too much either, id just stick with the 14 x 11 since you already have 10 and 12 toms.

[Talos]

^Yeah theres a big size difference from 12" to 16" and youll notice it. Both would be good though.

[Drum Monkey]

I went through a similiar ordeal when planning for my new kit... Get what you truly want when it comes to sizes, because you'll probably have this kit a long time and you want to be happy with everything :thumb:

-DM

[TTTSNB]

Get the 16 with legs, IMO 14s don't pack enough punch.

[Snarz]

I think you should wait 3 months and get the 14x14 on legs.Or if you easily afford both then get the 16 and then order the 14 .

[Futuro]

What I would do is get a 14x11 use it above the bass. Then get a 16x16 for the floor tom.

[Pleasure_Paulie]

Does the 14x11 hanging tom compliment the 10/12/22 bass better then a 14x14 with legs would?

[Huber]

I have a hanging 14 and a 16 on legs. If I had to choose which one to ditch it'd probably be the 16. Having the even sound around the toms is nice.

Whether thay are hanging or on legs has never really been a problem for me though.

[aznriceball]

Does the 14x11 hanging tom compliment the 10/12/22 bass better then a 14x14 with legs would?

depends on the depths of the 10/12. id venture to say u wont notice much

can't there be a compromise and just have a 15x14 hanging tom? I think hanging toms are way better even if you do sacrifice a cymbal, you get alot more resonation and looks cool and doesn't puncter the shell(huge down grade in my books is punctered shells). It's also easier to set it up because you just slide it on and put a lmem lock on it instead of playing with legs and buying 3 mem locks for'em

the mem locks are no issue, prolly 5 bucks over ebay. and id take punctured over starcasts any day of the week

[chewaz]

toms 10"x8"; 12"x10" ; 14"x12", floor toms 16"x14" (or 16"x16") ; 18"x16" :O

[Pleasure_Paulie]

Is there a general concenus that a 14x12 hanging tom DOES sound nicer then a 14x14 with legs?

[FL3P]

It would be more resonant which would help it sound bigger.

[poppinfresh]

yes, over the years i have found that it can cover a much wider tuning range, get legs on it if you can.

[Pleasure_Paulie]

yes, over the years i have found that it can cover a much wider tuning range, get legs on it if you can.

So a 14x14 WITH legs sounds better then a 14x12 WITHOUT legs?

[Pleasure_Paulie]

So what is the general concenus among you all?

[TTTSNB]

What I would do is get a 14x11 use it above the bass. Then get a 16x16 for the floor tom.
Yeah, exactly.