DRUMMER CAFE - Community Forum

Went with my Blacro (with S-hoop for cross-sticking), 20x16 bass & 15x14 floor tom, single cymbal stand with my 18" fast crash as a crash/ride, and 14" hihats. It LOOKED really cool but the 15" floor was too big, if I find a matching 13" to make into a floor I think it would be perfect. It was a "classic" country gig in a small room, big foam pillow in the bass and a towel over the snare except when I used brushes.

I'd only ever used a 3pc once before, same band, but that time I used my 22x18 bass with dual tom mount for a single 12x10 tom and a boom arm on the other side. It was less hassle case-wise to use the smaller bass and the previous kit, my practice set, has all hanging toms. If I do this again with what I have, I'll stand mount the 20"s matching 12x8 for the single tom.

I was SERIOUSLY tempted to just go snare, bass, and hihats  ;D

So now i have to keep my eye out for a 13x11 Pearl Masters in piano black/black mist and MAYBE pick up a Sabian B8 crash/ride. I know the cymbal is a cheap one but it sounds surprisingly good at low volumes. better than my current Paiste Signature fast crash that I used. The ping cut like a knife  :P

Boomerweps

 I went with a snare, bass and hi hat one time and felt like my hands were tied. We were in one of the first TV stations in our area back in the early sixties and space was not an option to be had. I never did it again. My hats off to any one that can work that way on a regular basis.

 
I envy people that can go with a 3pc kit. True, I rarely use my floor tom, but I need two rack toms and usually four cymbals.

I don't know too much about B8 (I've just tried it in a shop and I didn't really like it), but I know it's not always the highest end that counts in cymbals. Shame or not, I also have a PST5 crash, and it's amazingly good, I sometimes realise I use it more often than my 2002.
 

Ive been considering going 4 piece for quite some time but it goes back to the cosmetic thread and what your kit looks like on stage. I think i make to big a deal about it because of all the kits ive seen over the years smaller kits have always been attractive to me. Larger kits can look to 80's or show band looking. The opening band for Sheryl Crow awhile back Dave Fishman? a piano player whos drummer used a 3 piece looked just fine onstage. 26''bass, 16 floor, and a black beauty snaredrum. Wasnt there a trend a short time ago where 3 piece kits were the thing?.

For my particular style the smaller the kit the better. Its funny how small set ups make you think of just one thing, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

I've used a 4 piece over the years as much as a big set. But haven't done a 3 piece in several years. For one band in particular I may use that set up just for my own curiosity. Sounds like fun.  ;)

Speaking about more with less:

When I returned, I went to a 4 piece.  [Had previously always played 5.]

A few days ago, I decided to subtract a crash.  [I previously always
had a ride and Two crashes.]    Now I'm down to a single ride and a single crash.

I actually think it's helping me.  More groove, less senseless groove-breaking noodling leading to a crash.   :)     YMMV.

[I once caught a jazz player who played 2 pieces - snare and rim bass - a high hat,
 and one crash/ride cymbal. Before they started, I thought that was getting carried away with using less.  By the time I left, I was bowing to him.  :) Wow, could he do alot with those few pieces.]