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jameswalker
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« Reply #20 on: November 17, 2004, 09:13 AM » |
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ok, that might be true if you have a discriminating ear and are looking for a specific sound. (...) My point is that I think a 20" base makes a great compromise. It produces a note right in the middle. Now, if you want one on the low/high edge, maybe that's not a good size for you. BUT, if you want a general purpose base, it's a GREAT size.  I've got a 14x20 BD, and I like it. However, I don't think I could get it to sound as full as my 14x22, and I haven't gotten it to sound like any of the 18s I've tried or heard. A compromise is great if you can accomplish both ends that you're aiming for, but if a 20 doesn't give you what you need from either a 22 or an 18, I don't see the value of simply having something "in-between." Our original poster ( rebelsoap) is considering a "high end" kit - why compromise on the bass drum if you're going "high end"? Either commit to one sound or the other (bop vs. pop/rock/funk), or make the investment to get two different bass drums with the same set, and swap them out as needed. For bop playing in particular, the bass drum is more "tom-like" in sound than in rock/funk/R&B, and I've found that 18s get far closer to that sound than 20s (or 22s) do. Will a 20 work? Sure. Will an 18 be better? IMHO, yes. Are you just kidding around there (yes, I see the "smileys"), or are you actually suggesting the use of a 20 even though you yourself don't use a 20? "Do as I say, not as I do"?  |
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rebelsoap
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« Reply #21 on: November 17, 2004, 09:14 AM » |
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Wow, thanks that does seem like a good deal comparing the list prices on the fibes site -- I assume the wood shells are all the same the price just varies by finish -- however aside that it's "good" or "like gretsch" what's the deal on Fibes? I'm not crazy about the fiberglass snare idea (though I don't know much about it) but I already have a wooden snare which I'm pretty attached to... but if someone wants to tell me redeming qualities -- I'm all ears. |
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jameswalker
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« Reply #22 on: November 17, 2004, 09:21 AM » |
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I'm not crazy about the fiberglass snare idea (though I don't know much about it) but I already have a wooden snare which I'm pretty attached to... but if someone wants to tell me redeming qualities -- I'm all ears.
I haven't played a Fibes-brand fiberglass snare drum yet, but in terms of fibreglass and carbon fibre as materials for drum shells, generally speaking, do a Drummer Cafe search on my user name ("jameswalker") and the word "Tempus," and you'll get enough text praising Tempus f/g and c/f snare drums to fill a lunch hour.  |
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Chris Whitten
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« Reply #23 on: November 17, 2004, 09:42 AM » |
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About the Ebay Fibes kit......
I'm not crazy about synthetic snare drums (excluding Tempus which I've yet to audition in person.....Ok James?).
If you think the Fibes kit looks the ticket, why not buy it and sell the snare drum later if you don't like it.
Maybe Bart or Mr A has a comment on whether the Fibes auction is reasonable (I'm not a Fibes guru).
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jameswalker
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« Reply #24 on: November 17, 2004, 09:58 AM » |
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About the Ebay Fibes kit......
I'm not crazy about synthetic snare drums (excluding Tempus which I've yet to audition in person.....Ok James?).
O-kay!!!I'm not sure why you're expressing concern - either sarcastically or sincerely, I'm not sure which - about getting my OK for your statement...I'm only sharing what has worked for me; I've never claimed to speak for the rest of the percussion world when it comes to Tempus snare drums or anything else. Anyway...back on topic. I'd agree - if the rest of the kit is suited to your tastes, R', go ahead and get it, and if the snare drum isn't to your liking, sell it as a separate component after the fact. |
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rebelsoap
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« Reply #25 on: November 17, 2004, 10:03 AM » |
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Anyway...back on topic. I'd agree - if the rest of the kit is suited to your tastes, R', go ahead and get it, and if the snare drum isn't to your liking, sell it as a separate component after the fact.
Yes well I agree...I'm still looking into the brand some more as I don't know a heck of a ton about em...or hoping that a fibes expert will come along and tell me about em. (if these things came up on ebay more often..dunno...might be even more hesitant...But still that green...dunno...) |
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diddle
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« Reply #26 on: November 17, 2004, 10:34 AM » |
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check www.indoorstorm.comthey sell a nice selection of new "high-end" kits, including the Gretsch you mentioned. |
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Chris Whitten
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« Reply #27 on: November 17, 2004, 10:43 AM » |
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O-kay!!!
I'm not sure why you're expressing concern - either sarcastically or sincerely
Sincerely as it happens.  I often go on record that I'm not keen on synthetic snares. You often go on record as loving Tempus. Rather than go over the old are Tempus good or not discussion, I thought I would insert that qualification. Suffice to say, I await the results of the big recording session. Back to Fibes..... |
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ritarocks
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« Reply #28 on: November 17, 2004, 10:56 AM » |
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jameswalker
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« Reply #29 on: November 17, 2004, 11:04 AM » |
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Sincerely as it happens. I often go on record that I'm not keen on synthetic snares. You often go on record as loving Tempus. Rather than go over the old are Tempus good or not discussion, I thought I would insert that qualification. The "Okay, James?" comment just struck me as a bit odd and unnecessary. I simply didn't understand why I was being mentioned specifically. I'm sorry if you believe that you (or anyone else) stating, "I'm not generally a fan of synthetic snares" is going to inspire me to resurrect a debate over the perceived worth of any particular brand of drums. That's not my intent. All I tried to do was to suggest to rebelsoap that (since IMHO he did ask about the shell material, and not just Fibes) if he wanted to hear my positive thoughts about a non-Fibes brand of fibreglass snare drums, my thoughts are available elsewhere in the Cafe. If anything, I thought that by doing so I was avoiding a rehashing of previous such discussions in this thread. A modest proposal: I promise that in the future, I won't reply with "Chrisso notwithstanding, I love Tempus snare drums" each time you state that synthetic snares aren't to your tastes, if you'll promise not to reply with "Unlike James, I don't like synthetic snare shells" each time I state that I've had very positive experiences with Tempus snares. Anyway, back to Fibes... |
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563
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« Reply #30 on: November 17, 2004, 11:13 AM » |
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Just to add to the mix, I play a 20" kick quite happily. The primary reason being it was the kick that came with the kit when I bought it 12 years ago for $40 and no idea what I wanted. But as I've learned more its just become more and more appealing to me. For all the reasons Keith and others have mentioned actually. It doesn't do 22 or 18 well. For my main kick drum, I actually want a sound between the two. Not as big and boomy as 22, not as tight and punchy as an 18. From my perspective its a best of both worlds drum as opposed to a too much of one, not enough of the other drum. Sorry, just wanted to throw out some props for a much maligned drum Thus encouraging what we've all agreed on ... its a matter of taste. |
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Making bad art. Saying stupid things. Implimenting my master plan to be forgotten when I'm gone and forgettable while I'm here. The Luna MothmeTableland |
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Mister Acrolite
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« Reply #31 on: November 17, 2004, 11:13 AM » |
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I'm not at all familiar with the fiberglass drums Fibes makes, but their wood-shell drums are in my opinion the best sounding drums any major manufacturer is currently making.
I base that on the plethora of drumkits I end up playing while touring, and also on a rather unscientific test: every time I go to Resurrection Drums, my local drum shop, I play all the kits, and for the last few years the best sounding kit has always been a Fibes. And I'm talking about different kits, in different sizes; it's not just that one certain Fibes kit always sounds better.
So if you find a good price on a set of Fibes in the sizes you want, I'd say go for it.
And based on the scarcity of new 4-piece kits in most stores, maybe Ebay is your best bet.
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Mister Acrolite
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« Reply #32 on: November 17, 2004, 11:19 AM » |
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Just to add to the mix, I play a 20" kick quite happily. ... Sorry, just wanted to throw out some props for a much maligned drum Thus encouraging what we've all agreed on ... its a matter of taste. Yes, but 563's tastes are wrong. kidding KIDDING! |
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diddle
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« Reply #33 on: November 17, 2004, 11:31 AM » |
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Yes, but 563's tastes are wrong. kidding KIDDING! maybe it's because they have a tuning aberration... you know, like those nasty 13" drums...  |
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563
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« Reply #34 on: November 17, 2004, 11:48 AM » |
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maybe it's because they have a tuning aberration... you know, like those nasty 13" drums... I'm with the guys on the 13's. The only 13's I have any luck with are my snares, which I LOVE in 13". But Redchapter plays a 13-16-24 kit, and I cant argue with his 13 at all. Then again, its a Fibes |
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Making bad art. Saying stupid things. Implimenting my master plan to be forgotten when I'm gone and forgettable while I'm here. The Luna MothmeTableland |
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jameswalker
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« Reply #35 on: November 17, 2004, 12:12 PM » |
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I'm with the guys on the 13's. The only 13's I have any luck with are my snares, which I LOVE in 13".
Generally, I'm with you on this one. FWIW, I'm finally getting my 9x13 tom to "come around" and give me a good sound, but man-oh-Manischewitz, it has taken significantly more time and effort to achieve this modicum of success than it has with my 12, 14, or 15" toms. Same brand, same era, same heads, but this drum just doesn't want to give it up easily. I had similar problems yesterday tuning the 13" tom at the school where I teach. The tuning range of the 13s I've worked with (not just those two), and the ability to get the drum to "sing," just seem to be tougher. They can get there, it has just been more of a challenge (for me, at least). In my admittedly-limited experience, there just seems to be something ornery about 13" toms - don't ask me to explain it, 'cause I can't. |
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Christopher
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« Reply #36 on: November 17, 2004, 12:17 PM » |
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Sorry, just wanted to throw out some props for a much maligned drum I'm a 20 fan myself. I love the 20/12/14 combo as a nice jazz kit. A 1969 Ludwig Clubdate 20 that I have is probably the best sounding bass drum that I've ever owned. And right up there with the best that I've ever played too. 20's are the cat's meow. |
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Chris Whitten
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« Reply #37 on: November 17, 2004, 12:47 PM » |
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A modest proposal: I promise that in the future, I won't reply with "Chrisso notwithstanding, I love Tempus snare drums" each time you state that synthetic snares aren't to your tastes
Oh man, you are taking this way too seriously! I have a modest proposal......... Send me all your 13" toms. I love 'em. |
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Mister Acrolite
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« Reply #38 on: November 17, 2004, 02:09 PM » |
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Couldn't the sound of an 18-20-22 be significantly influenced by the placement of the beater striking the head?
Yeah, but that's the least of the differences between these drums. |
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diddle
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« Reply #39 on: November 17, 2004, 02:20 PM » |
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Yeah, but that's the least of the differences between these drums.
OK, here's the difference... 22 sounds like BHOOOOMMM 20 sounds like Booomm 18 sounds like boom 16 sounds like Pinggggg This, of course, will depend upon head/muffler selection. YMMV |
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