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Ok here's the deal...
I'm about to buy a new set. I've decided upon the Yamaha Birch Custom series. I just found a store around here that has the dimensions and color I want (a rarity when it comes to places around here.) But there's one problem of course...the bass drum is 22" and I want a 20". The majority of stuff I do is funky/improv type stuff. Should I jump at this kit before it's gone? It's a four piece with 10, 12, 14, 22 for about $1100 bucks new! Will I be able to tune this thing higher effectively for a more bebop-y sound? Steve, you have experience in this dept., no? Any thoughts? Please, all thoughts are appreciated!
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IMO, you cannot tune a 22 up really. Not to bop level for sure.
Having said that, I prefer 22's by a long shot. I have both a 20 and 22 but like the sound of the 22 better.
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Take the 22. More versatile.
[img]cool.gif[/img]
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I'd go with it!
unless you intend to play straight ahead bop with it, the 22" will be great. I have a 20" recording custom and I would love to get a 22"
for the extra "umph"!
BV
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I'm not an expert as far as drum gear is concerned really, but I would guess that for pop/rock and big band stuff the 22" would be great. If you're doing a lot of pop/rock stuff, it's ideal and depending on how you tune and dampen it, it will give you the phattest kick sound ever! A mate of mine who now plays with Primal Scream and Gary Moore once told me that he would never go back to a 20" for the type of music he plays as it just doesn't give him the thump and bottom end that that music requires.
As far as playing be bop or straight ahead jazz goes, I would say that a 22" BD would not be suitable at all. Even if you did crank it right up to get more of a high pitched open tone out of it, I think you'll find that it was never designed to play that sort of music and would end up either sounding just too low in pitch or utterly choked. For that genre, you want a 16" 18" or 20"
Good luck though.
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i have read numerous times that recording customs are much better quality than the absolute series.i dont know if this is true though?
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I would definitely go with a 22 over a 20, but as everyone is saying, the music you play (and the ideal sound you're going for) should dictate your decision.
I love my 22!! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]
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For what you described the music you are playig this kit sounds like a perfect match.
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Grab the set before it's gone. The 22 (like everyone else has said) more versitile. If you are looking for a bop sound. Try a thinner head, possibly a coated head, on the batter side and closed head on the front with no holes.
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I bought a Maple Custom kits a couple of years ago with a 20" kick.
The kick was cool. I played in serval bands and recorded with it. I played on several 22" MC kits later on and eventually sold my 20" for a 22".
It just simply has a bit more round low-end. You can tune it up and down, try different heads and damping.I think you'll be more happy with the 22".
Hope this helps.
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I'd go with a 22" and if you can down the road pick up a 20" (if you feel you need it for some gigs). Over the years I've owned and played on 18", 20", 22", 24" and 26" kicks. Today, I've settled on a 22" and 20" to cover all the bases.
Good luck!
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Like Peter C said, it's more versatile.
You can change the head and get different sounds and depths out of it.
A single ply, (maybe even as thin as a diplomat), tuned right up would give you a fantastic bop sound.
A double ply would fatten out the sound and could give you a great rock sound.
MP
