Number of lugs on 20" bass drum?

[bo eder]

Hi all - new guy here - I'm spec-ing out my first Pearl drum order and have settled on some Reference Pure drums (I was totally blown away by the concept and the sound at this year's NAMM show). I know I'll have to wait a bit for my complete order because I've decided on a 14x20 bass drum (no mount) and a 8x12 tom to be included with the kit, and understand the 8x12's are back-ordered. But I figure I won't compromise on what I want this time, so I don't mind waiting, and I have other kits to play anyway.

Question: how many lugs on a 20" bass drum? 16 or 20? Someone told me 20, but I'm not so sure, and I didn't spot any 20" bass drums at NAMM on display. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[nik12]

I lurve 20" bass drums.

For some reason some folk point their noses up at bass drums that have any fewer than 20 lugs. However, up to 22" diameter, 16 lugs is plenty. The stiffness of the wood hoops in the tensioning direction allows for an increased lug distance and very few people crank their bass drums, so the need for precise micrometer tuning is irrelevant. Not to mention all that muffling they add to it.

[ChopperScott]

My 20in Tamas have 20 lugs. I don"t see any reason why Pearl wouldn't do it.

[Kiwi]

So does the BD have to be ordered as MW in RP specs? How many lugs do you want?

[bo eder]

I had a Tama Starclassic bubinga elite kit with a 20" bass drum and it had 20 lugs, and years ago my Yamaha recording Custom 20" had 20 lugs, but I didn't want to assume anything with the Reference Pures, because I think 16 lugs is plenty, but I was just wondering. I don't think they treat the RFP's like MW's - they make what they are and that's it. I have this feeling I'll be waiting over three months for this bass drum. The 8x12 tom will not be available until the end of March, I believe - but they have the 9x12 in stock now. I want to stay traditional, yet modern at the same time. The other drums I'm getting are 14x14 and 16x16 floor toms for the 8x12 and 14x20, and figure this will be a good contrast to my Ludwig Classics (9x13/16x16/14x24).

Another question, do you think I should get a matching snare? My main snares are Ludwig supra's and black beauties (both 6.5 deep) and they give me the sound I want, but I don't have a really good wood snare at this time, and not sure if I'd really need one.

[Kiwi]

Now that I've checked, the RFP 20" has 16 lugs and the 20"x14" is available to order as RFP. So 4-6 months if not in stock.

I like the idea of a matching snare, but for me it's not a must have. If the type and sound of snare is what I want I'm interested, not just because it looks like part of a kit. That said, after 4 years I have just picked one up.

[bo eder]

Now that I've checked, the RFP 20" has 16 lugs and the 20"x14" is available to order as RFP. So 4-6 months if not in stock.

I like the idea of a matching snare, but for me it's not a must have. If the type and sound of snare is what I want I'm interested, not just because it looks like part of a kit. That said, after 4 years I have just picked one up.

Yeah, I think the 4-6 month wait I can do to get this kind of quality and sound. I'm entertaining the idea of getting a 6.5x14 Session Studio Classic snare drum in black to go with this kit. Since the Reference snares are maple with birch, a birch/kapur shell isn't too much of a stretch. And when I played one of those, they sounded great.

[mrjoshfryer]

I like 8 on each side. On a 22 I like 10

[Kiwi]

I like 8 on each side. On a 22 I like 10

Standard Ref specs.

[Paradidle]

The other drums I'm getting are 14x14 and 16x16 floor toms

Have you ordered the dloor toms yet? If not, consider the 14/16". THAT is a killer

[bo eder]

Have you ordered the dloor toms yet? If not, consider the 14/16". THAT is a killer

I'm slowly ordering my stuff. Today I ordered the 8x12 since I won't see that drum until late-May anyway. The rest of the order will include a 16x22 bass drum instead as a 14x20 will probably take an incredibly long time to get. Thanks for the tip on the 14x16, but I've had that size in the past and couldn't really get it to sound as nice as a good ol' 16x16. This kit will be mostly traditional with the exception of the 16" deep bass drum.

[mrjoshfryer]

Standard Ref specs.

Well if you do more it's harder to tune low. I had a 10 lug 15x12 tom (old Rogers marching snare) and I could never get it to sound really low without there being no tension on it. I would do 8

[korch]

I have two 20" bass drums. One has 10 lugs and the other 8. I don't really feel or hear a difference. Either way, you should be fine.

If you have a choice, I would take the 10 lugs, just due to the fact that it should hold its value better since most drummers assume more lugs are better then less.

[bo eder]

I have two 20" bass drums. One has 10 lugs and the other 8. I don't really feel or hear a difference. Either way, you should be fine.

If you have a choice, I would take the 10 lugs, just due to the fact that it should hold its value better since most drummers assume more lugs are better then less.

I'm good. I ordered a 16x22 instead. I'm not sure I want to wait six months for a 14x20

I already have to wait until late-May to get my 8x12 tom.

[Stefan Ray]

I'm good. I ordered a 16x22 instead. I'm not sure I want to wait six months for a 14x20 I already have to wait until late-May to get my 8x12 tom.

I have to wait until July for my entire kit!