Bringing back the Concert toms

[PDeGroff]

Joe Franco with the Good Rats (for all of you from upstate and LI NY) played a Premier concert tom kit through the 70s to early 80s.

His drum solo from the Live at Last album is one of my all time favs. Here's a bit of that solo from 1980 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni3miAyrn2o

[RushDrums24]

For about a year, I tried thinner, Diplomat-style clear heads on my concerts. They were Evans Genera Resonants, made to be bottom side heads, but they work fine as batters. I didn't find them to be more resonant, but thinner sounding. As soon as I changed to the Aquarian Classic Clear (thanks Mike Foreman), the concerts toms had a new life and tone that was very noticeable. Also, Diplomat weight heads seems to dent up when I play them. Now that I've changed from 7A oak to 5A oak, it's even more pronounced. Side note: I love the Pro-Mark 5A oak Rebound sticks. I tried about 4 or 5 other models before I switched, and that model really feels good to me.

Its definitely worth experimenting with. I've just put a few sound examples, just from my iPhone, on my Instagram. @charliesmithdrummer

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDd6cBNAv5b/

https://www.facebook.com/charliesmit...8612185363660/

Because they sound great!

It was a toss up between those and pinstripes, for punch and tone, but I really fell for the sound of the black dot heads. Really bright and sharp, with lots of projection, and then the rumble from the 15" and 16" which just blends beautifully. Its very Simon Phillips for sure!



I'm with you there Matt, the dot is definitely a target to aim for on the teeny little 6"! As I know you'll appreciate, I wanted matching batters top to bottom on the toms (though I did debate doing the Phil Collins trick of clear ambassadors on all the toms except the 8" (and in my case 6") )which has a diplomat for more resonance). Though i'm satisfied with the dots, they have enough resonance without it needing any muffling to just tame it a bit.

For about a year, I tried thinner, Diplomat-style clear heads on my concerts. They were Evans Genera Resonants, made to be bottom side heads, but they work fine as batters. I didn't find them to be more resonant, but thinner sounding. As soon as I changed to the Aquarian Classic Clear (thanks Mike Foreman), the concerts toms had a new life and tone that was very noticeable. Also, Diplomat weight heads seems to dent up when I play them. Now that I've changed from 7A oak to 5A oak, it's even more pronounced. Side note: I love the Pro-Mark 5A oak Rebound sticks. I tried about 4 or 5 other models before I switched, and that model really feels good to me.

[RushDrums24]

Love the flashback, especially the old Premier lugs. It looks well maintained too.

Why do I always see dotted heads on concert toms?

Because they sound great!

It was a toss up between those and pinstripes, for punch and tone, but I really fell for the sound of the black dot heads. Really bright and sharp, with lots of projection, and then the rumble from the 15" and 16" which just blends beautifully. Its very Simon Phillips for sure!

You don't ALWAYS see that...

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But seriously, I almost always used CS heads on my 6" concert toms; it was my only chance at being able to strike them in the middle. For me, the dot catches my eye, and gives me a target to aim for. Otherwise, when I have a drum that small, and off to my side, it's difficult to hit it in the center, especially when you turn quickly to the side to play them. 8" and larger, I don't seem to have that trouble. I like the plain clear heads for concert toms otherwise, they allow the small concert toms to sing more.

I'm with you there Matt, the dot is definitely a target to aim for on the teeny little 6"! As I know you'll appreciate, I wanted matching batters top to bottom on the toms (though I did debate doing the Phil Collins trick of clear ambassadors on all the toms except the 8" (and in my case 6") )which has a diplomat for more resonance). Though i'm satisfied with the dots, they have enough resonance without it needing any muffling to just tame it a bit.

Why do I always see dotted heads on concert toms?

You don't ALWAYS see that...



But seriously, I almost always used CS heads on my 6" concert toms; it was my only chance at being able to strike them in the middle. For me, the dot catches my eye, and gives me a target to aim for. Otherwise, when I have a drum that small, and off to my side, it's difficult to hit it in the center, especially when you turn quickly to the side to play them. 8" and larger, I don't seem to have that trouble. I like the plain clear heads for concert toms otherwise, they allow the small concert toms to sing more.

[dale w miller]

Love the flashback, especially the old Premier lugs. It looks well maintained too.

Why do I always see dotted heads on concert toms?

[RushDrums24]

You've got the 6-12 rack toms covered, but the 15" rack tom will be more of a challenge to set up comfortably.

Would be interesting for sure. The big setup will only last a couple of weeks I think, then i'll cut it back to a 2 up 2 down or something for a bit I think.

Likewise, I may try that setup at some point soon, we'll see

You've got the 6-12 rack toms covered, but the 15" rack tom will be more of a challenge to set up comfortably.

[RushDrums24]

Awesome kit. That's a very Peter Criss set up you have going. It looks like you'll need to play lefty on your tour (if/hopefully it happens) to really bring it full circle.

Haha not sure i'll go that far! You're right about it coming full circle though!

Awesome. Loved it when Neil had the the 6-12 Concert tom setups.

Likewise, I may try that setup at some point soon, we'll see

[DrumandFly]

Awesome. Loved it when Neil had the the 6-12 Concert tom setups.

[Mike Foreman]

Awesome kit. That's a very Peter Criss set up you have going. It looks like you'll need to play lefty on your tour (if/hopefully it happens) to really bring it full circle.

[Kevaruka]

Kit looks amazing Charlie. Big fan of Premier Concert Toms

[RushDrums24]

As you know, I never stopped loving concert toms. Your concert tom mega kit is beautiful! Which tom doesn't "match"? The 3rd one, slightly above and to the right of the hihat? Regardless, it looks like a cohesive set of drums to me. Bravo!

Same here, its a sound and a vibe i've always loved, and i've long wanted a set to use on sessions and appropriate gigs (So when that Genesis tribute band comes along, i'm ready! ).

You spotted it alright! Yeah that one is a bit special, its an orphan tom from a kit my grandfather used back in the 80s with a folk/pop band called Martin Stephenson & The Daintees, (when Concert toms were the 'in' thing), and thus it was used on a few UK tours aswell as TV appearances on the likes of the 'Old Grey Whistle Test'. The kit was sold on back in the 80's but I assume as a 3 piece, as we found this tom in a case in our storage about 10 years ago. I was supposed to be touring through October to December (though who knows what'll happen) with the Daintees, which is a huge honour, and a strange case of it all coming full circle, so to use some of this kit, and that tom, will be really special to use on the shows. So I opted to leave it as is, you can't tell from the photos (as the shells and finish were the same), but the 8" was actually a premier Projector concert tom, with 4 extra holes drilled to accommodate the Elite lugs I had fitted, and the 12" was rewrapped by a friend of mine over here, who did a superb job, to tie the kit together.

As you know, I never stopped loving concert toms. Your concert tom mega kit is beautiful! Which tom doesn't "match"? The 3rd one, slightly above and to the right of the hihat? Regardless, it looks like a cohesive set of drums to me. Bravo!

[RushDrums24]

That’s a beautiful blast from the past kit! Reminds me of the wall of concert toms I played in the 80’s. Well done!!

Agree, awesome looking kit Charlie! In the late 70's early 80's I use to drool over the Ludwig Octoplus Concert Drum Kit! Enjoy your set and open sounds!

Thanks guys, was a lot of fun to put it together for sure, and even more fun to play!