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Thread: Tama Octobans Anyone?

  1. #1

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    Default Tama Octobans Anyone?

    I have played these drums a couple of times and I have seriously considered buying a set of 4 low pitch tubes, but they are so expen$ive! Anyone have any comments on these magnificent instruments?
    ~John K.~

  2. #2

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    Nope

  3. #3

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    i've never played them but they look like they'd sound awesome! i think mike portnoy uses something like those??

  4. #4

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    OH MY FREAKING GOD ... how much are they asking for these?

    I'd love to own some, but I'd seriously consider buying some large gauge plumbing pipe and making my own.

    I think that they're mostly a novelty, and considering the way that they operate, making your own wouldn't be such a big ask.

    Mmmmm. I've got a week off work, I might try it out.

  5. #5

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    Question Tama Octobans Anyone?

    Might be useful for some effects--they look like a cross between tenor drums and roto-toms...the Musician's Friend website says Portnoy plays them... Never saw them myself, but wonder how they would sound!
    keep the beat goin' ... Don't keep it to yourself!

    Charlie

    "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." --Henry David Thoreau, "Walden," 1854

    "There's a lot to be said for Time Honored tradition and value." --In memory of Frank "fiacovaz" Iacovazzi

    "Maybe your drums can be beat, but you can't."--Jack Keck

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by bongobro
    Might be useful for some effects--they look like a cross between tenor drums and roto-toms...the Musician's Friend website says Portnoy plays them... Never saw them myself, but wonder how they would sound!
    They do sound awesome ... a very woody sound - almost like reverberations through a hollow tree log (the long 'pipe' type shell gives them a very woody 'pop' type attack that carries the tone of the drum).

    I'm seriously thinking about trying to make something similar out of plumbers pipes now. All I'd need to do is get 4 lugs per drum, and then try to match a small drumskin and rim with pipe (8 inches diameter would do the trick) - grind down the bearing edges to 45 degrees or so, sand them smooth, then install ... then see what happens.

  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jobby
    They do sound awesome ... a very woody sound - almost like reverberations through a hollow tree log (the long 'pipe' type shell gives them a very woody 'pop' type attack that carries the tone of the drum).

    I'm seriously thinking about trying to make something similar out of plumbers pipes now. All I'd need to do is get 4 lugs per drum, and then try to match a small drumskin and rim with pipe (8 inches diameter would do the trick) - grind down the bearing edges to 45 degrees or so, sand them smooth, then install ... then see what happens.

    I would be curious to hear how they turn out. Let me know when your done building them.

  8. #8

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    Holy jump for Jesus!!! One could build a set for a fraction of the price and I would bet they would look and sound just as good.

    PVC 6" pipe: $16.60 per foot

    6" Hoops: $12.50 each

    Lugs: $3.25 each

    Tension Rods: $0.45 each

    Mounting Hardware: Guessing between $40 and $50

    Evans 6" Heads: $13.99


    To do a 24", 26", 28", 30" setup.

    PVC Pipe: $148.50
    4 6" Hoops: $50.00
    16 Lugs: $52.00
    16 Tension Rods: $7.20
    4 6" Heads: $55.96
    Mounting Hardware and Stand: $100.00

    Total Cost: $413.66

    Save about $300

    Keith

  9. #9

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    They've been around since the '70's!! There are actually 8 of them in a complete set.

    Alex Van Halen, Simon Phillips, Mike Portnoy, and Stewart Copeland, are just some of the artists (off of the top of my head) that use (or have used) them. I'm sure there are more...
    Regal Tip Quantum 3000 nylon tip - my weapons of mass destruction

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by bongobro
    ...the Musician's Friend website says Portnoy plays them...
    haha... yeah i didn't even read that little section.

  11. #11

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    Okay - I'm getting closer to building a set of these. I've checked out PVC piping, sourced all my heads, rims, lugs, tension rods, and even covering ... but can't figure out how I'd set them up once they're made.

    I don't want to spend oodles of cash on an expensive mounting system. Anybody got any ideas? I've already got a spare cymbal stand or two floating around to use for parts.

  12. #12

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    Bugger - I've just discovered that what I though was 6 inch PVC piping is more like 6.5 inch PVC piping. Looks like if I want to get the right sized piping, I'll have to get it custom made.

    More research to do.

    Though now I'm also keen to make a 10 inch popcorn snare out of PVC piping.

  13. #13

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    I have a couple of ideas. How do you want them configured: straight line( 1x4 ) or square ( 2x2 )?

    Keith

  14. #14

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    These things had their hayday in the 80's. They remind me of a blower sticking out of the hood of a car; not necessary, but really cool looking.

  15. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by kromberg
    I have a couple of ideas. How do you want them configured: straight line( 1x4 ) or square ( 2x2 )?

    Keith
    I'm open to suggestions. What's your ideas?

    I was thinking of making 2 first (to see how they go). But if I have to get the PVC custom made, it will be more expensive. So, to alleviate that I'll buy in bulk, and make at least 4; actually thinking of making 8 and going halvies with a mate.

    The best mounting idea I've had so far is to bolt 4 together in a square with aluminium dividers and washers, and then hook it up via tom holder thusly:

    I discovered this link late in the game ... surprise surprise, it mentions the difficulty of getting the right sized piping.

  16. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by Roaddebris
    These things had their hayday in the 80's. They remind me of a blower sticking out of the hood of a car; not necessary, but really cool looking.
    Yep.

    To tell you the truth, I'm not even that into the idea of playing them so much as I'm keen to build them.

    I probably won't even take them out to many gigs. But damn they look cool - and I'd be keen to record with them (some extra percussion in an intro section, maybe overdub them onto a long tom fill or two).

  17. #17

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    Cool Tama Octobans anyone?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jobby
    I probably won't even take them out to many gigs. But damn they look cool - and I'd be keen to record with them (some extra percussion in an intro section, maybe overdub them onto a long tom fill or two).
    Maybe your mate can use them for special effects--you play the set and he plays the Octobans or vice versa--or experiment with them (use 'em like hand drums or strike them with mallets or brushes instead of sticks)... good on ya... that sounds cool for a Yank like me to say!
    keep the beat goin' ... Don't keep it to yourself!

    Charlie

    "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." --Henry David Thoreau, "Walden," 1854

    "There's a lot to be said for Time Honored tradition and value." --In memory of Frank "fiacovaz" Iacovazzi

    "Maybe your drums can be beat, but you can't."--Jack Keck

  18. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by bongobro
    Maybe your mate can use them for special effects--you play the set and he plays the Octobans or vice versa--or experiment with them (use 'em like hand drums or strike them with mallets or brushes instead of sticks)... good on ya... that sounds cool for a Yank like me to say!
    Yeah. Actually working on something like that tonight. We've got a song that has a drum intro: tom and double bass primal stuff that builds into crescendo before the guitars and bass kick in. We're getting everyone in the band to play percussion along to the intro (bongos, djembe, some spare cymbals and other random percussion). Should be truly wonderful - thankfully everyone in the band can play passable percussion.

  19. #19

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    I once saw simon phillips do a clinic and he talked about these a lot. He really knew how to play them pretty good here is a little sample

  20. #20

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jobby
    They do sound awesome ... a very woody sound - almost like reverberations through a hollow tree log (the long 'pipe' type shell gives them a very woody 'pop' type attack that carries the tone of the drum).

    I'm seriously thinking about trying to make something similar out of plumbers pipes now. All I'd need to do is get 4 lugs per drum, and then try to match a small drumskin and rim with pipe (8 inches diameter would do the trick) - grind down the bearing edges to 45 degrees or so, sand them smooth, then install ... then see what happens.
    I was going to do that too but pvc pipe is measured from the inside so a drumhead won't fit it.

  21. #21

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    Does anyone have any ideas for how to make or buy inexpensive shells of octobans?

  22. #22

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    Default Re: Tama Octobans Anyone?

    Hmmm

    I might check at work and see if we have anything of that diameter....
    Signature here

  23. #23

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    Default Re: Tama Octobans Anyone?

    I was checking into making a 4pc set for my son last year . I was planning on using 6" acrylic for the tubes , if I remember correctly , I believe everything priced out at 275-300 bucks .

  24. #24

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    Default Re: Tama Octobans Anyone?

    I custom made some last year - they are at that Robotics site - look for the Wotto pic ( the link to my 'how I made em' page no longer exists ). I enjoyed making them, but found that I didnt play them too often and have since sold them.

    And if you want to hear Octobans- I think you will hear them in the Godsmack tracks Voodoo or Serenity, you should find them at Youtube

    Wotto
    ' Up the Irons '

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