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Thread: Roto Toms!?

  1. #1

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    Default Roto Toms!?

    Okay, so... I've always known and heard Roto-toms, as most drummers have (Pink Floyd's "Time" intro solo, etc...)

    In the future, I may get a set because it is a nice cheap and versitile expansion to a drumset.

    When you see it on retailer sites the sizers are 6"8"10". While being VERY versitile (I mean.. a 6"?? thats almost unseen anywhere) I would like 8"10"12" maybe. Even though those are common sizes, roto toms allow easy different tuning, which could make a set SUPER-Versitile with A LOT of ranges.

    I see youtube videos of people playing them and they have sizes 8-16" sometimes. On retail sites I only see things like the 6/8/10 pack, or a seperate 14" So, i dont really know where people are getting all of this from. lol
    Specs

    Drums: Gretsch Catalina Maple (Dark Cherry Burst) 8,10,12,14,16 toms 14 snare 22 bass
    Heads: Remo Pinstripes over Ambassadors on toms
    Bass: Stock Grestch stock reso and Evans EC2 batter
    Snare: Ambassador over Ambassador reso, PureSound Snares
    Cymbals: Zildjian A MasterSound HiHats 14"
    Sabian Xs20 Crashes 16"/18"
    Zildjian 20th Anniversary A Custom ride 21"
    Wuhan Splashes 8"/10"
    Wuhan China 16"


    http://www.facebook.com/AWorkInProgressBand

    ^^^Like my band!!^^^

  2. #2

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    Steve Weiss music sells them online, but I won't put the link up. Just google it and you'll find it.

    It's a 8/10/12 set with a stand for under 200.

    It's not a bad thing to have the regular 6/8/10 setup, but if you feel more comfortable with bigger ones I would go for the other one then. It seems to suit you better.

    And back in the 90's or 80's (or even before that) they carried the bigger 14",16" and above rototoms. The use for those was actually for timpanists to practice on them, because they were cheaper than the actual timpani's and easier to carry around. And then came the smaller ones years later.
    If you search on CL sometimes you can find them for cheap (I'm not aware they make those that big anymore, but there might be a custom order place for something like that. But I have no idea)
    Hope this helps
    Last edited by DrumRookie; 03-02-2012 at 11:55 AM.
    -DrumRookie

    -Gear-
    Birch Tama Starclassic 22", 14", 12", 10" - 14"x5" Black Panther Steel Snare - Iron Cobra Hi-Hat Stand - Zildjian 20" A Vintage ride - Sabian HH 16" Crash - Sabian AAX 18" Studio Crash - Agazarian 10" Splash - Sabian XS20 14" Medium Hats - ProMark Shira Kashi Oak 5A - Various sticks & percussion - CP Bongos

  3. #3

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    A local rockabilly band's drummer stands and uses large rotos (not sure of the sizes). I had never seen them that big before (must be older). I was surprised.

  4. #4

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    Somebody on this forum posted pics of a complete roto tom kit, bass incl.!

  5. #5

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  6. #6

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    Frazzetto, I actually prefer the 6, 8, & 10 Roto Toms because they are different from the sizes on the kit. I tune the Roto's higher to be a good contrast to the toms on the kit, but if you keep note intervals in mind (it doesn't have to be exact), then you can get a nice sound when you go from the Roto Toms to the kit toms.
    Quoting gonefishin: Just have some bacon with ya when you go pick her up..........youre an instant chick magnet.





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  7. #7

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    Yeah, the Steve Weiss store sells them from 6" all the way up to an 18" Roto in even increments. This guy has a full array of Roto toms. Including one at 22" if I remember correctly. Don't know where he got it. There a lot of fun for doing something different.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xegkZ...eature=channel
    Custom Classic Pro Maple 6
    8",10",12",13" Mounted Toms
    (2)14",16" Floor Toms
    22" x 18" Kick
    6",8",10" Roto Toms
    14" x 6.5" Mapex Black Panther Snare
    13" x 3" Pearl Piccolo Snare
    Sabian: 13" Paragon Hats
    14" HH X Hats
    22" Paragon Ride
    (2) 16" Paragon Crashes
    20" Paragon Crash
    18" Paragon Crash
    20" Paragon Small Flange China
    19" Paragon China
    Wuhan:20"with gingles
    8",10" Splash
    Roc N Soc Lunar
    DW 8002B Pedals
    Tambourine
    Cowbell
    Sabian Squad






    C C Militia

  8. #8

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    That link was awesome wolvie! How cool!
    Quoting gonefishin: Just have some bacon with ya when you go pick her up..........youre an instant chick magnet.





    For coupons and specials, join the Drum Bum mailing list.

    Buy Gifts for Drummers. And don't miss the free Drum Lessons!

  9. #9

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    Yeah. This guy can play anything. He has thousands of video's on YouTube. I think he's a professional session drummer.
    Custom Classic Pro Maple 6
    8",10",12",13" Mounted Toms
    (2)14",16" Floor Toms
    22" x 18" Kick
    6",8",10" Roto Toms
    14" x 6.5" Mapex Black Panther Snare
    13" x 3" Pearl Piccolo Snare
    Sabian: 13" Paragon Hats
    14" HH X Hats
    22" Paragon Ride
    (2) 16" Paragon Crashes
    20" Paragon Crash
    18" Paragon Crash
    20" Paragon Small Flange China
    19" Paragon China
    Wuhan:20"with gingles
    8",10" Splash
    Roc N Soc Lunar
    DW 8002B Pedals
    Tambourine
    Cowbell
    Sabian Squad






    C C Militia

  10. #10

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    6/8/10" are the sizes that maintain the effect and sound a roto is supposed to have, the best. Beyond that is like how a splash turns into another type of cymbal like a crash or ride; it just doesn't sound like a roto should.
    ZildjianLeague/LP/Aquarian/Mapex/Pearl
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  11. #11

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    Quote Originally Posted by Russ View Post
    6/8/10" are the sizes that maintain the effect and sound a roto is supposed to have, the best. Beyond that is like how a splash turns into another type of cymbal like a crash or ride; it just doesn't sound like a roto should.
    Actually, I like all sizes of roto's. Just got to experiment with the types of heads and tunings really. I like the quick high pitches and pitch bends that you can do with the small ones (by hitting the head and quickly turning on the stand, as a percussionist it gives a great 'talking drum effect') just as much as I like the clanging kind of sound with larger roto's fitted with coated heads, or the rumble of overtones when using the large ones with timpani-type heads. Really, for me, there is no typical 'roto' sound, there's many. A very versatile kind of drum.
    "...it's the Paradigm Of The Cosmos!" Stewart Copeland on Youtube

    668: The Number Of The Guy Next Door To The Beast.

    "A random act of kindness; it keeps my heart in shape!" - Late8

  12. #12

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    To roto-tom's credit, they have managed to stick around while many faddish drum things have come and gone.

    all the best...

  13. #13

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    Well, How does a Roto-Tom sound? Its hard to hear in videos, and I never see at stores. I was hoping that an 8/10/12 would sound like regular toms, just a litttle different due 2 1 open end and no ACTUAL drum. I dont know Dx
    Specs

    Drums: Gretsch Catalina Maple (Dark Cherry Burst) 8,10,12,14,16 toms 14 snare 22 bass
    Heads: Remo Pinstripes over Ambassadors on toms
    Bass: Stock Grestch stock reso and Evans EC2 batter
    Snare: Ambassador over Ambassador reso, PureSound Snares
    Cymbals: Zildjian A MasterSound HiHats 14"
    Sabian Xs20 Crashes 16"/18"
    Zildjian 20th Anniversary A Custom ride 21"
    Wuhan Splashes 8"/10"
    Wuhan China 16"


    http://www.facebook.com/AWorkInProgressBand

    ^^^Like my band!!^^^

  14. #14

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    Roto's do not sound like regular toms, there is no shell so there is no warmth or sustain. I used to play a kit out with a snare, 2 kicks and 6,8,10,12,14,16 rotos. They sounded good only because I had a mic on each roto and could add some low end to them. Personally I don't really like them. My opinion - If they are not mic'ed up through a good sound system they sound like crap.
    Last edited by NPYYZ; 03-06-2012 at 12:20 PM.

  15. #15

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    I like the sound....much better than deccabons or other "smallish" type drums. Like NPYYZ said, mic'ed up, you can add alot more low end, but I like their natural sound also.

  16. #16

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    Interstate music sells them. You can get the 6-8-10 together or separate and also a 12 or 14 inch. That kit is pretty funky, I wonder what the rototom bass drums sound like.

    Jon Farriss from INXS got me into those damn things. Here he is using only 2.



    Here they are in 1983 and there's a whole bunch of them and a floor tom.


    Curse you Jon!

  17. #17

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    Bill Bruford was also playing them in the late 70's.



    And he continued using one for a while when he went back into King Crimson in the early 80's.

    "...it's the Paradigm Of The Cosmos!" Stewart Copeland on Youtube

    668: The Number Of The Guy Next Door To The Beast.

    "A random act of kindness; it keeps my heart in shape!" - Late8

  18. #18

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    Rototoms do not project well because of lack of shell..
    Miked up you can do so much more,,,

    in nawlins i hung a 10" in a mic boom stand * miked from below
    with reverb gave me a cross between "syndrum" & timbale
    years later i got aset of ludwig bongos (1980's)
    from freddy fender's son who had lost da rim off da 8" bongo
    still had da 6" intact so i jammed an 8" roto in da shell
    and man did it project,,,,

    years later in phx i gave them up in a trade to my goddaughter's dad
    1.because they were blue marine pearl & matched his kit
    2.my search for something different sounding lead me to his
    ludwig timbales (sticker inside on shell said march 23rd 1972 !!!!

    When i gave up my ludwig "ringo kit " & heavy zildjian "k jazz ride cymbal
    for olive badge 3 ply ludwig chrome overlay da stickers inside said:
    March 23rd 1972!!!!!!!

    11 drums made da same day crossed my path 10 years apart!!!!

    They now reside wif my drum student in california
    i still use da timbales as my "freak out" kit"
    "FEEL DA GROOVE & PLAY IT FORWARD..."

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    ENJOY IT ALL,,, MY BROTHERS & SISTERS"

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    "PHX AZ LEGEND OF DA ZYDECO GROOVE VEST"
    (AND OTHER TOYZ) INCLUDING PIZZABOX SNARE DRUM

    IT'S ALL ABOUT DA SHOW !!!!!

  19. #19

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    Quote Originally Posted by PHROGGE View Post
    Rototoms do not project well because of lack of shell..
    Miked up you can do so much more,,,

    in nawlins i hung a 10" in a mic boom stand * miked from below
    with reverb gave me a cross between "syndrum" & timbale
    years later i got aset of ludwig bongos (1980's)
    from freddy fender's son who had lost da rim off da 8" bongo
    still had da 6" intact so i jammed an 8" roto in da shell
    and man did it project,,,,

    years later in phx i gave them up in a trade to my goddaughter's dad
    1.because they were blue marine pearl & matched his kit
    2.my search for something different sounding lead me to his
    ludwig timbales (sticker inside on shell said march 23rd 1972 !!!!

    When i gave up my ludwig "ringo kit " & heavy zildjian "k jazz ride cymbal
    for olive badge 3 ply ludwig chrome overlay da stickers inside said:
    March 23rd 1972!!!!!!!

    11 drums made da same day crossed my path 10 years apart!!!!

    They now reside wif my drum student in california
    i still use da timbales as my "freak out" kit"
    Wow, what were the chances!

    Thats really cool Phrogge!
    -DrumRookie

    -Gear-
    Birch Tama Starclassic 22", 14", 12", 10" - 14"x5" Black Panther Steel Snare - Iron Cobra Hi-Hat Stand - Zildjian 20" A Vintage ride - Sabian HH 16" Crash - Sabian AAX 18" Studio Crash - Agazarian 10" Splash - Sabian XS20 14" Medium Hats - ProMark Shira Kashi Oak 5A - Various sticks & percussion - CP Bongos

  20. #20

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    Default Re: Roto Toms!?

    I think roto toms are an excellent addition to a five piece
    kit,three drums with cool high pitched sounds,for around
    100 bucks,i like em

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