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Thread: 14" Floor Toms

  1. #1

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    Default 14" Floor Toms

    Do you have one? Do you like it? How do you tune it?

    I'm planning a kit I'm building over the next few years and can't decide if a 14" is going to be big enough for an only floor tom. I'd want something I could tune up for jazz as well, so 16 seems just a bit big. Maybe a 15"?

    Any opinions on 14" or 15" floor toms are welcome and appreciated.

    Thanks guys.
    Tama Swingstar 3 piece 1993 (refinished wine red)
    Ludwig Breakbeats (Azure Sparkle)
    1964 Ludwig Supra
    Old no-name Luan 12x8 tom/snare (refinished wine red)
    Mapex MPX 14"x5.5" snare (refinished in gloss black)
    Pearl Vision 14"x14" ft/snare (refinished wine red)
    Aquarian heads
    14" Sabian HHX Stage Hats
    15" Meinl Extra Dry Thin Hats
    18" Meinl Vintage Trash Crash
    18" Wuhan China
    18" Thin Zildjian Crash
    18" Thin Zildjian Crash with rivets
    19" Meinl Extra Dry Thin Crash
    22" Istanbul Mehmet Legend Dark Ride
    23" Matt Bettis Dry Ride


  2. #2

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    I have a 14" on 3 of my kits. And on one of my kits I have two 14"

    I love the diversity of the 14". It's not so low it gets lost but yet its powerful enough to cut threw the mix and be aggressive like a floor tom.

  3. #3

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    I don't have a 14"FT.....but I've played other kits with them, and I love 'em. Just like Spaz said; you can tune them plenty low, but they still cut through the mix. To me, they seem to fit in the mix with 10" & 12" toms better than a 16". For Jazz stuff, I would go 14" without question. If you still want that deep thunder rumble, you can always add a 16" later on.

    I've been planning on building a new 3pc custom kit myself. Something easy to gig with, so I'm thinking a 20/12/14. Those sizes should make it more compact and efficient, yet still remain versitile. It also seems that those sizes of Keller shells are more economical as well.
    -Brian

    "Too many crappy used drum stuff to list"

    Play the SONG......not the DRUMS!!!

    "I think that feeling is a lot more important than technique. It's all very well doing a triple paradiddle - but who's going to know you've done it? If you play technically you sound like everybody else. It's being original that counts." ~ John Bonham

  4. #4

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    I couldn't go without the 14" floor tom. I could not, however, have it as my only floor tom. I need the depth of the 16" floor tom as well. I have been through several different configurations with different kits over the last couple years. I have come to the conclusion that my preferred set up is 1 up, 2 down (12/14/16). For a while, I tried 1 up 1 down, without the 14, And I just couldn't do it. I have a 14x11 suspended tom on my current kit, and it just sings!
    Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam
    "I shall either find a way or make one"

  5. #5

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    I'm very happy with my 14" Floor Tom.

    Great versatility. I tend to tune mine to what the drum tells me. I end up with a nice tone that sounds amazing out front.

    What Spaz said are my thoughts too.
    Last edited by EyePea; 10-27-2015 at 12:48 AM.

    Acoustic & Electronic:
    Pearl Prestige World Series WLX 1988
    Tama Swingstar 1983
    Tama Superstar Hyper-Drive (Birch) 2007
    Ludwig Acrolite Snare 1976
    Ludwig Supraphonic 6.5x14" 2021
    Pearl Sensitone Elite Aluminum 5.5" and 6.5" Snare
    Pearl COB Custom Deluxe [Gladstone] (75-76) Snare
    Love Drum Co. Hammered Steel 5.5" Snare
    Roland TD-1KV

    Paiste
    Accent 8"

    Paiste Signature:
    6", 10" Splash
    14" Dark Crisp Hi-Hats
    14" Sound Edge Hi-Hats
    16", 17", 18",19", 20" Full Crash
    22" Symphonic Med-Heavy (use as a Ride)

    Paiste Formula 602:
    22" Formula 602 Modern Essentials Ride

    Paiste 2oo2:
    22" Ride
    16" Crash
    8",10" Splash

    Paiste 2oo2 Big Beat:
    15" Hi-Hats
    19", 20", 21" Big Beat Multifunctional

    Paiste Sound Formula:
    16" Crash
    20" Full Ride (Frankenstein)

    Paiste Twenty:
    16" China

    Paiste Alpha (original Swiss made):
    12" Splash

    Paiste PST7:
    Medium
    16", 18" Crash
    20" Ride
    14" Hi-Hats

    Sabian:
    XS20 18" China
    AA 14" Fusion Hi-Hats


  6. #6

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    I bought the 14" LP "street can" this past weekend, not sure that counts as an official floor tom or not. Waiting for black suede head to arrive in mail, then I will tune it up and see what it does. Intending to use it for stand-up brushwork.

  7. #7

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    The floor tom from my fusion kit is a 14" one. I tune it very low (Evans G2 coated skin) and it handles rock (soft to very hard) very well!
    Gretsch Renown mapple (fusion) + Ludwig black galaxy Acrolite snare
    Tama Silverstar (rock)
    Jobeky custom electronic kit with 2Box module
    Cymbals : Paiste Signature Dark Energy HH, Sabian AAX ride and splash, Zildjian K and A crashes, HH, splashes and rides

  8. #8

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    Only have 16" & 18".

  9. #9

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    My Ludwig FTs are 14 & 16.
    My Gretsch FTs are 15 & 18.
    I like all of them, but, I would not be happy with one floor tom @ 14".
    Gretsch USA & Zildjian
    (What Else Would I Ever Need ?)


  10. #10

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    I wanted a 16" and an 18" when I bought my kit. Unfortunatly, they didn't have the 18" so I went for 14 & 16 instead. Works like a charm. Plenty of low end if I want yet still cuts through. Though I still want an 18" so I can place the 14" on my left.
    System of Power

  11. #11

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    I have fusion toms on my Premier kit - the 14 is my favourite. The only problem I have had is occasionally a reso tension rod will fall out as I tune it fairly low!

  12. #12

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    I don't currently have one, but I used to have a 14x12 as the only floor tom on my old M kit. I had no trouble getting a low enough tone out of it. It didn't rumble like a 16, but that's not to say that it lacked resonance. I guess it all depends on what you need out of your floor toms.
    Mmm... Saturns.

  13. #13

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    14" & 16" no problem with low end rumble.....




    Jim
    Premier XPK Drums
    10, 12, 13, 14, 16 Suspended toms
    22 bass drum
    5 x 14 snare
    Premier Hardware
    Offset Double Pedal
    Sabian, Meniel cymbals
    Tama Metalworks 6.5 x 14" Black Nickel snare
    Ahead Drum Cases

  14. #14

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    What a timely question. I have 10, 12, 14f,16f. I've been unsure how to integrate the 14, especially when using my normal one up, two down configuration. The 14 just didn't seem to integrate well. Until last week when I decided to tune my 12" mounted tom considerably higher than I normally use it. Suddenly the 14f began to integrate perfectly - with no change in tune for the 14f or the 16f. It just suddenly fit and seemed relevant to the overall family. I should have thought of this years ago!

    GeeDeeEmm

  15. #15

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    Quote Originally Posted by Ricardo View Post
    My Gretsch FTs are 15 & 18.
    So, do you think you could make it with just the 15?

    Thanks for all the responses, guys. All of this is food for thought.

    And Brian, those are my thoughts as well, at this point I can't decide if I want Keller shells or to build my own stave shells. If I went keller I'd probably have to live with a 14.
    Tama Swingstar 3 piece 1993 (refinished wine red)
    Ludwig Breakbeats (Azure Sparkle)
    1964 Ludwig Supra
    Old no-name Luan 12x8 tom/snare (refinished wine red)
    Mapex MPX 14"x5.5" snare (refinished in gloss black)
    Pearl Vision 14"x14" ft/snare (refinished wine red)
    Aquarian heads
    14" Sabian HHX Stage Hats
    15" Meinl Extra Dry Thin Hats
    18" Meinl Vintage Trash Crash
    18" Wuhan China
    18" Thin Zildjian Crash
    18" Thin Zildjian Crash with rivets
    19" Meinl Extra Dry Thin Crash
    22" Istanbul Mehmet Legend Dark Ride
    23" Matt Bettis Dry Ride


  16. #16

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    I have a 1 up, 2 down setup on my full kit which, including the rack tom, gives a 12, 14, 16 inch range in toms which I find is ideal for my purposes. The 14 can be tuned in the massive gap I find between the 12 and 16. However, for most rehearsals and smaller gigs, I will opt for one floor tom. In which case, the 14 is the first to go. This is probably due to the way I have them tuned and the fact I love a low tom for floor tom based beats (e.g. using the floor in place of a ride/hi-hat) and the pitch fits better with the kind of music I tend to play.

    The 14 is great though and litereally resonates forever and wouldn't do without it. If I didn't have the 16, I could quite easily adjust the tuning to be a bit lower to compensate for the lack of the bigger shell.
    PDP | Black Panther | Sabian |

  17. #17

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    I've got a 14 on some of my kits and 16 on my others but not both on one kit . You can use a 14 on whatever you want , no one's going to tell you what to do ...it's your sound .

    I like the 14 ok but since I have a choice I tend to use the 16 on the more rock/blues gigs . And the 14 works better in the more pop/r&b gigs . But either would work just fine on either gig .

    Rudy .

  18. #18

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    All depends on what you're looking for tonally. I opt for having fewer drums but with wider interval between. I play my 10 with my 14 floor or a 12 or 13 with a 16 floor. I love my 14, but I don't need a particularly low pitch drum. Just a drum that has a pleasant variance to the others.

    all the best...

  19. #19

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    I have 14 and 16 FT and have not been overly pleased with the 14.

    I am going to reskin all my toms with coated G2s... just haven't gotten around to it yet.
    Kevin
    DW Performance series - Gun Metal Metallic Lacquer
    24/12/16 6.5x14
    Sabian AA/AAX hi-hats & crashes
    Sabian HHX Evolution ride

    Drummers can be very tempomental.....

  20. #20

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    Quote Originally Posted by lukesplat12 View Post
    So, do you think you could make it with just the 15?
    When I have tiny-stage-gigs, I go with the 15 by itself.
    However, I greatly prefer to have both FTs.
    Gretsch USA & Zildjian
    (What Else Would I Ever Need ?)


  21. #21

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    Thanks for all the feedback, guys.

    I'm thinking maybe 15, but I dunno.
    Tama Swingstar 3 piece 1993 (refinished wine red)
    Ludwig Breakbeats (Azure Sparkle)
    1964 Ludwig Supra
    Old no-name Luan 12x8 tom/snare (refinished wine red)
    Mapex MPX 14"x5.5" snare (refinished in gloss black)
    Pearl Vision 14"x14" ft/snare (refinished wine red)
    Aquarian heads
    14" Sabian HHX Stage Hats
    15" Meinl Extra Dry Thin Hats
    18" Meinl Vintage Trash Crash
    18" Wuhan China
    18" Thin Zildjian Crash
    18" Thin Zildjian Crash with rivets
    19" Meinl Extra Dry Thin Crash
    22" Istanbul Mehmet Legend Dark Ride
    23" Matt Bettis Dry Ride


  22. #22

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    I have been using a single 15x13 on a 12/15/22 Ludwig Classic Maple kit for over ten years and absolutely love it. Much prefer it over the 14 and 16 and I have both of them but never can bring myself to use them in a single floor configuration ...

    My 15 is mounted on legs. I tune it near the top of the low tuning range with the resonant head just a tiny bit tighter than the batter. This gives my drum just enough pitch bend and decay to dampen the ring without killing the sound so that it still gets a beefy, growling sound with good feel and response at the center of the batter head.
    Last edited by dangermoney; 10-27-2015 at 06:23 PM.

  23. #23

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    I have a pearl export with a Remo AMBASSADOR on it tuned low ,.Fits in well with my Frankenstein kit.

  24. #24

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    I added a 14" Crush Chameleon birch FT on to my Ludwig Element kit. I didn't have very good luck getting the sound I wanted out of it. I was constantly re-tuning it to try and get it to sound good. My Mapex Armory came with 14" and 16" FT's. The 14 on the Mapex kit sounds really good. It's happiest when the batter and reso are about 3/8 to 1/2 turn above finger tight. I don't know if it's the SONICLEAR bearing edge that dictates where they like to be or not, but they seem to really sound good if all the heads are tuned the same way, 3/8 to 1/2 turn above finger tight. If I want to tune higher, I turn up the batters only, but I don't usually go more than another 1/4 turn.
    Mapex Drums / Ludwig Hardware / Sabian Cymbals / Tama Pedals & Hardware / Remo and Aquarian
    Heads /
    Vic Firth Sticks

  25. #25

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    Default Re: 14" Floor Toms

    After reading your post, Dangermoney, I'm set on a 15. I think it'll be the best of all worlds.
    Tama Swingstar 3 piece 1993 (refinished wine red)
    Ludwig Breakbeats (Azure Sparkle)
    1964 Ludwig Supra
    Old no-name Luan 12x8 tom/snare (refinished wine red)
    Mapex MPX 14"x5.5" snare (refinished in gloss black)
    Pearl Vision 14"x14" ft/snare (refinished wine red)
    Aquarian heads
    14" Sabian HHX Stage Hats
    15" Meinl Extra Dry Thin Hats
    18" Meinl Vintage Trash Crash
    18" Wuhan China
    18" Thin Zildjian Crash
    18" Thin Zildjian Crash with rivets
    19" Meinl Extra Dry Thin Crash
    22" Istanbul Mehmet Legend Dark Ride
    23" Matt Bettis Dry Ride


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