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20x20 kick drum

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20x20 kick drum

knightcrawler

Posts: 184
Joined: Aug 23, 2008

No. 1 Posted on Feb 11, 2013 1:14 PM	Profile \| PM \| Quote \| Search \| Copy \| Favorite

Pros and cons? Experiences? I'm thinking about going for a 20x20 kick because I like the sound.

technique2012

Posts: 213
Joined: Aug 11, 2012
Location: Illinois, USA

No. 2 Posted on Feb 11, 2013 1:45 PM	Profile \| PM \| Quote \| Search \| Copy \| Favorite

If you like it, just go for it, it doesn't matter what we say. My only warnings are make sure you have enough room and can afford it. And if this is your traveling kit, it might take up more space. "Anyone can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple." -Charles Mingus

StillKicken

Posts: 2217
Joined: Jan 16, 2005
Location: Buda, Texas

No. 3 Posted on Feb 12, 2013 8:22 PM	Profile \| PM \| Email \| Quote \| Search \| Copy \| Favorite

If you like the sound, get it. That’s why most of us get what we want is because we like it. 20x20’s can sound nice but the tuning has to be right. For me with my tuning abilities the deeper the drum the harder it is for me to tune. Once you find the sweet spot it will sound awesome, I really didn’t like my 16x18 floor tom conversion to bass at first. Finding the right tuning combination was aggravating but as time went on it got better and now I’m afraid to touch it. A good friend (drummer) heard me play at one of my gigs and he remarked; that is one powerful little bass drum. Size from front to back can be a problem on small stages. I also own a 16x22 bass and for about 4 years I played in an extremely crowded restaurant, the band members, in a nice way complained that I use too many drums. I would look around me and notice that the toms were not bothering anyone and everyone was crowding each other. After that gig played out and we moved on to bigger stage areas I started using the 16x18 bass and the toms are still the same plus they still take up the same area as before. One of the guys remarked that they really like the smaller bass because it takes up less space…I giggled a little then told him; it’s actually the same size from front to back and the toms are the same. LOL!! Remember a bass drum with a 20” depth is really about 22” to 23” long, edge to edge. I feel that a 14x24 bass would get more comments from other band members, that it’s too big for the stage than you will get from a 20x20. The only time I have a problem with size at my age is transportation and weight. For me 18” to 22” diameter is a major difference in storage area in my truck. You’re young and strong and if you like the size and sound; go for it and enjoy it, just know the limits. BTW: If it has wing lug bolts I would recommend changing them to standard bolts. The wing style gets bumped and bent; the standard bolts are better protected. They don’t look as nice but last almost forever, especially if you use a soft case, which also saves space and weight over a hard case. sherm K.I.S.S. = Keep It Simple System

Timekeep69

Posts: 750
Joined: Jan 16, 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ

No. 4 Posted on Feb 14, 2013 9:18 AM	Profile \| PM \| Email \| Quote \| Search \| Copy \| Favorite

I've built a couple 20x20 bass drums and each one impressed the hell out of me. Their nice and boomy for their size. I recommend them for anyone who wants a good sounding bass drum but doesn't want a 22".

OldFart

Mapex

Posts: 6621
Joined: Apr 2, 2007
Location: Peoria, AZ

No. 5 Posted on Feb 14, 2013 10:27 AM	Profile \| PM \| Quote \| Search \| Copy \| Favorite

As for personal choice, I prefer a 20" diameter Bass. I'd wonder about the depth, though. In another life I owned a kit with a 20x14. Those dimensions make for a real responsive Bass. I now have a kit with what has become the typical Bass size : 22x18. I like it fine, but after having played it for awhile, I still want nothing larger than a 20x16. Speaking just with my own particulars in mind, I've found the hauling and handling of a 22x18 more problematic than I first thought. A 20x16 still packs a fine Bass tone, yet doesn't have what I call "Ground Handling" difficulties. If the 20x20 really gets you where you live, then you've found a good thing for your playing. Mapex Saturn * Paiste Terry Bozzio Single-Ply Coated

moneyowen

Posts: 2362
Joined: Mar 31, 2005

No. 6 Posted on Feb 17, 2013 7:00 AM	Profile \| PM \| Quote \| Search \| Copy \| Favorite

You say you want a 20x20" because you like the sound. So that's the main thing. Like Randy said, a 14" depth will be more responsive and articulate. Same as with deeper toms and snare drums, the distance and force required to excite the bottom head is different, and the result can be a perceived lower tone. You also have to lay into it a bit more to make that happen, which also causes the tone. I have said before, it depends on what you play, where, and who with. This sort of drum can lend itself to heavier music, so if that's what you're after, then it should work fine. Do make sure the case will fit in your car, because it does become an issue. Big.

StillKicken

Posts: 2217
Joined: Jan 16, 2005
Location: Buda, Texas

No. 7 Posted on Feb 17, 2013 3:42 PM	Profile \| PM \| Email \| Quote \| Search \| Copy \| Favorite

moneyowen wrote: You also have to lay into it a bit more to make that happen, which also causes the tone. Humm! Now that you've mentioned it, I think I do that to an extent with my 16x18 bass. It's almost a; what you might call a square drum 18x18. Some years back I asked why we don't use all square drums (except for snare) and the answers were about the same as mentioned in the previous thread plus harder to tune. sherm K.I.S.S. = Keep It Simple System

Andy

Posts: 1554
Joined: Jan 16, 2005
Location: Rockford, MI

No. 8 Posted on Feb 18, 2013 6:10 PM	Profile \| PM \| Quote \| Search \| Copy \| Favorite

I like the 20" diameter, but the 20" depth is just a fad that will quickly fade when you start having to load that beast into a car or set it up on a small stage. I've never actually played a 20 x 20, so don't know for sure. What I DO know is my 16x20 bass drum is still pretty freaking deep for many stages. A 20" would really be inconvenient and would cause all sorts of on-stage real estate issues.