Ronnie Tutt (Elvis Presley's drummer from 1969-1977) had a blue sparkle Ludwig double-kick drum kit with 6"/8"/10"/12" concert toms that he used on "Fool", "Always On My Mind" (Elvis was THE FIRST to record that song) and Tutt also used them, of course, during tours. You can see the kit in the film, "Elvis On Tour" in several sequences.

A dear friend of mine, Michael Moore, now owns the kit that Tutt used in "Elvis In Concert" in 1977. He has also built a replica of the blue sparkle Ludwig kit and he's now working on building a replica of Tutt's Sonor kit as seen in TTWII. The pads in the kick drums of the replica blue sparkle kit are a much darker blue like what Tutt originally had in the Ludwig kit.

Here's a picture of Moore's blue sparkle kit:

It`s funny that this thread got resurrected!! I just set up my monster Ludwig stainless set with mostly concert toms...Pics to come...

Cheers

Harvey Mason on Herbie Hancock's "chameleon". That's the sound that every junior high school drummer was trying to get when I first started. More duct tape than drumhead. Looking at that pic of the Tequila sunrise Ludwig kit took me back to 8th grade....

I recently watchedcan episode of Austin City Limits. The drummer for BECK was playing a single-headed kit. They sounded fantastic.

I saw that too! I think they were Blaemire toms...

You will never see me buying or playing a set with concert toms. I have always disliked the look and sound, even back when they were a rage. Sorry.

Toms are meant to have two heads, IMO.

I think in certain songs, they fit the "vibe" of the music. It's a very specific application, but the song just wouldn't have the same feel without them, IMO.

Yes, Joey Waronker was one of the first artists who found out we had recreated the old Blaemire shells, and ordered some. He has acquired quite a few from us already.

I agree. Elton John's tunes have that concert tom thud. Same with Phil Collins' stuff. It's just not my sound.

Yep, like others have said, they are perfect for certain songs for that "vibe". I believe that John Densmore removed the bottom heads from his 8x12 and 14x14 Mod Orange toms for most of the Doors songs. Let's not forget Hal Blaine and Karen Carpenter. Heck, I also added 4 concert toms to my Slingerland BR kit back in the late 70's and early 80's! Picture attached!

-Mark