Thank you for posting a picture of that great little drum set with the mounted tom displayed the way it was, and still is, intended to be configured. After reading your first post with the first picture, I was mentally composing a curmudgeonly response to you. I was going to quote you when you said that you passed on the other drum sets because they had extra holes. My "brilliant" response would have said that, if you insist on using a snare stand for the 8x12 tom, you will have at least six extra holes (4 on bass drum and 2 on 8x12 tom). I hope that you are giving those drums the respect they deserve by playing them with the rail consolette doing what is intended to do.

When I said extra holes, I was referring to holes that weren't original to the drums. I used a snare stand because I didn't have the Ludwig wrench to tighten the bolts properly. I was able to get it to hold enough to take the picture, but any playing would cause the tom to slip. I have since bought a wrench from Vintagedrumbug, (Thanks Vinnie), when that arrives I'll be good to go.

When I had a Club Date kit, using that rail mount for the 12" tom was a complete tone killer! I could never get the tom to open and resonate much at all. I used a snare stand for it and that tom would sing away..

Sure does look nice mounted though.

A 7/16 wrench will do it until you Ludwig wrench arrives

I have no problem with the tone of the drum on the tom mount, my Trixon is mounted on the arm as well. But, the Trixon tom can be set further to my left because of the longer arm. When I use the arm on the Ludwig, it's pretty much set over the kick. Putting the tom on a snare stand gives me the option of positioning the tom a bit further to my left. I also happen to think it looks Cool1

I don't want to ignite the firestorm again about mounting a tom on the bass drum vs using a snare stand for that tom. But, I will restate for probably the 50th time on this forum and another forum that it takes very little effort for the drummer to adopt to the features and peculiarities of the drum set.

That's true and I have been using the tom mount when I practice. However, over years and years of playing, it feels more comfortable for me, to have my ride tom a little more to my left. Much the same way I can and have played two toms on the kick, but I choose not to because I like having my ride closer.

I'm very particular when it comes to how I set up my kit as I'm sure most drummers are.

Here's another thing to consider. I play in a rock cover band, so I generally have to play louder than when I'm just practicing on my own. The last thing I need is for the tom to slip in the middle of a set. As much as we all love are vintage drums, the hardware was not meant to take such abuse. Especially these Ludwig mounts with the clock face that's on the cd drums. So, rather than punch more holes in my kick to accommodate a better positioning and stable mount, I put the tom on a snare stand when I gig.

I'm with you. I like having a single tom on a snare stand and my ride closer.

No need to justify how you want to set up your drums. If you had to stick with just the mounting the kit originally came with, you may end up not playing them cause they are not comfortable to you or do not hold up and then the kit just sits not getting the attention it deserves.

It is funny how some folks feel the need to tell others what to do with their stuff.

Wes

A lot of the vintage tom mounts were not good. Just not up to the abuse, and as they get older, they get looser. Just finished up a Gretsch '70's restore, and decided to leave the mount off. Cleaner look, and the snare stand's not going to slip!