Sorry if I wasn't clear in the first place. Let me try to rephrase.

I could hear a noticeable difference in tone between the 12" tom (without center ring) and the other toms (13", 14" and 16").

The 12" has those lower harmonics that gives us that "warm" sound, whereas the other toms had good projection but a less warm sound.

All the toms have calfskins.

The shells seem to be very thin, which is great to get those lower harmonics, but my understanding is that a center ring would limit the way the wood can resonate and expand to let the lower harmonic develop.

For the bass drum, this is helps balancing between roundness (or warmth) ala Gretsch Round Badge and attack. I really like it. The thunderous sound I'm after!

The snare is a steam bent with re-rings. 14"x7" (apparently) and sounds very precise, even at low dynamics. I like the body vs attack balance a lot.

Overall, the kit is such a lovely piece of craftsmanship and the kick and snare are really good, so I think I'll go for it anyways. They seem really hard to find! And those cloud badges are superb...

I bought the kit today.

Beautiful kit. This rosewood is pure beauty. Almost feminine somehow.

12" vs rest of the toms feel is still the same.

Those calfskins are the bomb!

Will post pics.

To hear the potential of how those drums can sound listen to just about anything Jay Bellerose has recorded: Plant/Krause, Ray Lamontagne, Allen Toussaint, Joe Henry, Jakob Dylan, Pariah Dogs, Greg Allman, and Hugh Laurie to name a few. Bombers sound great.

Will do!

Ray Lamontagne and Allen Toussaint are already some favourites of mine :-)

I love those drums but I'm just questioning the use of those center rings in toms.

You would be crazy to alter those shells in any way.

Try different heads till you get the sound you want, and if you can't find 'your' sound, sell the drums.

Try Rob Cook for calf heads.

Yes - like I said, removing the center rims isn't the first thing I'm gonna do for sure.

I'll try different heads first. Currently, it's all calfskins and I like the raw power I get from the 12" and the 16".

That massive 26" is also amazing.