I have 3 kits i'm now using, 18" 14" 12" most just assume 18" is a 20"

One of my kits is a 1996 Ludwig, which came with 12, 13, 16, & 22. I have it set up now as a 4 piece, with the 12" tom. To me, this made the interval between the two toms more pronounced, as the 13" just seemed lower pitched than I prefer. With these toms, however, that also has a lot to do with their depth (12x11 and 13x12) . To me, the kit looks and sounds more "balanced" with the 12" tom. I would be more concerned about the sound than the looks, but that's just me.

I know I am probably in the minority on this, but 13,16,20 is becoming my favourite combo.

The 20 can do anything, switching between rock, soul and jazz is no problem at all, while I was never comfortable with the 22's I had, they tend to be too loud for my taste.

I also happen to like how it looks, I'm so used to it that I think a 22 looks strange, sends the 13 up flying...oh well, each to their own. :)

That's one of my favorite configurations, have owned many kits in these sizes.

The old Sonors from late 50s til early 70s were most commonly sold like that. The old 13's were 9" deep which sounds really good with a 20X14. Personally I still prefer a 14" floor but mostly due to physical size not so much the tone or sound.

Thoughts? Just play 'em! If drums sound good together, play them together!

I fall for the 12/14/20 and 13/16/22 trap as well. I do have a 13/16/20 kit that I play that nobody ever asks why the bass drum is so small. They're drums. They sound good. I play them okay enough. Besides "catalog" and collectability reasons, they're just a good set of drums--drums that you might just be able to get for a slightly better price!

Dude do you have any idea how many guys (including me) have played a 13, 16, 20 configuration over the years? Because it didn't appear often in the old catalogs doesn't make it a weird, or invalid set up. Lots of drummers play that exact set up. In fact, you can play whatever set up works best for you and there is no right and wrong about it.

John

Thanks for the responses guys!

Mainly asking cause a couple of sets I have seen advertised would be the better part of a day trip to be able to check them out.

I like them a lot. I have two sets. I prefer a 20, 12, 14 in general, but 20, 13, 16 is good for outdoor situations where you only have a mic on the bass and one at the snare and hats. Gives you some more tom volume without working as hard or distorting the sound by hitting too hard to get the volume.

The first photos is one of the sets. I got it from a forum member for short $$. It has some wrap issues. I use it to practice in the shed so that doesn't really matter for now. Great sound and a complete original set from 1969. Would have been a beauty if the wrap hadn't let go. The Dynasonic didn't come with the set.

The second photo is a jet black set. I sold it to that band when I left Jeddah.