Definitely more rare than 14's and 16's, but you know that now. The few I've seen recently were 70's era. The 18" floor tom was part of several kits during the mid-late seventies. I don't think that size was used in any kit during the sixties and had to be ordered individually. You would assume that would make a 60's era 18' floor tom more rare than a 70's era.

It took me almost three years to find a 18" late 80's Pearl floor tom. Since it was the days of "hair bands" you would think they would be a dime a dozen but nope, rarely do you see them. Your drum is out there, it just may take more than a few months to find it.

For what it's worth, I have a late 60's Slingerland blue diamond pearl 18 (diameter) x 16 (depth) floor tom. (http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=43912)

I think a lot of it has to do with drums (instruments in general) selling so quickly that companies didn't need to worry about making things beyond the Big Kit (22" bass) and Little Kit (20" bass). They were going to sell them all regardless.

The only real big floors I see early-to-mid 60's are with the Deluxe-o flagship kits like the Ludwig Blue Note. Easier to find 18" basses than floors.

That being said, I once saw an early-60's Slingy gold sparkle 12/12/20 floor/22 bass, with dual rails for the toms, all factory. That was a weird one. But those kind of things are out there. Good luck!

Thanks guys! Donnod, if that was red glitter, I'd throw you an offer! :)

I'll keep my eyes out. I do have two 16's as part of the kit I bought so I'll just play around with heads to get an much difference as I can for now. Seems some people have luck with an ambassador on one and Emperor on the other. I susally stick to coated ambassadors on tops, clears on the bottom. It'll have to work until the 18 rears it's head.

Thanks again!