I've played unmic'd club gigs (blues/rock) with an 18" before, and honestly I wouldn't do it again...

I got a killer deal on a Yamaha Maple Custom kit with an 18" bass drum ($400!), and with no muffling the bass sounded like a tom - very dry and tight. When I muffled it slightly with a hand towel and added a small vent hole to the front head, it sounded much more bass-drummy, but it lost volume.

I sold that kit after a few months because the 18" bass drum was just not working for me (tripled my money though!). I'm sure lots of guys will say it's absolutely possible to get a great acoustic bass drum sound from an 18", but for me it just wasn't happening.

I had a Premier Artist Heritage Club kit,same period, early 90's, with the 20x8 kick. It had a beautiful lacquered silver sparkle finish. Damn I wish I still had it! Unmiced in small clubs it worked very well. The 20x8 gave me a lower note than a deeper 18" would have. Fitted in my trunk too! I sold it last year because someone offered me 3 times what I paid for it.....But now you've gone & reminded me how much I miss them! DOH

HY wooltonboy

i am playing Rockmusic as well, and i played an 18" Bassdrum on small gigs unmiced. All you have to do(even when its not vintage like) put an E-Mad coated on the bassdrum and give her a kickport on the Resoside. Thats all you need to get a cool Bassdrum with a nice kick and a good low end!!;-)

Try it my friend you will be surprised, and there is no other stuff needed then;-)Yes Sir

regards

Christian

Same head configuration as on my Premier Artist Heritage Club kit kick, no inside muffling. Works great!

Hi there

I just joined this site I noticed your posting regards the Heritage kit issue. So I just wanted to let you know that in the next week or so the new APK Heritage kits will be hitting the shore which include 3 set ups with eithr a 16", 18" or 20" Bass Drum. Each kit will be a 4 piece, including matching Snare Drum & will be in the stores at $399.99!!!! These kits have already had RAVE reviews in the UK so we are all excited for their arrival here in the US.

I haven't set up my profile yet but just to let you know real quick - I took control of all Premier's US client issues when they pulled out several years back & until they signed Hanser for Major US Distribution. However, I wrok very closely both with Hanser & premier UK on deleted & Current products. I carry a huge stock of parts as well as hardware, Orphan drums & kits. I have the BEST prices in the country because of my histroy with Premier so if you want more detail on the new APK Heritage series please feel free to drop me an email. - [email]peter@dancincrowdrums.com[/email]