Again, this tom seems to be highly sensitive to contact, be it on the shell or the hoops. For my satisfaction, a RIMS mount was the best route. [COLOR="Red"][SIZE="4"]I would have used an Optimount but I don't like the fact that it contacts both the top and bottom hoops.[/SIZE][/COLOR]With the RIMS style mount, the only real contact with the drum is the top hoop. For whatever reason, this made the tom open up as if I were holding it by the top hoop.Yes, it's not as stable and tends to bounce around a bit if you are a heavy hitter, but I am not (or no longer) a heavy hitter and the RIMS mount doesn't really take away from the look that much, IMHO.just my $0.03 on the subject ;)
That's the beauty of Optimounts, [COLOR="Red"]they don't contact the rims of the drum AT ALL[/COLOR]. They gently squeeze against the lugs and it's not my observation, but a FACT that they are FAR easier to install and require NO modification to make them stable and not rock around.
I've been a devoted RIMS user for MANY years, so I've learned how to tweak RIMS to get rid of the bouncing and still have the isolation, but the Optimounts do a better job without the fussing around. Another great thing about Optimounts is you can leave them in place when changing heads. It's MUCH easier than fussing with RIMS.
Bear in mind, I would have never even TRIED Optimounts of I hadn't found one in the southbound breakdown lane of Interstate Route 95. (*say what??*)
I was already QUITE tuned in to using RIMS. After the ease of installation and the stability of the Optimount, I'm SOLD on them.
The standard Pearl mount can of course be removed and the mount of your choice can then be installed. I use a standard Ludwig tom mount my Optimounts.