The floor tom and bass are right where I want them... I don't know squat and have never played a gig outside my own basement, so certainly my ignorance is probably bliss, BUT I can't imagine many situations where a 14" floor tom could not be tuned and played in a manner that would meet most common musical demands. What a great little drum!! ... I think the depth gives plenty of shell surface to resonate and provide wonderful tone and volume.

The bass using a Remo Powerstroke 3 Suede Ambassador sounds just fantastic... perfect punch and sustain for my tastes..

HOWEVER.. I am struggling with the mounted 12" tom... I may take the drum into Pro Percussion and see if they can make a recommendation... maybe I have it tuned too high... it's kind of plunky... but seems to go flat when I loosen it up. I don't know, I gotta work that one out. Any ideas are very welcomed. What should the tension relationship between batter and resonant heads be on a little drum like that??

I always tune the reso side a bit higher than the batter. Maybe the edges need a little work? How were the other drums edges, did you recut them? Great job by the way, they look great!!!

[COLOR="DarkRed"]Wow...the wrap cleaned up really nicely. I like the fade on the sparkle, too...very classy.

Lucky may be right...how are the edges on the 12 ?

What's your res head on it ? Maybe go with something very light.[/COLOR]

"I don't know squat and have never played a gig outside my own basement, so certainly my ignorance is probably bliss, BUT I can't imagine many situations where a 14" floor tom could not be tuned and played in a manner that would meet most common musical demands."

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I agree....(about the 14, not about you not knowing squat....)[/COLOR]

Just coated Ambassadors top and bottom on the 12 and 14. I felt the edges looked good. Basically I just very lightly "cleaned" them with 220 grit paper (no pressure). Then one trip around with a plumbers candle to give them a little wax. Rubbed that in with a cotton shoe rag and called it good. Everything sits clean on a flat surface and seems very round.

I'm out of town for the weekend but I'll work on the tension options Sunday night.

THANKS for all the nice comments... I really like everything about this kit.. It's killing me being away for the weekend right when I get it back together.

12" tom tuning mission... so I left the coated Ambassador as the batter... stuck a Diplomat on the bottom... spent about an hour last night just messing with it, on the kit/off the kit.

Tightened up the reso.. got it nice and even at a comfortable pitch (thanks Lucky) then began working the batter.. I am a NOVICE at this but I'm finding pretty quick that a stink'in quarter turn can make a pretty signficant difference in the way a drum sounds (at least this drum). Cooked Egg

I've got it where I really like it... nice warm resonance with enough sustain that it is not a plunk.... but more of a short tooohhhhmmm.

I'm going to find myself somebody local who is good at this and can spend a couple hours with me on tuning drums.. snare, bass, and toms.. now that would be time well spent.. me thinks. ;)

Don't sell yourself short, you are on your way. I find I start all my drums that way. Reso first and batter a bit lower. Remember what Joe Morello said when asked in what key he tunes his drums; " I tune to the key of M, for Morello! Trust your gut, if you think it sounds good it most likely does.