22" or 24" kick?

[KickSnareHat]

I'm getting a Yamaha Recording Custom and can't decide on a 22" or 24" kick. It will be used primarily for recording and some live club shows. I'm partial to 22" kicks, but already have a 22" maple custom, so I'm wondering if a 24" would be good for variety.

Any opinions?

[digibird]

If you have a 22", get a 24". If your 22" has an 18" depth (like most all bass drums these days) , get a 14" x 24". That 14" depth gives a slam and a punch like no other. I love that sound. The best 14" x 24" I've ever heard is a DW Classic series, mahogany-poplar-mahogany with maple reinforcement rings. It's a jaw-dropping, gotta have that sound kind of drum. (sounds nothing like DW Collector's series, the DWs most everyone plays)

[beef]

RC is birch - 24x14.

24x16 needs a heavy foot to move all that air. A 24x14 will be faster with more smack.

[Nervrem]

would be great for variety!
i own 18", 20" and 22" bassdrums and all have their own character and fit into different musical genres. (that 18" gretsch bassdrum is killer!)
but a 24" bassdrum is not easy to play. so, if the drummer isn't that good you should stick to the 22".

[coreybox]

I have and love my 26x14 kick. I'd go with the 24 (assuming yamaha doesn't offer a 26).

big and shallow is a good combo.

[Piranhadrum]

I have a 24x18 Pearl Masters 6ply Maple. It's big and thud like (great for live), but my 22x16 Ludwig Classic Birch is everything I could ever ask for in a kick. It does it all!

Also, after two tours with the 24x18, I no longer care to hull that bitch around unless there's a roadie!

[KickSnareHat]

Originally Posted by Nervrem

would be great for variety!
i own 18", 20" and 22" bassdrums and all have their own character and fit into different musical genres. (that 18" gretsch bassdrum is killer!)
but a 24" bassdrum is not easy to play. so, if the drummer isn't that good you should stick to the 22".

I'm a pretty good drummer, but I'm worried about the 24" being too much of an adjustment -- having to readjust the beater height, etc. For most of the studio stuff I do, the 22" is probably more appropriate anyway. I may just keep an eye out for a used 24" to add down the line.

thanks all for the feedback.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by Nervrem

would be great for variety!
i own 18", 20" and 22" bassdrums and all have their own character and fit into different musical genres. (that 18" gretsch bassdrum is killer!)
but a 24" bassdrum is not easy to play. so, if the drummer isn't that good you should stick to the 22".

my 18'' is my favorite here!
love it: )~
sold the 22' and picked up a 20''
i think those two do it for me.

[relayer]

I say take the 22", although I've never owned a 24". I've played several though, and really didn't have to make any adjustments. Yamaha drums are heavy in the first place, and as noted above might prove a tiring lugging.

Good luck.

Steve

[gabriel_au]

Originally Posted by coreybox

I have and love my 26x14 kick. I'd go with the 24 (assuming yamaha doesn't offer a 26).

big and shallow is a good combo.

do you mind elaborating on the 26"?

There's a kit with a 26x14 for sale but i can't test it unless i drive veeery far. I love the idea but fear it will sound too extreme and would only work if I really pound the living heck of it to get any punch.

[coreybox]

Originally Posted by gabriel_au

do you mind elaborating on the 26"?

There's a kit with a 26x14 for sale but i can't test it unless i drive veeery far. I love the idea but fear it will sound too extreme and would only work if I really pound the living heck of it to get any punch.

I don't have problems getting "punch". I believe that with the 14'' depth, you aren't required to hit it really hard to get it.

My 26'' is a ludwig legacy, PS3 for both heads, no other muffling. It's tuned above wrinkle -- it has some resonance to it. It's not a flat sound, it's big and deep. I'd liken it to a jazzy sound in terms of resonance (like how an 18'' has a clear tone), but it's much deeper and lower in pitch.

That's how I set mine up at least.

[joeq]

Originally Posted by relayer

Yamaha drums are heavy in the first place, and as noted above might prove a tiring lugging.

besides the schlepping factor of a larger drum, the other aspect to consider is the way really different sized kicks displace your rack toms in how you might be used to your drums being set up.


I personally find this a bigger adjustment than anything having to do with the kick itself, its playability or its tone.

[More Kick Drum]

Originally Posted by gabriel_au

do you mind elaborating on the 26"?

There's a kit with a 26x14 for sale but i can't test it unless i drive veeery far. I love the idea but fear it will sound too extreme and would only work if I really pound the living heck of it to get any punch.

I have a 26x14 Slingerland Kick Drum besides a 22x18 Pearl. The 26" offers increased depth and a deeper tone, you can still get the punch as the other poster stated, with not much effort since the drum is so shallow. It's a thick sound with lots of resonance (which I find is better in a live performance situation than in a recording sense where you might be going more specific for the intended effect). I use PS3 on the batter and Ambassador on front with some internal muffling (for Rock/Classic Rock Tone).

As others stated, the biggest adjustment isn't necessarily going to be your kick pedal action, but the placements and spacings of your tom drums in your set up. When I'm running a single rack tom and floor tom set-up, the 26x14 kick is no problem. But when I'm running a couple rack toms, the 26 forces me to set up the toms way too high for my taste.

After having a 26 and 22, I'm yearning for a 20"x18" for that focused and clear tone. Every time I've played a 20 it blows my mind.

If I were picking up a Yamaha Recording Custom I'd probably go for a 22x14

[Sofa King]

Originally Posted by KickSnareHat

I'm getting a Yamaha Recording Custom and can't decide on a 22" or 24" kick. It will be used primarily for recording and some live club shows. I'm partial to 22" kicks, but already have a 22" maple custom, so I'm wondering if a 24" would be good for variety.

Any opinions?

24 is my fav size.
All things being equal, it still has the punch of a 22, but much more thickness.

theres some drums only samples on my website and most are a old yamaha maple custom 16x24.

all the best,

[joeq]

Originally Posted by KickSnareHat

I'm a pretty good drummer, but I'm worried about the 24" being too much of an adjustment -- having to readjust the beater height, etc.

yeah the bigger the drum, the more off-center your kick pedal beater is...

but some guys really dig that big drum anyway

[VicD]

I would for the 22", although I have both a 22" and 20", my favorite to play is the 20"...For what its worth.

[James Lugo]

I love 24"s for rock. I just love the way they tune and sound.

Yamaha Oak Custom 13, 16, 18, 24.

[KickSnareHat]

I ended up going with the 22" (22x18) and I'm pleased with the size. I'll certainly keep an eye out for a used 24" for the future.