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Mounted tom acoustic mounts

Tam - Sat, 08/29/2009 - 23:37 | 1,819 views

Not quite sure how to describe the new stuff I'm seeing. I'm looking at newer acoustic sets, and I see a lot of kits using a semi-circular steel band that attaches to the upper toms via the upper tom rim lug nuts, instead of the older style rod that they mount to via a separate rod attachment on the side of the drumshell. Hope I'm making some sense, I saw the newer mounting band "style" on some Ludwigs.

If the above makes sense, my question follows~~~~~~~~~~~

How does this new mount system affect the drum? Are there any potential issues about rim warping, or the head going out of tune, such as that?

If anyone is using the newer mount system, I'd appreciate some feedback. Thanks, guys.

Drummer Comments (4)

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drumfreak Says Re: Mounted tom acoustic mounts

Submitted On: Monday, Feb 1, 2010 - 12:09 PM

Most tom mount systems will have a slight effect on tuning because of the way they attach to the tension rods. The best thing is to tune it while it's off the rack, then mount it, then touch up the tuning a little to compensate for the mounting.

It really all depends on the drum, the design of the mount, but most mounts are designed to reduce the impact of mounting it on the drum. Alot of people prefer "Virgin" kick drums as well as there are no mounting holes drilled into the drum, so it gets a more natural sound.

Good luck!

King Says Re: Mounted tom acoustic mounts

Submitted On: Monday, Dec 14, 2009 - 9:24 AM

I have free floating tom mounts an I love them. I've never really heard of any specific problems you mentioned such as rim warping or having the tension rods deforming. Pertaining to sound, they make your kit sound a lot better because as James mentioned it allows the shell to resonate more. You really want as little holes and hardware possible drilled into the shell. Not that kits will hardware mounted to the drum sound bad, it's just the more holes drilled into the shell you end up sacrificing resonance. With free floating toms you MAY run into the OCCASIONAL sound man that struggles to clip the drum mics on, depending on what type of clamps they use. Other than that I still recommend them.

jamesf Says Re: Mounted tom acoustic mounts

Submitted On: Sunday, Dec 13, 2009 - 11:30 AM

I also have a newer Tama Rockstar kit that uses the free-floating mounting system. My old Tama kit had the standard side mounting and I can definitely tell a difference! To me, the free-floating system allows the toms to resonate a bit more and allows for a more natural sound without any vibration or "feed-through" to the Bass or other toms because of the "hard" connection. Hope that makes sense... :-)

- - D - - Says Re: Mounted tom acoustic mounts

Submitted On: Monday, Aug 31, 2009 - 3:10 PM

Ya those semi circular hoops do what the sticky above says. Free floating meaning not touching or in other words, the shell isn't causing friction with anything, therefore it resonates/sings more. You get the full potential sound the shell offers. I have a kit with those and its great.