I came from the Death/Thrash metal set up. From mid teens to mid 20's it was 2 kicks+, got as big as 6 racks,2 floors,2 kicks,Snare,2 Hats,9 Cymbals
, looked awesome, I love looking at big kits
.
I always had an obscure set up
, Left handed for a start threw most engineers. I hated the look of a stock 5pce (set up typically), and couldn't get into the 1 rack thing, so when I finally got as low as a 5pce, I set the Toms up 2nd in 1st position and first inbetween it and hats, essentially, both toms just over a bit.Then I wanted the 2nd Tom right over the kick, and the 10 inbetween it and the hats. 20yrs of having to have everything just so
.
For the first time since I was 12, I started using a 4pce kit, in an effort to stop me overplaying. I'm not the greatest player, not technical, so when I overplay, it sounds like crap
. I've since added a little 6in concert Tom (my security blanket) , Hats,16+18c,Ride, 1 or 2 Splashes and a cut down 5in Splash on my hihat rod.I call it a 4pce with 4cymbals,
but then theres the concert tom, and cut down splash, and extra splash
'.
I'm really liking the smaller kit, but I think each to their own. I use several cymbals, several different set ups, and I enjoy swapping and using different tools for different applications.
I think the notion that 'every cymbal should Crash and Ride' is suitable for certain styles, but an absolutely ridiculous statement for sounds I want from my cymbals.
Anyways, the 11pce kit looks a little silly in a Blues/Rock band.
Cheers