cocktaildrum.com

I made one from a piece of 12 inch PVC pipe with a Roc-n-Soc seat on top of it. I put a hinge on the seat bottom and added a small block of wood inside to attach the hinge to the pipe. The bottom is plywood, screwed in from the sides. A handle on the back from an LP conga, some old carpet padding in...

I just got the Yamaha Vintage Wood Hoop and installed it on the kick head of my Cocktail drum (16" x 16" floor tom). It seems to me the volume has increased a little, the attack is slightly softer / warmer, and there is a small increase in sustain / ring. I like the differences in the soun...

For all you Club Jordan, Slingerland Expresso - and similar setup - owners & players out there whose kits have an attached side snare, I have a question: Does kicking the bass pedal on your main drum make the snares rattle on your side snare? I have a feeling it does cause some rattle, and am wo...

Here's another idea for you cocktail drummers out there who want a secure pedal placement / bracket. Find a floor tom leg with double 90-degree bends in it (like a z-rod). Using a Dremel tool or hacksaw, cut off the "foot" of the leg right below (or maybe above) the bend closest to the flo...

I saw ZZ Top on their "Antenna" tour years ago, and Frank Beard had an insane custom double bass kit with vertically-oriented kick drums. The pedals were underneath striking upwards, just like a Cocktail drum. His small toms were mounted on a custom curved rack that went over the kick drum...

The best cymbal I've used that works as both a crash and ride is an 18" Zildjian A Rock Crash. At least, I think that's what it is - the one I have is about a 1976 vintage, so I'm not sure if Zildjian used the same name / classification back then. It is medium to medium-heavy weight, and was th...

I'm planning on getting the Yamaha Vintage wood hoop to put on the bottom of my 16" x 16" kick drum / floor tom. I am expecting that the wood hoop will add some warmth to the punchy kick drum sound I'm getting. Dinkus, can you elaborate on the differences in sound? Deeper tone? More volume...

The head is an Aquarian Performance II. It has a built in muffler ring around the outer edge and is designed for low tuning. It might be a full two-ply, or maybe just a second ply ring around the outer edge, I'm not sure. Aquarian kick drum heads don't come in sizes smaller than 18", so the Per...

Just sold these to a friend here in town.
Thanks for looking.

-freaky tiki man

Slightly used 14" hi-hats for sale - $320. shipped. When Guitar Center and Music123 had them, they were $415. I bought these only weeks ago from online retailer (Long Island Drum Center). They were discontinued in June, I believe, and are becoming scarce. Laser engraved with Armand Zildjian's s...

To John and Metalhead (and anyone else):

Try the Aquarian Performance II head on your kick side, with a small (2.5") Falam Slam pad. I'm loving the punch and depth I'm getting from mine. No additional muffling needed.

tikifreak
Dallas, TX

Did anyone besides me see the one-off custom Vistalite kit that was on eBay? Man, what a looker. The auction closed without a single bid - I couldn't believe it! Enter cocktail drum to search, and then check the "Completed Listings" on the left side to see the ended auction. If I wasn't so...

Matthew, Thanks for the offer, but I'm wanting to stick with Zildjian A series (no pun intended). I bought a barely-used 19" Armand ride from eBay for $225. I've only had it a few days, but I like it already. Played on the very edge, it has a lot of wash and the rivets really sizzle alot. Playe...

John, Try a coated Pinstripe on top, and an Aquarian Performance II on bottom. The Performance II has a built-in dampener, so you could probably remove the stock dampening ring inside the drum. I also put a small diameter (2.5" I think) Falam Slam pad in the center of the Aquarian head for the ...

I am interested in purchasing some new cymbals, and wondered if any of you out there have tried these particular models. I'm looking at the Zildjian & Cie "Vintage" hi-hats, which come in thin and medium weights (I think I want the mediums). Also, I'm looking at the 19" Zildjian A...