Cocktail drums question

[j***@gmail.com]

What's everyone think about cocktail drums in general? Very
versatile? Ease of use and transport? I've been shopping around but
have never played on one and was wondering how working drummers feel
about them?

[OC]

What's everyone think about cocktail drums in general?  Very
versatile?  Ease of use and transport?  I've been shopping around but
have never played on one and was wondering how working drummers feel
about them?

I wouldn't bother with them. Weak snare sound, weak bass sound, weak
stick sound. Seem to work best with Four Freshman style vocal groups
where you just need a bit of swishy time. Also, you have to balance on
your free leg. All in all I'd rather play a snare, real bass drum and
a cymbal. Just played a WR where I used a snare drum and 12" cymbal.
Whatever works for you.......

O'C

[Sam S]

What's everyone think about cocktail drums in general? Very
versatile? Ease of use and transport? I've been shopping around but
have never played on one and was wondering how working drummers feel
about them?

I wouldn't bother with them. Weak snare sound, weak bass sound, weak
stick sound. Seem to work best with Four Freshman style vocal groups
where you just need a bit of swishy time. Also, you have to balance on
your free leg. All in all I'd rather play a snare, real bass drum and
a cymbal. Just played a WR where I used a snare drum and 12" cymbal.
Whatever works for you.......

I agree. I bring a 14x20 bass, snare, hats, cymbal and various percussion
items for our "unplugged" gigs.

Sam S.

[Zomoniac]

Post by j***@gmail.com
What's everyone think about cocktail drums in general? Very
versatile? Ease of use and transport? I've been shopping around but
have never played on one and was wondering how working drummers feel
about them?

What defines a cocktail kit? Is it just a stackable portable kit? I
have a 16Wx20L kick, 8x8 and 13x12 toms and 12x7 snare kit that all
disassembles and fits in one wheeled conga case, and it's the best kit
I've ever played. But not sure if it's technically a cocktail kit.

[Benj]

Post by Zomoniac

What's everyone think about cocktail drums in general?  Very
versatile?  Ease of use and transport?  I've been shopping around but
have never played on one and was wondering how working drummers feel
about them?

What defines a cocktail kit? Is it just a stackable portable kit? I
have a 16Wx20L kick, 8x8 and 13x12 toms and 12x7 snare kit that all
disassembles and fits in one wheeled conga case, and it's the best kit
I've ever played. But not sure if it's technically a cocktail kit.

A cocktail kit is defined by the bass drum/snare. It uses a long tall
vertical 'bass" drum which is played as a "bass" with a pedal that
strikes upward on the bottom head and then the top head has snares to
try to act like a snare drum. The whole thing is basically a
compromise and sucks as a result. Every now and then some drummer gets
"into" them and does some cool stuff, but basically from a practical
standpoint I've always found just a tiny kit with a 16" bass ect.
especially a foldable/stackable one does a MUCH better job for the
small venue light duty gig. A little kit like say the "hipgig" is a
much better deal.

[Zomoniac]

Post by Benj

Post by Zomoniac

What's everyone think about cocktail drums in general?  Very
versatile?  Ease of use and transport?  I've been shopping around b

ut

Post by Zomoniac

have never played on one and was wondering how working drummers feel
about them?

What defines a cocktail kit? Is it just a stackable portable kit? I
have a 16Wx20L kick, 8x8 and 13x12 toms and 12x7 snare kit that all
disassembles and fits in one wheeled conga case, and it's the best kit
I've ever played. But not sure if it's technically a cocktail kit.

A cocktail kit is defined by the bass drum/snare. It uses a long tall
vertical 'bass" drum which is played as a "bass" with a pedal that
strikes upward on the bottom head and then the top head has snares to
try to act like a snare drum. The whole thing is basically a
compromise and sucks as a result. Every now and then some drummer gets
"into" them and does some cool stuff, but basically from a practical
standpoint I've always found just a tiny kit with a 16" bass ect.
especially a foldable/stackable one does a MUCH better job for the
small venue light duty gig. A little kit like say the "hipgig" is a
much better deal.

Cool, thanks for clearing up. My kit is a custom 'full-sized hip-gig',
was never sure what the difference was other than cocktail drums seemed
to be played standing up.