Guitarist Needs Drum Help

[WhiteStrat]

So I've got a fairly standard 5pc kit: kick, snare, two toms atop the kick, and a floor tom. Brass: a crash/ride over by the floor tom, a crash up between the other two toms, and of course the high hat.

Here's the thing: I bought a timbale.

Where do I put it it? If I understand correctly, some latin players use them in place of toms--which is not what I want to do. I just want the latin sound of the timbale to be another option besides the toms.

My gut tells me to put it on the other side of the snare--but then its not convenient to the toms as part of a roll (or is that important). And if I put it between the toms and the snare, I'd have to move the snare--which sounds downright blasphemous.

Or should I not put it anywhere and wait til I have a drummer in the studio and ask him?

Thank you. Thank you veruh much.

[Greg_L]

I think most people put them up between the snare and the left rack tom - if theres room. Like at 10 o'clock of the snare and 8 o'clock of the left rack tom - if that makes sense. Like it's sandwiched between the snare, left rack tom, and the hi hat. It should be easy to reach. I don't use one, but that's how I've seen them.

[WhiteStrat]

Originally Posted by Greg_L

I think most people put them up between the snare and the left rack tom - if theres room. Like at 10 o'clock of the snare and 8 o'clock of the left rack tom - if that makes sense. Like it's sandwiched between the snare, left rack tom, and the hi hat. It should be easy to reach. I don't use one, but that's how I've seen them.

Great description! That makes good sense--thanks for the reply!

[NL5]

Originally Posted by Greg_L

I think most people put them up between the snare and the left rack tom - if theres room. Like at 10 o'clock of the snare and 8 o'clock of the left rack tom - if that makes sense. Like it's sandwiched between the snare, left rack tom, and the hi hat. It should be easy to reach. I don't use one, but that's how I've seen them.

Yep, that's exactly where I put my Octobans. Works great.

[genesisariana]

With drums, always go with your gut. Every drummer sets his drums differently. Sit down, close your eyes, and think of how you want to play each piece, move your sticks where they feel natural, that is where you should place the drum.

[WhiteStrat]

Originally Posted by genesisariana

With drums, always go with your gut. Every drummer sets his drums differently. Sit down, close your eyes, and think of how you want to play each piece, move your sticks where they feel natural, that is where you should place the drum.

Well that's why I was drummers--I have a guitarist's guy (and too big, at that) not a drummers gut. I own a drum kit for jamming and recording when the right people are over, but I'm not the right people. I don't play a bit. Thanks!

[mikeh]

I place my timbales to the left of the mouted toms (over the hihat).

As a right handed drummer - my drum tones go high (smaller toms) to low (floor toms) left to right. Since the timbales have a high tone - I keep them to the left

[PhilGood]

I've often thought about buying a set, but I would put them on the left side of my hi-hat about the same hight as my snare. The reason being is that timbale technique has a lot of rim work and a completely different sound than toms. Plus I have a 10" tom on the left side of my kit, which covers the higher pitches and if I want higher pitches than that I would use something there like mini timbales.

I really want to avoid anything that looks like I'm trying to copy Neil Peart's setup, though. Nothing says "amateur drummer with delusional greatness" than having a setup that looks like Peart's old kit. I used to dream of a set like that, but I got to a point where I realized I wanted my own signature look and something akin to my own style. I have tried to be original ever since.

My new thing I want to do is buy a 6" concert tom and mount it on the left side of my snare and tune it as tight as it will go. Maybe even one on each side tuned differently for fast rolls and accents.

[WhiteStrat]

I notice folks are addressing timbale set--FWIW, I just bought one (dumb maybe--but it was a sweet deal) for a little flavor. I see 'em in two's a lot-maybe I should've done that.

Oh well, I'll get it as close to set up as I can w/my knowledge, and wait for a session w/my drummer son-in-law. We'll see if the one timbale can help get some new sounds...

Thanks for all the input!

[mikeh]

WhiteStat

Added to a drum kit a single timbale can add the flavor without taking that much space - there are many times I only use one timbale (I bought a pair because a sometimes gig as a percusionist - with timbales, congas, etc.) - so when I choose to add them to my kit I have both if needed

PhilGood

If you're thinking of adding timbale sound to your kit - you may want to look at a set of mini-timbales (I know both LP and Toca make them). They don't cost much and they come with a clamp designed to attach to a cymbal stand etc. vs. needing a seperate stand). I have a set with a 6" & 8" drums. While they can't fully reproduce a timale sound (in particular the sound of the lower drum) they can be very helpful when you need a quick "latin riff"

I sub with one band that does several War tunes (Cisco Kid, etc) and another band that does a Miami Sound Machine medley - the mini timbales work great for those short timbale accents (and they don't take up much room).

[Rimshot]

I don't use them much, but when I do, I keep my mini-timbales just back (12:00) of my two smaller rack toms so they don't get in the way of my regular patterns and navigation on the kit. Since I do so much between my hats and snare and a left side sizzle ride, placing the larger ones to the left of my rack toms would get in my way so I sometimes have them on a stand with the "vibra-slap, blocks and bells just above to the left of my hats as much closer part of my "back kit". I don't use them that much but I do use djembe, darbuka and bongos and I have the bongos at 12:00 just north of my toms more often.
Yeah, we each have our own way of doing it that's best for us.

[drossfile]

don't take these amateurs' advice!!! hold out for the REAL answer from the good doctor z!!!

then, and only then, a timbale jedi will you be.

[WhiteStrat]

Originally Posted by drossfile

don't take these amateurs' advice!!! hold out for the REAL answer from the good doctor z!!!

then, and only then, a timbale jedi will you be.

Try I may, but succeed I will not.

/genuflects at the mere thought of doctor z/

[PhilGood]

Can't think of Dr. Z without hearing Kiss' "Doctor Love".