[Rev Eric]

As a beginner, I just purchased my first drum kit. I ended up bringing home the fusion setup of 10” and 12” toms instead of a standard setup of 12” and 13” because I didn't know the difference. Did I make a mistake I'll regret? Once I gain enough proficiency, I plan on playing with praise and worship bands – not exactly heavy rock. But, rock is my preference. For those of you playing rock, are any of you using the fusion setup?

[Dealas]

I do. I like the distinct sound difference of 2" compared to 1", no matter what I'm playing.

[Poco Askew]

IMO, fusion sizes give you a better tuning range no matter what style music you play.

[aleksblazeski]

I agree with Dealas and Poco. I think you'll find that in a rock setup the toms sound very similar, whereas in a fusion kit there is a distinct difference between them.

[abacacus]

i have a rock set up and the rack toms sound nearly the same. there pains to tune. you did good with the fusion sizes.

[Jordan Deadman]

Couldn't agree more

[maximus5150]

There is a reason why you see more new kits with fusion sizes. And it's pretty much been said already. You may want a 16" or 18" as a add on later if you really can't get your 14 tuned low enough.

[Rev Eric]

maximus5150, on May 31 2008, 05:11 PM, said:

There is a reason why you see more new kits with fusion sizes. And it's pretty much been said already. You may want a 16" or 18" as a add on later if you really can't get your 14 tuned low enough.

My kit is actually kind of a hybrid. It didn't come with a 14", but did come with a 16." The floor tom has a deep rich tone. I was thinking about adding a 14" later, though. Thanks for the advice.

[drummerchick]

I have a standard rock kit and am currently trying to find a used fusion kit. Don't have the funds to buy a new one. I'm jealous. Enjoy!!!

[Rev Eric]

drummerchick, on Jun 1 2008, 01:30 PM, said:

I have a standard rock kit and am currently trying to find a used fusion kit. Don't have the funds to buy a new one. I'm jealous. Enjoy!!!

Maybe you could move the 12" tom over to where the 13" is now and add a 10" in the vacant spot. Then later you can get the kit of your dreams and make me jealous. I'm having a ball learning to play the drums, so I guess I shouldn't sweat what I have. Keep drumming!!!

[Dealas]

^Exactly. Have a 10", 12", and a 16" floor, and you can move the 13" to the left of the hats, maybe...

[drummerchick]

Good idea on moving the toms. I would but the kit is not a great kit and I really don't like how the toms sound. That is one of the reasons I'm looking for another kit. Thanks for the idea.

[crazydrummer95]

Hi, I'm about to get my second kit but my first acoustic kit. I like playing rock and metal so I'm not sure what would be better, a fusion or a rock kit...any help? And is there a really big difference between the two?

[Poco Askew]

crazydrummer95, on Nov 3 2009, 08:16 AM, said:

Hi, I'm about to get my second kit but my first acoustic kit. I like playing rock and metal so I'm not sure what would be better, a fusion or a rock kit...any help? And is there a really big difference between the two?

Personal preference. I much prefer fusion sizes since it offers a broader and more even tuning range. A 1" jump then a 3" jump in diameter doesn't make sense to me. The 2" jumps in fusion sets, does.

[pearl0863]

Yeah I agree...I have 8,10,12,13&16floor tom. I love the sound between my 8,10 & 12 but between the 12 and 13 the sound just losses something. I wish I had a 14" instead of the 13". So I think the fusion set would have been more interesting. If I had it to do all over again I would have gone for the fusion set. But I love my 22" bass and I'm not to sure the fusion set comes with the 22" or not.

This post has been edited by pearl0863: 03 November 2009 - 12:43 PM

[dantheman2]

I used to not like the fusion sizes because my church has a fusion set and I don't like how the toms sound. That has recently changed, but first....

I own a Ludwig Classic Maple that has even bigger sizes than a standard. It's a shallow 13 and 14 on the rack and 16 on the floor. If they are tuned properly, I love the deep sound of my big toms and the tuning can be spread to sound like a 12, 14, 16.

Now as far as the fusion sizes go. I now like another fusion set even the same model as the one I don't like I mentioned above. The difference is all in the heads and tuning. To get them having a nice somewhat deep tone, but still be fusion sizes is by using Remo pinstripe or Evans EC2 two ply heads. I recently tuned a fusion set to sound awesome with Remo pinstripes.

The set I did not like was one that has single ply Evans G1 coated on all the toms and stock resos. The person who installed and tuned them tuned them really high and they did not sound good at all. Also, the heads went without tuning for a very long time.


One advantage of the smaller toms is that they are not as deep (dimensions) on typical sets making it easier to go from snare to the toms. Also, smaller sizes and higher pitches (but not too high to sound bad) give you more rebound and help you play rolls and such on the toms a little faster. Try play a roll with sticks on a loose bass drum. You get the point.

So, for me. I can be happy with standard vs. fusion. It's all in the tuning and type of heads. I think perfect for me might be 10, 12, 16 on the floor (instead of 14).

The one thing I still don't like are sets with only one rack tom and one or two floor toms. I don't see the advantage there. Maybe having access to a closer ride cymbal or something or having to lug one less drum??

Dan

This post has been edited by dantheman2: 03 November 2009 - 11:11 AM

[Poco Askew]

pearl0863, on Nov 3 2009, 09:33 AM, said:

I'm not to sure the fusion set comes with the 22" or not.

They do.

[JDennis]

I guess this is the beauty of having a Gretsch Catalina Maple. It comes in 10", 12" 14" and a free 16" tom plus 22" kick. If you want to go standard, you just add a 13". Me, I am thinking of getting an 8" tom.

[Poco Askew]

JDennis, on Nov 5 2009, 08:25 PM, said:

I guess this is the beauty of having a Gretsch Catalina Maple. It comes in 10", 12" 14" and a free 16" tom plus 22" kick. If you want to go standard, you just add a 13". Me, I am thinking of getting an 8" tom.

That's the beauty of a Mapex Bass Plus Fusion Pop 22 kit. It already has the 8" tom along with the above configuration (and a 22x20 virgin bass).

This post has been edited by Poco Askew: 05 November 2009 - 09:03 PM

[CJohn364]

Well, this thread actually cleared some things up for me. I've the fusion term a lot but always thought it was more of a brand name, LOL. I'm currently running the standard rock setup with 12, 13 and 16 inch toms, but am looking into the fusion setup of 10, 12, 14 and 16 inch toms. I also don't notice that much tone difference between the 12 and 13 inch toms I'm running now and they are a bit of a challenge to get tuned to my liking.