[StickBreaker16]

I'm a fan of the "large drumset" mentality. While I do like playing small I like the variety of a huge set like Peart or Portnoy. I eventually want to make a set like Portnoys, just with only ONE set, his uses 2. I notice most drummers have toms going over the drumset, but not mounted on the drumset. I guess they do this via a rack or a tom stand. My question is how do they get the toms on top over the bass drum? Because if I look at my set, if I put my toms over my bass drum they would be really high and my throne is already on the highest it can go. Also my 2 mounted toms are a 12 and a 13 inch and the 12 fits on top the bass fine but the 13 is too big and touches the bass drum, and the bass drum mount cant go any higher.

I want to know how guys like Portnoy can have several toms going from the left of the bass over the bass and on the right side of the bass AND be able to put splashes on top of the toms, ALL while making them low to the ground. If I tried to set it up like them, my toms would be as high as my shoulders, theirs are down to their waist almost. Could it be my set? I have a beginner Mapex set (i know im not that rich) It almost looks impossible to do with a mapex set what they do with their sets.

[shazaam]

racks

YouTube - Mike Portnoy-Drums Of Thought-As I Am

and it's not really his waist But yea, I know what you mean.
Here's what I'd do if I were you. disassemble your set(cept heads/rims) set your throne up, find the height you like. lock it. bring over your bass, figure out you like it. Assuming you have bass mounted toms, put in the mount for em, lower it all the way. Take your largest mounted tom, put it on, keep it as low as possible but so it doesn't touch the bass...mine's prolly a cm if not less away...when I use(d) my 12, cause my 10 I can have a lil bit further away. But yea, once that's done, base everything off that.

iono what else to say I guess. mike plays an 18(length)x22in(dia) bass and his toms in front of him are 10in deep(his 12) Then he's got the 14-18's on the right. And that may be one of your problems if you're trying to mount a 14 in front of you ?

[skinslapper]

Sounds like your stool might be a bit too short for you. I have mine set so my thighs are angled down slightly more than 90degrees, feet resting on the pedals.

But hey, if you like your toms mounted lower to the side of your bass, try and find ways to make that work. I'm currently trying to make an electronic bass drum so it doesn't take up too much room and work with those possibilities.