For me, it's this kit right now.

[IMG]http://www.bulldawgsound.com/drums/drum%20pics/red-spkl-kit.jpg[/IMG]

Just played them Thursday night on a jazz gig and they sung. I also find them very comfy, which is interesting because they are small, but I am not.

Toms are set up with Remo Ambassadors top and bottom and they like to be tuned up. They are kind of dead sounding when tuned lower. The kick is fitted with a SuperKick I and matching regulator reso. I have SuperKick's on my other kits and they are great rock heads because you can tune them low and use NO muffling - They sound great that way but they also have a nice sound when tuned up. Maybe not as open as some jazz guys would like, but you'd be surprised at the nice, round sound they give you.

Lastly, the matching snare was not a favorite of mine until Thursday night. I think I was asking it to do things it just wasn't capable of, but I find in a jazz setting, it really compliments the rest of the kit nicely. I've tried recording with it and it's really dark sounding, even with a set of Puresounds on it (more snares than the original). What I found out is that it's (A) not a very loud drum and (B) it's pretty sensitive when played lightly or with brushes.

So for me anyhow, that's a perfect snare for a small jazz combo set up.

Hmm...this is a tough one...I'd have to say I've had three, and they all sounded different, but good to my ears. I loved the sound of my original 3-ply Black Panther Ludwig Jazzette kit, very warm and punchy. The next one is more of a "big band" kit than "bop" type jazz, but it would have the be the set of late 40's/early 50's Leedy Broadway drums that I recently sold. My favorite jazz drums that I owned though were a set of newer Ludwig 6-ply maple drums finished in green sparkle. They were very warm sounding, projected well, but not too overpowering. They were pretty much traditional "bop" sizes....8x12, 14x14, 16x18 bass, and a 6x13 snare. The extra two inches of depth in the bass made a big difference in sound over a traditional 12 or 14 inch depth, and the deep snare with a 13 inch diameter made for a nice high pop that projected well. I mainly used that kit live without miking, never had a problem with overpowering the room or not being heard either. I've sold all three and wouldn't mind any of them back, the jazzette more for sentimental reasons, the Leedy's because I restored them and they were just plain cool and different at the same time, but the most of all the green sparkle kit because that was "THE" kit to my ears. Only reason I sold that one was I needed the $$ at the time. I suppose I could order another one new from Ludwig if I really want to..... :p

I would have to say my 18,12,14 Camco Oaklawn. Maybe because I have had it and played it so long. Also really like my Rogers 20,12,14. Both are inspirational.

Kent 4 pc;20,12,15,5x14..thin maple shells with an abundance of tone!

Mine would be my current love, Slingerland WMP 62's,20, 12, 14 with matching Hollywood Ace. I have calf on the snare and it is superb with brushes( thanks JRichard).

1961 Slingerland Silver sparkle 12 x 20, 12, 14, matching snare.

All have the mahogany interior. Original calf heads on the bass and bottom of the toms. (Calf heads can be frustrating as they change every time you sit down at the set, so I compromised a little and put remo renaissance heads on the toms.

I also have the matching 16" FT, but I use it for music and extra sticks.

All old Ks.

I love the late '50s, early '60s drums with the mahogany interiors. WFLs have the same vibe, but you rarely see them in small sizes.

The 12 x 20 was usually sent out with a 12" tom and a 13" snare, and the floor tom was added later.

Here's a similar set that's a beauty...

http://cgi.ebay.com/mid-1950s-Slingerland-4pc-tiny-red-outfit-2N-w-flr-tm-/270573280526?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Vintgae_Drums_Percussion&hash=item3eff6c9d0e

I've never played a strict "jazz" set or gig. Mostly blues shuffles, rock, country etc. I use the same kit for all my gigs and it's a 20, 12, 14. Every time I get a compliment on the kit, it's on the sound of the bass drum. I am amazed at how great is sounds, and occasionally so are others.

On a soft ballad, when I drop a bomb, that bass drum is just poetic...

This is a great sounding kit (in spite of what it looks like).

These drum were made around 1999 by Buz King, former drum maker for Sonar (I believe) who felt that drums don't need to be big to have a big drum sound.

5 plies of very very thin maple and you wouldn't believe the sound. Almost every drummer who hears me play them comments to me about how great they sound. One guy refers to it as my "clown kit" because he says it reminds him of those tiny clown cars that just keep producing clown after clown in spite of it's size.

The 12" floor tom sings as much as any of my vintage 16" floor toms and the 10" snare is as snappy as any snare you could want.

I must admit that the 14" kick is a tad weak.

I only play 1 cymbal with this outfit. A medium heavy 60's Zildjian 18" crash. Has a great bell and plenty of ride. You can get 5 or 6 sounds out of every cymbal. I mean, how many do you really need? LOL

This entire set, including hardware, pedal, sticks, tools, lights, throne.... my entire gig, fit into and on top of the rolling trap case you see behind me.

I bring my entire gig in with ONE trip and I don't carry a thing. It all fits into (or on top of) that rolling case and rolls right into the venue with me. You don't hear that from many drummers. LOL

I'll see if I can dig up the sound track from that night's gig and post it. My drumming sucks (it was my Birthday) but the drums sound awesome. LOL

No worries about the tiny kit. You're in good company.