Try holding the toms by the 7/8 pipe in the opti-mount but off the stand/ BD mount and see if it still chokes. I don't mount toms on the BD any more. It's the worst source of resonance muting.

Oh I couldn't agree more I don't mount them there either, not only does it kill resonance but it also affects the tuning of non-ported bass drums, at least it did for me using, again! The Pearl BB three. But now listen I'm not running Perl down except for those two issues I've always had good luck with them in fact I'm looking at buying a masterworks kit or possibly

a Reference Pure kit. Again just wondering if anyone has had any experience with the Gauger R.I.M.S. system.

Does not look much different than the "Purecussion" RIMS.. which I have used on Pearl Export Toms... and they do sound better than the stock toms system... opens them up nicely..

Not all that impressed with the Gauger FT system though, (the spring loaded system)... have not used them.. but it looks like far too many fiddly components for my liking...

Cheers

John

I dunno, I don't study the modern market.

My DW's all sing away when either mounted on the BD or on a DW Snare stand.

Rims take up too much room around the drum.

If your not going to have more than 1 rack tom stay away from getting a BD mount.

I use RIMS mounts on all of my vintage drums for the following reasons:

- it allows me to use one style of hardware (L-arms in my case) for all my kits.

- no alteration to the existing shell

- they simply sound much better in nearly every instance.

Sorry tnsquint, sorry to mention that RIMS do make your drums sound good. And if your using a one up rack tom then great. Only drawback is if your using a multiple tom set-up they take up room and its harder to get your toms tucked in nice.

Before I got into the vintage part of drumming, I had a set where the toms and floor tom all flew from the Tama Starcast mounting system. I still think that they had the best system for improving resonance. Of course my vintage Gretsch didn't need more resonance, it just wouldn't sound the same.

That last comment alludes to something I hve heard many times and find quite interesting; the original "sound" of many vintage drums were part and parcel with the mounting systems used. That applies specifically to the mounting systems used for rack toms but can also apply to floor tom legs as well as mounting hardware and spur systems for bass drums.

I will concede that using the original hardware does allow the drums to sound as they did originally with the exception, of course, of available head styles. Many would say this is how the drums "should" sound as that is how they were "designed." Personally I disagree as I tend to think that vintage hardware was designed to simply mount a drum one way or another, often as cheaply and simply as possible. I prefer for drums to sound as open as possible. What they sound like when I tune them individually and hold them in the air is what I want from them when placed in the set. If that does not involve re-drilling the shells then I am all for it.

As to placement between multiple rack toms, that doesn't really bother me that much. I would seldom have mounts in between the drums anyway. I do understand that complaint however.

"I will concede that using the original hardware does allow the drums to sound as they did originally with the exception, of course, of available head styles. Many would say this is how the drums "should" sound as that is how they were "designed." Personally I disagree as I tend to think that vintage hardware was designed to simply mount a drum one way or another, often as cheaply and simply as possible. I prefer for drums to sound as open as possible. What they sound like when I tune them individually and hold them in the air is what I want from them when placed in the set. If that does not involve re-drilling the shells then I am all for it" TNSquint

The available systems to record with at that time make a big difference also, It's not easy to get "THAT" sound today.

But I agree with holding them in the air and wanting "THAt TONE" on their respective mounts. It just isn't the same. Can get close but.............