No difference in shell or edge. Just add spurs, swap to wood hoops and claws, and some bd heads. Hopefully you can do this to a drum that already has some extra holes.

There are conversion kits that allow you to not drill. I suggest trying the following sites for the parts:

For the best prices on wood hoops:

http://aitwood.com/StoreFront.Asp?WoodType=MAPLE&CATID=20&WoodPLY=10&Section=HOOP10PLY&wDesc=10%20ply%20Musical%20Bass%20Hoops%20Maple

Floor tom conversion kit:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/search/search.jsp?question=floor+tom+to+bass

And for claws and T's: (claws first)

http://www.drumfactorydirect.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_107_81

http://www.drumfactorydirect.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_107_283

Cheers!

thanks, only problem now is that usually floor toms were 18x16 and bassdrums 18x14 or am i mistaken?

I have an 18x16 Ludwig floor tom converted to a bass drum. Sounds KILLER! Don't let conventions get in the way of a project...

Make sure to vent your head, I always had a fair bit of trouble with my t-rods getting loose with small kick drums (<20").

Don't worry about the 2" of added depth on your floor tom to kick conversion- it's going to sound great!!!

ok, now i need to find a good shell ... ;)

I would buy a gibraltar bass drum riser and add a couple of Danmar or 60's Ludwig bass drum spurs and fit them into 2 of the 3 existing floor tom leg mounts. You can also use the 3rd leg mount to add a cymbal arm. Check out the 16" kick I made with an MIJ floor tom. Of course, I also added another mount and cymbal arm, as well as the rail mount.

[IMG]http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m530/ElMoonlightDrummer/MIJ%20Micro%20Kit/2011-08-16094551-resize.jpg[/IMG]

I did a 16x16 MIJ the same ElMoon did, only i went a little more extreme, but the cost of a Gretsch shell is gonna kill you. You can also get a really good deal on shells at the AIT link I sent you, just look around the site, they have great prices, and if you call, they may even have some "drops" in the shop from another project.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/CoffeeHouse-Custom-Re-Creations/216613138379603