My Trixon Cocktail Drum kit is here and I love it!! I love to try new and unique products while improving what I do… Drumming
The basic cocktail drum kit consists of a 14-16″ (diameter) floor tom that is typically 16-25 inches tall with legs mounted. The floor time has 2 heads that are used independently. One on the tom and one on the bottom. The bass drum is used on the bottom of the drum and a reverse foot pedal is attached. There are many different variations of cocktail drums, but most usually have a stand for a “popcorn” box of corn” and is usually 8″ in diameter. This eliminates the need for a box stand. Another mount is used for the small tom, which is typically around 10″. An additional mount is used for hi-hats, cymbals, cowbells, etc. and can be easily customized to suit the drummer.
The Trixon Cocktail kit was easy to set up and came out of the box with instructions and details on this unique set. It came with a cowbell, reverse pedal with bracket (used to hold the pedal in place), a hi-hat and cymbal bracket, an 8″ popcorn box, a 10″ tom, a 10″ floor/bass tom. 15″, and they also included a pair of drumsticks!
The most challenging part was tuning the drum heads to my liking. I loved the sound of the 8″ popcorn box, but it sounded like the other drums. The kick and floor tom combo was the hardest to tune. I’ll replace the Trixon clear heads, which aren’t bad actually. I plan to test the 4 PLY heads from Remo or Evans
A well-known touring producer advised me to use “egg foam” on every drum. He suggested that I use about 60% on each drum, but I tried and played with each drum using less. I later found that using 60% proved to have a better tone and made it easier to tune the drums. The floor tom/kick drum was still hard to tune because they sounded the same. It was difficult to differentiate the sound since we share the same drum. I’m still trying out different options, but overall I like how they’re tuned to my specific taste.
I found that I was pretty exhausted after playing for 1/2 hour while standing up. I can usually drum for 1 1/2 – 2 hours non-stop, but since I stand and balance on one leg while playing the pedal, I was surprised by how much power it takes to play comfortably. I played with heels in my video below, but next time I’ll try flats/sneakers and see if that makes a difference. We’ll see if it makes a difference, but cocktail drums are really fun to play.
How much are these drum kits?
Depending on a few factors, these kits can range from $250.00 to $1,300. They are sometimes sold as collector’s items and the value can depend on the model, age, accessories and condition of the drums. Some of the newer sets offer extra toms or cymbal stands, snares, and other additional items. The price can also depend on the type of wood. Variations like 9 9 PLY wood shells or some are made with birch shells. Some kits offer beautiful lacquer finishes.
