Floor Toms

About Floor Toms

Floor toms are an important part of an acoustic drum kit, adding the deep, resonant tones that sit below rack toms. Usually positioned beside the drummer and played as part of fills, grooves, and accents, they bring extra weight and depth to your kit. Their larger shell size helps produce a lower pitch with plenty of sustain, giving you a strong contrast against smaller toms and the sharper sound of a snare.

Most floor toms stand independently on three adjustable legs, so you can set the drum at a comfortable height and angle. Common diameters include 14", 16", and 18", with larger drums generally producing a deeper fundamental tone. Shell material, depth, drumheads, bearing edges, and tuning all influence the final sound, so there’s plenty of scope to find a floor tom that suits your setup.

If you’re adding to an existing drum kit, it’s worth considering how the floor tom will complement your other drums. Matching the shell material and construction can help maintain a consistent character across the kit, while choosing a different size gives you another distinct tuning range. A second floor tom can also expand your options for longer fills and lower-pitched patterns.

Floor toms can be tuned to suit different playing styles, with lower tunings providing a deep, rounded response and higher tunings offering more definition. Explore our range to find different sizes, finishes, and shell designs, and add some extra low-end presence to your acoustic drum kit.

FAQs

Should floor tom be angled?

A floor tom should be angled slightly for comfortable, consistent playing. A gentle angle toward the drummer makes the drumhead easier to reach and helps avoid unwanted rim hits. Excessive angles can reduce control and affect technique.

What is the difference between a tom and a floor tom?

The difference between a tom and a floor tom is primarily size, position and pitch. Rack toms are smaller, mounted above the bass drum and produce higher notes. Floor toms are larger, stand on legs and deliver deeper, more resonant tones.

How to get a good floor tom sound?

To get a good floor tom sound, tune both drumheads evenly and balance resonance with controlled sustain. Start with the resonant head near the batter head's pitch, then adjust to taste. Fresh heads and light damping can improve clarity.