Biggest and Best Bass Drum Set Battle | 3 Massive Kits Compared!

Have you ever wondered what the biggest bass drum in our showroom sounds like? ‘Cause we do. And that’s exactly what we’ll be discussing in this amazing article by the  Drum Center of Portsmouth  — the largest independently-owned drum store IN THE WORLD!

We all know that the bass drum is a crucial part of your overall drum sound, right? Well, for starters — it anchors the beat and drives the pulse of the whole song! So whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a rookie drummer just starting to explore the world of drumming, establishing your musical taste and style about bass drums will absolutely take you places.

In this article, we’ll be comparing three massive and high-end bass drum sets with 26” kick drums in their setup. Get ready to unlock your full drumming potential as we dive deeper into the features, specifications, and performance capabilities of these spectacular bass drum sets. Let’s go!

Starting off this list is none other than the Gretsch Broadkaster “Purple Monster” 4PC Drum Set. To give you an idea — all that DCP’s owner, Shane, could say about this massively beautiful kit is “WOW!”.

Gretsch’s Broadkaster Series is a legendary line from the 1920s to 1950s featuring the iconic “Great Gretsch Sound” which is known to be incredibly deep and warm. Now, these new Broadkaster shells are made using a North American Maple/Poplar/Maple formula. This adds more of a woody tone to your drums with higher to mid-range frequencies.

Each of the 6.7mm shells also features an interior-ply scarf joint that adds musical integrity to the drums. Of course, the shell interiors come finished with the classic Gretsch Silver Sealer. As for the bearing edges, the Broadkaster features an exclusive 30° reverse round-over bearing edge, allowing greater surface contact with the drumhead.

This Gretsch Broadkaster 4PC Drum Set features a mesmerizing “Purple Glass” finish that looks absolutely stunning to the eyes. The kit comes with a 26x16 bass drum, a 15x12 rack tom, a 16x16 floor tom, and another 18x16 floor tom.

The “Purple Monster” is perfectly paired with this Gretsch Broadkaster 14x8 Snare Drum “Piano Black Gloss” which comes equipped with a Micro-Sensitive Strainer, Gretsch 302 Hoops, 20 Lugs, and 20-Strand snare wires. 

Up next — the Ludwig Legacy Mahogany “Green Sparkle” 4PC Bonham Drum Set also comes PACKED with high-end features and specs that you shouldn’t miss. The Ludwig Legacy Mahogany actually has a lot of similarities with the previous bass drum set, the Gretsch Broadkaster.

How? Well, it’s also made of a thin, three-ply shell composed of Mahogany/Poplar/Mahogany but features thick maple reinforcement rings. It also has 30° bearing edges but this time these are quarter-inch round-overs. Now, the shells of these two bass drum sets may appear similar. But hey, they sound utterly different from each other!

The Legacy Mahogany focuses more on the low-end frequencies therefore producing dark, fuzzy, and pillowy sounds when you hit it. This mesmerizing bass drum set graces our eyes with a “Green Sparkle” finish and comes with a 26x14 bass drum, a 14x10 rack tom, a 16x16 floor tom, and another 18x16 floor tom.

The Ludwig Raw Brass Phonic 14x8 Snare Drum is the perfect pair for the Legacy Mahogany. Why? Well, it’s considered the big brother of Ludwig’s Supraphonic family!

The 14x8 brass shell of this bad boy is big, bold, and brash. It also features a classic Keystone badge, 10 imperial lugs, flanged hoops, and a sensitive P88 throw-off! The best part? All of these remarkable specs produce a buttery and classic tone that easily fits all musical tastes and styles imaginable!

Ah, the last one on the list is this absolutely enchanting Sonor SQ2 Maple “Fiery Red” 3PC Drum Set that will surely make every drummer’s jaw drop. The combination of “Fiery Red” veneers on the inside and outside, the black hardware, and the gold badges are just immaculate. I mean — MAN, just look at that beauty!

But — this Sonor SQ2 isn’t just about looks, because its sound will definitely BLOW YOU AWAY. The shells are made of a 12-ply and 8mm thick Heavy Maple. It also features the traditional 45° sharp bearing edges that enable you to project the highs, the mids, and the lows equally.

This Sonor SQ2 Drum Set comes with a 26x15 bass drum, a 14x11 rack tom, and an 18x17 floor tom. Just imagine all the amazing sounds you can create with this extremely versatile and unique bass drum set in your arsenal. Your creativity would be beyond limitless!

Of course, it’s just right that an absolute masterpiece should be paired with another masterpiece. Right? And with the Sonor SQ2 “Fiery Red” in mind, it’s just fitting that the Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech 14x8 Snare Drum is to be used with it! The SQ2 Drum System builds upon more than 137 years of manufacturing experience. That’s why you can NEVER GO WRONG with Sonor’s unmatched craftsmanship.

And there you have it! The three high-end bass drum sets each featuring massive 26” bass drums from our warehouse. Yes, you read that right! You can score all of them here at the Drum Center of Portsmouth!

Ah, of course! We’ll never miss the chance to give you a closer look at the actual performance and sound quality of these high-end bass drum sets! As always, we’ve got you covered! Make sure to check out this video and let our drum experts show you the performance of each high-end bass drum set on the list!

Are you still looking for more remarkable drums and percussion instruments to add to your collection? Feel free to visit our website www.drumcenternh.com or subscribe to our YouTube channel Drum Center of Portsmouth for more amazing content. See ya around!