ADDITION OF NEW TOMS

The Mini-Fortress grows by two toms.....

As unbelievably exciting as it may seem, it is amazingly true that I have now expanded the western wall of the Mini-Fortress, leading to the realization that the Mini-Fortress is slowly becoming somewhat "Maxi."  Oh well.

Here in this rashly-taken amateur photo it is confirmed that my layout now includes an 8-inch and a 10-inch tom.  Though these toms match perfectly and are indeed Vintage Red Tama drums, they are actually Imperialstars and not Swingstars like the rest of my setup.  This is because they do not make 8 and 10-inch Swingstars, and are in fact phasing out the entire line altogether.

Given that one has nothing to do anyway and is willing to take the time, an intense study of this photograph reveals that the only barely-noticeable differences in these new drums and the original kit are the badges and the lugs.  Imperialstar badges are black and have a built-in "air release" knob that affects the sound of the drums in some way (I don't know, I haven't really experimented with them), and Imperialstar lugs are pointed, whereas Swingstar lugs are more rounded.  These minor differences will never be noticed by the average person (and I'll bet anyone who actually found this blog, read this piece and glanced at the photo couldn't have spotted them if I hadn't pointed them out), but closer examination by someone as ridiculously obsessed by percussion instruments as myself would, and also that the interior finish is somewhat smoother and whiter, indicating a higher-quality wood, and the screws and washers holding the lugs on are black as opposed to unfinished metallic.

Due to this remarkable and very attractive expansion, I have updated my AutoCAD rendering of my current layout to include this and other recent changes.

GUNS AND CANNONS:
1.) 18 x 22" Bass Drum
2.) 5-1/2 x 14" Snare Drum
3.) 7 x 8" Tom
4.) 8 x 10" Tom
5.) 9 x 12" Tom
6.) 10 x 13" Tom
7.) 16 x 16" Floor Tom

AERIAL DEFENSE SHIELDS:
A.) 13" Hi-hats
B.) 16" Crash
C.) 16" Crash
D.) 10" Splash
E.) 20" Ride
F.) 15" Crash
G.) 12" China

SPECIAL OPS WEAPONRY:
aa.) 4" Triangle
bb.) 6" Triangle
cc.) Jam Block
dd.) Windchimes
ee.) Orchestra Bells
ff.) Crotale
gg.) Cowbells
hh.) Bar Chimes
jj.) Ching Ring [not shown]

The only problem with this change in my setup is now my eastern wall seems a little off balance. This will, of course, require the purchase of another floor tom and a cymbal or two over there to secure my perimeter.  Oh, drat.  I simply cannot have an off-balanced fortress, you know.