I tend to change my kit size according to the material to be played live. In recording I do as well. If it doesn't require a lot of dynamic fills, I down size. As low as a kick, snare, & cymbal. Or up to 7 pieces if it really calls for it. And I'll swap out snare drums as well when needed. It's all about the song for me.

Cocktail kits are very cool. I wish that I owned one. The meat of the kit is a snare combo floor tom that is around 24" deep {work with me here} and I think that they may be smaller than the standard 14inch batter head on the older ones. In any case, a snare strainer runs just underneath the top head. Usually a small splash comes with it. This would be more in keeping with the "older kits" that I have seen. There are a couple of newer ones put out by Yamaha & Slingerland. They both use a dedicated snare. {5X8} The slingerland is more like a traditional kit in set up. A floor tom takes the place of the kick. And the Slingerland uses a hi-hat as well. Which means you'd sit down to play it. The Yamaha is more traditional. Comes with a snare and tom like the Slingerland. You stand up to play it. Comes with a cymbal holder and a percussion block. Both are very cool. However, the Yamaha's over a $1000.00. The Slingerland is under $400.00 Both are very useful. Probably the Yamaha is more geared to mellow Jazz, or quiet types of music. The Slingerland is a general purpose kit.

Great idea on your kit Mark. That's the nice thing about kits. "Experimentation"!

Kris