Octobans for Hire

Octoban drums, also known as tube toms and quarter toms, are tom-toms grouped in melodically-tuned sets of eight, hence the reference to octave, from octo meaning "eight". Octobans have 15 cm (6 inch) diameter drum shells, and range in length from 280 millimeters (11 inches) to 600 millimeters (23-1/2 inches). The different lengths of the cylinders are what give each drum its distinct tone. Octobans are a brand of drums introduced by Tama drums in 1978 and have become a trademark used to refer to such sets of smaller diameter tube drums.

Other companies like Pearl and Ddrum manufacture similar drums today under brand names like "Quarter Toms" and "Deccabons." Octoban drum shells from other manufacturers may be of varying lengths and diameters, and made from materials like fiberglass, acrylic, aluminum, and wood. Some people build their own octobans out of PVC. The boobam is an ancestor of the modern Octobans.