Big Drum Thump

Drum roadies, beware. Mapex has just introduced its Horizon Fastpack drum set, a portable kit that aims to set the standard for great-sounding, easy-to-load-in, and easy-to-load-out drums. The set includes a 20″ x 12″ bass drum, 8″ x 6″ and 10″ x 7″ rack toms, a 12″ x 12″ floor tom, and a 13″ x 5″ snare drum. The shells are constructed using a combination of basswood and birch plies for outstanding tone. The drums are also outfitted with a durable, high-gloss black covering, and the mounted toms feature Mapex’s Isolated Tom Mount System (ITS). Some 310-series hardware completes the kit.

But what use is having a “portable” drum set if you don’t have something to lug it around in? Mapex thought about that too and put together a complementary set of Fastpack drum bags. The bass drum and snare fit into a padded rolling bag with wheels. The 8”, 10”, and 12” toms fit into a padded bag with a convenient shoulder strap. A durable, easy-to-carry bag is provided for the hardware too.

So what we got here from Mapex’s Horizon Fastpack appears to be a kit that lets you actually spend more time making music with your drums and less time moving them around and setting them up.

In honor of its 100th-anniversary year (and perhaps in concession to depression-era economics), Ludwig is announcing the “6/4/5 Program,” which allows up-and-coming players without a whole lot of cash to get a bigger kit. For a limited time, all new Epic, Element Lacquer, and Element series 5-piece sets will include an additional rack tom for free. Three “6/4/5″ shell packages are available in each series, with MSRPs ranging from $755 for the Element series, $1,045 for the Element Lacquer, and $1,270 for the Epic line.

We knew all that face time on Celebrity Rehab and Sober House was going to pay off for Steven: he just scored (err…um…) a new kit courtesy of Rikki Rockett’s Rockett Drum Works.

[Press Release]

Gretsch has updated its popular Renown series kit configurations to appeal to drummers looking to step into a high-performance kit at a moderate price. Shell packs include a bass drum, toms, and floor tom. Add-on snare drums (14″ x 5″ and 14″ x 6.5″) will be offered in all current Renown finishes. Renown will continue to feature 6-ply maple formula shells, 30-degree bearing edges, Silver Sealer shell interiors, die-cast hoops, GS-9025 hinged tom brackets, and 12.7mm floor tom legs with chambered rubber feet.

All models are available in the following finishes: Autumn Burst (AB), Cherry Burst (CB), Slate Silver Sparkle (SSL), Deep Inca Gold Sparkle (DIGS).

RN-F604 – 4pc Groove Shell Pack
Sizes: 20″ x 16″, 10″ x 8″, 12″ x 9″, 14″ x 14″
Retail price: TBD

RN-E824 – 4pc Euro Shell Pack
Sizes: 22″ x 18″, 10″ x 8″, 12″ x 9″, 14″ x 14″
Retail price: TBD

RN-R643 – 3pc Rock Shell Pack
Sizes: 24″ x 16″, 13″ x 9″, 16″ x 16″
Retail price: TBD

[Press Release]

Gretsch’s new Catalina Club Jazz drum kit in a Walnut Glaze finish offers classic looks and timeless tone. The shells on this set are constructed out of mahogany and have a single exterior basswood ply to enhance the glossy walnut finish. Notable features include 30-degree bearing edges, mini Gretsch lugs, triple-flanged 1.6mm hoops, Evans G1 coated batter heads, and a bass-drum-mounted tom holder with GTS tom suspension mount. The kit includes an 18″ x 14″ bass drum, 12″ x 8″ tom, 14″ x 14″ floor tom, and a 14″ x 5″ snare drum. The retail price of the set will be announced at a later date.

[Press Release]

Gretsch USA Custom’s Classic Bop kits echo vintage 1960s-era style and performance. Available in Vintage Oyster White Nitron (pictured below) and Sky Blue Pearl retro finishes, Classic Bop offers classic Gretsch tone from 6-ply maple shells, 30-degree bearing edges, and Silver Sealer shell interiors. Contemporary features include a GTS tom suspension mount, foldout/telescoping bass drum spurs, and G9025 tom and floor tom leg brackets. Classic Bop kits also includes Gretsch’s new “DropG” stop sign badge, bass drum mount plate, single tom arm, T-Rods, Fiberskyn bass drum batter head with offset logo, Snap-In key holder, and coated resonant heads. Available sizes include an 18″ x 14″ bass drum, a 12″ x 8″ tom, a 14″ x 14″ floor tom, and a 14″ x 4.5″ snare. The retail price of the drum set is to be announced.