Big Drum Thump

Tama has released a video of Kenny Aronoff chatting about and demonstrating his signature line of Track Master snares. Three sizes are available (14″ x 6.5″, 14″ x 5″, and 15″ x 4″), and the shell of each is made of nickel-plated brass, which Kenny describes as sounding both aggressive and warm.

Prices? We don’t know yet, but here’s hoping that Tama also throws in a pair of flippin’-sweet Kenny Aronoff signature sunglasses with each drum.

[Press Release]

For the first time in recent memory (possibly as far back as 1927, when Gretsch introduced the first-ever multi-ply laminate drum shell in the industry), Gretsch will offer single-ply wood snare drums. Gretsch’s G-5000 Solid series feature a single-ply, solid snare drum and are available in either solid maple or solid walnut. Each shell includes solid maple reinforcement hoops to ensure true shell roundness, and shells are finished in clear Nitro Cellulose gloss lacquer. Handcrafted in Gretsch’s Ridgeland custom drum shop, G-5000 Solid snares include 30-degree bearing edges, die-cast hoops, 20-strand snare wires, and coated Permatone batter heads with underside dot. All models are available with either a Lightning or Dunnett throw-off and butt plate.

• G-5000 Solid maple snare drums offer the ultimate in tonal balance with deep mid-range warmth and a bright and clear high-end. Features include a solid maple shell, “DropG” badge, and a 30-degree edge in natural Nitro Cellulose gloss finish. The 14″ x 5.5″ model with 10 lugs retails for $1,875. The 13″ x 6″ model with 6 lugs retails for $1,740.
• G-5000 Solid walnut snares offer a darker timbre, but still project plenty of attack. Features include a solid walnut shell, “DropG” badge, and a 30-degree edge in natural Nitro Cellulose gloss finish. The 14″ x 6.5″ model with 10 lugs (pictured below) retails for $1,810. The 13″ x 7″ model with 6 lugs retails for $1,750.

[Press Release]

Dixon is pleased to expand its snare offering with a 13″ x 6″ rosewood snare and a free snare bag. This rosewood snare (DS-0613-RWD) features a 100% rosewood shell with tube lugs, 2.3mm power hoops, and Dunnett throw-off and butt plate. A sturdy and padded snare bag bearing an embroidered Dixon logo is also included. Retail price: $779

Tama’s Warlord collection is known for three things—big sounds, big looks, and freakin’ bloody-big price tags. The new Titan model is no exception. The bad news first: one of these bad bastards will cost you $2,849.99 (MSRP). The good news is that the drum weighs much less than its Warlord brethren, even though it produces a louder sound, one that we’re told borders on painful (RAWK!!!!!). It features a 14″ x 6″, 1.0mm titanium shell with Tama’s Resonant Sound Edge bearing edge, die-cast hoops, and a hard-shell case.

It just wasn’t big brother DW unveiling cool stuff at NAMM this year. PDP had a sweet duo of new snares on show as well. The details are slim at this point, but we do have the all-important drum porn below. The first snare is the Rat Rod, a 14″ x 6.5″ maple drum in a matte black lacquer finish. It also includes very stylish tube lugs. The second snare is called the Woody and features an all-maple 14″ x 6.5″ shell, maple wood hoops, and tube lugs.

Just like with the new DW hardware we posted about earlier today, we don’t have all the details regarding these two new Drum Workshop snares, including the all-important price point. But, hey, they’re DWs: you probably can’t afford them anyway.

First up is the Super Solid snare (first image below). It’s a 14″ x 5.5″ drum that is available in a maple or red oak shell and comes outfitted in any of the numerous Collector’s series finishes. Interestingly, the shell is also available in one of three thicknesses: 3/8″, 1/2″, 3/4″.

The second drum is a stainless steel snare you can grab up in six sizes: 13″ x 4.5″, 13″ x 5.5″, 13″ x 6.5″, 14″ x 4.5, 14″ x 5.5″, and 14″ x 6.5″.