Big Drum Thump

Drum and Drummer News and Photos

Category: Drums

  • Gretsch Updates Renown Drum Set Configurations

    [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

  • Gretsch New Classic Series Available in Satin Natural Finish

    [Press Release]

    Gretsch’s New Classic series expands its finish offerings with a new Satin Natural finish option for all drum set and snare models for 2009. Classic and clean, the Satin Natural finish complements New Classic’s retro look and appeal. The New Classic series includes proportionate shells, which increase in thickness as shell diameters increase to give a full, balanced tonality across the entire drum set. Drum hardware appointments include vintage-styled tube lugs, the very low mass “ITS” integrated tom suspension system, and the 9025 hinged tom and floor tom leg brackets. Die-cast hoops and Silver Sealer shell interiors are also featured in the New Classic series.

  • Gretsch Unveils G-5000 Solid Series Snare Drums

    [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.

  • Gretsch Offers Catalina Club Jazz Drum Set in New Finish

    [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.

  • New Gretsch Drum Badge and Finishes for 2009

    [Press Release]

    Gretsch USA is proud to incorporate some enduring and classic graphic elements from its past that die-hard Gretsch fans have been craving. Beginning January, the current “Since 1883” square badge will change to the “DropG” Gretsch stop sign badge (pic below) for all USA Custom drums. The “Since 1883” square badge will still be available for add-on drum matching. Interior shell labels will change from the current red/white/blue “Gretsch American” label to a classic silver and black, serialized interior shell label. Lastly, the Gretsch bass drum logo will move from the 12:00 clock-face position to an offset, 10:00 position.

    In addition, Gretsch USA is also introducing several new finishes for 2009. New finish options include Red/Silver Duco, Piano Black Gloss Lacquer, Piano White Gloss Lacquer, Vintage Oyster White Nitron, and Sky Blue Pearl Nitron.

  • Gretsch Introduces Classic Bop Custom Kits in Retro Finishes

    [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.

  • Dixon Drums Unveils Urban Camo Finish

    [Press Release]

    Dixon Drums is proud to expand their popular Demon series with a striking new Urban Camo wrap finish. The Demon’s 5-piece Urban Camo kit (DM-522E-UC) is constructed with 7-ply birch/mahogany shells featuring 45-degree bearing edges and 1.6 mm hoops. All toms and the snare include Evans G1 coated batter heads. Sizes: 22″ x 18″ bass drum, 10″ x 8″ tom, 12″ x 9″ tom, 14″ x 14″ floor tom, and 14″ x 5.5″ snare drum.

  • Dixon Drums Offers Rosewood Snare

    Dixon is expanding its snare offerings 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

  • Yamaha Absolute Series Drums Adopt New Features

    [Press Release]

    Onstage and in the studio, the Yamaha Absolute series drum sets offer professional quality sound and exclusive new features. At Winter NAMM 2009, Yamaha will introduce a new Absolute series with several features and options.

    Yamaha’s new YESS mounting system for the tom-toms, which debuted on the PHX series in 2008, now comes standard on the Absolute series and uses a chrome-plated steel mounting plate. Drummers can also choose the new hook lug as an option and can order a 20″-deep bass drum in the 22″-diameter size shell.

    “The innovative new hook lug and redesigned YESS mount continue a long tradition at Yamaha Drums of taking key features and adapting them to other drum lines,” says Dave Jewell, marketing manager for Yamaha Drums. “Now, these improvements are available to a wider range of drummers.”

    The YESS mount enhances sustain by shock-mounting the toms with dense rubber spacers between the shell and the mounting plate. The deeper bass drum provides a bigger sound by pushing more air without having to resort to a 24″-diameter drum. The hook lug makes changing heads much easier and increases the drum’s tuning range.

    “The new hook lug takes the advantages of the Nouveau lug and makes it better, while the new design of the YESS mount increases the drums’ sustain and adds clarity to the tone,” says Jim Haler, product manager for Yamaha Drums.

    The kits come in several exciting colors, including Burgundy (first pic below), Caramel Sparkle, Blue Ice Sparkle, Deep Blue, Luminous White Sparkle (which glows in the dark and you can check out in the second pic below), Solid Silver, and White Grape Sparkle.

    The Absolute series of drums, available in birch or maple, is expected to ship in July 2009.

  • Tama Adds Titanium Snare Drum to Warlord Collection

    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.

  • Lars Ulrich Asked for New Tama Color

    We’ve already posted several pics of Lars Ulrich’s signature kit, and now we got the goods on how its color came about.

    [Press Release]

    Metallic drummer Lars Ulrich wanted a new color in his life. More specifically he wanted a new orange finish for his set for the Death Magnetic tour.” And not just any orange,”said Terry Bissette of Tama.” Lars Ulrich was very specific that he wasn’t looking for something we already had, such as our Marigold Sparkle or anything like that. Our people in LA and Japan worked with Lars for a while before we came up with just the right shade to match what he was looking for.” That finish went on to grace Lars’s kit for the tour. Fortunately, for Tama and Metallica drumming fans, Lars Ulrich was willing to share.

    For 2009, that special orange finish, now named “LU Magnetic Orange” for both the tour and drummer, is now an available finish for Tama’s Starclassic maple series. Drummer’s can re-create Lars’s tour kit, or choose from any of the staggering number of diameters and depths available in the Starclassic maple series.

  • New PDP Platinum Finishes

    The Platinum series is PDP’s flagship line, with 8-ply North American maple shells, double-oval tube lugs, and now a bevy of new finishes. Over 20 were introduced at NAMM 2009. Three that get our sticks hard: Camo Glass FinishPly, Blue to Black Burst Satin Oil, and Vintage Sunburst Satin Oil (shown below).

  • PDP’s x7 Drums Get Upgraded

    PDP’s x7 line of drums used to be made with poplar shells, but now it’s sporting all-maple tubs—a definite sonic and cosmetic improvement. Here’s an example of one of the new kits in a sparkly Elphaba green (which isn’t an officially sanctioned PDP color designation, of course):

  • Two New PDP Snare Drums

    It wasn’t just 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.

  • Taye’s New StudioBirch Drums

    Taye Drums is introducing an all-new line of drums called StudioBirch. It features (as you will have quickly deduced from the name) seven plies of 100% premium-selected birch shells. Along with its patented EFS™ shell technology that brings attack, warmth, and a full tuning range, Taye is offering three new colors in the line: Natural to Black Burst (NBB), Galaxy Ice (GI), and Autumn Red (AR).

    The new release of StudioBirch also brings about new bass drum sizes that were previously special order only. You can get two different sizes of 24″ kick drums (18″ and 16″ depths) and three different 22″ kick drums (20″, 18″, and 16″ depths). Buy one of each and make Terry Bozzio jealous.