Big Drum Thump

Drum and Drummer News and Photos

Category: Drums

  • Sonor’s New SSE Rock Series

    [Press Release]

    Sonor is pleased to announce the immediate release and availability of the new Sonor Special Edition (known as SSE) drum kits. This collection of drum kits comes configured with new shell sizes that are currently in demand, and ship with high-quality Sonor hardware. Like Sonor’s top of the line S Classix series, the new SSE kits feature birch shells, which provide excellent resonance, producing the deep tone you should expect from a quality birch kit.

    “The SSE kits feature a brand-new look for Sonor and are available in three gorgeous new finishes with black powder-coated fittings,” said Sonor product manager Larry Nelson. “These kits combine German precision engineering and manufacturing with a unique new look and new shell sizes that produce the dynamic signature sound that drummers have come to expect from Sonor.”

    The kits are available in striking Black Galaxy Sparkle, Silver Galaxy Sparkle, and Blue Purple finishes with new black powder-coated fittings. The SSE Rock 20 B1 and SSE Rock 22 B1 each retail for $1,399.99, have a MAP price of $799.99, and set a new standard for features, looks, and affordability. The SSE bass drums are virgin: by not drilling a mounting hole, we have retained the tone that is lost when a substantial amount of the drum is removed. The separate mounting hardware for the toms is included. The kit includes the vibration free Total Acoustic Resonance system (T.A.R.) mounting hardware for the tom.

    The SSE Rock 20 B1 configuration includes:

    • 20″ x 20″ bass drum (no mount)
    • 14″ x 6″ wood snare drum
    • 12″ x 8″ tom tom with T.A.R. system
    • 14″ x 12″ floor tom
    • 16″ x 14″ floor tom
    • HS 275 hardware set: hi-hat stand, snare stand, 2 mini boom stands, and single bass drum pedal PLUS a TA 278 tom arm and MC 276 multi-clamp.

    The SSE Rock 22 B1 includes:

    • 22″ x 20″ bass drum (no mount)
    • 13″ x 7″ wood snare drum
    • 12″ x 8″ tom tom with T.A.R. system
    • 14″ x 12″ floor tom
    • 16″ x 14″ floor tom
    • HS 275 hardware set: hi-hat stand, snare stand, 2 mini boom stands, and single bass drum pedal PLUS a TA 278 tom arm and MC 276 multi-clamp.

  • Sonor Announces Force Series Rock Kits

    Small drum sets are still the new black, and Sonor knows it. The company is introducing two new 4-piece kits designed with modern rock drummers in mind.

    The Force 2007 Rock kit features 9-ply birchwood shells that deliver distinctive highs, a full midrange, and a punchy bottom end. The Force 3007 Rock kit features 9-ply maple shells for a distinctively rich and warm sound.

    The kits are configured as follows:

    • 22″ x 20″ bass drum (virgin shell)
    • 14″ x 6″ wood snare drum
    • 16″ x 16″ floor tom
    • 12″ x 8″ tom

    The Force 2007 Rock kit comes with an HS 275 hardware pack—a hi-hat stand, two mini-boom cymbal stands, and a bass drum pedal. The Force 3007 Rock kit comes with an HS 475 hardware pack—a hi-hat stand, two mini-boom cymbal stands, and a bass drum pedal. Both sets also include Sonor’s vibration free Total Acoustic Resonance System (T.A.R.) mounting hardware for the tom.

    But that ain’t all. Sonor is introducing two new finishes for the 2007 Rock configuration: Natural Fade and Dark Green Burst. Four new finishes for the 3007 Rock model are available as well: Smooth Brown Burst, Smooth Red Burst, Black/Red Sparkle (with black powdercoat hardware), and Orange Sparkle Fade (with black powdercoat hardware).

    The wallet damage? Not too bad actually. The Force 2007 Rock set will set you back from $1,399.99 to $1,499.99 (MSRP). The Force 3007 weighs in with an MSRP of $1,799.99.

  • Sexy DW Snares Shown at NAMM

    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″.

  • Simon Phillips Anniversary Drum Kit at NAMM 2009

    Along with an oompa-loompa-orange Lars Ulrich kit, Tama showed off a Simon Phillips 30th-anniversary drum set at NAMM 2009. Made of Monarch shells (a maple/bubinga/maple hybrid), the drums looked positively exquisite, and we got good Google AdSense money they sound damn fine too. Unfortunately, like all of the kits at Tama’s booth, the Simon Phillips set was off-limits to even the most well-connected thumpers. Next year, we’re bringing this along to distract the booth cops.

    Check out more pics of the kit and other Tama drums from NAMM right here.

  • Ludwig Drums at NAMM 2009

    Remember like five years ago when Ludwig was boring? Venerable, sure—but still as boring as an insurance seminar or a lecture on Mesoamerican basket weaving. Well, shit has changed, thumpers. Celebrating its centennial as a manufacturer of drums, Ludwig came to NAMM with a truly stunning booth that included intriguing new gear and some modern versions of classic kits from the company’s long history. Check out the pics below of Jason Bonham’s anniversary kit (which pretty much borrows everything from papa Bonham’s amber Vistalites), a Neil Peart “Ro Sham Bo” replica, and a little something from a Liverpool lad who recently went nuts. More photos are available in our Ludwig gallery on Flickr. Just bring some wet-naps and a cigarette before you get to clicking.

  • Vinnie Paul Signature Drums

    The struggling economy has affected quite a few instrument manufacturers, but you wouldn’t know it from ddrum’s mightily awesome booth at NAMM 2009. Along with its usual bevy of cool bangables, the company proudly displayed Vinnie Paul’s new signature kit (complete with huge rack toms), new signature snare, and new signature pedals. Check ’em out below. The rest of our ddrum gallery can be eye humped here.

  • Mapex Drums at NAMM 2009

    Just a few weeks before NAMM 2009, Mapex threw open its gates and let loose a veritable phalanx of new drum gear, including the Merdian series and an exceptionally sexy Saturn kit in an Arctic White lacquer. We’ve posted in-the-wild pics of both of them and much more here on Flickr. Some teaser photos for you below.

  • Danny Carey Signature Snare Drum

    We snapped a few in-the-wild pics of Danny Carey’s signature snare from Sonor at NAMM 2009. More photos of Sonor drums are available here in a Flickr set.

  • Taye Drums at NAMM 2009

    Taye showed up with all manner of great gear at NAMM 2009, including the awesome double-kick kit pictured below. For our full Taye gallery, just click right here.

  • Travis Barker Drum Kit Spotted at NAMM

    Orange County Drum & Percussion busted out with a black-on-black-on-black Travis Barker kit at this year’s NAMM show. The set was also—and understandably—outfitted with Zildjian Pitch Black cymbals. Less understandably, a “do not play” sign, which you’ll see in the teaser pics below, defaced this beaut of a bangable.

    Check out our full OCDP gallery on Flickr for more images from NAMM.

  • Spaun Edgevent Drum Kit at NAMM 2009

    We wrote about Spaun’s Edgevent kit back in August of last year, and I got a tragically brief bit of stick time with one at NAMM 2009. It’s a great-sounding set of drums…and it looks cool to boot. Our in-the-wild Edgevent pics are below. Check out BDT’s full Spaun gallery on Flickr.

  • Lars Ulrich Signature Drum Kit

    It always happens this way. Before every NAMM show, I plan and plot and map out my strategy for hitting every drum booth in a methodical and efficient manner. But as soon as the doors are thrown open and I get that smell of new gear in both nostrils, I immediately run to whatever big and shiny drum kit I see first. This time, it was Tama that grabbed me by the balls with a Lars Ulrich signature set. Here are some teaser pics before we get the full gallery on Flickr up.

    [Update: Our complete Tama gallery is now available here. It includes thirteen photos of the Lars Ulrich signature set.]

  • Mapex Releases Black Panther Special-Edition Elm Snare Drum

    Ah, you didn’t really think that Mapex was through releasing new gear, did you?

    [Press Release]

    Mapex USA introduced the Black Panther special-edition elm snare drum. The 14″ x 5.5″ uses a revolutionary shell construction to achieve its unique tonal qualities. At the heart of the drum is a 6.1mm maple shell with an exterior ply of exquisite hand-selected elm, finished in a high-gloss clear lacquer finish to accentuate its beautiful wood grain.

    Additionally the drum is designed with a 3.4mm-thick walnut sound ring at the top and bottom edge of the shell. These sound rings add roundness and darkness to the sound of the drum. The result is a tone that is unmatched by any other drum on the market.

    The special-edition elm snare comes with die cast hoops and a fully adjustable Black Panther throw-off. The drum’s hardware is plated in black chrome to give the instrument an even more dramatic appearance. The drum also features high-quality Remo Ambassador heads and a 20-strand snare.

    Quantities of this snare drum will be limited. Like all Black Panther special-edition models, the drum comes with a durable, padded Black Panther deluxe carrying bag. MSRP for the special-edition elm snare (BPLM4550BXN) is $744.99.

  • Mapex Unleashes Chris Adler Signature Snare

    [Press Release]

    Mapex USA has announced the release of its first-ever signature snare with the introduction of the Chris Adler Signature snare drum. The walnut-shelled snare drum is inspired by the Lamb of God drummer’s first Black Panther snare, which he purchased for himself in 1995.

    The drum’s every detail is meticulously designed to Adler’s specifications. From the thin premium walnut shell, to the signature graphic (designed by Lamb of God designer K3n), to Chris’s personal choice of high-quality Aquarian drumheads (HE12 batter head and CCSN12 snare head.)

    The drum’s shell is 12″ x 5.5″, 5.1mm thick, and has 2.3mm Mapex Powerhoops. The drum’s hardware is black chrome plated. The inside of each drum is labeled with a commemorative sticker that identifies the instrument.
    “The size of the drum mixed with a high-tension, high-energy head creates a unique, high pitched, yet full bodied punch that has become a signature sound in my playing and in the band’s catalog,” said Adler upon his approval of the final prototype.

    The Chris Adler Signature Snare Drum (BPML2550BCA) carries an MSRP of $522.99.

  • Mapex Introduces the Meridian Series

    Attention all Mapex groupies. Read the following press release carefully. The new Meridian series is replacing both the Pro M line and the M Birch line.

    [Press Release]

    Mapex USA has announced the introduction of the Meridian Maple and the Meridian Birch drum set series, two entirely new product lines for 2009. All Meridian drum sets feature newly designed appointments, including lugs, mounts, badges, and bass drum claws.

    The Meridian Maple features 7-ply, 5.8mm, all-maple shells (7.2mm bass drum) with newly designed lugs for overall lower mass. Meridian Maple drums also feature Mapex 2.3mm Steel Powerhoops and Remo UT Pinstripe batter heads. Meridian’s ten-lug maple snare drum comes with a Remo coated batter head.

    The Meridian Birch features 6-ply, 7.2mm, all birch shells with newly designed lugs for overall lower mass. Meridian Birch drums also feature Mapex 2.3mm Steel Powerhoops and Remo UT heads.

    The Meridian series bass drum claws are newly designed to be low in profile and include rubber gaskets to protect the bass drum hoops. The bass drum’s tom mount features new styling and a recessed adapter to accommodate an optional cymbal arm.

    For the introduction of the Meridian series, Mapex has re-engineered its Isolated Tom Mounting System. The improved system employs Mapex’s unique combination of off-the-shell mounting hardware and single-point-of-contact lugs. The shell vibrates more freely, thereby improving sustain and resonance. The new Isolated Tom Mount System is significantly lighter and lower in profile than previous versions, also making precise positioning much easier.

    There are seven Meridian Maple lacquer finishes and three Delmar sparkle wrapped finishes. The wrap finishes are only available as a six-piece Studioease shell pack, while the eight-coat, hand lacquer finishes are available in all configurations.

    The Meridian Maple is available in eight configurations, featuring five and six-piece setups. The Meridian Birch is available in eight hand lacquer finishes and seven configurations, featuring five and six-piece setups.
    Meridian drum sets feature newly designed Mapex 700-series hardware. The 700 series has many features that are new to Mapex hardware including the Super-Glide stepless cymbal tilter and Multi-Sustain Cymbal Felts, which allow the player to use any combination of plastic or felt on their cymbal stands for more precise sustain.
    Meridian Maple MSRPs range from $1,929.99 for a six-piece Studioease configuration to $1,539.99 for five-piece setups. Meridian Birch MSRPs range from $1,539.99 for a six-piece Studioease configuration to $1,229.99 for five-piece setups.

    With the Meridian Series, Mapex is also introducing its “SRO” configuration. The SRO has a 22″ x 18″ bass drum, 10″ x 8″ and 12″ x 9″ rack toms, a 16″ x 16″ floor tom with legs, and a 14″ x 5.5″ snare drum.

    Mapex Meridian also includes a full line of add-on components that include a wide range of add-on toms, an 18″ gong bass drum (maple only) and a “Go Large” double-bass add-on pack. All Meridian drum sets include an instructional setup DVD hosted by Drumming’s Global Ambassador, Dom Famularo.

    The Meridian Maple series replaces the Mapex Pro M product line, which has been discontinued. The Meridian Birch series replaces the Mapex M Birch product line, which has also been discontinued.