Big Drum Thump

Drum and Drummer News and Photos

Category: Drums

  • Mapex’s Black Panther Mayan Special-Edition Snare

    Sweet bloody Jesus, looking at this new snare from Mapex is better than taking Viagra.

    [Press Release]

    Mapex USA has introduced a Special-Edition Black Panther Mayan-themed snare drum. The 14″ x 5.5″ steel-shelled snare drum is embossed with genuine eagle/human mask art that is highlighted with a beautiful brushed bronze finish.

    The shell’s bearing edge is rounded on the batter side for greater head-to-shell contact. Die cast hoops were also chosen for this model, resulting in a drum with extra sensitivity and tremendous projection.

    The Black Panther Mayan snare also features black-plated hardware that has been brushed with bronze. A special Black Panther badge was created for this model, and the batter head also features a traditional Mayan-themed pattern on a Remo Fiberskin head.

    The Mapex Black Panther Mayan snare (BPST455MA) includes a deluxe Black Panther padded carrying bag and carries an MSRP of $623.99.

  • Mapex Unveils Limited-Edition Orion Select Burl Kit

    [Press Release]

    Mapex USA has once again released a highly collectible edition of its Orion series. This component pack, limited to only twelve sets, features a hand-selected matched burl exterior veneer that is finished in the exclusive Ocean Wave Burst high gloss lacquer.

    The component pack includes drums only and includes a 22″ x 18″ bass drum, 10″ x 8″ and 12″ x 9″ rack toms, 14″ x 14″ and 16″ x 16″ floor toms, and a 14″ x 5.5″ snare drum. Hardware is sold separately.

    Like all Orion drums, this set features the Orion’s ultra-thin seven-ply North American maple shell. The result is unmatched bright and rich tone and remarkable resonance that has made the Orion series the Mapex flagship.

    The Limited-Edition Orion Select Burl component pack (TM628SBDHSJ) is available with black chrome hardware and features a white Remo coated front bass drum head. MSRP for the six-piece component pack is $5,999.99.

  • Mapex Saturn Series in New Arctic White Lacquer

    [Press Release]

    Mapex USA responded to consumer demand and has released a special-edition Saturn component pack finished in classic Arctic White lacquer. The component pack includes drums only and includes a 22″ x 18″ bass drum, 10″ x 8″ and 12″ x 9″ rack toms, 14″ x 14″ and 16″ x 16″ floor toms, and a 14 x 5.5 snare drum. Hardware is sold separately.

    Like all Saturn drums, this set features Saturn’s ultra thin six-ply shell made from two interior plies of premium walnut and four exterior plies of maple. The result is a deep, rich tone and tuning versatility that has become the trademark of the Mapex Saturn.

    The Saturn in Arctic White is available with chrome (SW628SNCBUOW; MSRP $2,459.99) or black chrome (SW628SNBUOW; MSRP $2,899.99) fittings.

  • Mapex Introduces New MPX Snare Drums

    [Press Release]

    Mapex USA announced the release of its new MPX line of snare drums. MPX snares were introduced to complement the Mapex Black Panther series of premium snare drums.

    The MPX line includes eight new models available with steel, maple, or birch shells. All MPX snare drums have low-mass lugs, flanged steel hoops, fully adjustable throw-offs, and Remo drumheads.

    The MPX maple line features two popular sizes, a 14″ x 5.5″ (MPML4550BMB) and a 13″ x 6″ (MPML3600BMB). The drums are finished with a beautiful high-gloss clear lacquer and chrome hardware.

    The MPX birch line features two sizes. A 13″ x 6″ (MPBC3600BMB) is available in a gloss natural lacquer finish and chrome hardware. The 14″ x 5.5″ MPX birch drum is available in natural gloss with chrome (MPBC4550CNL) or finished in a transparent gloss black lacquer and black hardware.

    MPX steel snares come in three sizes, a 14″ x 5.5″ (MPST4550), a 13″ x 5.5″ (MPST3554), and a 10″ x 5.5″ popcorn snare (MPST0554). All have a mirror-like stainless steel shell.

    The MSRP for all MPX Series snares is $239.99.

  • Mapex Releases Limited-Edition Meridian Birdseye Maple Kit

    [Press Release]

    Mapex USA announced its release of the first-ever limited-edition Meridian series drum set. The Meridian series, also newly launched by Mapex, is an all-new series of drum sets that are available with maple or birch shells.

    This limited-edition set is a six-piece maple Studioease configuration with an exterior veneer of rare and beautiful birdseye maple. The drum set is distinctively finished in a beautiful high gloss transparent black lacquer.

    This set is limited to only 100 sets and includes a 22″ x 18″ bass drum, 10″ x 8″ and 12″ x 9″ tom toms, 14″ x 14″ and 16″ x 16″ floor toms, and a 14″ x 5.5″ snare drum. All come with a full complement of new Mapex 700-series hardware that includes a boom stand, cymbal stand, snare stand, hi-hat stand, and bass drum pedal.

    The Limited-Edition Meridian Birdseye Maple drum set (MP6285KUMB) carries an MSRP of $2,489.99.

  • Stanton Moore’s Signature Snare

    [Press Release]

    Renowned drummer Stanton Moore is pleased to announce the release of his long-awaited signature Titanium snare drum. Stanton is set to unveil the drum at this year’s Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, CA.

    “The whole idea started about 6 or 7 seven years ago when I met drumsmith Ronn Dunnett for the first time and started to become familiar with his incredible drums.” said Moore. “I saw some of his titanium drums and I was intrigued. He explained the sound characteristics of titanium and I became very interested in the sonic possibilities. I asked Ronn if he could make one as a 4″ x 14”. His reply was something along the lines of ‘I’ll give it a shot.’ A few months later Ronn presented me with the 1st prototype. Immediately fell in love with the drum—its sound, its tone and its feel. As I was playing to larger rooms with Galactic, I needed a drum that would be sensitive and buttery enough for the intricate buzz roll work that I do with some of the New Orleans second line grooves, but would also cut through a loud funk band when I smacked a back beat. This drum had what I was looking for. Over the years Ronn and I experimented with various depths (the drum is now 4.5″ in depth), thickness of the shell, depth of the snare bed, lugs, strainers, snare wires, rims, claws and other details, but more than anything we agonized over the badge. Finally over lunch one day I showed Ronn an image of the New Orleans water meter cover (not sewer or man-hole, but water meter!). The New Orleans water meter cover is one of the most beloved and iconic images in New Orleans culture. We were very excited with the idea of modifying the meter cover into the badge for my snare and ultimately I feel like the badge pays homage to the city that my fellow citizens and I are fighting to protect and rebuild.” Although Moore is a Gretsch endorser, he received the company’s blessing for his drum as Gretsch has no plans to offer a Titanium snare drum. “My intentions are to maintain my great working relationship with Gretsch while making this particular snare drum available to the public so other drummers can enjoy this drum as much as I have.”

    The aesthetics of Stanton’s drum were inspired by a 20s era snare drum that was given to him by his friend and mentor Johnny Vidacovich. Unfortunately that drum was stolen. “It was 4″ x 14″ with tube lugs and single flange hoops and claws. I always dug the look and feel of that drum. In deciding on the look of my drum I kept recalling the drum that Johnny had given me. I thought it would be cool to incorporate the metal hoop and claw look of an older drum with the modern titanium shell. I’m always trying to blend the old with the new…to modernize tradition. Everywhere I play this drum, drummers, engineers, producers and fans of music alike approach me and ask me ‘what is that drum?’ I feel Ronn and I have created a drum that is special and deserves to be out in the market. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I have.”

    The Stanton Moore Spirit of New Orleans Titanium snare drum features a polished titanium shell, beautifully minted badge in antique pewter finish, traditional brass tube lugs, Single flange hoops with clips or regular triple flange hoops, the Dunnett R2 snare throw off system with keyless snare wire release, Dunnett Hypervent! adjustable air vent, and Puresound Metrix 20 strand snare wires. The drum will be distributed exclusively through the Bosphorus cymbal company. Price TBA.

  • Taye’s Studio Maple Kits Go BeBop

    [Press Release]

    Taye‘s Studio Maple line is already known for moving when you move, responding to every touch of the drum. Now, Taye Drums allows you to do it with their new BeBop configuration. With the looks and sounds of yesteryear, take advantage of the Studio Maple’s solid-shell design with 6 alternating vertical and horizontal plies of 100% North American Sugar Maple.

    You will enjoy the smooth sound and traditional look of a 12” x 8” rack tom, 14” x 14” floor tom, 18” x 14” bass drum with a matching 14” x 5” snare drum. Kits are available in Black Oyster (SM418BP-BO) and White Pearl (SM418BP-WP) with a retail price of $1,919.

    It is time to take Taye home with you and let everyone hear how good you sound.

  • Win a Gretsch G-Tube Kit

    Wake, thumpers, from your turkey comas, and click in this direction to win a drum set courtesy of DRUM! magazine, Gretsch, Sabian, Gibraltar, and Evans. The prize you’re clicking for is a Gretsch Catalina Mod outfitted in an exclusive G-Tube graphic finish. If you win the 4-piece kit, you’ll also take home a complete set of heads, cymbals, and hardware. That almost makes up for it being called the “Totally Tubular Giveaway.”

  • Vinnie Paul Signs With ddrum

    Holy damn. Metal legend Vinnie Paul is now a ddrum endorser and will be unveiling a whole line of signature products at winter NAMM 2009. Vinnie says in the press release:

    I’m proud to announce that I am making the move to Ddrum. This opportunity is giving me the chance to expand beyond playing music and bring my own line of kick ass, affordable drums to skin bashers around the world. Simply put, these drums look and sound amazing. Hell yeah!

  • Treats From Yamaha

    Yamaha wasn’t going to let Halloween slip by without giving us drummers at least a couple of goodies. First up is the company’s Hex Rack System that we first reported on in April. The latest incarnation comes with improved arm clamps and the grandly named “Synthetic Open Sphere,” which makes omelets or cleans floors or something equally useful. Here it is supporting a boner-inducing cock-rock kit (…two penis references in a six-word phrase is almost a record here at BDT).

    Next, Yamaha is whipping out ten new snare drums. Models include an all-birch snare in the Stage Custom line, a 10″ Musashi snare, a new Vintage snare, and two new series—the Loud and the Sensitive. No mention of prices in the press release, but the Loud model below looks pretty spectacular with its offset lugs and nine freakin’ air vents.

  • Ludwig’s Corey Miller Signature Drum Kit

    Corey Miller is a star tattoo artist who has lent his inking eye to help create Ludwig’s latest limited-edition kit. The set features a 22″ x 22″ bass drum, 14″ x 7″ snare, 12″ x 8″ rack, 16″ x 14″ floor tom, and of course Miller’s tattoo art on a White Marine Pearloid wrap. No word yet on the price or exactly how limited a “limited-edition” set it is, but we’re betting the drums are not the most wallet friendly on the market today. If you’re tough enough to play these things, though, you’re probably tough enough to steal them. Let us know how the thievery goes.

    By the way, the cool pic of Corey below was taken by Robert Downs, music photographer extraordinaire. We recently sat down for a lengthy chat with Robert about his time behind the camera and what it’s like photographing some of the world’s greatest drummers. Keep your eyes peeled for the interview.

  • Tama’s Soul Toul Snare Drum

    If you’re anything like us provincial, ignorant bastards, you didn’t know what a soul toul was either. Turns out it was neither a “tool” for extracting soul nor a “toll” for purchasing it. Nope, Toul Soul is a dude, a shredding drummer dude from Japan, and he just got a signature snare from Tama. His 14″ x 5.5″ drum features a 1.0mm steel shell that has a custom bearing edge “lined with a special compound that facilitates the drum’s warm yet extraordinarily precise and articulate response.” What the hell that special compound is we have no idea…but the shell itself, dressed in a black nickel plate, looks very fine. You can snag Toul’s drum for an MSRP of $399.99.

  • New Finish in Taye’s RockPro Series

    The drums that started it all for Taye now come outfitted in a new Brushed Copper finish…but they don’t just look hot. RockPros feature premium birch-basswood shells and are available in a wide range of configurations that won’t bust your bank account. A 5-piece kit with hardware starts at an MSRP of $1,249.

  • Buy Bobby Jarzombek’s Drums

    If you’ve always wanted to own a little piece of metal drumming history, now’s your chance. Bobby Jarzombek is selling the Pearl Masters kit he used on a couple of Halford albums and tours. Here are the details straight from Bobby and his MySpace page:

    Well, the time has come to “thin out the herd” so to speak. With my move back to San Antonio I was trying to figure out what to take with me and what to leave out in Cali. One thing I have decided to part with is my PEARL Masters Custom Maple drumset (comes with the Pearl Icon rack system) even though I have a strong sentimental attachment to it due to the memorable music that I created on it.

    The reason I am now selling the kit—other than lack of space—is because I changed drum companies a couple of years ago (I am with DW/PDP now and no longer endorse Pearl) and I haven’t been using it much at all since. I’m thinking of putting it on eBay but before I do that I figured I’d let a Halford fan or drum enthusiast among my MySpace friends have first crack at it.

    There is quite a bit of metal history connected to this kit: I recorded HALFORD – ‘Live Insurrection’ (various tracks), HALFORD – ‘Crucible’, and ROB ROCK – ‘Holy Hell’ with it and used it live with HALFORD touring in the US, Canada, and South America on the ‘Resurrection’ and ‘Crucible’ tours, including the 2000/2001 tour with Iron Maiden and Queensryche and the ‘Rock In Rio’ show in Brazil that’s about it be released on DVD. It can also be seen in the ‘Betrayal’ video.

    This is a great sounding kit and still in very good condition (I got it in 2000) except for the standard “wear and tear” from being on the road. No major war wounds though. I have posted a number of photos of the drumset so click here to take a closer look.

    Drums:
    (2) 24″ Bass Drums
    10″ Mounted Tom
    12″ Mounted Tom
    14″ Mounted Tom
    16″ Floor Tom
    14″ Snare Drum

    * The drum color is ‘black mist’
    * All Pearl drums have serial numbers
    * The (3) rack toms are suspended using the Pearl OptiMount Suspension System
    * The rack toms and floor tom are equipped with Pearl MasterCast Die-Cast Hoops
    * The snare drum is a 5 x 14 Remo MasterEdge snare drum which I used as my main backup snare
    * All drums are fitted with brand new Evans drumheads

    Hardware:
    The extended rack system includes:
    * (8) leg assemblies w/ stabilizer feet, (4) long front and side mounting bars, (2) medium mounting bars for back cymbals + (1) very short front middle mounting bar
    * (13) pipe clamps for an easy setup and locking of the tom arms and cymbal booms
    * (3) tom arms featuring the Pearl Uni-Lock System
    * (10) cymbal booms (6 long and 4 short) allowing for multiple configurations and angles for mounting cymbals (cymbals not included)
    (2) Pearl Eliminator Pedals
    Pearl snare stand
    Pearl hi-hat stand

    The kit is currently in storage in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles; I would prefer to find a buyer in the area who can pick it up as I’d rather not ship it.

    If you are located outside of SoCal and can’t pick up the kit in person shipping costs would obviously have to be added to the selling price.
    I am asking $3,500 for the complete drumset and drum rack system. Interested parties please contact me at bobbyspearlkit@yahoo.com.

  • New Colors for Taye’s GoKit

    Drummers on the go have already discovered that Taye’s GoKits sound really damn awesome, and now the drums are lookin’ a little sexier too in a couple of new colors: Black Micro-Flake and Blue Micro-Flake.