Ah, just in time to take advantage of recession-era economics, Pearl has unveiled a limited-edition shell pack that retails for $3,399—or about 1,100 extra-value meals at McDonald’s. But, hey, who needs food when you can score a sweet 4-piece in African mahogany? The available drums, all finished in a red mahogany fade, include a 22″ x 18″ bass drum, 10″ x 8″ and 12″ x 9″ toms, and a 16″ x 16″ floor tom. The toms feature chrome super hoops, aluminum optimount tom holders, and Remo clear ambassador heads. Only 30 of the shell packs will be available in the U.S., so start tightening your belt.
‘Member way back in the ’90s when Zildjian’s K/Z hi-hats, which combine a light and cutting top cymbal with a heavy and loud bottom cymbal, were the coolest thing on the planet?
TRX is trying to tap into a little bit of that mixing-it-up mystique with the introduction of its DRK/BRT hats. This time around, though, the combination of choice is a bright top cymbal over a dark bottom. According to TRX, the cymbals produce “bright, penetrating closed hi-hat sounds with fuller, more explosive open and half-open sounds.” You can snatch them up in 13″, 14″, and 15″ models.
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’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.
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’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.
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 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 is proud to offer left-handed players a new heavy-duty double bass drum pedal for 2009. Dixon’s sturdy 911DB-L bass drum pedal includes a dual-surface beater, easy-access bass drum clamp, and a double chain cam drive system. Other noteworthy features include a beater angle adjustment and an aluminum center u-joint housing with two adjustment points. Stabilizer platforms on the main and slave side pedals include built in spurs. The pedal retails for $349.99.
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 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 Drums introduces a rugged, functional, and flexible lineup of hardware at Winter NAMM 2009, including the 800 series, the 900 series, and the 1200 series.
New additions to the 800 hardware series include cymbal stands (CS-850 and CS-865), a snare stand (SS-850) and a hi-hat stand (HS-850). Cymbal stands incorporate several design changes, including a toothless cymbal tilter for minute angle adjustment, a new boom tilter with a hinged clamp for a more secure hold, and plastic caps placed in the vertical tubes to prevent rattling. Pure zinc castings at all stress points provide added strength.
“The new toothless tilter has been road-tested by many of our artists and they have been raving about it,” says Dave Jewell, marketing manager for Yamaha Drums, “and I think it will also be a big hit with consumers. Even a small detail, like caps on the vertical tubes, illustrates our commitment to making the very best hardware on the market.”
The HS-850 hi-hat stand (pictured below) features an improved spring tension adjustment that makes it easy for drummers to find their preferred settings when changing hi-hat cymbals. The sturdy clutch stays closed, even for heavy hitters.
The 900 series has been streamlined to a single cymbal stand model. The CS-965 retains the 900-series tripod base and incorporates the new toothless cymbal tilter and boom tilter clamp. The CSBW extra-long accessory boom is fitted with Yamaha’s toothless tilter and a heavy counter weight to keep them stable and sturdy even during the biggest cymbal crashes.
“The CS-965 streamlines our 900 series and gives extreme drummers a versatile stand to meet their needs,” says Jim Haler, product manager for Yamaha Drums. “This stand is perfect for hard-hitters or those who place their cymbals high off the ground.”
The SS-950 snare stand features a ball-and-socket adjuster that lets players position the drum at the perfect angle for their style—a great feature for drummers who appreciate the ability to fine tune their kit’s setup. The basket height can also be adjusted to accommodate deeper snare drums. Built-in spikes in the feet ensure stability.
New hi-hat stands include the HS-1200, a straight-pull, three-leg stand; the HS-1200D, a two-legged version of the 1200 model; and the toggle-link drive HS-1200T. The spring tension also features a numbered scale for easy reference, and all models ship with two upper pull rods of different lengths. The new locking clutch keeps cymbals solidly in place. “The 1200 series stands let every drummer pick the feel he or she wants,” says Jewell.
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.
Good news for your butt: Tama has unveiled the company’s first foray into hydraulic thrones.
Though gas-powered stools are nothing new in the drummingverse, the thrones in Tama’s new series, dubbed the 1st Chair Hydraulix line, feature seats that come off easily from the base for a fast pack-up. There are two flavors available: the HT750C Ergo-Rider comes with Tama’s ergonomically shaped bicycle seat. The HT650C Round-Rider (pictured below) boasts an all-new rounder-shaped seat with lower profile seams for completely unimpeded leg motion and a special air pocket in the bottom that helps reduce playing fatigue.
The HT750C Ergo-Rider Hydraulix lists for $265.99, and the HT650C Round-Rider Hydraulix lists for $249.99.
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.
