The ‘Lite’ series have a long tradition at SONOR. In 1983 the ‘SONORLITE’ series was presented, followed in 1988 by ‘HiLite’ and then in 2000 the ‘Delite’ series, which was finally replaced in 2012 by the ProLite series. All SONOR ‘Lite’ series have become classics and are appreciated by drummers around the world for their incomparable SONOR sound.
Now SONOR has announced a raft of changes for the series, with new finishes and configurations designed to meet the demands of today’s drummers. Unchanged remains the characteristic sound of the Vintage Maple Shell and the high-quality shell hardware, which differs only slightly from the custom flagship line SQ².
ProLite Fiery Red 3pc Setup
SONOR states: “Whenever superstars like Gavin Harrison, Jost Nickel and Aaron Spears travel around the world and can not bring their personal SONOR set with them, they know they can rely on the ProLite sound.”
New colours include Elder Tree, Fiery Red, Snow Tiger, which join Chocolate Burl, Ebony White Stripes, Nussbaum which remain available.
New shell sizes/sets:
PL 320: 20“x16“ BD, 12“x8“ TT, 14“x14“ FT
PL 322: 22”x16” BD, 12”x8” TT, 16”x16” FT
All matching single drums are available separately. Bass drums can be supplied with or without mount.
Tycoon Percussion unveiled a range of new products for 2019 at Winter NAMM, led by the all-new Finn Cajon, which is crafted from 100% Finnish birch. Constructed using 10-ply birch for the body with 6-ply front plate for optimal sonic quality and durability, the Finn Cajon features four adjustable snare wires to enhance the snare sound.
UK Distributor Active Music says: ‘Tycoon’s all-new Kinetic finish fits perfectly within Tycoon’s Supremo Select Series line-up. Available in either Kinetic Gold or Kinetic Steel and featuring the all new Black Steel hardware. The Kinetic series comprises of a double Conga set (10” & 11” set on double stand), Bongos, Djembe and Cajon’.
Meanwhile also new on the stand was Tycoon’s Bold Series Cajon. A full-sized Cajon that features an Asian hardwood front plate, adjustable snare wires and four rubber feet for improved stability when playing. Its offered in four ‘bold’ (and they are!) colour options: Hi-Viz Yellow, Green, Pink and Orange!
Finally, Tycoon’s all-new World Rhythms Collection, are designed in collaboration with artist and educator Kalani Das. Tycoon says the world rhythm packs include hand-selected and specially designed instruments for perfect classroom drumming. ‘Available in Caribbean, Brazilian, and West African sets these sets are the perfect size, volume, and sound for music all education settings’.
The Avedis Zildjian Company, parent company of Vic Firth, has introduced the new Vic Firth Freestyle series of drumsticks for 2019. The Freestyle series offers an enhanced experience for drummers, allowing them to move up and down the stick, adjusting touch, feel, and sound without any loss of control.
The new Freestyle series of sticks draws inspiration from the world of freestyle longboarding, and creates parallels to the flow and freedom of expression that a freestyle rider feels when riding on an extra-long deck. The new sticks feature a massive overall length of 17” and an extra-long taper, resulting in more than double the area where a drummer can place their fulcrum. The Freestyle series are made from hickory, and have a hybrid acorn tip with barrel edges. Freestyle is available in the 5 most popular Vic Firth models: 7A, 85A, 5A, 55A, 5B.
“What makes the Freestyle series different from other long sticks on the market is the precisely balanced equation of overall length and extremely long tapers. Taken together, these two adjustments effectively double the area of the “sweet spot” for the fulcrum, allowing drummers to alter their playing experience in a way that’s not possible with any other stick. Touch, balance and sound can all be adjusted as easily as turning up a volume knob,” says Andy Tamulynas, Drumsticks and Mallets Category Manager for Zildjian.
The Avedis Zildjian Company has announced the relaunch of the Zildjian fx line with the unveiling of fx Stacks and the 22” fx Oriental Crash of Doom. The new fx cymbals have been crafted to meet the demands of today’s popular music, and the desire of drummers to create unique, and alternative accents to their sound.
The new Zildjian fx Stacks are the latest in innovative design, providing drummers with the ability to easily transition from a stack to traditional Hi Hats with the use of an exclusive Zildjian Cymbolt mount. Drummers now have the freedom to explore a variety of pitches and sounds in one versatile cymbal pair – transitioning from bright, fast, and cutting, to trashy and raw, simply by changing the set-up or adjusting the wing nut. The fx Stack cymbal pair are available in 8”, 10”, 12”, 14” and 16” sizes.
The new 22” fx Oriental Crash of Doom continues to offer the dark, explosive, monstrous sound that characterized the popular 20” size. Ultra-trashy, low pitched, and featuring an immediate, explosive attack and a long, full-bodied sustain for that “one of a kind” monster crash sound, the fx Oriental Crash of Doom features a traditional finish and a thin weight.
Zildjian 18″ K Custom Cluster Crash
Zildjian has also announced the extension of the K family of cymbals with the introduction of the new K Cluster Crashes and the addition of the new 14” K Sweet Hi Hats. These new additions complement the more traditional K family cymbals and offer a broader range in dark, alternative sounds.
The new K Cluster Crashes venture into new sound colors that are dark, funky, and trashy, filling the drummer’s need for alternative sounds. The KCluster Crashes feature the traditional K style hammering technique with additional “cluster” hammer marks. They are extra thin in weight and include an unlathed bell for greater tonal spread and additional sound frequencies. These cymbals are available in 16”, 18” and 20” models. ”The KCluster crashes are that alternative sound that drummers are looking for, something different than the norm. These Cluster crashes cymbals respondquickly and have a raw, trashy sound that’s perfect for drummers who want to be little different,” says Victor Filonovich, Cymbals Category Manager for Zildjian.
Zildjian Chroma Sticks
Elsewhere, Zildjian has introduced the first-ever, metallic painted drumsticks in the market, the Zildjian Chroma Series drumsticks. This new series builds on the success of Zildjian’s colour-dipped stick options, and responds to the drummer’s need for sticks that are reliable, and command attention.
The new Zildjian Chroma Series drumsticks are finished with a pearlescent paint that interacts with light sources for a one-of-a-kind dazzling look. The sticks will be launching with four metallic finishes: Chroma Blue, Chroma Pink, Chroma Silver, and Chroma Gold. The Chroma Series isavailable in Zildjian’s recently redesigned 5A profile, 16” in length and .560” in diameter, and is an American hickory stick with an oval, wood tip.
“We couldn’t be more excited about these show stopping new colors,” says Andy Tamulynas, Drumsticks and Mallets Category Manager at Zildjian.“Not only are these the first metallic painted sticks on the market, but they stand on the shoulders of last year’s redesign of the classic Zildjian 5A.”
Zildjian IEM’s
Finally, the company has also introduced the Zildjian Professional In Ear Monitor. The monitors are designed to deliver high quality sound for musicians on stage, in the studio, or practice.
This launch marks the first release of in-ear monitors from Zildjian. These monitors are built with a Dual Dynamic Driver that delivers a smooth frequency response for all listening applications. They include both medium and large, premium, soft silicone SpinFitTM ear tips that provide increased noise isolation as a result of their ergonomic design, yielding better audio performance and lasting comfort. A 1⁄4” adapter and cleaningtool are also included as a part of the round carrying case that holds the monitors.
“The new Zildjian In-Ear Monitors provide musicians a universal fit monitoring solution with sound characteristics of a round low end, a detailed mid- range and smooth high end,” says Mike Sutton, Accessories and Electronic Percussion Category Manager at Zildjian. “Plus with the use of the SpinFit ear tips which have a 360 degree range of motion, you will have better comfort and isolation versus traditional ear tips.”
For full details on all of the featured products, visit: www.zildjian.com
Yamaha today launched the Live Custom Hybrid Oak series drum sets, providing drummers with a new sonic range, from powerful attack to low fundamental tones with an emphasis for the Live Stage where sound needs to cut through.
As with all of its drum sets, Yamaha undertook extensive internal research and development, consulting with a wide musical range of top Artists, to develop this new offering to the company’s drum set lineup.
Employing its hybrid shell construction from the highly acclaimed PHX series, the drum set’s 7-ply shells are constructed with a phenolic ply between the oak plies, giving players more tone, sustain and dynamic range. In addition the Bass Drum has been enhanced by cutting unnecessary frequencies and boost low tones with an internal weight design. This new process introduces internal weights strategically placed inside the bass drum, to provide a stronger low-end and punch. Other features include the YES III Tom Mount, to allow the shells to vibrate more freely, durable dark chrome lugs and hoops, and Remo US heads.
The Live Custom Hybrid snare drums include high carbon steel 25-strand snare wires in the 14” x 5.5” edition. The hybrid shells, designed for this snare, allow for maximum protection and sensitivity, adding to that impressive cutting tone that Yamaha Oak Shells have been known for since the Oak Custom Series was released over 15 years ago.
The series features five new unique Uzukuri finishes: UZU Ice Sunburst, UZU Magma Sunburst, UZU Natural, UZU Earth Sunburst and UZU Charcoal Sunburst.The traditional Japanese “Uzukuri” finishing process creates a beautifully textured surface by carving only the softer grain of the wood with a brushing technique.
Yamaha Live Custom Hybrid Oak – Colours
“The Live Custom series has been an amazing success for Yamaha Drums, the first drum set to be made in our state of the artXiaoshan factory”. Gavin Thomas – Drums Product Manager Yamaha Europe UK explained “As a result we have developed the design even further to enhance the characteristics of OAK and deliver more sound character to the drummer on Stage. With a striking style which complements its distinctive sound we are sure this powerful combination will stand out from the crowd”
Yamaha FP9 Bass Drum Pedal
Elsewhere, Yamaha also announced the new FP9 Series Bass Drum Pedals, promising exceptional engineering with feel customization for easy adjustability and custom performance.
The series includes the FP9C double-chain single pedal, FP9D direct-drive single pedal, DFP9C double-chain double pedal, DFP9D direct-drive double pedal and DFP9CL left-footed double-chain double pedal.
These models incorporate many new Yamaha design features that allow for smooth, durable and responsive performance with an added level of customisation in addition to Yamaha current lineup. These new features included a weight-adjustable beater and easily accessible pedal lock spring, along with an axle-stabilizing bearing chamber for smooth playability and adjustability.Other features include the independent beater and footboard angle adjustment, anti-skid heel spikes to keep the pedal and bass drum secure and they all come with Yamaha’s dedicated carrying case.
Evoking the high-performance aesthetic of the Yamaha’s legendary YZF-R1 superbike, all models include a blue bearing housing, gold Yamaha tuning-fork logo on the beater cap and black beater. The footboard is designed with an aluminum casting, offering a lighter, sturdier feel, inspired by the superbike’s construction.
“The new FP9 project has been a labour of love for our design team” Gavin Thomas – Drums Product Manager Yamaha Europe UK explained “The Drum Pedal is one of the most fundamental parts of the drum kit, and as such it requires a perfect feel, react to players movement smoothly and be strong and reliable. Naturally every drummer has an individual playing style, with some drummers demanding a high level of customised settings which have previously compromised the level of durability due to the many moving parts. In addition setting up often challenging due to the numeroussetting up possibilities. Through extensive research and Development in both design and materials used, Yamaha have perfected the optimum drum pedal designed with both customisation and reliability in mind that will rev up any drummers performance.”
To coincide with the 110thanniversary celebrations Ludwig has launched a brand new range of products to commemorate this historic celebration. Two limited edition Anniversary kits, Anniversary snare drums and new snare drum ranges are amongst Ludwig’s offerings for 2019.
Ludwig Legacy Diamond Flash Kit
Anniversary Kits
The Legacy Diamond Flash is a Legacy Mahogany Kit available in FAB sizes (20,12,14) and limited to only 20 pieces worldwide. It features a Birdseye Maple dyed veneer with inlayed dyed Koto Wood Diamonds. An additional 14×6.5” snare drum will also be available. The Legacy Mahogany Van Buren is named after Ludwig’s first showroom in Chicago and comes in Pro Beat sizes (24,13,16). The new Natural Mahogany finish comes complete with Maple wood hoops and inlay. An additional 18” floor tom and 14×6.5” snare drum will also be available
Ludwig Black Beauty
Anniversary Snares
The Ludwig Black Beauty is the industry’s most respected snare and for 110thAnniversary Ludwig have launched a model in it’s original form. Featuring 8 brass trimmed lugs and a brass single flanged hoop, this snare drum is a nod to the Black Beauty’s original form. Available in both 14×5” and 14×6.5” but again with limited production.
The Heirloom Black Brass Anniversary Snare, available in 14×5.5” and 14×7”, is a brushed black brass shell fitted with brass hardware. Production for these models is limited to 2019.
The Aged Exotic Avodire snare drums completes the line up of Anniversary snares. A 10 ply maple shell, with Chrome Die Cast hoops and tube lugs, finished in a high gloss lacquered Avodire veneer. Limited to 100 pieces worldwide.
Ludwig Jazz Fest Snare
New Snare Drum Ranges
The Jazz Fest is a retro inspired 14×5.5” snare drum complete with an iconic baseball bat internal muffler. Available in a range of 4 classic finishes, Black Galaxy, Vintage Black Oyster, Vintage Blue Oyster and Mod Orange.
Completing the range of new drums is the Super Series Snare Drums. Available in Chrome over Brass or Lacquered Brass shells, 14×5” or 14×6.5” sizes and fitted with retro Nickel Hardware as a nod to the original Ludwig snare drums.
Ludwig NeuSonic New Finish
Other New Products
Also launched for 2019 is the Ludwig Drum Rug. Featuring the famous Ludwig script logo and Keystone badge design. It comes with anon slip rubber bottom and a Velcro fastener and ideal accessory for the gigging drummer.
6 new Drum finishes have also been launched. White Strata, Avocado Strata, Burgundy Mist, Copper Rose Mist wraps for all American made shells, (excluding NeuSonic). Vintage Mahogany stain for all Legacy Mahogany shells and Coral Red for the NeuSonic.
SABIAN has announced it is ‘transforming’ the AAX line, adding new Thin, Medium and Heavy models. ‘AAX now offers perfect highs, a touch more dark, more complexity in tone – and a whole new look,’ the cymbal maker says.
With additional hammering, using a larger, rounder peen than traditionally used for AAX, the new models offer a wider range of tone, from dark to bright – and increased complexity.
‘AAX was ground-breaking when we introduced it in 1993,’ says SABIAN Director of R&D Mark Love. ‘But 25 years later, the ways drummers play, record and listen to music have evolved dramatically. In order to remain relevant as a modern-sounding cymbal, we knew AAX must also evolve.’
In addition to new models, the AAX line has been streamlined to make it simpler for drummers and retailers to navigate. Popular AAX designs like X-Plosion, Freq, Aero and Omni remain the same – while sounds that have become less relevant have been delisted.
Introduced in 2017, Pearl’s Sonic Select Shell Recipes gave a performance-formula focus to the boutique-level Masterworks series. Though each sonically-tested option represents the very best in form and function, the Studio Recipe won the favor of many a Pearl Artist due to its explosive midrange warmth and extended low-end power.
Starting in 2019, the Studio Recipe will be available for a limited time as Masters Maple/Gum series drums. Available in a pre-selected offering of hand-lacquered and wrapped finishes, each will feature a vault-cured EvenPly-Six layered premium North American Maple and Gum wood shell with 60-degree edges, Mastercast Die-Cast hoops, and Pearl’s CL bridge lugs.
“Make no mistake about it, Masters Maple/Gum is a Masterworks drum set,” states Pearl R&D Director Raymond Massey. “The only thing missing is the level of finish and hardware customization that comes with the Masterworks program. We’ve spent the last year sound-testing these drums to assure that the right combination of shell woods, hoops, and lugs was in the mix for an elite playing experience; and we couldn’t be prouder of the results!”
Available in Hand-Rubbed Satin Natural Maple (#189) Black Diamond Pearl (#421,) Matte White Marine (#422,) and Platinum Gold Oyster (#453,) Masters Maple Gum will be offered in two shell packs with a limited selection of component add-on drums.
Pearl Modern Utility Snare
Elsewhere, Pearl’s Modern Utility Snare drum line has been expanded to include one new Maple 14”x10” Floor Snare model as Limited Edition.
“We developed the Modern Utility Snare Drum line to give the working drummer a wide range of high-performance models to choose from,” says Raymond Massey, Pearl’s Director of Research and Development. “Adding this 14”x10” Floor Snare model to the mix gives the player an even more modern and unique voice; with the same quality and value promise as the other models in the line.”
Pearl Icon Rack System
Finally, Pearl have added to their highly-regarded Icon Rack System. Originally developed in 1983 with legendary Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro, Pearl’s original DR-1 Drum Rack was the first free-standing, frame-based drum support system available. Today, in celebration of 35 years of pioneering the drum rack, Pearl’s ICON (short for Independent CONtrol,) Rack systems are being greatly expanded with a new selection of clamps and accessories.
All new pre-configured single and three-sided rack packages and individual ICON components have been upgraded to include a rotating support foot.
In addition, eight new accessory clamps have been developed for the slip-free ICON square rack rail and round support pipe; dramatically increasing the level of set-up flexibility and function variety.
To showcase the possibilities of these new additions to the ICON cannon, Pearl will launch an online player resource and idea center of ICON Rack Recipes; featuring step-by-step instructions on how to get the most from existing and available Pearl Rack parts.
“So many players see Rack building as not only a set-up option for drum and cymbals, but also a way
to showcase their own individual visual style,” states Pearl Combo Marketing Manager, Kevin Packard. “The new Rack Recipe resource shows not only the possibilities we have found in our own in-house experiments, but will hopefully serve as inspiration for drummers and technicians to build and share their own ideas.”
On January 23, 2019, part of the Drummer’s Review team had the privilege of spending time at DW Drums factory in Oxnard, CA, ahead of the annual 2019 NAMM Show. Drum Workshop Drums, who also own/distribute PDP drums, Gretsch drums and LP percussion, invited Drummer’s Review publisher Neil Golding and product demonstrator Nick Carter to preview many of the new products the company are launching across the different brands as well as taking a tour around DW’s manufacturing facility where all of DW’s kits are produced.
New products for 2019 include a seasonally-limited addition to DW’s Collectors Series built from Almond wood; new ranges of congas, bongos, tambourines and cajons from LP; new additions and finishes for several of Gretsch Drums ranges and new kits and innovations for PDP Drums (check out Drummer’s Review news pages for full details!).
A couple of eye-catching new additions from DW were snare drums built to pay tribute to long-serving DW drummers, including the legendary Hal Blaine. Also present was a snare drum featuring the moniker of much-loved funk band Earth, Wind & Fire, which we witnessed first-hand being built…very cool!
All of DW’s drums are made in the factory from-scratch, starting with thin timber plies which are glued and moulded into perfect shells, before being cut, sanded, drilled, timbre matched etc..all the way through to being lovingly, and incredibly thoroughly, polished and finished.
Thin plies ready for construction
Shell moulding
Awaiting drilling
Alongside drums, DW also have tooling and facilities for machining their highly-regarded pedals and hardware, as well as research departments working constantly to bring more drumming innovations to the market.
For more info about all of the new products for 2019, visit:
Here’s our review of a Gretsch Renown Series shell pack in fusion sizes, featuring…
20″ x 16″ bass drum,
10″ x 7″ rack tom,
12″ x 8″ rack tom,
14″ x 14″ floor tom,
Copper Sparkle finish,
Gretsch 302 hoops,
‘Silver Sealer’ interior,
30-degree bearing edges.
Gretsch says…“Today’s working drummers need a kit that can do it all—and do it well. The newly designed 2016 Gretsch Renown is one of the most versatile drum sets ever made. Now, with one drum set, you can play with the sensitivity and touch to handle the smoothest grooves of the 1950s; the attack and projection required to drive the most powerful compositions of the 60s and 70s; and the clarity and vibrance needed to faithfully reproduce the clean studio sounds of the 80s, 90s and beyond.”
All of Drummer’s Review videos are recorded in a top quality studio with the finest equipment. To get the best from our reviews and really hear the instruments perform make sure you listen on good quality speakers or headphones!
