Steeped in the heritage of Turkish craftsmanship, Crescent was renowned for producing boutique handcrafted cymbals for discerning musicians. Proud to continue our commitment to old-world excellence, SABIAN Crescent will retain a sharp focus on crafting traditional instruments with the reliability, durability and quality for which SABIAN is renowned. Introducing Crescent by SABIAN – a brand new series of cymbals that are thin, dark, complex and always musical.‘We will be showing the entire Crescent range at the show so there’s no better time to see and hear these amazing cymbals.’
Crescent Cymbals from Sabian to be launched at The UK Drum Show
Snare Drum Review – Mapex Black Panther Wraith Matt Halpern Signature Snare
Here’s our review of a Mapex Black Panther Wraith Matt Halpern Signature model snare drum, featuring…
- 14″ x 6″, 1.2mm thick brass shell,
- 9 air vents placed strategically around the shell to promote dry sound,
- Satin Black brass finish,
- Evans heads fitted throughout,
- steel snare wires.
Mapex says…“Bone-dry, winter-sharp; the ghost notes whisper while the backbeat wails. This drum will haunt you from beyond the gig.”
Find out our thoughts in the video above!!
RRP: £503.99
DR Reviews 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!
A Personal Note to Guru
Drummer’s Review is, whilst very pleased to learn of the recovery of Andy Crosby of Guru Drums, saddened to hear that Andy will be distancing himself in due course and in his words, ‘handing over the potential baton’ of Guru Drums to hopefully another quality individual and equally passionate ‘good guy’ to carry on his legacy, hard work and all that he has achieved over the years.
In our time at Drummer’s Review and throughout the launches of the London Drum Show and now pastures new, with The UK Drum Show in Manchester, Andy/ Guru has been very supportive and encouraging for all that we have done. In simple words, he strives for uncompromising perfection, with charm, character with a professional and helpful attitude which resonates through the quality of Guru. Andy will be sorely missed by us all, but hopefully not too far away from the distant sound of drums.
We leave you with a few words from Andy, and look forward to seeing him and Guru at The UK Drum Show next month in Manchester. Be sure to come and say hi! Best wishes, Neil Golding – Publisher.
Gretsch Sparkles In New Finishes
The 2016 newly-designed Gretsch Renown series is being expanded in 2018 to include two new sparkle finishes. In early 2018, the new Gretsch drum kits in Turquoise Sparkle and Copper Sparkle caused a big sensation at NAMM.
These sets also include all the well-known Renown features: classic seven-ply maple shells with 30° bearing edge, 302 hoops and Silver Sealer. The 302 hoops have similar characteristics to die-cast hoops. They are a little more flexible and softer, which allows for easy tuning. They give a very enjoyable playing feel, especially with rim shots on the snare or on the toms. Gretsch’s play-friendly 302 hoops are also used on the Gretsch Brooklyn and Broadkaster series.
Another feature: the bass drum is drilled and has a tom mount. In addition to the toms, this can also mount a cymbal arm for a splash. The sound is not at all affected by the drilling.
For more information on the Gretsch Renown series go to: www.gewamusic.com and see the video with Daniel Schild (Jonas Monar and others) here: http://bit.ly/2PhCnlc
British Drum Co. Welcomes Marching Drum Legend
Nearly 3 years after launching the British Drum Co. their Marching Division has announced Jim Kilpatrick MBE as their International Marching Specialist.
Kilpatrick, who was awarded an MBE in 2004 for ‘services to music’, has won the World Drum Corps Championships an unprecedented 19 times, including a run of 11 consecutive titles, a record that still stands. Kilpatrick has also won the World Solo Drumming Championships a record 16 times.
The British Drum Company, which launched in September 2015, was founded by master drum maker Keith Keough; Kasabian drummer Ian Matthews; top-level marching specialist Stu Warmington; product designer Alan Kitching; and award winning comedian and drum enthusiast Al Murray, aka The Pub Landlord. The ranks expanded when in 2017 The Verve & Charlatans drummer, Pete Salisbury, joined the company.
Commenting on Kilpatrick’s appointment, Marching Division Manager Warmington said, “When we started the company it was my dream to bring on the top professionals in their relevant elds and when it came to the pipe band world there was no one better quali ed for the job. To actually have Jim join the company is a great day for the British Drum Company. The expertise and knowledge he brings to the company is second to none and we relish the opportunity of working with him”.
Kilpatrick’s reply, “I’m thrilled to join the British Drum Company team, a company that has the most talented people in the industry with a deep commitment to excellence. When I look at the British Drum Company, I see a company that has already made a huge mark on the global Drum Kit market and I’m excited about many of the things in the Marching and Pipe Band range that we’ll be working on together in the near future”.
Keough added “Stu has been working hard behind the scenes on our Marching Division and signing Jim is a signi cant point in the company’s history. We are proud to have the most successful pipe band drummer of all time join our team and it is an honour to be working alongside him”.
For more information please contact marching@britishdrumco.com or
visit www.britishdrumco.com or contact the British Drum Co. on 0161 804 4724
Cymbal Set Review – Sabian FRX Frequency Reduced Cymbals
Here’s our review of a set of Sabian FRX Frequency Reduced Cymbals, consisting of…
- 14″ Hi-Hats,
- 16″, 17″ & 18″ Crashes,
- 20″ & 21″ Rides.
Featuring…
- b20 bronze alloy,
- drilled holes in strategic positions to reduce mid/high frequencies across the range,
- brilliant finish coupled with raw bell throughout.
Sabian says…“Sabian FRX cymbals are designed for playing environments where other cymbals are just too much. They are NOT low volume cymbals. Rather, FRX work by cutting specific frequencies, resulting in the perception of lower volume. Remove these frequencies,and suddenly your cymbals sit perfectly in the mix, no matter how hard you play.”
Find out our thoughts in the video above!
RRP:
14″ Hats: £471.00
16″ Crash: £285.00
17″ Crash: £312.00
18″ Crash: £340.00
20″ Ride: £385.00
21″ Ride: £426.00
DR Reviews 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!
Drum Kit Review – DS Drum Rebel Series Shell Pack
Here’s our review of a DS Drum Rebel Series shell pack with accompanying Rebel Series snare drum, consisting of…
- 24″ x 16″ bass drum,
- 10″ x 7″ rack tom,
- 12″ x 8″ rack tom,
- 16″ x 14″ floor tom,
- 18″ x 15″ floor tom,
- 100% Birch shells,
- holographic gold sparkle lacquer finish
- 14″ x 6″ aluminium shell snare drum,
- Remo heads fitted throughout.
RRP: Rebel Series Shell Pack: £2899.00, Aluminium Snare: £350.00
Available in the UK from www.drumazon.com
DR Reviews 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!
Footes Drums Presents: An Evening With Fred Armisen & Guests – For Drummers Only
Long before he was a comedy star, Fred Armisen (Portlandia, SNL, Documentary Now) was a working drummer. Join Footes Drums on Tuesday 4th & Wednesday 5th September as he melds the disparate arts of comedy and drumming for a uniquely entertaining evening. Featuring special guest stars from the worlds of comedy and drumming.
***PLEASE NOTE: You MUST be a drummer to attend this show. Proof of drummership will be verified at the door.***
Tickets are available from: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fred-armisen-drummers-only-tickets-49066816168?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-ctarget=
SONOR WELCOMES AARON SPEARS TO THEIR FAMILY OF ARTISTS!
SONOR recently announced the addition of legendary drummer Aaron Spears to the family of artists.
Says Thomas Barth, SONOR’s International Artist Relations Manager: “Aaron playing our drums and being a part of the Sonor family is huge for us and beyond exciting. He’s not only an outstanding and super-talented drummer, but also such a humble human being with a big heart which makes him a perfect fit for the artist family. We’re all looking very much forward to this and highly appreciate his trust in the Sonor brand and the people behind!”
Aaron’s development as a musician can be mainly credited to the music he listened and ultimately played along to – which came from his parents personal collection. Gospel artists like The Winans, Commission, The Hawkins, and Hezekiah Walker really opened up his ears to the world of drumming possibilities he had in front of him.
Aaron’s first band experiences were with the church band, and with a band he was a part off during high school. The church band ended up being one of the most important experiences Aaron had as a developing musician. It also helped him secure his first big gig with a local band called the Gideon Band at the age of twenty-three, which also led to his first major break in the summer of 2003.
Gerald Heyward – a big inspiration during his early days but a close friend later on – happened to be listening to some tracks by the Gideon Band in the presence of Valdez Brantley – Usher’s musical director. Valdez got interested in Aaron’s drumming and invited him to audition for Usher’s supporting band, the Funk Rock Orchestra.
Aaron, along with hundreds of other drummers, sent a video of him playing along to some Usher songs for the audition process. Valdez, Usher and the rest of the crew ended up selecting Aaron as the drummer for the world tour. Playing with Usher, and getting called for a second run was the sign Aaron needed to commit to his calling and to his dream. Aaron quit his day job and went on tour with Usher. And the rest, as you all know, is history.
Since joining Usher, Aaron has had the opportunity to play around the world and in some of the most popular televised shows in the United States like Saturday Night Live (SNL), and the 2005 Grammy Awards where he performed Caught Up with Usher and Sex Machine with The Godfather of Soul James Brown. Aaron was also nominated for a Grammy award in 2004 as a music producer, for his work on the tracks Superstar and Confessions (Interlude) from Usher’s 2004 effort Confessions.
In 2006, Aaron won the Modern Drummer Reader’s Poll award for “Best Up and Coming Drummer” and took part in the Gospel Summit at the 2006 Modern Drummer Festival.
Aaron’s long list of touring and recording credits includes: Ariana Grande, Gideon Band, Chrisette Michelle, Chamilionaire, David Cook, Joanne Rosario, Lil Wayne, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Chaka Khan, Adam Lambert, Israel Houghton, Usher and The Backstreet Boys. Aaron Spears has also worked with Lady Gaga and Italian Superstar Tiziano Ferro, and as a drummer for the American Idol tour.
Says Aaron: “When I replay in my mind the exact moment when I sat behind an SQ2 kit for the first time, all I can do is smile… It was at that exact moment when I realized that I had just found something extremely special… If I close my eyes I swear I can hear and feel exactly what I felt in that showroom… With out a doubt I knew that I was playing some of the most amazing drums on the planet… I was totally impressed with the warmth of the tones, the balance of the attack, and how quickly and effortlessly they tuned up… I just kept shaking my head because I couldn’t believe what I was experiencing… It seemed unreal… My entire life, drums have always been extremely fun for me and I’m thankful for that…Playing the SQ2 kit takes that fun to higher levels for me that I honestly didn’t know was possible… It’s truly an honor for me to be a part of the legendary Sonor family…”
Aaron Spears is joining SONOR’s family of artists which is best known for the highest quality of drummers from many genres. He will be in excellent company with the likes of Steve Smith (Journey), Jack DeJohnette (Jazz Great), Chris Coleman (Beck), Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree, King Crimson), Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Phil Rudd (AC/ DC), Benny Greb (Drumming Great), Tomas Haake (Meshuggah), Jojo Mayer (Nerve), Danny Carey (Tool) to name but a few.
Korg introduces Pulse into UK
Korg UK has recently added Soundbrenner – maker of the innovative Pulse Vibration Metronome – to its family of brands.
Korg says…“Soundbrenner’s ground-breaking Pulse vibration metronome has been taking the world of music by storm since its initial release in 2016, with over one million musicians already using their companion app, and the number of ‘Pulse’ wearers growing daily. The company’s innovative products, high build quality and close attention to detail has seen rapid sales growth, further enhanced by glowing endorsements from the likes of JR Robinson, Jordan Rudess and Peter Erskine”.
Managing Director of Korg UK, Ricci Hodgson, adds: “We’re really excited to welcome Soundbrenner on board. Their high standards and innovative design ideas are perfectly matched with our company ethos, and in the Pulse we have a product that is ideally suited to customers in every area of our business.”
The Soundbrenner Pulse will be officially launched at the Korg UK Housefair on Tuesday 4 / Wednesday 5 September and will be available in drum-stores shortly after.
For more info, visit: www.korguk.comor www.soundbrenner.com
