2012 NAMM Preview: 21" A Custom Anniversary Ride
- By Andy Doerschuk
- Published December 12, 2011
Thanks to Zildjian for the latest reminder of exactly how old I’ve gotten. Why, it seemed like only yesterday when the revered cymbal company introduced the groundbreaking A Custom series – a rich, sweet sounding family of brilliant-finished bronze instruments that found its sound with the helpful ears of no less than Vinnie Colaitua.
Well, it wasn’t yesterday. In fact, 2012 will mark the 20th anniversary of the now-classic cymbal line, and to celebrate the momentous moment, Zildjian will unveil a new 21" Anniversary A Custom Ride. Retaining all of the A Custom cymbal line attributes, the new 21" Anniversary Ride features symmetrical hammering, brilliant finish, and medium weight for a balanced sound that is neither too high nor too low.
To commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the A Custom line, a cream-white logo and special trademark have been added to the cymbal. But the excitement doesn’t end there. Without going into specifics, the company hints that we should expect to see a number of special trade and consumer events throughout the year. So stay tuned. We’ll let you know as soon as we learn more.
2012 NAMM Preview: Gretsch Renown57 Bop Kit
- By Andy Doerschuk
- Published December 9, 2011
We don’t want to name names, but one of our sources at Gretsch told us at the 2011 PASIC that the company wasn’t entirely certain at first whether the ultra-retro look of the new Renown57 series would capture the public’s attention. So weren’t we all surprised when the unique series inspired by the great American car companies from the 1950s found a solid foothold in the 2000s.
Now Gretsch has taken the logical step by introducing a new Renown57 configuration targeted to jazzbos who want to make a visual statement. The new Bop kits feature an 18" x 14" bass drum lifted by a Gibraltar Bass Drum Platform for a direct center beater hit, a 12" x 8" tom, 14" x 14" floor tom, and 20-lug 14" x 6" snare fitted with 20-strand snare wires. The kit is available in Motor City Blue, Motor City Black, and the new Motor City Red (pictured above).
Features include the Renown Chevron, an aluminum triangular teardrop painted white with raised beveled chrome edges and embossed chrome Gretsch logo, a rack tom mounted from the bass drum on a Gretsch ball-socket single tom holder, and standard Renown maple specifications for punchy, full tones.
The company plans to officially launch the new configuration at next month’s NAMM Show, so you’ll have to wait a little while before they hit your local drum shop. Suggested retail price: $2,460.
2012 NAMM Preview: Vic Firth Introduces Carbon Fiber Sticks
- By Andy Doerschuk
- Published December 5, 2011
We’ve seen a series of hopeful start-up companies attempt to enter the drum stick market over the past 20 years with nearly identical versions of carbon fiber drum sticks. In every case we’re been impressed with the natural feel and remarkable durability of the products, and yet watched each company fade into obscurity, leaving us scratching our heads. Why have carbon fiber sticks had such a hard time finding a spot in drum shop stick bins?
Perhaps it’s because they’ve always gone up against some of the biggest names in the industry. But we just learned that Vic Firth, one of the most revered drum stick manufacturers of all time, is poised to launch the Titan line of carbon fiber sticks at the 2012 NAMM show in January.
This could be a watershed moment. Made from an advanced aerospace-grade carbon fiber composite, each Titan stick is remarkably consistent in weight and pitch. To prove their durability, Vic Firth enlisted some of its most aggressive players to test the sticks in practice, recording, and performance, and got a unanimous thumbs-up. Titans are available in the company’s American Classic 5A and 5B sizes and are even recyclable – a 100 percent green product that doesn’t require cutting down a single tree.
Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay more for a pair of Titans, whose suggested retail price is $99.95. But the company is betting that the extra cost will be offset by the vastly increased durability and consistency of every stick. What is it worth to have utmost confidence that your sticks aren’t going to break?
Keep Your Sheet Music In Sight With The Manhasset Drummer Stand
- By Andy Doerschuk
- Published December 2, 2011
Drummers who often have to sight-read during gigs or rehearsals understand how difficult it can be to position a music stand where it can be easily seen, and yet out of the way. However, the new Manhasset Drummer Stand solves that problem by attaching its 6" chrome shaft to all varieties of drum-set tom mount hardware via a multi-angle multi-clamp. It’s now possible to place the music exactly where the drummer needs it to be without taking floor space while assuring a direct sightline to the conductor.
SJC Drums Goes Retro With The AWP Series
- By Andy Doerschuk
- Published November 30, 2011
I don’t know about you, but when I think of SJC Drums I envision edgy paint jobs, inventive shell compositions, and deliberately outrageous designs. Perhaps the last thing that comes to mind is a timelessly elegant maple-shell kit with a retro mother-of-pearl finish worthy of a modern day Krupa or Rich, but that’s exactly what this Massachusetts custom shop is offering for early 2012.
The AWP Series kit features a 20" x 20" bass drum and 12" x 7" and 14" x 12" hanging toms (with DW brackets) finished with an Aged White Pearl wrap (sorry, no included snare drums). Fitted with Evans heads, mini tube lugs, and 12.3mm hoops, the kit is available for $1,195 on the barrelhead. Quantities are limited, and the kits will ship in February, so get ’em while the gettin’s good.
