gear

S-Hoops Split The Difference Between Flanged And Die-Cast

  • By Andy Doerschuk
  • Published August 18, 2011
S-Hoop

If you’re ready to upgrade your drum sound, but don’t have enough cash to plunk down on a new kit, you might consider outfitting your drums with S-Hoops, the high-performance drum hoops. S-Hoops feature an exclusive low-angle, extended flange that makes them stronger than rolled steel hoops for even, gap-free tuning, yet are lighter than die-cast hoops for a full, open tone. The wider playing area also allows beefier rimshots and cross-sticks with less stick damage. An affordable upgrade, S-Hoops will take a standard, 5-piece drum kit from stock to custom in minutes for under $100 (MSRP).

Hammerax Indigo Suspended Cymbals Catch Hang Time

  • By Andy Doerschuk
  • Published August 8, 2011

There was a time, not so very long ago, when I didn’t believe the cymbal market would ever have a subcategory of small boutique shops, like you see among custom drum makers. Silly me. Companies like Hammerax exploded onto the scene several years back with ideas about bronze that ventured beyond rides and crashes.

But then Hammerax threw yet another curveball by launching lines that leaned much closer to traditional cymbal design, such as the Indigo series, which the company has just augmented with a new suspended model. Made to be hung rather than mounted on a cymbal stand, Indigo Suspended cymbals come with extremely strong synthetic cable, which the company claims is ten times the strength of steel. These unique pies emit a silvery swelling sound that can grow in volume and move up into very smooth highs.

The Indigo Suspended series line consists of a 16" light model, and a limited edition 20" light design. Both come with a four-year warranty.

Alesis Unveils The DM10 X Electronic Kit

  • By Andy Doerschuk
  • Published July 27, 2011

It’s beginning to feel as if Alesis introduces a cool new electronic drum kit every week or so. And the company lived up to its expectations at last weekend’s Summer NAMM in Nashville with the introduction of the DM10 X, a six-piece electronic drum set that features large RealHead drum pads, large DMPad cymbals, and an all-new chrome-plated Xrack with quick-release clamps that feature T-bolts, requiring no tools to adjust. The kit features a 12" snare, two 10" toms, two 12" floor toms, a 12" hi-hat, a 16" three-zone ride cymbal, and two 14" crashes. With the DM10 X Kit, Alesis unveils a new-look DM10 module, which contains more than 1,000 uncompressed, sample-based sounds that were produced using Alesis’ proprietary Dynamic Articulation technology. That’s a whole lot of technology for a suggested retail price of just $1,999.

Sonor Benny Greb Signature Snare: Beech Beauty

  • By Andy Doerschuk
  • Published July 25, 2011
Sonor Snare Drum

Sonor has received plenty of accolades for its top-of-the-line Signature snare drum collection in recent years, having launched breathtaking models designed for top endorsers like Steve Smith, Phil Rudd, and Danny Carey. The latest edition is the company’s Benny Greb Signature snare, a thin-shelled 13" x 5.75" beech model, which Greb explains “is basically a replica of a snare drum that was custom built by Sonor for me many years ago. It ended up being the main snare I’ve been recording with and using live since then.” The distinctive drum features an outer veneer of highly figured Scandinavian birch, offset lug posts, 2.3mm power hoops, Remo heads, an unusual soft rubber ring that encircles the shell, and a specially designed badge featuring a cartoon image of the drummer himself.

Sabian Introduces Five Mixed Cymbal Sets

  • By Andy Doerschuk
  • Published July 11, 2011
Sabian Cymbals

The perfect cymbal pack is all about the perfect mix of cymbals. But the perfect mix of cymbals is not always about the same cymbal series. This was the thinking behind the development of The Mix, a collection of mixed-series cymbal sets, sonically matched in the Sabian Vault.

The company has introduced five different sets, each assembled to hit key player demographics and price points. They include the Basement Mix for beginners (14" B8 Hats, 16" B8 Pro Thin Crash, 18" B8 Pro Thin Crash, 20" B8 Ride), Garage Mix for drummers in their first band (14" B8 Hats, 16" Xs-20 Medium-Thin Crash, 18" Xs20 Medium Thin Crash, 20" B8 Ride), Gig Mix for the weekend warrior (14" B8 Pro Medium Hats, 16" Xs-20 Medium-Thin Crash, 18" Xs20 Medium Thin Crash, 20" B8 Pro Medium Ride), Club Mix for serious players (14" Xs20 Medium Hats, 16" AAX X-Plosion Crash, 18" AAX X-Plosion Crash, 20" Xs20 Medium Ride), and Arena Mix for pro drummers (14" AAX X-Celerator Hats, 16" HHX X-Plosion Crash, 18" HHX X-Plosion Crash, 20" AAX Raw Bell Dry Ride).

Sabian has already begun shipping The Mix cymbal packs to drum shops, so be sure to check them out!