2012 NAMM Preview: Vic Firth Essentials Stick Bag
- By Andy Doerschuk
- Published December 29, 2011
I’ll never forget the mixed emotions I felt when I realized I could achieve just as much stability from single-braced stands than I’d previously gotten with double-braced stands. In that instant, I celebrated the fact that I had just cut the weight of my trap case in half, and regretted that I spent years hauling around all that heavy metal.
So I felt similarly conflicted when I first saw Vic Firth’s new Essentials Stick Bag. Designed to hold four or five implements – a couple pairs of sticks, a set of brushes, perhaps some mallets – the Essentials bag folds up into the tightest- and sleekest-looking stick case I ever set eyes upon.
Made of water resistant nylon, it packs all the necessary features into its small footprint, like an internal pocket, elastic drum key loop, and hook-and-strap system for secure suspension from the floor tom or snare. Opened up, its dimensions are a mere 8.25" tall by 19" wide. Think iPod vs. your grandfather’s home stereo system.
In the meantime, I’ll continue staring at my current stick bag, and wondering why it’s stuffed so full of 5As that it looks like a pregnant penguin.
2012 NAMM Preview: Two New Gon Bops Cajons
- By Andy Doerschuk
- Published December 28, 2011
Two new Gon Bops cajons will soon find their way onto the shelves of your local drum shop in 2012 – one for beginners and the other for percussionists who desire high-quality workmanship.
At the upper end of the scale, the new El Toro model (above left), named after acclaimed percussionist and educator Efrain Toro, is made at Gon Bops’ Peruvian cajon shop. Crafted from solid Peruvian Mohena hardwood, and measuring 13" wide x 18.5" tall (with a 13.5" base), the El Toro Cajon features inner guitar strings for authentic Flamenco Cajon sound, a free carrying case, and large rubber feet that ensure ample bass tones project outward instead of getting lost in the floor. The company promises an astonishing range of tone – from snappy highs to deep, resonant lows, partly due to its angled front contour.
To address the need for an introductory cajon model, Gon Bops will also introduce the Fiesta Cajon (above right). Featuring an adjustable maple front panel and medium-density fibreboard shell, the instrument comes with internal snare wires and large rubber feet. Its smaller 12" wide x 18" tall dimensions makes the Fiesta model ideal for students and beginners, or as a second “grab-and-go” instrument for gigs where players may not want to travel with high-end models — like house concerts, or even the beach.
New Brooklyn Metal Snares From Gretsch
- By Andy Doerschuk
- Published December 23, 2011
We were proud to be one of the first websites to report on the new Gretsch Brooklyn Series drum kit directly from the floor of the 2011 PASIC (you can check out our video coverage right here). Clearly, Gretsch is energized about this gorgeous new American-made maple/poplar ply-shell kit, because they’ve wasted no time in introducing the New Brooklyn Metal Snares series.
Expect to see the line launch with two shell types – a straight-sided chrome-over-brass model and a hammered chrome-over-brass shell. The straight-sided shell will be offered in 8-lug 14" x 5" and 10-lug 14" x 6.5" options, while the hammered version will come in a 10-lug 14" x 6.5" model. They all include Gretsch 302 3mm/double-flanged hoops, Lightning throw off and butt plate, Snap-In drum key holder, 20-strand snare wire, and Gretsch Permatone drumheads.
It’s a winning combo, with brass shells resonating with classic musical tones, while the 302 hoops open up the timbre and ambiance even further. We hope to be the first in line at next month’s NAMM show to lay a stick into these beautiful instruments. Be sure to check this website between January 18—21 for full video coverage.
Vater’s StickMates Add Sizzle To Your Stroke
- By Andy Doerschuk
- Published December 21, 2011
Excuse the pun, but there’s a whole lot shaking at Vater. The Boston-based stick maker, which also began distributing drum accessories in recent years, just announced the introduction of two stick add-ons for 2012 – The StickMate Tambourine and StickMate Shaker.
Both models slide right onto your stick, brushes, and mallets to add an entirely different color and contour to cymbal rides and backbeats. Made of lightweight polymer with an unobtrusive low profile, StickMates won’t hinder your technique by one iota. Those wise designers at Vater even molded a thumb rest into the design to enhance grippage … er, gripability … umm, grippiness? Whatever you call it, it’s a smart design that’s easy to install and simple to remove for those quick between-song changes.
2012 NAMM Preview: DW Tamo Ash Exotic Collector’s Series
- By Andy Doerschuk
- Published December 14, 2011
(Sung to the tune of “Sgt. Peppers Lonley Hearts Club Band”): It was 40 years ago today, Don Lombardi asked John Good to play …
Well, not precisely. In fact, 2012 will mark the 40th anniversary of Drum Workshop, the American drum company that rose from a meager Los Angeles teaching studio into a churning powerhouse in the drum and hardware sector. To celebrate this momentous milestone, DW will launch a limited edition Tamo Ash Exotic Collector’s Series drum set at the 2012 NAMM Show in January.
Part of the company’s legacy can be found right inside the veneer of this special, limited-edition kit. It turns out that tamo was one of the very first finishes DW used for its Exotic Collector’s Series, but it wasn’t until just recently that Good found a tamo log whose figuring and grain met with his approval. Good worked with DW’s lead painter Louie Garcia to create a Metallic Pewter Burst lacquer that fades to the natural beauty of the wood. And DW has even gone so far as to create a limited-run of vintage pewter plating to adorn all the drum hardware. Talk about detail.
In addition to the unique finish, the timbre-matched 40th Anniversary Collector’s Series set also includes standard DW Custom Shop features such as graduated True Hoop counter hoops, STM (Suspension Tom Mounts) with newly-reengineered TB12 tom brackets, True Pitch tension rods, MAG throw-off system, DW heads by Remo USA, and a Monorail shock-mounted internal microphone system with custom silver Audix D6 bass drum microphone.
Only 100 40th Anniversary Collector’s Series Exotic kits will be available worldwide and each comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by Good and DW founder, Don Lombardi. The kit includes 10" x 8", 12" x 9", 14" x 12", and 16" x14" toms, a 14" x 5.5", and a 22" x 18" bass drum. Hardware and pedals are sold separately. Retail price is $11,814.
