LP Teams With Carlos Santana On New Abraxas Angel Congas

By Andy Doerschuk Published July 1, 2010

Carlos Santana might not be a percussionist, but his distinctive brand of Latin rock music has inspired generations of U.S. drummers to learn conga technique. No company benefitted more from that cultural revolution than LP, the American percussion maker that has recently introduced Aspire model congas emblazoned with artwork from Santana's 1970 breakthrough album, Abraxas, featuring the instantly recognizable figure of a soaring angel.

LP Aspire Santana Abraxas Angel conga drums feature 28" tall Siam Oak shells in a 10" and 11" conga set (retail price $599), and a 12" tumba ($339). They're fitted with natural rawhide heads for deep tones and dynamic projection, and with EZ Curve rims for comfortable playability. Also available are a pair of matching 6-3⁄4" and 8" bongos ($185) and a unique 11"-tall Mini Santana Abraxas Angel Conga ($80) that is available in both black and white with chrome hardware and a natural rawhide head.

Oy vey, como va! Go get your Santana on!

Toca 12" Acacia Tambourines: Light & Loud

By Andy Doerschuk Published June 25, 2010

Big brothers are usually born before their little brothers, but somehow Toca has managed to defy the very laws of nature with its Acacia tambourine. After the public’s embrace of the 10" model — with its lightweight feel, distinctive sound, and attractive appearance — Toca recently rolled out a 12" version (with the catchy model number of T1012-A). Still lightweight? Yep. Distinctive sound? Uh huh. Pretty as a peach? You betcha! The big difference is a bigger sound that splits the difference between “warm and dry” and “bright and sharp.” Otherwise you can still expect a 12" frame made of exotic acacia wood and married to a double row of nickel-plated steel jingles (eighteen pairs in all). The company’s craftsmen have shown such attention to detail that holes in the shell for the pins that hold the jingles are hand-filled and sanded in order to provide the smoothest possible edge. And it’s all yours for a mere $49.

PDP & Sabian Team Up To Offer A Big Box O’ Drums

By Andy Doerschuk Published June 23, 2010

Talk about one-stop shopping! Pacific Drums And Percussion has made it easy as pie for entry-level drummers to slide into their first kit with the Mainstage Series. The 5-piece “kit in a box” includes 10" x 8", 12" x 9", and 16" x 14" toms, a 22" x 126" kick, and matching 14" x 5" snare, along with a CB700 cymbal boom stand, CS700 straight cymbal stand, SS700 snare stand, HH700 hi-hat stand, and drum throne, and Sabian SBR crash, ride and hi-hat cymbals. Available in a choice of Bronze Metallic and Black Metallic wrap finishes, the Mainstage retails for $1,166.99. The only thing missing is … you!

Limited Edition Lacquer Kits

By Andrew Lentz Published November 3, 2009

A limited edition Birch/Basswood version of Mapex's Horizon drum kit will be rockin' your summer. Each 6-piece set features one of two transparent lacquered finishes and stunning black hardware. All drum sets come with a free 8-inch add-on tom, complete with mounting hardware.

“The Horizon Series offers a unique blend of advanced features and classic sounding shells that are unmatched for its price,” explained Joe Hibbs, Mapex Product and Artist Manager. “The free tom included with the Horizon Limited Edition adds to that value by literally offering more bang for the buck.”

The Horizon Limited Edition set comes with a 22 x 18 bass drum, the free 8 x 7 tom, as well as 10 x 8 and 12 x 9 mounted toms, a 16 x 16 floor tom and a 14 x 5.5 snare drum. The set also comes with a full complement of Mapex 500 Series Hardware, including a snare stand, cymbal stand, boom stand, hi-hat stand and bass drum pedal.

The Birch/Basswood mixed shell gives a rich, controlled sound for maximum versatility in any setting. The Horizon Limited Edition is available in two high-gloss lacquer finishes: Transparent Cherry Red [HZB6295BCY] and Transparent Midnight Black [HZB6295BMB]. List price for the 6-piece set is $1,249.

Fusion Hats Get Modern And Dark

By Andrew Lentz Published June 15, 2010

Fusion Hats, one of Sabian’s most popular cymbal innovations, are now available in the company’s Modern Dark series, HHX. Featuring a medium top and a heavy, un-lathed, hand-hammered bottom — hence the name fusion.

These hats deliver high-definition sticking, crisp, clear pedal ‘chick’, and cutting volume in both closed and open positions. Though the name might suggest they’re designed for playing fusion-style music, these hats are ideal for any number of genres from rock, pop, punk, gospel or funk.

Said Sabian product specialist Mark Love, “With an HHX top, these Fusion Hats combine the hot darkness of HHX with the dark but defined cut of the heavy HH bottom, for a crisp blend of tonal darkness. The innovative ‘Tone Projection’ design of HHX also means these hats project their dark tonality, so drummers wanting darkness in high-volume situation can be heard without excessively hard playing.”

Fast Facts

Metal: B20 SABIAN Bronze

Weight: Medium Top/Heavy Bottom

Finish: Natural or Brilliant

Hammering: Jumbo-Peen (top), hand hammered (bottom)

Lathing: Top: Pinpoint

Bottom: Raw, unlathed

Warranty: Two Years

Sizes: 13” - 14”

Ludwig’s New Black Magic Stainless Drums

By Salman Haqqi Published July 14, 2010

Ludwig is proud to introduce the latest addition to its line of legendary snare drums: new Black Magic Stainless Steel models. A true first for Ludwig, these new models expand the Black Magic format by incorporating mirror-polished, 1.5mm stainless steel shells for bright, cutting attack and mid-range overtone. Black Magic's black-nickel tube-lugs and appointments provide, sharp visual contrast, and tonal range is broadened with 2.3mm power-hoops. Models are available in 6.5x14” (MSRP $464.94) and 5x14” (MSRP $432.47).

“The new Stainless Steel snares are a lot of fun to play”, said Kevin Packard, Ludwig Marketing Manager. “A lot to time and artist input went into making these drums, and they are true performers for the player that really wants that high-impact attack.”

For complete information on Ludwig Percussion, please visit
Ludwig Drums are manufactured and distributed by Conn-Selmer, Inc., a subsidiary of Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc.
To contact Conn-Selmer, write to P.O. Box 310, Elkhart, IN 46515-0310 U.S.A. or visit

Grover Open Tone Temple Blocks Take A Knockin’

By Andy Doerschuk Published June 10, 2010

You won’t need to split a coconut in half the next time you want to emulate the sound of oncoming horse hooves. The new Open Tone temple blocks from Grover Pro Percussion should do the trick. Hand-crafted in the good ol’ USA using high quality Russian birch — chosen for its great strength, durability, and resonant sound characteristics (rather than iffy politics) — each block is not only graduated in size, but tuned so that every set is tonally matched for optimum sonority. Grover Pro temple block sets include a robust quick release multi-clamp machined from aircraft-grade aluminum that allows the player to securely mount the set on any vertical type of stand, such as a cymbal stand or concert tom stand. Grover Pro offers eight graduated temple block sizes: The standard set (Model TPB-X, $320 suggested retail price) is perfect for most applications and consists of five graduated sizes. Grover Pro’s unique bass set (Model TPB-XB, $320) of three large blocks extends the range downward from the standard set. So it’s time to get your gallop on! Hi-yo Silver, away!