Gear Reviews
Detailed assessments of the latest drum kits and accessories
EVANS REALFEEL 10" ATTACKTILE PAD SCHOLASTIC PACK
The RealFeel drum pad was a trusted favorite among drummers long before it became part of the Evans (D’Addario) lineup. I still have my original HQ Percussion double-sided 12” RealFeel from the early 2000’s. The newer Evans model with its…
DW SONICPLY SHELLS, NEW HEADPHONES FROM BEYERDYNAMIC
Drum Workshop SonicPly Shells Drum Workshop has introduced SonicPly drum shells to the Collector’s Series, the first new shell construction since PurpleCore in 2021. Developed by DW’s “woodologist,” John Good, the latest design blends the best characteristics of wood and metal to offer a new,…
More from the Frankie Banali Collection
Frankie Banali was best known as a member of Quiet Riot, the Los Angeles based metal band whose 1983 breakout album Metal Health was the first heavy metal album to top the Billboard album chart. They racked up huge hits…
Rebounding with Excellence.
ProMark Drumsticks were founded in 1957 by Herb Brochstein. Since that period, ProMark has evolved to become a leading staple in drumstick innovation and manufacturing. As is commonly known today, the company is now owned and operated by D’Addario. Since…
Evans Drumheads: Level 360 All-Around!
The idea of the Mylar plastic drum head goes back as early as 1952. By the end of 1956, drummer Chick Evans had partnered up and founded Evans Products, Inc. It was this new Evans company that made it happen.…
ROLAND'S NEW WIRELESS TRIGGER TECHNOLOGY, PORTER & DAVIES ON TOUR, NEW 64 AUDIO ASPIRE UNIVERSAL IEM MODELS, WAVES FREE PLUGIN PACK
New Roland DrumLink Wireless Products Roland has announced the official release of the DrumLink wireless system and related products. Developed in partnership between Roland and Drum Workshop (DW,) DrumLink is a new wireless triggering technology for electronic pads, cymbals, and drum…
1928 Leedy Ship Silhouette and Indian Scene Trap Drum Sets
The year 1928 is a very important year in drum history at the Northup Drums Museum. Many of our early trap drum kits with factory painted heads are from the 1928-30 era. From about 1924 to 1940 both the Leedy…
THE DRUMMER WALLET 2.0
I’m not sure why drummers often double as inventors. Maybe it’s because, unlike guitarists or keyboard players, we can pretty much hit anything to make music. That type of freedom tends to spark some wild ideas and endless experimentation. One…
ALESIS STRATA CORE
In October of 2024, Alesis Drums announced the launch of the Strata Core, a compact yet fully featured addition to their Strata Series of e-kits. With a 30% reduced footprint compared to its sibling the Strata Prime and a lower…
NEW VATER STICKS, EVANS HEADS, DDRUM E-FLEX BT8 ELECTRONIC SET, CLEARSOUND BAFFLES, ORANGE NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES
New Vater Chad Sexton Signature Stick Vater has been quietly working with Chad Sexton on an updated stick model to perfectly align with his newfound needs as a player. Although it is the same width as his previous model, the…
David Garibaldi's Drums and Cymbals
Since David Garibaldi retired from Tower of Power, (but certainly not from drumming), he’s still writing, teaching, recording, performing, pushing his own limits, and exploring new styles of music. David’s career with Tower of Power spanned 55 years. He left…
TUNE-BOT STUDIO
Overtone Labs of Denver, CO introduced the first Tune-Bot over 12 years ago. Since then, Tune-Bot has become a leader in digital drum tuning, offering a more precise and consistent tuning method for drums. For this month’s Product Close-Up, I…
NORDIC SHELLS - DIY SNARE KIT - WATERFALL BUBINGA
Nordic Shells of Maple Grove, MN has earned a reputation among drummers and custom drum builders for producing some of the finest shells on the market. Their refined manufacturing process and Grade-A materials ensure that each shell delivers exceptional tone,…
The Return Of Slingerland
The wait is over, the Slingerland Drum Company, steeped in decades of drumming history, is back! Formed in Chicago in the 1920’s by H.H. Slingerland, the Slingerland Drum Company was known for its iconic kits and snare drums. In the 1930s, the brand…
