Gear Reviews

Detailed assessments of the latest drum kits and accessories

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Yamaha — Crosstown Advanced Lightweight Hardware

They’re just as sturdy as steel, single-braced options, yet taken together have over ten pounds less heft.

by Kyle Andrews
Jan 30, 2019

Gretsch — Brooklyn Series Micro Kit

It’s a testament to Gretsch’s world-renowned craftsmanship when a tiny setup like this can be coaxed to produce such deep tones.

by Michael Dawson
Jan 30, 2019

DW — Collector’s Series Pure Almond Snare

Almond is a difficult timber to work with, especially for drums, because the trees are thin and they rarely grow above 30 feet.

by Mike Dawson
Jan 30, 2019

Craviotto Drum Company

Craviotto is also expanding its focus to include handcrafting more drums from exotic and rare wood species for its Private Reserve collection.

by Brandy Laurel McKenzie
Jan 30, 2019

Percussion Kinetics Vector G1 Double Pedal

A strong, smooth option for double-kick players looking to make foot positioning more ergonomic. Percussion Kinetics developed the G1 single pedal several years ago so drummers could sit at the kit with
a more natural outward-turned foot position without having to…

Story by Michael Dawson
Dec 27, 2018
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Beck's Chris Coleman

MD checked in with pop/R&B drummer Chris Coleman while he was on tour with Beck. “Beck is very meticulous about every sound that comes off that stage,” says Coleman, “but I couldn’t be more different from his drummer of the…

Interview by Dave Previ | Photos by John Shore
Dec 27, 2018

Doc Sweeney RX Series Drumset

Doc Sweeney Drums specializes in building top-notch snares and kits out of exotic and domestic woods in solid, single-ply, stave, and now hybrid configurations.

Story by Michael Dawson
Dec 27, 2018

New Gear from Tama, Zildjian, Roland, Sabian and more!

Tama Starclassic Performer B/B Exotix Tigerwood Kit and  S.L.P. Big Black Steel Snare Tama’s Starclassic Performer BB kit is now available in Gloss Natural Tigerwood and Midnight Blue Tigerwood finishes with Brushed Black Nickel hardware. Features include die-cast hoops and Star-Cast mounting…

Modern Drummer
Dec 27, 2018

Amedia Jazz Legend and Vision Series Cymbals

Amedia is one of a handful of cymbal companies in Istanbul, Turkey, that employ centuries-old manufacturing methods done primarily by hand.

Story by Michael Dawson
Dec 27, 2018

Tama Classic Stand Series

Sturdier versions of vintage-style, lightweight designs for more modern applications. A couple years ago, Tama revived the simple, compact, and lightweight design of cymbal stands from the 1960s with the flat-base Classic model. The company has since fleshed out an…

Story by Michael Dawson
Dec 27, 2018

New Gear from Gretsch, Vic Firth, Porter & Davies, and Croaker!

New Gear from Gretsch, Vic Firth, Porter & Davies, and Croaker! TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN

Modern Drummer
Nov 30, 2018

John Bonham’s First Ludwig Kit

Chasing Down the 1969 Thermo-Gloss Behemoth

by Billy Harrington
Nov 30, 2018
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Portugal. The Man’s Jason Sechrist

Portugal. The Man’s Jason Sechrist first spotted Ludwig’s new hot pink Vistalite kit at Summer NAMM 2018. Although it took a few months for his to arrive, it was worth the wait. This stunning set fits perfectly into the lefty…

Interview by Brandy Laurel McKenzie | Photos by Maclay Heriot
Nov 30, 2018

LCD/Legado - B20 Bronze Snares

A limited run of rolled-shell drums built from handcrafted Turkish cymbals.

by Michael Dawson
Nov 30, 2018
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