Drumrock

A NAMM show is always a great event, and this year was no exception. It was held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California January 14th through the 17th, and the music industry put on a nice show.  Walking the floor, one never knows who he's going to run into. There are lots of familiar faces - friends who represent the manufacturers, friends who work at the stores you deal with and friends who are fellow enthusiasts. There are also full-on idols attending who you have paid big bucks to see perform even though you needed a pair of binoculars to see their face. AT NAMM, those idols are simply among all of the other folks wearing show badges, and walking around looking at the toys just like you are.

Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Beck) enjoying a conversation in the DW booth.

Unfortunately, this year the familiar faces included most of the drum gear on display in most of the booths. At one booth, that will remain nameless, when I asked, "What's new?" their rep proceeded to show me the same things that the same rep showed to me last year in response to the same question. Mapex is a notable exception, and Pearl's unveiling of their all new E-Pro, electronic drum set, does stand out.

One common thread among the new gear offered, is a low price point. No doubt a sign of the current economic times, price has become a greater factor in the buying decision now than ever before. Nobody introduced a new high-end product. Many didn't even display their existing high-end lines.

And now, on with the show . . .

First stop, as always, is the Pearl booth. As I just mentioned, Pearl used this event to unveil their new E-Pro Series of electronic drums. The E-Pro took up the vast majority of their booth floor space along with the vast majority of their focus. Pearl is really hanging its hat on this puppy.

A large E-Pro configuration in Quilted Maple Fade finish.

The driver's side of the same, large E-Pro kit.

The E-Pro's r.e.d.box drum module. (r.e.d. = Real Electronic Drums)

 

Pearl's Marketing Events Manager, Raymond Massey demonstrating the E-Pro.

Pearl Artist, Todd Sucherman (Styx), test driving an E-Pro kit. 

The Masters Premium Series (Models MMP, MRP, BMP, BRP) has been eliminated this year. This leaves the MCX as the only drum set from Pearl that retains the classic Masters designation.

A Masters MCX kit in the new Honey Burst Mapa Burl finish.

A Silver Sparkle MCX kit.

A Reference kit in Wine Red finish. It's my personal favorite finish, and one of several Pearl will stock in 2010 for immediate delivery. 

A Vision VSX kit in a special edition finish - Emerald Etimoe

The Snare of the Month Club continues into 2010 with some interesting, low end pieces planned. Here are some samples:

January - Ruby Red Tamo finish. 10x 5, 8 ply poplar

July - Feathered Walnut finish. 14x6.5, 4 ply poplar/2 ply birch

September - Natural Curly Maple finish. 14x5.5, 4 ply poplar/2 ply birch.

Next stop - DW

New for DW is the Eco-X Project which they bill as "Earth-friendly and drummer-ready." Jumping on the green bandwagon, these drums are made of bamboo and birch, both sustainable resources.

Eco-X Series kit in Ebony finish.

DW's famous wall of sample color toms.

Neal Peart's "Fire and Ice" kit.

Collector's Series kit in Exotic Forest Laser Inlay.

Some DW snares.

The "Snakes & Arrows" snare. Walnut with sycamore inlay.

PDP Platinum Series kit - Titanium/Black Fade

PDP Mainstage kit - Bronze 

9000 Series pedals.

DW Jazz Series kit - Natural LQ over quilted redwood.

Keeping with tradition, our next stops are at the big three of cymbals - Sabian, Paiste and Zildjian.

Sabian introduced many new cymbals into existing lines this year, along with the all new, brass, entry level (yes, below the B8) SBr Series. The SBr Series includes a 10" Splash, 13" & 14" Hats, a 16" Crash, an 18" Crash Ride and a 20" Ride. The other new pieces include,  13" & 14" HHX Fusion Hats, a 21" Vault 3-Point Ride and Vault Artisan Crashes in 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 inch models. Sabian also introduced bar chimes with models in either Aluminum or Bronze.

Sabian SBr 20" Ride.

Sabian SBr 10" Splash.

Sabian SBr Hats.

Three of the five new Sabian Vault Artisan Crashes

Sabian's Artisan logo.

Sabian 13" HHX Fusion Hats.

Off to Paiste where the news is a brilliant finish has been added for the Alpha line along with some new Alpha models - 14" Metal Edge Hats, 17, 18, 19 and 20" Metal Crashes and a 24" Metal Ride.

Paiste 20" Dark Energy Ride.

A wall of assorted Paiste cymbals.

A lineup of assorted Paiste Hats.

A few samples of the Paiste Giant Beat Series.

The Paiste Giant Beat logo.

The Paiste Rude Series display.

The Paiste Twenty Series and 2002 Series display.

Next up, the 3rd of the big 3 cymbal makers, Zildjian.

Like Sabian, Zildjian announced a new cymbal series this year, the Z3. Checking in right at the middle of Zildjian's overall offering, the Z3 Series is positioned for Punk, Metal, Alternative, Rock, Country and Pop, but not recommended for Latin, Fusion or Jazz. Zildjian also added new pieces to several of their lines, including 8" and 10" ZXT Transformers, 15" ZHT Mastersound Hats, 13" and 15" Oriental China Trash, 22" K Constantinople Thin Overhammered and Bounce Rides, a 20" K Light Flat Ride, 14" and 20" A Custom EFX. and 16" and 18" K EFX models.

Zildjian Z3 18" Rock Crash

Zildjian Z3 Hats

The Zildjian Z3 Logo

The new Zildjian 22" K Constantinople Overhammered Ride

The new Zildjian 22" K Constantinople Bounce Ride

Zildjian 13" Oriental China Trash

Zildjian 15" ZHT Mastersound Hats

Zildjian's new special effects ZXT Transformers

Back to drums and off to Mapex, the company that did introduce a ton of gear here at NAMM. They have new kits, a completely revamped line of Black Panther Snares and new pedals.

As far as kits go, the all new Horizon and Voyager lines join the Orion, Saturn and Meridian lines to round out a powerful offering.

Horizon - These all basswood drums feature newly designed appointments, including lugs, mounts, badges and bass drum claws. All Horizon drum sets include a full set of all new Mapex 500 Series Hardware, a padded throne, and a set-up and instructional DVD.

Mapex Horizon Kit in Gray Sparkle finish.

 

A Mapex Horizon Jazz kit in Snow White finish

The Mapex Voyager Series is a new, entry-level, all basswood line. All Voyager drum sets are packaged to be “ready to go” and include a full set of all new Mapex 330 Series Hardware, a padded throne, and a set-up and instructional DVD. The all basswood drums feature newly designed lugs, mounts, badges and bass drum claws.

 

A Mapex Voyager kit in Burgundy Steel finish.

The display sign for the Voyager kit pictured above. Check out the pricing for this complete kit!

The redesign of the Black Panther Snare Series has knocked the total number of pieces offered in the series down to 14. Each snare features a hand built and hand finished shell, along with newly designed hardware.

The banner above the Mapex Black Panther snare display.

 

A shot across the bow showing 7 of the 14 Mapex Black Panthers.

The other 7 Mapex Black Panthers.

The banner above the new Mapex Falcon pedals.

The new Mapex Falcon double pedal.

The single version of the Mapex Falcon pedal.

The limited edition Mapex Orion Exotic Mapa Burl Veneer kit in a Natural Gloss finish.

A Mapex Meridian Maple kit in Candy Apple Burst finish.

A Mapex Saturn kit in Transparent Walnut finish.

Ludwig is next up on our NAMM tour. They always present an excellent display and this year was no exception. There were few new snare drums among the legacy models, and lots of gorgeous kits headlined by a huge Classic Maple kit in Orange Sparkle that includes a 40" (not a typo - forty inch) bass drum suspended as a gong drum. This massive kit belongs to a Ludwig endorser who will actually be taking the thing on tour, no doubt much to the horror a his drum tech. 

 

The monster Orange Sparkle Ludwig Classic Maple kit.

The 40" gong drum on the monster kit.

A Ludwig Element kit in Red Reverse finish.

A Kestone kit in Psychedelic Red Glass finish.

A Ludwig Centennial kit in Green Sparkle finish.

The limited edition Jason Bonham yellow Vistalite kit. Bonham requested this kit while preparing for the Zeppelin Reunion in 2007. The front bass head on every kit in this edition is personally signed by Jason.   

Since Ludwig snares represent the standard by which all others are judged, they always bring many of them to NAMM, and they always have new models to show.

The new Jim Riley Signature, stainless steel Black Magic snare drum.

The new Ludwig 14x8 Black Magic snare with a beaded brass, black nickel plated shell.

Stainless steel snares join the Black Magic lineup. 

A new Ludwig Supraphonic - Hammered Brass.

Can't have a Ludwig section without a picture of a Black Beauty.

The Ludwig snare display.

Tama always has a great display at NAMM. We had an interesting surprise in the Tama booth involving the following picture:

After taking a picture of this kit and the banner behind it, a voice behind me said, "Great picture of a great looking guy." I turned to see none other than Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall) watching me take a picture of his image on the banner. What a nice, friendly guy he is. Jason has agreed to do a Drumrock interview just as soon as he and Tim can hook up for it.

Jason Bittner at the Tama booth.

A closer shot of the Tama Starclassic Performer kit under Jason Bittner's banner in the Tama booth. It's finish is Red Sparkle Burst.

A Starclassic kit in Harvest Dusk Burst finish.

A Tama Superstar kit in Mirror Chrome finish.

Some Tama snares.

More Tama snares.

A display of finishes on Tama Starclassic toms.

The ever popular Tama Iron Cobra pedals.

Next we tracked down the Yamaha display in an exhibit hall in the Marriot hotel.

In keeping with the trend, along with displaying their legacy lines, Yamaha introduced one lower end, lower priced drum series, the Rock Tour.

A Yamaha Rock Tour kit in a Green Burst finish.

Some finish sample toms in the Yamaha Rock Tour Series.

The Yamaha flagship kit, the PHX Hybrid Series in Turquoise Fade finish. 

An Oak Custom Yamaha kit in Red Sparkle finish.

A Yamaha Tour Custom kit in Red Black Sunburst finish.

Some Yamaha snares on display.

A Rogers (Yamaha) Trailblazer kit in Kansas City Swirl finish.

The Yamaha Centennial, 100th Anniversary kit. This is kit #4 of 50 as it was proudly displayed here at the NAMM 2010 show.

Sonor . . .

Sonor is another company that goes all out for NAMM with a nice display featuring plenty of gear. This year the Phil Rudd (AC/DC) signature series was highlighted in the booth.

The Special Edition Sonor Phil Rudd kit with a rather lifelike cutout of Phil on the throne.

The Phil Rudd Sonor signature snare.

Sonor Force 2007 kit in Blue Fade

Sonor Force 3007 kit in Red Burst.

Sonor S Classic kit in Black Sparkle.

Sonor Artist Series snare in Ambonia finish.

The Danny Carey (Tool) Signature snare that was first introduced at NAMM 2009.

Sonor Delite Series kit in Tiger finish.

A gorgeous Sonor Red SQ² kit.

The Sonor Giant Step Middle Pedal, double pedal.

And now a quick picture tour around some of the other drum and cymbal makers exhibiting their wares at NAMM.

TAYE:

A Taye Original kit in Black Nickel finish.

Taye Studio Birch kit in Turquoise Sparkle.

A Black and White checked Taye Rock Pro kit

Taye's Spotlight kits, the successor to their popular Go kit.

GRETSCH:

A Gretsch Catalina Birch kit in Walnut Burst.

Gretsch's 2010 Limited Edition USA Custom kit - Black finish with silver sparkle inlay. Limited to 30 kits.

The 2010 Limited Edition USA Custom kit in White with gold sparkle inlay. Also limited to 30 kits.

A Gretsch Catalina Ash kit in Black Cherry Fade finish.

A Catalina Maple kit from Gretsch in Mocha Fade finish.

DDRUM:

The ddrum Carmine Appice Classic 70 Signature kit. New for 2010

The Carmine Appice Signature snare.

The ddrum Vinnie Paul Series USA Signature kit.

A ddrum Reflex kit in Blue Sparkle finish.

A ddrum Hybrid kit featuring the accoustic kit and DD1 electronic kit.

Ddrum's color wall.

Rockett Drum Works:

A stunning orange and black striped Rockett kit.

An incredible Rockett kit, but not suitable for those afraid of clowns.

Another unique Rockett kit.

Some snares from Rockett Drum Works.

CANOPUS:

A Canopus Neo Vintage kit in Red Sparkle finish.

A Japanese Sword model kit from Canopus in Natural finish.

A few Canopus snares.

BOSPHORUS:

Some Bosphorus cymbals.

The Bosphorus Oracle logo.

GMS:

The Blue Sparkle GMS kit belonging to Eric Kertz (Stone Temple Pilots).

GMS snares.

A GMS Special Edition USA kit in Brown Fade finish.

GMS has come up with a new way to vent a snare drum, "Perimeter Vent System," with small holes at each lug rather than a single vent in the side of the drum.

CADESON:

A Cadeson clear acrylic kit.

Cadeson snares: 

A Cadeson kit in Pink Sparkle finish.

TURKISH:

A display of Turkish cymbals.

The Turkish cymbal logo.

ISTANBUL AGOP:

Istanbul Agop cymbals.

Istanbul Agop banner.

The Istanbul Agop logo.

Istanbul Mehmet:

Istanbul Mehmet cymbals.

Istanbul Mehmet overhead banner.

The Istanbul Mehmet logo.

TRICK:

A Trick kit - Black with red hardware and hand drawn graphics.

A gorgeous Trick kit with a university's graphic.

Some Trick snares.

Trick pedals.

SHINE DRUMS:

Shine's banner.

A Shine kit in Copper Sparkle finish.

A Shine Definition Birch kit in Light Blue Fade finish.

SOULTONE:

The Soultone banner.

Some Soultone Cymbals.

The Soultone logo.

TRUTH:

A Truth kit with a wonderful graphic finish.

A pair of stacked Truth kits.

Some Truth snares. 

CRAVIOTTO:

A Craviotto Classic Series kit in Birdseye Maple.

Some Craviotto snares.

A Craviotto Classic Series kit in Red Birch.

PEACE:

A Peace kit in Coper finish.

A Peace DNA Series kit.

A Paragon Series kit by Peace in Brown Burst.

A large configuration DNA Series kit in Purple Sparkle.

BRADY:

A stunning Brady Jarrah Ply kit - Wandoo Burl.

A Brady Spotted Gum kit.

Some Brady snares.

AXIS:

Axis A21 pedals.

The more familiar Axis pedals.

An Axis hi hat stand.

PORK PIE:

A great little Pork Pie kit.

Some Pork Pie snares.

More Pork Pie snares.

FORD:

A Ford Artist's Catalpa kit.

Ford's Maverick Series kit with its indestructible Light Blue Sparkle finish. 

Ford has introduced amazing snares with ceramic like, Corian shells. Note the logo is carved into the Corian to create the vent. 

Some Ford Artist Series snares.

SPAUN:

A Brown Burst kit in the Spaun booth.

A flock of Spaun snares.

REMO:

An excellent black Remo kit.

BASIX:

A Brown Wood Grain kit in the Basix booth.

A Black Basix kit.

That's it for the gear, but since no show review would be complete without at least one booth-babe shot, here ya go . . .

That wraps up my 5th year of Winter NAMM reviews. Although this one did come in 5th in my personal rating system for NAMM shows, I'm sure the sluggish economy played a huge part in the subdued nature of this year's show. Bernanke willing, next year's show is going to be more upbeat, with bigger crowds and more development dollars spent resulting in great new toys. I'll certainly be there for the opening bell at 10:00am on January 13, 2011. Hope to see you there.