127th AES Convention Coverage (New York, NY Oct. 9-12)

Modern Drummer "New & Notable" (Jan 2006)

Tama Limited Edition

Snare Drums And Drumkits

One sure way to get people keen to have something is to tell them that only a few are available. Tama has taken that approach by issuing a new snare drum and two new drumkits in very limited editions.

The Exotix Limited Edition "Dark Continent" snare drum (shown below) features a 6x14 9-ply bubinga shell with an ebony outer ply and a hand-laid abalone center inlay, fitted with brushed black nickel die-cast hoops and lugs. The drum is said to produce a sound that is warm and rich, yet cutting and powerful. Only 250 drums will be made for worldwide distribution, with just 100 going to the US. Each drum comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity signed by Tama product manager Taka Hoshino. List price is $749.99.

Tama's Diamond Dust was the most popular glitter-style finish ever offered by the manufacturer. It has been brought back on Starclassic Performer Birch EFX kits—but only for a short time. List price for a five-piece kit with hardware is $2,769.99.

For a truly limited edition item, try Tama's Starclassic Maple Reserve. The kits feature 100% maple shells set apart by an outer ply of curly maple with an abalone inlay, and hardware finished in brushed nickel. Snare drums feature Tama's Hold-Tight non-loosening washers. Kits are available in a special seven-piece configuration, complete with a hardware package. Only 45 out of a total of 100 kits will come to the US. Each will have a numbered certificate of authenticity signed by Taka Hoshino. List price is $6,599.99. (215) 638-8670, www.tama.com

Smart Start

Toca Synergy Congas And Bongos

Toca's Synergy congas and bongos have a simple goal: to sound good and be attractive, at a price that aspiring congueros can afford. Their design is emphatically pro-inspired in order to fill beginners and students with pride of possession.

Drumshells are two-ply select wood, while heads are natural rawhide. Drums are available in Rio Red and Bahama Blue, with contrasting black powder-coated hardware. List price for the bongos is $59; the congas are priced at $299 including a sturdy double conga stand. (973) 478-6903, www.tocapercussion.com

Running With The Big Dogs

WorldMax Snare Drums

A few years back, WorldMax's 5x14 brass-shell snare drum (nicknamed the Black Dawg) won the Snare Drum Olympics, a contest judged by some of drumdom's gurus. After a second win, the pack began to assemble. The 4x14 Puppy and 61/2x14 Hawg were soon followed by a 31/2x13 Guppi and a 7x13 Deep Guppi.

All of the WorldMax snares are brass-shell drums with black nickel chrome plated finishes. Some are smooth, and some are hammered. All feature brass tube lugs and are offered with a choice of two strainers, two series of snare wires, and single-flange, triple-flange, or die-cast hoops in chrome or black plating. (615) 365-3965, worldmaxusa@aol.com

A Package Deal

Sabian B8 Economy Performance Set

Sabian's B8 Economy Performance Set consists of a pair of 13" hi-hats, a 14" thin crash, and an 18" crash ride. The set is designed to offer entry-level and student players a collection of cymbals that delivers sound value at what Sabian calls "a surprisingly low price." The cymbals are crafted from B8 bronze (92% copper, 8% tin) and are fully hammered before being hand-lathed. The cymbals in this set are "Sonically Matched" for optimum performance compatibility by the specialists in the Sabian vault.

For a limited time, the B8 Economy Performance Set is offered complete with a selection of free bonus items including a 16" B8 thin crash, a 14" Remo drumhead, a pair of Vic Firth drumsticks, and a Camber drumkey. List price is $270. (506) 272-2019, www.sabian.com

Big Sound, Small Price

Pearl Forum Kit In New Finishes

Pearl's Forum series is designed to offer outstanding value in an entry-level kit. Each five-piece kit comes with 70 Series hardware, a set of cymbals, and an instructional guide hosted by Eric Singer that takes drummers through the first-time setup and gets them playing along to some beginner beats.

New for 2005 are Black Carbon and Red Carbon finishes. Both offer the sinister look of real carbon fiber (available in Masterworks) but in a highly durable covering. List price is $999. (615) 833-4477, www.pearldrum.com

Reinventing The Wheel

DC California Drums

DC California Drums modestly states that their custom kits "shatter the old paradigms governing drumkit construction," resulting in "better-sounding drums that feel great to play."

The company offers 5-ply toms, 10- to 21-ply snare drums, and 10-ply bass drums for optimal shell performance. Bass drum and snare shells have a perfectly round or flat bearing edge. (DCC claims that this is the secret ingredient to the "perfect bass drum sound.") Razor-sharp bearing edges on toms are said to provide better tuning, deeper sound, and more sustain. Shells have no air vents, because DCC believes that shells without vents provide more sonic definition and better stick response.

All DCC kits feature custom finishes and low-mass lugs engineered to optimize shell "breathing" and response. Each buyer will consult directly with DCC owner (and LA studio drummer) Iki Levy, who personally oversees the construction of every DC California drumkit. www.dccalifornia.com, ikilevy@pacbell.net

Getting A Better Start

Upgraded Coda Drumsets

CODA Generation Series beginner drumsets have been upgraded with better hardware, more features, and greater playability. The Generation Alpha (DS-120) kit features 9-ply poplar shells, 12-lug power toms, a steel snare, and a 12-lug bass drum. The set also features a chain-drive bass drum pedal, double-braced hardware, and triple-flanged hoops.

The Generation Beta (DS-220) kit is similar to the Alpha, but features a 16-lug bass drum with adjustable telescoping spurs, a three-section boom stand, and a hi-hat stand with a die-cast base. Kits are available in black, metallic red, blue, and silver, and come with drumsticks, a drumkey, and a full-height throne. (415) 570-0970, www.codadrums.com

See Your Way Clear

Ludwig Expanded Vistalite Drum Line

Having enjoyed success with its Amber Vistalite drum outfit, Ludwig has expanded the line to offer more colors and options. Vistalite kits are now available in clear, blue, and yellow in Ludwig's Big Beat configuration (16x22 bass drum, 16x16 floor tom, 8x12 and 9x13 rack toms, and matching 5x14 snare). The outfit is available with a complete hardware package. Ludwig Mini-Classic lugs and tom mounts are standard, but options include Large Classic lugs. All toms are also available with Vibra-Bands. (574) 522-1675, www.ludwig-drums.com

And What's More

MAYER BROS. is offering a new line of all-maple drums built with Fibes-made shells. Each ply for these shells is cut thicker than those found on other readily available shells. This type of construction requires less glue and fewer plies to achieve optimal shell thickness. Drums range from 8" to 26" in diameter, are fitted with MBD-made hardware, and are offered in a wide range of wraps and lacquers. (310) 649-5271, www.mbdrums.com

PRO-MARK has introduced a new line of marching bass drum mallets designed by Doug Bush, with extensive field testing by respected and experience bass drum instructors and players. The Optima series mallets feature uniquely contoured hickory handles with special "weight rings" at the base of the felt heads. This "weight ring" is said to provide improved balance, increased head velocity, and enhanced sound projection. The series offers five sizes of mallets, from small to large. List prices ranges from $47.95 to $66.95. (877) PRO-MARK, www.promark.com

HEAD DRUMS now offers thin stave insert shells designed for the Pearl free-floating hardware system. The manufacturer states that combining the superior tone and dynamic control of Head Drums' low-mass shell with the Pearl free floating hardware system provides maximum overall snare performance. Twenty-five different wood types are available to achieve the sound best suited for any drummer's playing style. (303) 986-5207, www.headdrums.com

DOMINO INNOVATIONS has introduced the new Modular Throw-off Match-up Plate (MTM). It adapts either the Nickelworks or Trick throw-off to any DW snare drum with either the Drop throw-off or the Delta throw-off. The MTM is first mounted to the user's choice of throw-off. Then the entire assembly mounts to the snare drum, utilizing the drum's factory drilled holes. No re-drilling of the shell is required.

The MTM plate is available exclusively through the company's Web site. It's offered alone, or as part of a kit containing either the Nickelworks or the Trick throw-off. www.1stdrumlessonsonline.com

A new full-size four-color poster featuring Trè Cool of Green Day is now available from LUDWIG. The poster (AV#8076) can be ordered by sending $4 to Ludwig Drums, PO Box 310, Elkhart, IN 46515.