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

Modern Drummer "New & Notable" (Mar 2006)

More Tin...More Sound

Zildjian ZHT Sheet Bronze Cymbals

ZHT (Zildjian High Tin) cymbals are created from an 88% copper/12% tin sheet bronze alloy, as compared to the standard blend of 92% copper and 8% tin used on Zildjian's existing ZBT and ZXT lines. The higher tin content is said to provide additional mid and low-end frequency output for enhanced musicality and exceptional appearance.

Every ZHT cymbal is fully lathed on the top and bottom for increased sensitivity and projection. Precision hammering like that used on many of Zildjian's higher-end cast bronze cymbals helps to further refine the sonic attributes. Twenty-three models provide a wide range of choices for the beginning to advanced player. Models offered for the first time in a Zildjian sheet bronze series include Mastersound hi-hats, two sizes of mini hi-hats, a 20" flat ride, and two EFX models that feature a combination of elongated and circular holes to control the build-up of overtones and limit projection and decay.

Due to its balanced blend of frequencies and its wide range of models, the ZHT series is considered suitable for all types of music. Rock models that are heavier than standard cymbals are available for highly amplified situations. ZHT cymbals are available as individual models and in four pre-pack box sets. List prices range from $92 for an 8" splash to $241 for a 20" ride and $270 for a pair of 14" Mastersound hi-hats. Box sets are available at $399 and $619. (781) 871-2200, www.zildjian.com

Bag 'Em And Go

Taye Drums GoKit Bag Set

Taye has created a set of bags for its compact GoKit drumset. The padded drum bags are fitted with carrying handles and shoulder straps. The DB1875 bass drum bag (estimated street price: $58) also features a side pocket. It's designed to accommodate the 71/2x18 GoKick bass drum, plus a motorcycle-style throne top or a full set of cymbals. The 16x30 GoKit rack-tom bag (estimated street price: $58) is designed to contain the 13" GoSnare, 8", 10", and 12" GoRack toms, and a StainlessSteel Timbale or round throne top. The HB3060 Go Kit hardware bag (estimated street price: $64) includes a rigid bottom support. It is designed to fit Go Kit hardware, but can also accommodate other hardware packages. A complete set of GoKit bags has an estimated street price of $180.

A New Twist In Sound

Puresound Percussion Twisted Snare Wires

Puresound's Twisted snare wires are designed to produce unprecedented clarity, crispness, and sensitivity. Twenty double strands of Puresound's premium-grade steel-alloy wire are braided together, resulting in increased levels of dryness, articulation, and response. This gives snare drums a contemporary "tight" snare sound without requiring tight snare tension, while providing a significantly higher degree of sensitivity from the drum at any tension. This combination of benefits makes the snares appropriate for drumset, concert, and marching applications.

Twisted snare wires also feature Puresound's exclusive copper end clips. They're available to fit most 13" and 14" snare drums. List price for both sizes is $59.95.

In addition, audio samples of Puresound's Custom, Equalizer, and Blasters snare wires can now be accessed from the Puresound Web site. The sampled sounds were digitally recorded and optimized especially for the Web, on a variety of different snare drum types and sizes. (818) 392-7680, www.puresoundpercussion.com

New Young Turks

TRX Turkish Cymbals

While drummers have long been aware of the exceptional tone and musicality of genuine Turkish cymbals, in the past the instruments have primarily been intended for traditional players and conventional styles. Now, according to the TRX ("turks") cymbal company, they have redefined, modernized, and expanded the relevance of Turkish cymbals by offering their quality, consistency, and variety to younger drummers and drumming styles—from jazz, R&B, and world music to country, punk, pop, and rock. All TRX cymbals are hand-crafted from an exclusive, B-20 Plus bronze formula by master Turkish cymbalsmiths.

TRX has developed four distinct lines that are classified on the basis of their tone quality. DRK cymbals feature a dark, earthy, raw finish and are light in weight to produce a deep, dark tone. MDM cymbals are medium-weight, general-purpose cymbals with traditional hammering, lathing, and buffing. ALT cymbals are noticeably heavier in weight, and they incorporate a raw bell plus a unique combination of multi-level hammering and micro-lathing for increased volume and projection without sacrificing their full-bodied sound. Cymbals in the BRT line are extra-heavy, unlathed, and highly polished to create an extremely bright, powerful sound. www.trxcymbals.com

From Father To Son

Longo Snare Drums

Neil Longo makes custom steam-bent solid-shell snare drums based on traditions passed down from two generations of carpenters. Neil's expertise with various types of wood, combined with his many years as a drummer, give him a keen understanding of pitch and sound that can be discerned in the look and the resonance of his drums.

They're said to produce a clean sound, with each one set to pitch by hand. Drummers can "build" their own drums on the Longo Web site, choosing the wood, hoops, hardware, and finish. The drums are made to meet the standards of discriminating professionals, but are said to be priced so that any serious hobbyist or amateur drummer can afford them.

In response to a drum given to Vinnie Colaiuta by Neil when Vinnie was playing with Sting, Vinnie says, "When I tried it, people immediately asked me, ‘What is that drum?' It has since appeared on many records, to great unanimous response. Now the word is out!" (570) 788-5820, www.longodrums.com

Rocky Mountain High-End

Drumwerx Drums

Joe Bifano was in the exotic wood business for twenty-seven years, manufacturing grandfather clocks, furniture, and kitchen and bath cabinets. But he has more of a passion for drums, so he's turned his woodworking skills to the creation of exotic, top-of-the-line drumkits. According to Joe, the main goal of his Colorado-based Drumwerx is "to provide premium-quality drums in exotic and burl veneers at an affordable price. Drumwerx is small enough to be customer-friendly, and anyone with one of our kits can reach the ‘big dog' at any time."

Drumwerx drums feature 6- and 8-ply 100% maple shells. Each bearing edge is precision-cut, hand-sanded, and polished to ensure consistent head alignment. All toms are factory equipped with suspension mounts. Top-of-the-line hardware, low-mass lugs, and Remo and Aquarian heads round out the kits. (303) 648-3334, www.drumwerx.com

Class Is In Session

Pro-Mark Scholastic Mallets and Performer Series Chimes

Pro-Mark has created a completely new line of Scholastic keyboard mallets for the high school and college market. Designed by award-winning band director Dan Fyffe, this new line consists of seventeen wrapped and unwrapped mallets for bells, xylophone, vibraphone, and marimba. The mallets are designed to be versatile enough to produce the wide range of sounds that are generally required in high school and college music programs. A range of colors differentiates the sound each mallet produces.

Pro-Mark also now offers Performer Series chimes, hand-crafted in Nashville, Tennessee by TreeWorks Chimes. They feature solid aluminum alloy bars that are polished and tempered for superb tone and projection. Each tonal bar is individually hand-tied with braided cord capable of holding up to 50 lbs. The mantle is Tennessee white oak, hand-finished in natural oil and fire-branded with the Pro-Mark logo.

The 20-bar single-row (stock number PMCH20, $99.95) is designed to be an ideal choice when space is tight. The 30-bar single-row model (stock number PMCH30, $145.95) offers a wider tonal range for longer sweeps. (877) PRO-MARK, www.promark.com

Fit For Royalty

Sovereign Percussion Drums

New Zealand's native beech and matai hardwoods are used to build Sovereign Percussion solid-shell snare drums and drumkits. Drum designer Greg Lang believes that these timbers, sourced from sustainable rainforests, possess desirable sonic qualities for drums.

Sovereign shells are hand-formed, using techniques born from years of experience to create a round, stable, and strong shell while preserving the timber's intrinsic organic structural qualities. Although steam/heat techniques are used in conjunction with other processes, shells are not subjected to pressure cooking or any other lengthy softening procedures that might compromise their structural integrity, resilience, and brightness. Drums are finished in clear lacquer and fitted with reinforcing hoops and hand-crafted brass fittings. Greg Lang describes his snare drum sounds as "crisp and clean," while bass drums and toms are "open, round, and full-bodied, with clear projection."

A five-piece shell pack (18x22 bass drum, 8x10, 10x12, and 12x14 toms, 6x14 snare with die-cast hoops) lists for $6,979 plus shipping. A 6x14 snare drum with 10-mm die-cast hoops and a high-end snare strainer lists for $1,325. (Prices subject to fluctuations in the exchange rate.)

In Tribute To The Big Easy

Wells Custom New Orleans Special Drumkit

Wells Custom Drums offers the New Orleans Special drumkit in maple or mahogany configurations. The four-piece kits (14x22 bass drum, 8x12 rack tom, 16x16 floor tom, and 5x14 snare) are finished in a walnut semi-gloss stain with maple hoops, hoop claws, and single, centered lugs. Maple kits have 6-ply toms and 8-ply snare and bass drums. Mahogany kits are 6-ply with 10-ply maple reinforcing rings. Kits are fitted with Aquarian Modern Vintage drumheads on the toms and snare, with a Super-Kick 1 batter head and a hand-painted Earthtone calfskin logo head on the bass drum. A Wells Custom steam-bent solid-maple snare is available as an option.

Wells is also offering a line of brass snares called the BlackBarry. The drums are available in 31/2x13, 5x14, and 6x14 sizes, and come fitted with brass tube lugs and triple-flanged hoops. (519) 752-3089, www.wellscustomdrums.com

Travel In Style

Kaces HD Series Drum Bags

Kaces HD series High Density drum bags from Ace Products Group are designed to offer the maximum amount of protection possible in a lightweight gig bag. The bags are constructed of a water- and tear-resistant 600D luggage-grade shell melded to a thick layer of ultra-dense rigid foam padding, and a fleece-lined interior. They feature comfort-grip rubber handles, removable padded shoulder straps, and double rubber handles on the bass drum bag to provide multiple transport options. All models include self-correcting luggage-grade zippers and an interior mesh pocket for storing extra drumheads.

The HD series also showcases an artist-rendered design that offers a unique and eye-catching look. Fusion (10x10, 10x12, 12x14, 18x22, 61/2x14) and Standard (10x12, 11x13, 16x16, 18x22, 61/2x14) configurations are available, at a list price of $299.95. (415) 492-9600, www.aceproducts.com

Dutch Treat

Vancore CCM-4010 Marimba

The Vancore CCM-4010 is said to be the first truly affordable 5-octave marimba, at a list price of $7,995. It features hand-selected padauk bars, height-adjustable "wave style" front resonators, a solid ash frame, cast-aluminum support brackets and legs, locking casters, infinite manual height adjustment, and other features usually found in instruments costing much more. Vancore instruments are hand-made by European craftsmen in Joure, The Netherlands. They are distributed exclusively in North America by Grover Pro Percussion. (781) 935-6200, www.groverpro.com

And What's More

AQUARIAN's Texture Coated Power-Thin snare drum heads (13" and 14" only) feature a coated top side, with a large, extremely thin Power-Dot on the underneath side. The heads are said to be versatile enough to be played with brushes as well as sticks, from soft to loud, and to produce a sound that's full and bright, with excellent projection. List price for both sizes is $30.78. (714) 632-0230, www.aquariandrumheads.com

BIG BANG DISTRIBUTION has teamed with CRAVIOTTO DRUM COMPANY to expand and promote the current line of Craviotto solid-shell snare drums. The snares are known for their quality and craftsmanship. (800) 547-6401, www.bigbangdist.com

GROOVE STICKS are balance- and weight-matched drumsticks intended to enhance the visual aspect of playing music. They're fitted with metal finger rings that allow any drummer to spin and twirl the sticks in minutes. They're also said to be a great tool for developing physical dexterity and mind/hand coordination. The sticks are available in 16"-long 5B models. They ship from San Diego, California, with a three-week delivery, at a cost of $7.50 plus $8.50 shipping. (760) 749-7833, www.groovesticks.com

RHYTHMPHARM's RhythmTonics is a seven-CD box set of "audio-supplements" created to expand musical consciousness while creating a harmonious sonic environment. Organized by color, the Focus (yellow), Nourishment (orange), Energy (red), Growth (green,) Calm (blue), Balance (violet), and Inner Voyage (black and white) are all real-time recordings of non-traditional improvised organic percussion. RhythmPharm co-founder Greg Ellis is also a composer and session musician for film and television. www.rhythmpharm.com

The Resotune from CIRCULAR SCIENCE is designed to provide drummers with quartz-crystal precision for drum tuning that their guitar-playing bandmates have enjoyed for years. Beyond just identifying what musical notes your drumkit is tuned to, the Resotune is said to isolate and precisely read each lug one at a time to ensure optimal lug tension in order to deliver the clearest possible tone. List price is $399.99. (601) 646-2767, www.resotune.com

SENSAPHONICS HEARING CONSERVATION offers the 3D Active Ambient ear monitor system, said to be the first monitor system to add full-range, natural ambient sound to the mix. Performers often take one or both of their earpieces off to better hear the full performance environment. The 3D Active Ambient solves that problem by embedding a precision-equalized microphone in the company's ProPhonic 2X-S soft custom earpiece. This adds a unity-gain reproduction of the actual ambient soundfield, complete with directional cues, into the monitor mix. The music mix and ambient sound are combined in a compact bodypack, with the ambient sound level controlled by the user. (312) 432-1714, www.sensaphonics.com

Green Day drummer Tré Cool has worked with ZILDJIAN to design his own Artist Collection stick bag. Reflecting the style and personality of its designer, the bag features a black & white skull & crossbones repeating graphic on the outside of the bag, with a "Stolen From Tré Cool" graphic on the large outside front pocket. With one large inside stick pocket, Tré's bag is designed to be lighter in weight than its Artist Collection companions. The bag is finished with a carrying handle, tom ties, and black hardware. List price is $24.95. (781) 871-2200, www.zildjian.com