New drum gear of the month: review round-up (July 2012)

2nd Jul 2012 | 14:50

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New drum gear of the month: review round-up (July 2012)
The past month's drum gear at a glance

Every month, MusicRadar's industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish the best independent and in-depth music-making gear reviews.

This is a collection of kits, percussion, accessories and more from Rhythm Magazine's gruelling testing process - first reviewed in Rhythm issue 204 and published on MusicRadar throughout June.

Scroll on for this month's top picks and click through to read each product's full review.

First up: EcHo-Flint snare drums

New drum gear of the month: review round-up (July 2012)
Echo Custom Drums Echo-Flint snare drums (£450)
This joint venture sees EcHo metal shells married to Flint Percussion's marching band style free-floating shells

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“These unusual snares will probably appeal to heavier players who want something bulletproof.”

FULL REVIEW:Echo-Flint snare drums

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 204)

New drum gear of the month: review round-up (July 2012)
Gretsch Catalina Maple Kit (£875)
An excellent value all-maple kit from one of the world's oldest drum brands

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Gretsch delivers the goods once again.”

FULL REVIEW:Gretsch Catalina Maple Kit

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 204)

BUY Gretsch Catalina Maple Kit currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co.
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass | American Musical

New drum gear of the month: review round-up (July 2012)
Meinl Artisan Edition Cajons
German percussion giant Meinl tops its cajon arsenal with some beautiful new hand-crafted models

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Always forward-looking, these Artisans are a particularly fine testament to the company's continuing success.”

FULL REVIEW:Meinl Artisan Edition Cajons

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 204)

BUYMeinl Artisan Edition Cajons currently available from:
UK/Europe: Thomann

New drum gear of the month: review round-up (July 2012)
Remo Ambassador X14
Remo's most durable single-ply head makes light work of the heaviest of demands

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Quite simply, what's not to like?”

FULL REVIEW:Remo Ambassador X14

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 204)

BUYRemo Ambassador X14 currently available from:
UK/Europe: Thomann | Gear4Music | Absolute Music

New drum gear of the month: review round-up (July 2012)
Roland TD-30KV (£5779)
Roland's new flagship V-Drum kit comes with all the power of the SuperNATURAL

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Pay out for a high-end acoustic kit and you only get one. With this set-up you get hundreds of kits and the cymbals thrown-in too!”

FULL REVIEW:Roland TD-30KV

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 204)

BUY Roland TD-30KV currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Sweetwater | American Musical

New drum gear of the month: review round-up (July 2012)
Sabian Players' Choice cymbals
Four brand new and wildly different Sabian one-offs, the winners of Sabian's online player selection scheme

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Interesting one-off cymbals, but they won't be for everybody.”

FULL REVIEW:Sabian Players' Choice cymbals

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 204)

BUY Sbian Players' Choice cymbals currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co.

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