Sabian Legacy Seies

Sabian
2006 marks Sabians 25th anniversary so they were out to make a big splash. Legacy is their new range which is a subsection of HHX and has been created with the help of Dave Weckl. Apparently they knew they wanted to release these cymbals when they released the HHX Evolutions but they didn’t want to flood the market with new cymbals. The Legacy cymbals are the ‘dark side’ of Mr Weckls cymbal needs, being much darker and trashier and ‘nastier’ than the very bright Evolutions and they really couldn’t be more different. Very thin but loud, with distinct oriental overtones, they have taken 4 years of research and development. The range comprises 14” Hi-Hats, 10” and 12” Splashes, 17” and 18” Crashes, 20” and 21” Legacy Rides, a 22” Heavy Ride, and a 20” Ozone Ride. The last cymbal is particularly interesting as it has 5 large holes drilled into the back ‘half’ of it, in a similar way to the Evolution Ozone cymbal. Sounds REALLY dark and trashy. The other rides were so thin you could bend them with your hands.

Other new gear was the AA Raw Bell Dry Ride and the AAX Picante Hand Crashes but we need to go back and have a better listen to these as we had to dash to…

Zildjian Custom Hybrid.jpg

Zildjian
America’s oldest company were showing two complete new ranges on their flash new booth. The first is the K Custom Hybrids which were created with Akira Jimbo. These are a range of 7 cymbals that are unique in the Zildjian line up as they are half lathed. The outer part of each cymbal is lathed and the inner part is bright smooth and shiny. If you have seen any of Akiras latest DVDs, you will have seen the ride cymbal that inspired the range as he uses it in them. The full range is 20” ride, 17 and 19” crashes, 9 and 11” splashes, 19” china (particularly lovely) and 13.25” (yes, really) hi hats. The hats have reversed Mastersound hammering on the edge and the whole range sounds dry, splashy (I think I mean quite short but bright) but nicely musical. How many contradictions can I put in one sentence?

The other range launched was the ZHT. These come in at the top of the sheet ranges and have an amazingly full line. You want a sheet flat ride or 10” mini hats? You got it in ZHT. Firstly they are made in a new alloy and secondly they have additional hammering. There are 38 models in the range and Zildjian have been stockpiling them at their warehouse with 35,000 to be shipped THIS WEEK (3rd week of January ’06). This really is a very comprehensive line. They sounded great in the launch, so we’ll go back and have a better play on them before the big write up in a few weeks time.

Zildjian were also showing some new sticks (Matt Sorum from Velvet Revolver and Taylor Hawkins from Foo Fighters), new rods and new mallets. One of the coolest products of the day was the Zildjian cymbal bag made by Body Glove (Yes, Really!) who are also making a stick bag. This joins the Cindy Blackman and Tommy Lee stick bags; Tommy’s being Desert Storm camouflage pattern. Cool.

Trick Drums

Trick
We haven’t done much about Trick before but we shall in the future, these are some guys who take their drums and pedals seriously. The drum are solid aluminium (aluminium for you Yanks) and sound big and phat and not as bangy as you may at first suspect. However, it was their Pro1 V pedal that was drawing most attention. I will have to spend loads of time on this in the big write up as this pedal has had A LOT of thought put into it. Everything you could wish to do, you can but it doesn’t feel over engineered, but its mechanism is unique and feels great. It is cast aluminium and the pedal plate has been tested up to 45,000 psi so I think it’s quite strong (!). Oh, and it has 120 patents claims on it too. Trick seem to like big numbers as the drums are available in 6000 colours too and have a lifetime guarantee.

Orange County
The prize for the most imaginatively finished drums go to OCDP, as it seems to every year. To be honest, it is best just to look at the photos. New things were super deep bass drum hoops on the front of the bass drum which are said to focus the sound forward and are called Deep Dish. Don’t know if it works but it sure looks impressive as they add significantly to the depth of the drum. As normal, there were racks and racks and racks of snares in amazing finishes, and many of the best were bought for the UK, so get down to Sound Attak and Poole Percussion in the next few weeks.

Meinl Mb10

Meinl
Meinls big launch was the MB10 range which fits in above the Amun and below the Soundcaster ranges. They look just like the MB20 range with unlathed bells and fine lathing on the bows but a lighter, more flexible sound for all styles of music rather than the heavier end that the MB20s are aimed at.

Meinl percussion had loads of new gear but we will leave that for the big write up.

Ludwig
This year was the year of the new colours. Almost EVERY single drum company was pushing new colours as their most important new drum feature, Ludwig included. Custom Elite now come in Silver Sparkle lacquer and Tobacco Fade lacquer, with more launched over the next 3 months. Accent Custom has a nice new Satin Finish. However, Ludwig hardware was worth a look as they had new bike style stools and a double pedal which looks great for £99 (!) with an expected street price of around £85. Cheap as chips. The 14” deep bass drums on the Classic shell packs look lovely and retro. Nothing new, but they stood out in a hall of 20” kicks.

Vater
Vater win the best new name award with their Nude sticks. Basically an un-lacquered 5A, 5B or Power 5B, these feel great.

Mapex

Paiste
Paiste launched loads with the Alpha Pro range, and additions to the 2002 and Signature ranges. The new Alpha has 38 models and sounds surprisingly good, many times better than my memories of the original Alphas. These sound closer to the 2002s to my ears, though they are made from the same 2002 alloy, so that may be something to do with it. The new 2002 Wild Crashes are meant to be the strongest 2002 crashes around and come in 17, 18, 19 and 20”. I was expecting a dull ‘clunk’, but they sounded very flexible and splashier than such a strong cymbal should. The Paperthin 2002s come in 16, 18 and 20”.

Mapex
Mapex always have a great stand. It’s an oasis of tranquillity in the sea of noise (poetic, huh?) and this might sound strange, but they always light their equipment well and have nice carpet (yeah, ok, I’m strange). Honestly, many manufacturers could learn a thing or two from the Mapex stand. Gear wise, they had the new QR series which comes in at the bottom of the range. It has the same shells as the VX but without the maple veneer and with a wrap. It looks good and has an expected street price around £400 or so…with Paiste 101 cymbals…and a stool…bargain.

Up the range, more colours were introduced, but when you get to the Pro M range, you get a free a free 12x7” maple and cherry snare with every kit in 2006. A special ‘Sub Sonic’ Saturn kit will be available but only 20 will get to the UK. They have 24x20” kick, 14x10” rack and 16 and 18” floor toms with a 14x7” snare. Limited to two colours, these may be sold by now, so try your Mapex dealer for more details.

Three new Pro Series snares are available in 12x7”, 13x5.5” and 14x5.5” at bargain prices, and all Mapex hardware has been re badged into the 950, 750, 550 and 320 ranges. The Forge XL range is no more.

Protection Racket
Everyone’s favourite soft case company had a few new ideas, all simple, but all going to get lots of fans. Two new snare cases are out, one with back pack straps and one with a shoulder straps.  There is a great new case for Roc’n’Soc style seats which holds the base, back and back strut all separately. So simple, so clever. Bass drum bags now come with handle at each end so lifting them is easier and there was also a couple of prototypes of cases with airline style extending handles which look great but need to be finalised. The cases come with ID card holders so drummers can fill in address info and phone numbers on each case.

More tomorrow……

See our NAMM photo album here  (updated daily)