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Three new lacquer finishes are available.

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The other two new finishes are Musashi Black and Red Oak, which are more akin to the York Honey Amber.

The shells differ slightly in construction over the kit, with the toms, floor toms and snare all being 6.6mm deep and six plies thick, while for the bass drums the figures are 7.7mm and seven plies respectively. Inside the shells, the hue of oak is unmistakeable and very attractive.

The lugs are sleek, bullet-style examples attached to the shells with a single bolt for minimal shell contact. The lugs also have a nylon insert to prevent the tension rods from loosening off. The provision of lugs across the kit is excellent, with 10 at each end on the bass and snare drum, while the toms are similarly well equipped for their diameters.

Remo heads are found on all of the drums, while 2.3mm triple-fl anged DynaHoops are fitted to the toms, floor toms and snare drum. The bass drum sports matching wooden hoops and its hexagonally locking spurs are the same as those fitted on Absolute series bass drums.

The toms are mounted by Yamaha's Enhanced Sustain System (YESS). Long found on Yamaha's high-end kits, the YESS mounts attach at the nodal point of each drum, where they are least likely to interrupt sustain. Only two bolts are used to fix each mount to the toms, and the tom arms do not penetrate the shell. The YESS system is employed on the floor toms too, with the leg clamps being anchored by two bolts apiece.

Oak Custom kits are supplied as shell packs only, but the 800 Series hardware pack sent with the review kit is of good quality.

Oak music

Oak has its own set of sound characteristics, predominantly its strong fundamental tones. Nowhere is this more evident than in the bass drum, where deepness and power is balanced by definition. It produces a low, hard note that carries beautifully. Among all the bassiness there is a clear presence to the drum - oak is not as dark-sounding as maple, nor as bright as birch.

The drum sounds EQed without any dampening and even when tuned really low, gives a clean note.

The 14"x7" snare also brings out the best features of oak, delivering a fantastic crack that mixes toppy bite with woody warmth. Its depth adds authority and clarity, which remain undimmed through a variety of tunings.

The hardness of the wood means that as vigour is applied to the drum it responds with equal aggression, snapping back with real venom. Ghost notes sizzle away with clarity, while rim shots concentrate the sound even more.

The toms are brimming with mid-range power and musicality. There is a tautness to them that makes it difficult to imagine them getting lost in the mix. Tonally they are very controlled, with virtually non-existent overtones, yet they are full of warmth and expression and capable of turning on the volume in style.

The popularity of conventional drum woods means that different shell materials can all too easily be automatically filed under niche market, but on the evidence of this kit, oak should be up there in the mainstream. It makes for musical, versatile drums and this is a solid, well-specified, pro-standard kit, with the snare being particularly impressive. The new Silver Sparkle finish brings a touch of visual pizazz to the kit.