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You'd probably expect a company the size of Yamaha to operate on a global scale, devising identical products to be sent all over the world. Any limited production runs, you might assume, would be restricted to large territories such as America. You'd be wrong though.

The proof is in the Oak X, a limited edition kit that has been conceived and launched by Yamaha Drums UK. As a new variant of the company's celebrated Oak Custom series, the Oak X brings a real dose of punk attitude/urban cool to this most English-sounding of woods.

Build

Since introducing its Oak Custom range five years ago Yamaha has remained largely alone in producing oak drums. This is because while oak is a hard wood, it is brittle and so is not the easiest material with which to make drums.

Yamaha's air seal system circumvents this difficulty, enabling Yamaha to create oak drums without wasting time and materials in the process. The results so far have wowed many drummers, with oak's character delivering a punchy, aggressive sound that really distinguishes it from the usual drum staples such as maple and birch.

"The oak's character delivers a punchy, aggressive sound that really distinguishes it from the usual drum staples"

Unique sound qualities aside, until now Oak Custom drums have been relatively sober in appearance. This new Oak X kit dispenses with any notions of restraint and goes all out for the young hip stickster.

Designed by Gavin Thomas, product manager of Yamaha Drums UK, it's clearly influenced by Tama Hyperdrive and ddrum Pocket kits, marrying an extended bass drum with stubby toms. Available in one shellpack only – 22"x20" bass drum, 12"x7" rack tom and 16"x15" floor tom, the kit is augmented here by a pair of extra rack toms – 10"x6" and 14"x8" and a matching 14"x7" oak-shelled snare drum from Yamaha's recently launched Loud Series.

Two alternatively-sized floor toms (14"x13" and 18"x16", not shown) can also be added.

The drums are available in two lacquer finishes; White Sparkle as featured on the review kit and Dark black Sparkle along with Yamaha's high-end ranges the drums are manufactured in Japan. The shells are made from north Japanese oak and are arranged into three different ply thicknesses according to the type of drum: six plies for toms, seven for the bass drum and eight for the snare.

Internally, the shells have been sanded and lightly sealed. Oak has a distinctive grain and there is a visible greenish tinge (more noticeable on some drums than others) to the warm hues. Bearing edges are cut sharply at 45 degrees with a short back-cut to the outer shell.