Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Guitar Amps
  • Drums
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Alex G
  • Roland TR-1000
  • Sowing the seeds
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Ozzy mix wisdom
Don't miss these
Man plays Alesis Nitro Max drum kit with black sticks
Electronic Drums Best beginner electronic drum sets 2025: top-rated entry-level e-drums, reviewed by experts
Man in orange shirt playing drums with a guitar player
Drum Gear Best drum thrones 2025: my pick of budget-spanning stools for comfort behind the kit
TC Electronic Polytune clip-on tuner on a Martin acoustic guitar headstock
Guitar Tuners Best clip-on guitar tuners 2025: Top headstock and soundhole tuners to buy right now
PRS SE Studio Standard
Electric Guitars "The SE Studio Standard not only looks amazing, but it also delivers an incredible playing experience that keeps you coming back for more": PRS SE Studio Standard review
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
Kids hands on a beginner keyboard
Keyboards & Pianos Best keyboards for beginners 2025: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
Drummer sat at an e-kit places a pair of headphones over his head
Drummers Best headphones for drummers 2025: sound isolation for the studio, rehearsal room and stage
Pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors sat on a case
Studio Monitors Best in-ear monitors 2025: IEMs for stage and studio
Guitar Center Guitar-A-Thon sale
Guitars Guitar Center’s massive Guitar-A-Thon sale has landed, and it includes $900 off a special Taylor acoustic and a host of exclusive models from Epiphone, Marshall, and more
Project: BIAS X
Guitar Plugins Tones from head to mix Positive Grid Project: BIAS X
Earplugs being tested at a loud band rehearsal
Tech Best earplugs for musicians 2025: protect your hearing with these essential audio attenuators, for the practice room to your next gig
Drum Kits Where to start with a drum kit
Zultan Raw Clap Clap
Cymbals “Offers a very useful solution for clap emulation without needing to use electronics”: Zultan Raw SlapClap review
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook
Drums “An extremely well-thought-out and all-encompassing piece of drum education”: Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook review
  1. Drums
  2. Drum Gear

New drum gear of the month: review round-up (May 2017)

News
By MusicRadar published 8 May 2017

The latest drum reviews in one place!

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

North Custom Drums Vintage/Modern Custom Copper-Core Snare Drum

North Custom Drums Vintage/Modern Custom Copper-Core Snare Drum

Just how do you get away with getting in your practice time behind the kit without infuriating the neighbours? 

Our review team answered this question and many more over the last month, as they ran the rule over a set of ‘quiet’ WHD cymbals, a trio of cajons, a mighty Pearl kit and a brace of snares.

Here we take a whistle-stop look at all of the drum gear reviewed on the site during April. We start with a copper snare drum from North.

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Combining mahogany and copper with vintage flat hoops makes for a startlingly vibrant yet warm- sounding drum. We look forward to seeing more from this enterprising UK company.”

FULL REVIEW: North Custom Drums Vintage/Modern Custom Copper-Core Snare Drum

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Gretsch Full Range Hammered Black Steel Snare Drums

Gretsch Full Range Hammered Black Steel Snare Drums

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Handsome drums with the power and sensitivity of steel, controlled by the cast hoops and hammered black-coated shells. Part of the aptly named, revamped Full Range of Gretsch’s Taiwan-built snares.”

FULL REVIEW: Gretsch Full Range Hammered Black Steel Snare Drums

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
De Gregorio Centaur, Tokayo and Chanela De Luxe Cajons

De Gregorio Centaur, Tokayo and Chanela De Luxe Cajons

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Three varying specimens, linked by a high level of playability and attention to detail. The Chanela De Luxe sounds superb while the Centaur opens up a whole new world of playing possibilities.”

FULL REVIEW: De Gregorio Centaur, Tokayo and Chanela De Luxe Cajons 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Pearl Masters Maple Reserve MRV Series Drum Kit

Pearl Masters Maple Reserve MRV Series Drum Kit

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Pearl goes on tinkering with and refining its longstanding Masters line and in this latest Maple Reserve version we see a genuinely effective blend of the vintage and the cutting edge.”

FULL REVIEW: Pearl Masters Maple Reserve MRV Series Drum Kit  

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
WHD Quiet Practice Cymbals

WHD Quiet Practice Cymbals

MusicRadar's verdict:

“These quiet practice cymbals do exactly as they promise to do. Without doubt a massive step up from plastic or rubber pads in terms of musicality, and they won’t break the bank either.”

FULL REVIEW: WHD Quiet Practice Cymbals 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
MusicRadar
MusicRadar
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the number one website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers...

  • GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.
  • TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.
  • STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the craft of music-making that no other music website can.
Read more
Man plays Alesis Nitro Max drum kit with black sticks
Best beginner electronic drum sets 2025: top-rated entry-level e-drums, reviewed by experts
 
 
Where to start with a drum kit
 
 
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
Man in orange shirt playing drums with a guitar player
Best drum thrones 2025: my pick of budget-spanning stools for comfort behind the kit
 
 
Zultan Raw Clap Clap
“Offers a very useful solution for clap emulation without needing to use electronics”: Zultan Raw SlapClap review
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
 
 
Latest in Drum Gear
Zultan 25 series
“A versatile set with dry and dark tonal qualities”: Zultan 25 Series Cymbals review
 
 
Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook
“An extremely well-thought-out and all-encompassing piece of drum education”: Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook review
 
 
Man jams with a guitar player and bass player on an electronic drum kit
These huge drum deals at Sweetwater are about to disappear – here’s your last chance to bag up to 60% off electronic drums, cymbals, sticks and more
 
 
Sleep Token drummer II Drumeo
“I’ve taken inspiration from the UK dance music scene": Mixwave put Sleep Token’s drummer in a plugin
 
 
DW SonicPly
Neil Peart called him 'the Wood Whisperer' and now he's blended metal and timber in DW's new SonicPly shells
 
 
Zultan Cymbals
"Crafted from Heritage. Tuned for Tomorrow": Zultan Cymbals celebrate their 25th birthday with a new high-end 25 series
 
 
Latest in News
Jeff Beck and Imogen Heap
When Jeff Beck gave Imogen Heap an impromptu guitar lesson she had no idea who he was
 
 
NEW YORK - JULY 11: Mark Ronson performs at the High Line Ballroom on July 11, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Donna Ward/Getty Images)
Mark Ronson on having to come to terms with the fact that he would never be a great guitar player
 
 
Dave Davis pictured on the left in black-and-white, circa 1964, playing a Guild semi-hollow and singing into the mic; Dave Davies pictured from behind, slashing a speaker to show us how he got the distorted tone on You Really Got Me.
“So, Dave, how do I slash the amp?”: Dave Davies picks up a razor and slashes a speaker on camera to demonstrate how he got the Kinks’ iconic proto-fuzz guitar tone
 
 
splice
“For the first time, we’re moving beyond samples”: Splice unveils free plugin and virtual instrument platform with hundreds of free presets
 
 
Placebo
“I didn’t think that Oasis were very good songwriters”: Placebo on drugs, Bowie and standing out from Britpop ‘like a sore thumb
 
 
showtime
“This is the amp that defined the sound of surf and early rock ’n’ roll”: Universal Audio is giving away its new UAD Showtime '64 Tube Amp plugin worth $149 for free
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...