Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
A woman plays an MPC XL and synthesizer in a home studio
Tech After years of covering the NAMM cycle I've never seen flagship gear hit the shelves so quickly - here are 6 of the hottest NAMM 26 releases you can pick up right now
Three pairs of in-ear monitors and their cases lying on top of a bundle of instrument cables
Studio Monitors Best in-ear monitors 2026: IEMs for stage and studio
All the best guitar gear from this year's NAMM Show
Guitars The best new guitar gear of NAMM 2026: More effects, more amps, more guitars and more tech than ever
Erica Synths x Hexinverter HexDrums
Drum Machines “An impressive percussion machine with raw analogue weight and manual control”: Erica Synths x Hexinverter Hexdrums review
An SSL BiG SiX mixer in a studio
Recording Best home studio mixers 2026: analogue and digital mixing desks for all budgets
Hottest music tech gear of NAMM
Tech The best music tech gear of NAMM 2026: Epic polys, acoustic synths, budget samplers, a Behringer Juno and more
Quentin testing a Yamaha piano
Keyboards & Pianos Best digital pianos 2026: I'm a professional piano and music gear reviewer, and these are my top picks
PDP Concept Clear Acrylic Kit and Snare with acrylic hoops
Drums "Cutting rimshots and controlled overtones": PDP brings a "world-first" to the acrylic drum market with its latest Concept Acrylic Kit and Snare
NAMM 2026
Tech NAMM 2026: rolling news from the world's biggest music-making gear show
Man wearing black hat playing the Roland TD716 electronic drum set
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets in 2026: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $220 off a stunning Gretsch, $150 off a unique Les Paul Custom Widow, as well as hundreds off pianos, interfaces, and headphones
A boy with brown hair playing the keyboard
Keyboards & Pianos Best keyboards for beginners: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
A selection of PA systems in out testing studio
Speakers Best portable PA systems 2026: Lightweight and mobile PA solutions for musicians and events
A pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors on top of a carry case
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2026: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
Earplugs being tested at a loud band rehearsal
Tech Best earplugs for musicians 2026: my fully-tested pick of hearing protection, for the practice room to your next gig
More
  • NAMM 2026: as it happened
  • Best NAMM tech gear
  • Joni's Woodstock
  • 95k+ free music samples
  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 wearing black hat playing the Roland TD716 electronic drum set
Best electronic drum sets in 2026: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
 
 
Roland TD-02K and TD-02KV V-Drums electronic drum sets
Best electronic drum set for kids 2025: child-friendly electronic drum kits
 
 
Man plays Alesis Nitro Max drum kit with black sticks
Got a new e-kit for Christmas? Transform it with 15 day one upgrades that will make it sound better and play quieter
 
 
Slingerland Radio King 3-piece drum set
“Not the most thunderous of kits. Not particularly loud, but sophisticated, rounded and darkly inviting": Slingerland Radio King drum set review
 
 
Music technology gear of the year 2025
Music technology gear of the year 2025: Our favourite new synths, drum machines, plugins and more
 
 
EFnote Mini kit in our studio
“The overall sample quality is decent, focusing on natural sounds within a mixed bag of styles, and promising to keep the majority happy”: EFnote Mini review
 
 
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
Lamb of God's Mark Morton performs live on a stage lit in yellow and orange. He plays his new Les Paul Modern Quilt
Mark Morton and Gibson unveil a signature Les Paul that brings the fire with a “flamethrower” bridge humbucker
 
 
lalal.ai
LALAL.AI brings its AI-powered stem separation into your DAW with its first plugin
 
 
Vernon Reid of Living Colour [left] smiles as he plays his Reverend signature model live onstage. On the right, Jack White, bathed in blue stage lights, plays his Fender Triplecaster.
Vernon Reid says he hopes he and Jack White have started a trend for pro guitarists swapping signature models
 
 
Meryl Streep, Joni Mitchell, composite image
Meryl Streep to star in long-time coming Joni Mitchell biopic
 
 
Anderson .Paak and Mac Miller
Anderson .Paak on how the death of a music legend inspired Dang!, a 2016 pop-rap masterpiece
 
 
Phil Spector in 2007
"He wore a different wig every day”: Starsailor singer James Walsh on working with Phil Spector
 
 

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

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • 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...