Adam Jones

Articles by: Adam Jones

Bubinga is 50 percent harder than birch or maple so the drums are distinctly heavy

Tama Starclassic Bubinga drum kit review

By Adam Jones published

  • £2799
  • $4412

First Chinese-made Starclassic Bubinga is spot on

Shells are undersized by 3mm in order to ensure a positive contact with the heads

Carrera Snare Drums review

By Adam Jones published

  • £199

Classic and Custom models from new UK company

Power-X cymbals are aggressively voiced and quite at home in high-volume situations

Istanbul Agop Alchemy Power-X Cymbals review

By Adam Jones published

  • £115

Istanbul Agop's new contemporary range

Using Corian adhesive, shells are rendered seamless with no trace of a join

Gatton Snare Drums review

By Adam Jones published

  • £435

New UK brand's distinctive debut Corian snares

The Brunson lugs are compact and light, made from aerospace-grade aluminium

Ahead Brass Snare Drum review

By Adam Jones published

Updated version has quick-release lugs, chrome-plated shell

The hook lug design means the bulk of the casing 'floats' above the shell

Yamaha Birch Custom Absolute drum kit review

By Adam Jones published

  • £538
  • $699.99

The latest incarnation of Yamaha's pro-level series

Stealth Racks use standard Gibraltar chrome-plated steel tubing

Gibraltar Stealth Rack review

By Adam Jones published

  • £120
  • $240

A sleek alternative to the usual forest of stands

Priced £40-£70

Round-up: 5 budget bass drum pedals

By Adam Jones last updated

A guide to kick pedals priced £40-£70

Effects cymbals allow programmed sounds to be reproduced acoustically

Meinl Generation X Effects Cymbals review

By Adam Jones published

  • £129
  • $396

Reproduce programmed sounds acoustically!

Claw hooks are a chunky update of those found on vintage snares

Tama Starphonic Snares review

By Adam Jones published

  • £549
  • $923.06

Brand new line of modern, classic drums

The VMX kick drum offers a deep note with excellent saturation

Pearl Vision VSX and VMX Drum Kits review

By Adam Jones published

  • £800
  • $1749

Superior successors to the legendary Export Series

The Waronker ride (top right) is surprisingly nimble with a clear, focussed stick sound

Istanbul Agop Signature Cymbals review

By Adam Jones published

  • £185

Lenny White/Joey Waronker-endorsed Turkish pieces

ReZo Pang (centre) gives a lively stick sound over an exotic wash

Zildjian A Custom ReZo Cymbals review

By Adam Jones published

  • £154

Excellent hat, splash, pang and ride additions

The design, attention to detail and performance is unmistakable

Spaun TL Series Drum Kit review

By Adam Jones published

  • €1799

Finally, an accessible entry-point to Spaun

Stick sound is beautiful, a clean metallic ping against a near-perfect shimmer of wash

Bosphorus Stanton Moore Cymbals review

By Adam Jones published

  • £212
  • $695

Impressive signatures from Turkey via New Orleans

All of the shell hardware on Epic kits is bronze-coated for what Ludwig describes as a 'vintage' look

Ludwig Epic Standard Kit review

By Adam Jones published

  • £949
  • $1270

Centenary celebrations continue with a sub-£1000 funk set

Istanbul Agop OM Cymbals review

By Adam Jones published

  • £335

Cindy Blackman's first (and excellent) collaboration

Meinl Signature Rides review

By Adam Jones published

  • £159

From Chris Adler to Jason Bittner

More power, projection and playability is promised with the Z3s

Zildjian Z3 Cymbals review

By Adam Jones published

  • £170

Meet the third generation of Zildjian's rock staples

The Trash splash (above middle) has a radical design that delivers an energetic sound

Zildjian K Custom Hybrid Cymbals review

By Adam Jones published

  • £235

New additions to a thoroughly modern range

Each drum is timbre matched, with the fundamental note printed inside

DW Eco-X Project Kit review

By Adam Jones published

  • £2707
  • $5723

DW tries to save the world with bamboo and birch

Xist cymbals are thought to receive around 1500 hammer blows to finish

Istanbul Agop Xist cymbals review

By Adam Jones published

  • £135
  • $158

Affordable Turkish cymbals with a modern twist

The Dixon Predator is the latest product from a company looking to broaden its horizons

Dixon Predator Kit review

By Adam Jones published

  • £650

A serious kit: Dixon bid for the big leagues

Mapex is keen to stress the new range kit is more than a re-badging exercise

Mapex Meridian Maple Kit review

By Adam Jones published

  • £1035
  • $1129

Mapex's entire mid-range gets simplified, overhauled

The kit is full of quality touches and attention to detail

Tama Starclassic Performer Bubinga/Birch Kit review

By Adam Jones published

  • £2299

A clever combination of woods, a solid pro kit

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