Dave Holmes

Latest articles by Dave Holmes

Mapex has retained the familiar maple/walnut hybrid of the Saturn series

Mapex Saturn IV Shell Pack

By Dave Holmes published

Mapex may be able to run rings around the competition with its Saturn IV series

Drum Kits
The DW Design Series comes with chromed hardware and STM suspended tom mounts

DW Design Series Kit

By Dave Holmes published

We check out DW's brand new mid-priced series sporting a range of unique features

Drum Kits
The BT-1 is designed to bolt onto any electronic drum pad, or any acoustic drum of between 8" and 18" in diameter

Roland BT-1

By Dave Holmes published

We put Roland's brand new compact trigger-on-a-stick through some vigorous tests

Drums
The shell is made from 3mm cast bell bronze, an alloy used in many high-end cymbals

Ahead Bell Brass Snare

By Dave Holmes published

With a wealth of features, this fully-loaded snare looks set to stun

Snare Drums
Sound-wise, this walnut snare (pictured rear) has an underlying low fundamental with plenty of body

Worldmax Walnut Snare

By Dave Holmes published

We sample one of Worldmax's new wooden snare shells

Snare Drums
We have a sizeable review selection, including three rides, four pairs of hi-hats, 10 crashes and a crash/ride

Zildjian A Cymbals

By Dave Holmes published

The range of Zildjian As just gets bigger, bolder and better

Cymbals
Remo's White Suede heads are a mid-way point between coated and uncoated models

Remo White Suede Drum Heads

By Dave Holmes published

A brand new range of heads that could transform the looks and the sound of your kit - time for a summer makeover?

Drum Gear
The Global Edition looks much the same, but Korg has made enhancements to improve the overall sound and playability

Korg Wavedrum Global Edition

By Dave Holmes published

Korg's new Wavedrum goes global, offering even greater sonic and percussive potential

Electronic Drums
Stagg SH cymbals are forged from B20 bronze, hand hammered and lathed

Stagg SH Series Cymbals

By Dave Holmes published

Great value hand-hammered B20 bronze cymbals from this trailblazing, no-nonsense Chinese manufacturer

Cymbals
The 602 series is entirely hand-made using the same manufacturing methods and materials of the models made in the late 1950s

Paiste Formula 602

By Dave Holmes published

Paiste's legendary cymbal series is treated to some lush new additions

Cymbals
In the flesh, the Tribal Red of this five-piece review kit is every bit as drool-worthy as the photos suggest

Sonor Prolite Kit

By Dave Holmes published

The ProLite is the latest German-made kit to inherit the best elements from its ancestors

Drum Kits
The DTX400 module contains acoustic drum sounds derived from Yamaha's own amazing acoustic kits

Yamaha DTX400K

By Dave Holmes published

An affordable e-kit from one of the world's largest musical instrument producers warrants close scrutiny

Electronic Drums
The TD-4KP's unique rack design allows it to fold down to around half its playable size - small enough to stash in a cupboard or sit next to you on a bus

Roland TD-4KP Portable kit

By Dave Holmes published

The V-drums company presents an electronic kit that is so portable, you can sling it over your shoulder and head out for a gig or rehearsal...

Electronic Drums
With its maple ply counter hoops and recessed tuning bolts, this cherry/birch snare is quite striking

AD Drums Cherry/Birch snare

By Dave Holmes published

Fresh from the Malvern Hills comes a tantalising cherry and birch snare from AD Drums

Snare Drums
Apart from the cloth coverings of the toms and a slightly larger module, the new HD-3 is near-identical to the HD-1

Roland HD-3 V-Drums Lite

By Dave Holmes published

The HD-3 is an upgraded version of Roland's original affordable V-Drum kit, the HD-1.

Electronic Drums
The system comprises two basic components; the amplifier and transducer or 'thumper', both of which are finished in the same vivid red

Pearl Throne Thumper

By Dave Holmes published

Drum by the seat of your pants with Pearl's new Throne Thumper

Drums
This expansive nine-piece set features drum sizes specified by Ian himself

Pearl Ian Paice Signature Kit

By Dave Holmes published

A monster kit for a monster of rock

Drum Kits
The TD-11K has a dual-zone PDX mesh pad for the snare and all-rubber models for each of the others drums

Roland TD-11K Kit

By Dave Holmes published

V-Drums get a sound engine upgrade

Drum Kits
The Roland TD-30KV's MDS-25 rack features a cable management system, which hides the 16 cables.

Roland TD-30KV

By Dave Holmes published

Roland's new flagship V-Drum kit comes with all the power of the SuperNATURAL

Drums
Complex hammering stamps each K Constantinople cymbal with its unique sonic identity.

Zildjian K Constantinople Cymbals

By Dave Holmes published

Zildjian has expanded and enhanced its stunning K Zildjian Constantinople series

Cymbals
Samplepad is similar to Alesis' Percpad but with the ability to play user-created samples

Alesis Samplepad

By Dave Holmes published

Following on from the nifty Percpad, Alesis presents a conveniently compact sample player designed for drummers and percussionists

Drums
A chargrilling process gives the Ghost a 'cast' oxidation tinge.

Meinl Brann Dailor Ghost Ride

By Dave Holmes published

Meinl's MB8 range gets a new, Brann Dailor endorsed addition

Drums
The DM10 X's whole system can be backed up via a computer.

Alesis DM10 X Kit

By Dave Holmes published

Alesis adds a new e-kit to partner its flagship module

Electronic Drums
The PR tom case takes both hardware mounted and floor toms.

Protection Racket drum cases

By Dave Holmes published

A new line of intermediate cases with additional colour options

Drum Gear
More bangs per buck: Meinl's HCS cymbals are made from inexpensive MS63 brass alloy.

Meinl HCS Cymbal Pack

By Dave Holmes published

Meinl's new starter series offers more brass for less copper

Cymbals
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