Geoff Nicholls

Geoff Nicholls

Freelance Gear Reviewer, MusicRadar

Geoff Nicholls is a musician, journalist, author and lecturer based in London. He co-wrote, co-presented and played drums on both series of ‘Rockschool’ for BBC2 in the 1980s. 

Before that he was a member of original bands signed by Decca, RCA, EMI and more. ‘Rockschool’ led to a parallel career writing articles for many publications, from the Guardian to Mojo, but most notably Rhythm magazine, for which he was the longest serving and most diverse contributor.

During this time Geoff toured the USA with Hugh Harris for Capitol-EMI, spent many happy years with Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers, recorded and gigged with Chicago blues legends including Carey Bell, Mojo Buford, Louisiana Red and Nappy Brown. More recently he infiltrated the folk-world-music scene with MoltenAmba.

He has taught on the Guildhall Music School’s Jazz and Rock Summer School from 1985 to 2025 and for many years lectured in music business and copyright law.

Meantime he has written award-winning books (e.g., ‘John Bonham, A Thunder of Drums’, 2002, with Chris Welch) and series for radio (1993’s ‘Byte The Music’ for BBC Radio 3 won First Prize Gold Award at the New York Radio Festival). ‘The Drum Book’ (1997, fully updated in 2008) remains the definitive account of the evolution of the modern drum kit.

Latest articles by Geoff Nicholls

The shell (bottom) is 50-50 teak-araucaria with a rich brown figured outer teak veneer

Odery Custom Teak and Araucaria Snare

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Sustainably-sourced drums from the unique Brazilian company

Snare Drums
All these cymbals have fine lathing top and bottom, leaving the AAX Freq hats the odd guys out with their raw bells and dual surface

Sabian Cymbal Vote 2014 Winners

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Sabian's clever marketing idea, to run an online public vote for the most popular of its latest cymbals to promote, enters its third year.

Cymbals
The snare (top) has 2.3mm triple-flanged steel hoops and all metal fittings are finished in antique silver

Odery Custom Araucaria Snare

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

A new custom snare drum illustrates the breadth of choice from this fascinatingly different firm

Snare Drums
UFIP's Supernova range cymbals have a super-smooth hand-buffed finish

UFIP Supernova cymbals

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Professional quality cymbal series now fully available in the UK

Cymbals
There's a choice of 27 finishes for Sakae's beech snare. Here we have black-to-blue acrylic and silky oak veneer

Sakae Beech snare

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Two hand-made snares in attractive beech wood from the recently launched and rebranded Japanese company

Snare Drums
UFIP's Rotocasting process results in a super-pure B20 alloy that 'increases durability'

UFIP Class Brilliant cymbals

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

The old Tuscan firm returns with a set of cymbals that demand attention

Cymbals
The finish in a dark stain is satin smooth

Leiva Pro Omeya Bass Studio Cajon

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Professional flamenco cajon with innovative design features and impressive bass response from this top Spanish company

Percussion
Shells have a Custom Dark Brown Patina finish, hand-applied with a Custom Aztec Brushed Copper design

Q Drum Co Custom Copper Kit

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Although Q offers kits in maple or mahogany, it's the metal kits, made from sheet steel, brass or copper, that draw the headlines

Drum Kits
Shells are finished in hand-rubbed oil with a wax sheen, or in a high gloss lacquer

Carrera Drums Custom Pinstripe Snare Drums

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Two superlative custom snare drums hand built from scratch in the UK that look and sound awesome

Snare Drums
The versatile Sensas are sweet and bright-sounding all-rounders

Stagg Sensa Series Cymbals

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

The Chinese cymbal company, Stagg, first surprised us back in 2001. We always thought of 'proper' cymbals being of Turkish origin, most often via the USA and Europe

Cymbals
The new Brooklyn kit revisits the round badge and double flanged hoops of some of the classic drums produced in the Brooklyn factory

Gretsch Brooklyn Kit

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

With its evocative name Gretsch's new Brooklyn recalls the round badge era of the company's illustrious past

Drum Kits
Murat Diril cymbals are wood (not gas like others) 'cooked' in a process which involves hammering and lathing in three separate cycles

Murat Diril Cymbals

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Broad collection of cymbals with remarkable heritage and mode of manufacture from a master Istanbul cymbalsmith

Cymbals
American walnut was one of the popular woods of early drum-making and has made a small comeback in recent years

Animal Custom 2012 Series Kit

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

West Yorkshire custom builder Animal simplifies its output with the launch of these new hand-crafted drums

Drum Kits
Byzance cymbals are individually cast and hand-hammered in Turkey before sending on to Germany for cosmetic finishing

Meinl Byzance Rides And Crashes

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

New additions to the Meinl Byzance range of traditionally-made Turkish cymbals

Drums
The fast-growing Chinese maple used on the Meridian is of good quality

Mapex Meridian Maple Jazz Kit

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Mapex adds this exceedingly well-specified small group kit to its popular budget Meridian Maple line

Drum Kits
The Club Date kit recalls Ludwig's student kit of the '60s

Ludwig Club Date Special Edition Kit

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Nostalgic vintage revival of Ludwig's '60s student kit with a new and unusual shell make-up

Drum Kits
Circa early-'70s

Vintage drum gear: Zickos Transparent Drum Kit

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

A rare example of the first ever commercially-produced plastic drum kits

Drum Kits
Circa 1930s

Vintage Drum Gear: Slingerland Sea Green Pearl kit and '30s snares

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

More retro treats from classic drum maker Slingerland, this time two snares and a kit from the 1930s

Snare Drums
Circa 1960

Vintage kits Trixon

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Owner Dave Prince shows his kits Trixon Lexus and Telstar

Drum Kits
Zildjian's two new K Custom rides (top) are medium-thin with a special proprietary satin giving them a muted old-gold look; the 19" Trash-Smash (bottom) has eight hammered and slightly raised 'spokes' radiating across its body.

Zildjian K Custom new additions

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Zildjian introduces a pair of classy rides and a sparkling Trash-Smash to its K Custom contemporary jazz line

Cymbals
Circa 1920

Vintage drum gear: George B Stone Deluxe Combination Stage Outfit

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Another piece of drum history courtesy of Rhythm Magazine

Drum Gear
The AAX Aero Crash cymbal (bottom right) has 19 rows of four small holes radiating from the centre to the edge.

Sabian Players' Choice Cymbals

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Four brand new and wildly different Sabian one-offs, the winners of Sabian's online player selection scheme

Cymbals
The EcHo-Flint snare features an ingenious free-floating, 'suspended shell' system.

EcHo-Flint snare drums

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

This joint venture sees EcHo metal shells married to Flint Percussion's marching band style free-floating shells

Snare Drums
Currently the website lists 16 series and Amedia is able to make 1,300 different cymbals

Amedia Crash, Ride and Hi-hat Cymbals

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

A well-priced, hand-made Turkish range

Cymbals
Circa 1951

Vintage drum gear: Leedy & Ludwig and Ludwig & Ludwig

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Two classic kits bearing the Ludwig name

Drum Gear
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