Geoff Nicholls

Articles by: Geoff Nicholls

Kommagenes have a special blue-brown finish, the result of a chemical finishing process

Amedia Kommagene Series cymbals review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £205
  • $251

Traditional-style cymbals, hand-crafted in Istanbul

For the first time Zildjian has used B15 bronze alloy in the manufacture of the 391s

Zildjian Project 391 Limited Edition cymbals review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £155
  • €211
  • $209

Zildjian's first B15 bronze cymbals

The tiny 14"x12" bass drum has natural maple wood veneer hoops which add a touch of class and warm the sound

Sonor Martini Special Edition (SE) Kit review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £398
  • €560
  • $612

Affordable compact kit for big kids, too

Istanbul Agop Signature Ride Cymbals review

By Geoff Nicholls published

A trio demonstrating the traditional cymbal maker's craft

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

Q Drum Co Custom Copper Kit review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £2599

Big hits from this copper kit

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

Carrera Drums Custom Pinstripe Snare Drums review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £399

Hand built from scratch in the UK

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

Stagg Sensa Series Cymbals review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £28.5
  • €44

Stagg's first new series in 10 years

The Modern Classic is available in Natural Mahogany (top) or Birdseye Maple (bottom) finishes

Premier Modern Classic Snare review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £620

We loved the kit, but how will the snare fare?

Note that this is not a Bubinga veneer, but clever stippling that looks like Bubinga

Pearl BCX Masters Birch Kit review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £1319
  • €1546
  • $2499

A more-affordable Masters

The mesh's fine weave feels perfectly even and the heads feel as strong as regular heads

Remo Silent Stroke mesh drum heads review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £7.1
  • €14.1
  • $11.79

After quiet practice sessions? Use you heads...

The tools used: 1. White spirit 2. T-Cut 3. Goo Gone 4. Colron Finishing Wax 5. Autosol Shine & Metal Polish 6. Masking tape 7. Electric cordless drill 8. File 9. Soft cloth 10. Fine wire wool 11. Baked bean tin 12. Plastic tub 13. Drum key 14. Sharp blade

Drum kit maintenance 101: how to clean your drums

By Geoff Nicholls published

Spruce up your drum set for the new year

Simon Phillips on Jeff Beck, Toto and Protocol II

By Geoff Nicholls published

The Toto and session legend takes stock

Absolute Hybrid Maple is the fourth generation of Yamaha's Absolute series

Yamaha Absolute Hybrid Maple kit review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £3703

Cutting-edge kit from Japan, via China

The Concert Master 22 has a birdseye maple veneer, with contrasting mahogany hoops on the bass drum

Premier Modern Classic Concert Master 22 review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £2200

British-built shells ooze retro class

The Bebop 20 gets a mahogany finish, with contrasting birdseye maple hoops on the bass drum

Premier Modern Classic Bebop 20 review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £2100

High-end kit proves high performer

Celebrating Ludwig's 105th year the Signet self-assembly concept is a revolutionary initiative, cleverly realised

Ludwig Signet 105 TeraBeat kit review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £1399
  • €1299
  • $1679

An innovative self-assemble drum kit

PST7s are crafted from Paiste's original 2002-series B8 bronze, the low-tin content CuSn8

Paiste PST7 Series cymbals review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £50
  • €59
  • $94

Pro sounds at beginner prices? Very nearly…

That's brushed aluminium and the drum's chunky hoops are 13-ply rock maple

Gretsch Gold Series Aluminium Shell Snare review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £454
  • €534
  • $770

Boutique-style snare from drumming big boys

All the new SensiTone drums have a strengthening centre-bead, and the Aluminium shells are seamless

Pearl SensiTone Metal Shell snares review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £239

Overhauled metal drums

The Avant's Finnish birch shells are built in Liberty's own factory and have new profile Opex bearing edges

Liberty Avant Series Kit review

By Geoff Nicholls published

Jazz-inspired kit built to excel

The Maple drum (right) with its 13" diameter provides a snappy, poppy sound

Yamaha Dave Weckl 30th Anniversary Maple Snare review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £758
  • €788
  • $959

A limited edition of only 250 drums

The brass model (left) has a 14"x51⁄2" shell of 1.2mm gauge brass with a strengthening centre bead

Yamaha Dave Weckl 30th Anniversary Brass Snare review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £794
  • €824
  • $999

The drum god's new signature model

Proprietary patina process ensures the cymbals look aged, and the aura is remarkably authentic

Zildjian K Kerope Cymbals review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £309
  • €442
  • $625

New set channeling firm's 50s-era

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

Odery Custom Teak and Araucaria Snare review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £649

Wood-y snare from the land of the Amazon

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 review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £240
  • €244
  • $338

The public have spoken, again

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