Geoff Nicholls

Articles by: Geoff Nicholls

Circa 1974.

Vintage drum gear: Premier classics

By Geoff Nicholls published

'30s, '60s and '70s gear from the legendary British drum brand

The swirl orange finish involves a new hand-painting and lacquering process.

Yamaha Club Custom Kit review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £2606
'Volcano' cup has an inner dip rather than rising to a normal, rounded dome.

Zildjian Swish Knocker And Z3 Ultra Hammered Chinas review

By Geoff Nicholls published

New specialist cymbals from Zildjian

The kit comes with a complete Roadpro hardware pack.

Tama Silverstar drum kit review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £800
  • $1218.74
The lacquer matches the existing Velvetone snare drum.

Mapex Black Panther Velvetone kit review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £2210
  • $2988

The logical extension to Mapex's hugely popular Black Panther snare range

The range has a choice of 18 different cymbal types and sizes, categorised Medium or Powerful.

Meinl Classic Custom series cymbals review

By Geoff Nicholls published

Meinl's Classics are updated with a new alloy and a serious polishing

Thin shell and wood hoops make for a deeper, warmer and more open tone

Morgan Davies Snare Drums review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £529

Two beautiful snares from a new British drum builder

Rudimentary brass cymbals fulfil the package but are not up to the standard of the drums.

Techtonic Unplugged Rock kit review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £329

We test electronic kit maker Soar Valley's new acoustic drumset

Small, shallow toms positively beg you to try out your fastest rolls.

Dixon Artisan Custom Traditional Maple Series kit review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £1650

Another impressive Artisan kit from Dixon shows this company means business

Tribute: Joe Morello Interview

By Geoff Nicholls published

Rhythm Re-visited: Geoff Nicholls meets a drum legend

Each cymbal has a different degree of sparse hammerings, all done by hand.

Matt Nolan Cymbals review

By Geoff Nicholls published

Distinctive UK-made cymbals that sound as good as they look

The shell is constructed from over 40 inch-wide staves.

Robert Daniels Fine Drums Snare review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £1500

We try out a specially-commissioned mahogany side drum

The birch kit - shells come in five finishes including this Blaze Sparkle Lacquer.

Premier Genista Maple And Genista Birch Drum Kits review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £1336
  • $2200

Premier's revamped '90s favourite is now available in two guises

The shells have eight plies and are 7mm thick.

Odery Fluence Fusion Series Kit review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £599

Hailing all the way from Brazil, Odery drums are bound to be that little bit different

Steve Gadd's drum setup: legendary session drummer's kit in pictures

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Steve and his tech talk session drumming, technique and gear

Two Correy Miller designs are available, Skulls and Serpent Rose

Remo Tattoo Skyns review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £19.99
  • $39.25

Set of inked drum heads by Corey Miller

Die-cast Super Hoops make for awesome, ringing rim-shots.

Tama Brian Frasier-Moore Signature Palette Snare review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £770
  • $1076.91

We test the pop drumming maestro's signature snare

New Haymans have typical modern straight-sided shells made from eight plies of poplar

Hayman Showman Big Sound drum kit review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £999

Seventies British favourite makes a semi-pro return

These are big, heavy metal drums so their most obvious use would be in rock and metal.

Gretsch USA G4000 Snares review

By Geoff Nicholls published

A choice of brass, copper and aluminium offered from this up-market Gretsch snare collection

The shells are round to within 1mm - which is top class.

Carrera Terrier Kit review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £1399

We've seen the snares, now here's the mini kit from new British custom builder Carrera

The mahogany is close to 100 years old and quality seasoned.

Guru Drumworks Kit review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £2848

England's north-east is becoming a hotbed of designer-crafted drum workshops

A-X is that bit harder-wearing, prompting its use as a snare batter too.

Remo Ambassador-X Heads review

By Geoff Nicholls published

The Ambassador puts on weight for today's hard hitters

The cymbals have a golden colour and are polished to a shining gleam, top and bottom.

Sabian Xs20 Brilliant Finish Cymbals review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £852
  • $1336

Sabian's budget-conscious B20 cymbals recieve a brilliant update

Fantastic, beautiful colours and time-honoured Turkish hand-hammering.

Meinl Byzance Cymbals (Traditional, Dark and Extra Dry ranges) review

By Geoff Nicholls published

New additions to Meinl's traditional, Turkish made range

Ludwig Element Laquer Series Power drum kit review

By Geoff Nicholls published

  • £829
  • $1045

Brilliant intermediate set with an exceptional snare

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