Geoff Nicholls

Want to really wow your audience? Light up the stage with Spaun's new LED Custom acrylic shelled drums

Ludwig updates its Accent starter kit with accompanying hardware and cymbal package

A deep, dark and refined brass snare

Provenance uses "high grade alloys and quality timbers", salvaged from historically intriguing sources - Spitfire and Rolls Royce engines and the like.

These visually dramatic signature rides are modifications of previous Paiste models.

What is it about Ludwig snare drums? Why are so many of us pushovers for these seemingly ageless designs?

Stagg has an enviable reputation for punching above its weight in terms of good value percussion products.

Despite modern music getting ever brasher and louder, a welcome balance is maintained in the way each cymbal company has sought to develop vintage, darker, softer and lighter series.

It's been a busy year for the Swiss cymbal and gong company Paiste, what with the new Big Beat series and reinvigorated Formula 602 and 2002 ranges.

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

New specialist cymbals from Zildjian

We try out a specially-commissioned mahogany side drum

Affordable APK-based kit made under Premier's imaginative licensing deal with Iron Maiden

Here's a drum kit with a special dual finish

Steel snares from the exciting new Natal range

Dual position hi-hat drop-clutch to get a sizzle when you're slamming double kicks

Strikingly different drums for under a grand from the innovative Brazilian company

We sample two quite different snares from the Jersey drum maker

The UK high-flyers re-create the glory days of vintage drums

British percussion company Natal makes its impressive drum kit debut

Two beautiful snares from a new British drum builder

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

Another impressive Artisan kit from Dixon shows this company means business

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