Geoff Nicholls

Superb collection of handmade metal shell snare drums from Manchester-based father and son company

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.

First we had Giant Beat and now we have Big Beat. What's going on?

Cutting large holes in cymbals to give a short trashy sound effect is not a new idea, but Paiste has gone a step further to provide this set of relatively low-priced PSTXs

Shaw is the UK's oldest brand of drumstick, dating back to 1866 and thus celebrating its 150th year in 2016.

Way back in 1959 Paiste manufactured its first cymbals from traditional B20 bell bronze, or CuSn20 as Paiste prefers to call it.

A collection of dark, powerful and adaptable mega-rides

Traditional-style cymbals, hand-crafted in Istanbul

Easily portable, undersized kits are increasingly popular and in 2014 Sonor introduced three options in its Special Edition (SE) series

Pearl's fibreglass and wood/fibreglass-shell kits of the early 1970s were cutting edge and successful.

Cymbal variations just keep on coming, and it is to the manufacturers' credit that each addition has something unique to offer.

Here we have a new signature set of hats developed by Paiste for Stewart Copeland.

Dave Lombardo's pioneering thrash beats make him the perfect candidate for his own signature cymbal, and that's exactly what we have here.

Cymbal variations just keep on coming, and it is to the manufacturers' credit that each addition has something unique to offer.

Since 2009, jazz and fusion drummer Steve Smith has been playing CS heads on his toms, having swapped from Ambassadors.

TRX puts a bright 21st Century spin on the classic all-round Turkish-American cymbal.

British made specialist snare drum with a unique design incorporating a genuinely 'floating' shell.

Rehearsal rooms rise to the task with backline and kit supplied - just bring your cymbals and sticks, and maybe your snare and bass pedal(s). Hence these two new cases from Protection Racket...