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 hollow clonk of a good maple snare is present in all its glory

Gear4Music White Horse Legend Kit

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

An absurdly cheap sugar maple kit from China

Drum Kits
The Idris Muhammad ride (pictured left) boasts a bright, clear stick definition but without the underlying roar of the White model

Istanbul Agop Signature Ride Cymbals

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Contrasting Lenny White Epoch and Idris Muhammad Signature rides inspired by Zildjian's vintage Ks

Cymbals
Classic looks, Classic sound... Classic.

Premier Series Classic Kit

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

As Premier unveils its cut-price route to a top-notch kit, we tread the Classic path

Drum Kits
The three-band surface treatments make the LTDs particularly eye-catching

TRX LTD Series Cymbal Set

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Shiny Turkish cymbals with a modern edge

Cymbals
Around 40 narrow staves of cherry wood make up the drum

Robert Daniels Custom Snare Drum

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

A one-off, hand-crafted cherry wood snare

Snare Drums
Ed at the 2013 NAMM show

Ed Shaughnessy RIP: Ed's final Rhythm interview

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Rhythm was saddened to learn over the weekend that renown US drummer Ed Shaughnessy had passed away.

Drummers
Circa 1963

Vintage drum gear: Rogers Dave Clark kit

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Unmistakable red sparkle kit owned and played by '60s superstar Dave Clark

Drum Gear
Circa 1949

Vintage drum gear: Leedy kits

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Two kits that illustrate the evolution of the drumset

Drum Gear
Once The Beatles broke through, Ludwig's previously unfashionable Oyster Black wrap became a massive seller.

Ringo's Ed Sullivan kit

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

We take a look at one of the most iconic kits of all time...

Drum Kits
The chains are nickel-plated like the chains used on pro touring bikes

Mapex Falcon bass drum pedals

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Super intuitive single and double kick pedals

Drums
Each cymbal is hand-hammered on an anvil at least 5000 times

Amedia Old School Series cymbals

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

New Istanbul cymbalsmiths already the most diverse of them all?

Cymbals
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Mapex Black Panther Black Widow Snare

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

The perfect tone with brooding dark looks

Snare Drums
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Mapex Black Panther Cherry Bomb Snare

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Dare to be different with an alternative size and wood

Snare Drums
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Mapex Black Panther Retrosonic Snare

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Vintage tones and the luxury of 100 percent walnut

Snare Drums
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Mapex Black Panther Blade Snare

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Reliable, all-rounder steel snare with a rasping tone

Snare Drums
The well-behaved snares don't need dampening, and work best at mid tunings with mid-tensioned snares

Highwood Hammer Snare Drums

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Hammer snares are ideal for the rock-metal drummer - custom built, durable and sensibly priced

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

Gretsch USA G4000 Snares

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

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

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

Carrera Terrier Kit

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

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

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

Guru Drumworks Kit

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

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

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

Remo Ambassador-X Heads

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

The Ambassador puts on weight for today's hard hitters

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

Sabian Xs20 Brilliant Finish Cymbals

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

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

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

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

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

New additions to Meinl's traditional, Turkish made range

Cymbals
The shell 1.2mm gauge polished stainless steel with centre bead

Tama Charlie Benante Snare

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Anthrax drummer finally gets a signature model

Snare Drums
Medium weight and classic profile, with Sabian logo, give the cymbals authenticity

Sabian SBr Cymbals

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Impressive new entry-level brass range

Cymbals
The sets share many physical features but get bulkier as you go up the chain, starting with the 100 (above)…

Sonor 100, 200 and 400 series hardware sets

By Geoff Nicholls last updated

Three drum sets from the German company compared

Drums
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