Geoff Nichols

Latest articles by Geoff Nichols

Black Swamp Percussion Dynamicx Live! Series snare drum

By Geoff Nichols published 29 May 19

Solid-shell snare handmade in the US

Snare Drums

Spaun Mahogany Series drum kit

By Geoff Nichols published 19 September 17

US bespoke drum company Spaun branches out at a surprising new angle

Drum Kits

These 14" hi-hats (top left and centre) combine a heavy Brilliant cymbal with a slightly thinner unlathed Extra Dry one

Meinl Byzance Serpent Series hi-hats

By Geoff Nichols published 18 February 14

Switchable hi-hat set for the metal man and snake breeder...

Hi-hats

Odery's kits certainly stand out from the crowd with a vibe of old-world, traditional craftsmanship about them

Odery Custom Kit

By Geoff Nichols published 13 February 14

Odery Custom is the sensational hand-crafted top-notch offering from this decidedly original Brazilian company

Drum Kits

The Vintage-style tom shells are three-ply with reinforcing rings

Sakae Drums Trilogy Drum Kit

By Geoff Nichols published 15 January 14

An unfamiliar name to many, Sakae Rhythm is a Japanese company with a long and illustrious history of drum building

Drum Kits

The Aces High snare (right) has a complex finish in hand-cut natural cherry and green dyed sycamore, soaked to absorb the colour throughout

Premier Aces High snare

By Geoff Nichols published 15 November 13

After 20 years endorsing Premier drums, Nicko McBrain's patronage is celebrated with this beautiful signature snare

Snare Drums

The Superior Shell Technology (SST) shells are a six-ply blend of Asian mahogany with poplar, scarf jointed and 7.5mm thick

Pearl Export Series Kit

By Geoff Nichols published 12 July 13

Thirty years on from the original, the most successful budget kit of all time returns with a revamped specification

Drum Kits

Vintage drum gear: Reno Pressure Ring Drum Kit

By Geoff Nichols published 23 May 13

A rare period piece from Manchester drum-maker Jimmy Reno

Drum Kits

These timbales (rear) are made from 1mm gauge steel with two circumferential flanged beads

Meinl Marathon Series Timbales

By Geoff Nichols published 21 May 13

Heavyweight deep steel shell timbales from the innovative German manufacturer

Drums

A thinly applied stain shows the shell's grain and is expertly finished

Truth Custom Drum Kit

By Geoff Nichols published 9 May 13

North American custom build company offers a vast range of options, depending on your vision and your pocket

Drum Kits

The finish is sensational and the bottle green gloss lacquer looks and feels glorious

Tama Star Bubinga kit

By Geoff Nichols published 29 April 13

Tama's fabulous new top-end series will make you the star of the show...

Drum Kits

The Acrolite Classic and Limited Edition are the same drum, but the latter has a 'brushed aluminium'-style hardware finish

Ludwig Acrolite Classic Snare Drum

By Geoff Nichols published 26 April 13

Celebrating 50 years of the Acrolite, Ludwig releases a special edition snare in all-over brushed aluminium

Snare Drums

The perimeter inlay motif sets off the superbly finished shells in Satin Antique Brown

Tama Star Maple kit

By Geoff Nichols published 22 April 13

Tama's fabulous new top-end series will make you the star of the show...

Drum Kits

As a custom company, SJC can offer just about any type and size of shell and finish you can think of - this one's acrylic and maple

SJC Custom Hybrid Drum Kit

By Geoff Nichols published 5 February 13

Striking one-off drumset with hybrid maple and acrylic shells from this highly rated custom American company

Drum Kits

6 career defining records of Kenny Aronoff

By Rhythm magazine, Geoff Nichols published 13 July 09

Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi sticksman picks his finest

Drummers

The Z Link drive shaft has zero latency with no lag or wobble

Pearl Eliminator Demon Drive P-3002D

By Geoff Nichols published 9 June 09

NiNjA skateboard bearings? Welcome to the future…

Drums

A micro-clear coating gives the heads a matte black appearance

Evans Onyx Series Heads

By Geoff Nichols published 4 June 09

Black in hue, black in sound: 'alternative' skins

Drum Gear

There are three different types of hinged clamp - all are steel castings

Yamaha Hexrack

By Geoff Nichols published 4 May 09

A revamped, sleek hexagonal drum mounting system

Drums

There are four maple and five burled ash finishes with your choice of gold or chrome metalwork

Yamaha PHX-Phoenix

By Geoff Nichols published 26 March 09

Yamaha's most-expensive kit has 11mm-thick shells!

Drum Kits

The first Yamaha budget kit made entirely fom birch

Yamaha Stage Custom Birch Kit

By Geoff Nichols published 4 December 08

A budget birch kit that is as uncluttered as it is classy

Drum Kits