Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Bridge Over Troubled Water
  • World in Motion
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The genius of Clive Davis
  1. Drums

NAMM 2013: In Pictures: Premier

News
By Rhythm magazine
Published 25 January 2013

Brit icon unveils new gear at NAMM

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

NAMM 2013: Premier

NAMM 2013: Premier

NAMM 2013: We've had a flurry of gear announcements over the last few hours, and we should have known that Premier wouldn't disappoint.

The iconic Brit company has plenty to shout about, including the new Nicko McBrain 'Nicko's Sicko' snare drum.The 14"x5.5" drum features a silver shimmer outer ply of sycamore with hand rubbed oil finish and 2.3mm triple flange hoops.

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
NAMM 2013: Premier

NAMM 2013: Premier

And another from Nicko here, it is the Aces High snare. The drum, named after the iconic Iron Maiden track, consists of a 14" x 5.5" shell which is 10mm thick and constructed from 17 plies of sycamore.

The outer ply features a stunning handmade-inlay from dyed sycamore and cherry to recreate the camouflage of a Supermarine Spitfire. This intricate marquetry also incorporates a Royal Air Force target, a red, white and blue tail fin ensign and carries the LZ symbol of the Royal Air Force Squadron 66 who flew Mk6 Supermarine Spitfires. The inner ply is finished in a sky blue sycamore to represent the underside of the Spitfire.

The snare drum is fitted with Premier's Spitfire chrome plated solid brass tube lugs, themed on the front nose of the Spitfire to complement the shells unique markings. The snare is limited to just 100.

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
NAMM 2013: Premier

NAMM 2013: Premier

And now for a kit! Reinvigorated for 2013, the APK Series is to be launched in two distinctive models: APK offering standard modern-day configurations and APK Heritage, designed to offer more classic and traditional set-ups.

The APK Series have 100% 6-ply unsupported birch shells for a more full-bodied tone that is suited to any musical genre.

Packed full of features, the APK range includes new and improved low-mass lugs, a chrome-plated ISO mounting system and four stylish metallic sparkle wraps.

The APK Heritage features a matching birch snare drum whilst the standard APK comes with a steel shell snare drum only.

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
NAMM 2013: Premier

NAMM 2013: Premier

Back to snares, now, and here we have the Modern Classic. These steam-bent drums are hand-built in the UK and use new machining techniques and moulding processes to create a 100% solid steam-bent 10mm shell.

Available in 14"x5.5" solid beech and 14"x6.5" solid maple models, these snares are limited to just 50 each.

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
NAMM 2013: Premier

NAMM 2013: Premier

Premier has also unveiled this new Vintage Series snare. The 14"x5.5" drum is an 11-ply exclusive version of the models introduced last year. It also features an extra three plies of premium birch core from the original giving it a total of 9 plies of birch core with an inner ply of mahogany. This produces a more powerful vintage sounding snare drum with a little more crack yet still retains the warmth of the mahogany from its inner ply.

For more details head over to

www.premier-percussion.com

.

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
Rhythm magazine
Read more
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
DW Drums 9000X detail
Drum Gear “More drummer-friendly than ever”: Drum Workshop launch updated version of their 9000 series of stands and hardware
 
 
EVH Gear Wolfgang Special Baked Maple: the high-performance electrics are refreshed with baked maple necks, TOM bridges and Floyd Rose vibratos
Guitars Eddie Van Halen-approved baked maple necks? Check. Flagship pickups? Check. EVH Gear unveils stunning refresh of the Wolfgang Special
 
 
PRS Limited Edition Mango Wood Guitars
Guitars PRS brings a mango top to six of its popular models with a 1200 unit limited edition run
 
 
Harley Benton BassTheWorld MV-JB Plus: the Burgundy Mist J-style challenges our preconceptions of the Thomann-owned brand with a high-end build
Guitars Budget gear giant Harley Benton goes high-end for BassTheWorld signature bass
 
 
Man wearing black hat playing the Roland TD716 electronic drum set
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets in 2026: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
 
 
Latest in Drums
Dave Grohl recording in Hilversum Studios, posed at drums
Artists How Dave Grohl delivered his Smells Like Teen Spirit drum track
 
 
Rear view Donner Groove Ultra kit in a warehouse
Electronic Drums “Despite this minimalist footprint, it’s one of the sturdiest racks I’ve tested in this price bracket”: Donner Groove Ultra electronic drum set review
 
 
Yamaha EAD50 on a blue wooden floor surrounded by drumsticks
Drum Gear “An immensely powerful tool for recording, live use, rehearsing and practising, teaching, live streaming and more”: Yamaha EAD50 review
 
 
DW Drums 9000X detail
Drum Gear “More drummer-friendly than ever”: Drum Workshop launch updated version of their 9000 series of stands and hardware
 
 
Shawn Crahan of Slipknot
Bands “I got to get a surgery”: Slipknot’s Shawn Crahan speaks about how he sometimes feels like he’s “dying”
 
 
Zultan Raw mini hi-hats
Cymbals “Chunky, organic, trashy and very characterful”: Zultan Raw 8” Mini Hi-Hat review
 
 
Latest in News
james blake
Artists Did James Blake really sample the Titanic's SOS signal on Death of Love?
 
 
George Harrison of The Beatles pop group pictured at the Apple Headquarters in London, 2nd January 1969
Guitarists Did George Harrison contribute to more Beatles songs than he is given credit for?
 
 
Dave Grohl recording in Hilversum Studios, posed at drums
Artists How Dave Grohl delivered his Smells Like Teen Spirit drum track
 
 
reloop
Tech DAWs for DJs, rotary mixers and the world's first standalone motorized controller: 5 of the coolest pieces of gear we saw at Thomann's DJ Days
 
 
Kirk Hammett plays his Mummy ESP signature guitar [left]; Neal Schon plays a Les Paul on a stage lit up in purple.
Artists Kirk Hammett felt so guilty after buying Neal Schon's Les Paul on the cheap he offered to return it
 
 
AlphaTheta CDJ-1500X
Dj Gear AlphaTheta’s CDJ-1500X is a WiFi equipped DJ player that lets your audience vote on track requests
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...