Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitar Amps
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • "Worst rap album in history"
  • Superbooth 2025
  • Eilish vs Radiohead
  • 95k+ free music samples

Recommended reading

Alesis Strata Club
Drum Gear With the same mesh-head playability and powerful new Strata module as its bigger brothers, Alesis Strata Club brings a new compact form to its best-selling range
Alesis Crimson III
Electronic Drums Alesis’ popular Crimson e-kit just got an upgrade with version III sporting new heads and a new BFD-powered drum brain
Roland DrumLink
Drum Gear Roland's V-Drums go wireless for new simple and seamless WT-10 sensor and DH-10 hub DrumLink system
Millenium MPS-850 E-Drum set
Electronic Drums “Boasts an array of features, many of which punch impressively above its relatively low price-point”: Millenium MPS-850 E-Drum set review
Ernie Ball Music Man Steve Lukather L4 2025 collection
Guitars “Every time I put one of these guitars on it’s just a reminder of the relationship with my friends”: Ernie Ball Music Man shakes up Steve Lukather’s L4 signature series with new pickup options, finishes and a BFR HSS dream machine
Revv D25 Joey Landreth Edition: the new signature take on the feature-packed tube combo is offered in gold and black finishes and is fitted with a Celestion G12H-75 Creamback driver.
Guitars “It showcases a straightforward single-channel layout ideal for both clean tones and mild breakup tones”: Revv Amplification and Joey Landreth join forces for a signature take on the D25 tube combo with onboard virtual cabs/IRs
Drumcraft Bell Brass Snare
Snare Drums “An excellent entry point into the world of cast-shell drums, and a clear bargain”: DrumCraft Bell Brass Snare review
  1. Drums
  2. Snare Drums

NAMM 2014: Yamaha reveals new kit and a Dave Weckl snare

News
By Rhythm published 23 January 2014

Plus a redesigned favourite

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

Absolute Hybrid Maple kit

Absolute Hybrid Maple kit

NAMM 2014: Yamaha hits the ground running in 2014 with the introduction of a new kit series in the Absolute line. The Absolute Hybrid Maple set features a core ply of Wenge wood with outer plies of North American Maple.

From the press release:

Absolute Hybrid Maple drum sets feature a hook lug originally designed for the PHX Series, which brings out the drum’s natural tone by creating a small footprint on the shell. In addition to allowing quick and easy head changes, the lugs provide precision tuning.

Other features in the series include a new piston-drive snare strainer, hinged floor tom leg brackets, a low-mass bass drum bracket and the same style of spurs first introduced on the Live Custom drum set. Yamaha’s exclusive staggered diagonal seam and Air-Seal System shell-making process produces strong, consistent shells.

“The new Absolute Hybrid has taken many elements of our Flagship PHX series to create a truly amazing instrument” said Gavin Thomas, UK Product Manager - Yamaha Drums. “The aim was to develop a shell that has as a wide and expressive sonic range as possible that responds accurately to differences in the way the drum is played. The result has to be played and heard to be believed. This new series represent another step forward for Yamaha in high-end drum production out of our Xiaoshan factory.”

Page 1 of 3
Page 1 of 3
Yamaha Dave Weckl signature snares

Yamaha Dave Weckl signature snares

It's been 30 years since drumming legend Dave Weckl joined the Yamaha Drums family. To celebrate this impressive milestone Yamaha has introduced two new snare drums that will be limited to only 250 worldwide.

First up is a version of Dave Weckl’s original 13"x5" Maple 6 ply (6mm) model in Black Maple finish; then there's a new 14"x5.5" Brass (1.2mm) finished in Black Nickel. Both drums feature the unique dual strainer design along 45 degree bearing edges, 3.0mm Aluminium Die-Cast hoop and small, stylish cube shaped chrome lugs.

From the press release:

“I have enjoyed playing Yamaha drums for 30 years now. Their attention to detail, quality and consistency is unparalleled in the industry and I am happy to have this long standing relationship”, Dave Weckl commented. ”My signature snare drums are of the most unique on the market. The dual strainer system is one of a kind, and provides a sound and versatility like no other snare ever made. For the few that will be able to own one of these special drums, enjoy them. They are very special instruments!”

“Only 250 snare drums have been produced with only 68 available for the European Market” explained Gavin Thomas, UK Product Manager - Yamaha Drums “The demand for these instruments will be high with many faithful Dave Weckl enthusiasts trying to secure them. They will most certainly be a collector’s item for the future."

Page 2 of 3
Page 2 of 3
The redesigned Stage Custom Birch

The redesigned Stage Custom Birch

From the press release:

Yamaha today introduced the redesigned Stage Custom Birch drum set at the 2014 NAMM Show. Already considered to be pound-for-pound among the best in its class, the new generation Stage Custom Birch Drum Set has received several significant upgrades.

Many of the changes are subtle, yet substantial. Yamaha upgraded the shells with the same thicker ply concept used on Live Custom and rounded the bearing edges for more head to shell contact, which provides a fatter sound. The Absolute style lug, which attaches to the shell using a single screw, requires fewer holes in the shell and less metal inside the drum, allowing the drums to resonate more fully. Die-cast claws and new spurs now adorn the bass drum and the snare drum now includes ten lugs for more precise tuning.

Stage Custom Birch kits also come in new sizes. Tom and floor tom sizes are now available at traditional depths and diameters, offering wider tuning and dynamic ranges. The floor toms, trimmed down to be under square, provide a better tone to attack balance. The drum sets also offer excellent finishes, high-end specs and superior hardware at a great value.

“For nearly two decades, Yamaha's Stage Custom drums have offered outstanding value for money” said Gavin Thomas, UK Product Manager - Yamaha Drums. “They are our number one selling drum set and we are really proud to improve the design even further, improving the sound and appearance and adding even more value for money to keep the Stage Custom Birch ahead of the industry.”

Page 3 of 3
Page 3 of 3
Rhythm
Read more
Alesis Strata Club
With the same mesh-head playability and powerful new Strata module as its bigger brothers, Alesis Strata Club brings a new compact form to its best-selling range
Alesis Crimson III
Alesis’ popular Crimson e-kit just got an upgrade with version III sporting new heads and a new BFD-powered drum brain
Roland DrumLink
Roland's V-Drums go wireless for new simple and seamless WT-10 sensor and DH-10 hub DrumLink system
Millenium MPS-850 E-Drum set
“Boasts an array of features, many of which punch impressively above its relatively low price-point”: Millenium MPS-850 E-Drum set review
Ernie Ball Music Man Steve Lukather L4 2025 collection
“Every time I put one of these guitars on it’s just a reminder of the relationship with my friends”: Ernie Ball Music Man shakes up Steve Lukather’s L4 signature series with new pickup options, finishes and a BFR HSS dream machine
Revv D25 Joey Landreth Edition: the new signature take on the feature-packed tube combo is offered in gold and black finishes and is fitted with a Celestion G12H-75 Creamback driver.
“It showcases a straightforward single-channel layout ideal for both clean tones and mild breakup tones”: Revv Amplification and Joey Landreth join forces for a signature take on the D25 tube combo with onboard virtual cabs/IRs
Latest in Snare Drums
Drumcraft Bell Brass Snare
“An excellent entry point into the world of cast-shell drums, and a clear bargain”: DrumCraft Bell Brass Snare review
DrumCraft Bell Brass 14"x6.5" snare
DrumCraft reintroduces its Bell Brass snare drum, offering you the snare sound of Metallica, Nirvana, RATM and more for under £800!
Paramore
YouTuber recreates Paramore’s iconic Misery Business snare drum sound from scratch without using samples, "Drum production was not the same post-Misery Business"
DrumCraft Vanguard
"The aluminium model is, frankly, a stone-cold bargain": DrumCraft Vanguard snare drums review
DrumCraft Vanguard snare drums
DrumCraft launches seven-strong Vanguard Snare Series, “Developed for drummers who work both live and in the studio.”
Tama 50th anniversary releases
NAMM 2024: Tama’s 50th anniversary releases include an acrylic Starclassic Mirage, marble-finished Iron Cobras and Mastercraft snares
Latest in News
Frank Zappa in a top hat
"Window or aisle, how would you like to return home?": Dweezil Zappa on how his dad ran his band
Bruce Springsteen performs during the first night of 'The Land of Hopes and Dreams' tour at Co-op Live on May 14, 2025 in Manchester, England
“In my country, they’re taking sadistic pleasure in the pain they inflict”: Springsteen issues rallying cry against Trump at Manchester gig
microlab mk3
Arturia upgrades its MicroLab MIDI keyboard with new keybed, sustain input and USB-C - and slashes the price
Dire Straits Brothers In Arms
"Everybody was going 'Does anybody know how to work this thing?'”: How Guy Fletcher and a classic ‘80s synth became Dire Straits’ secret weapon on Brothers In Arms, and helped to turn it into one of the biggest albums of the decade
Fortin Fourteen Dual Boost Overdrive: the new tricked-out green stompbox from Mike Fortin packs two Tube Screamer OD flavours in one housing and is packed with features.
“Each of the three modes represents a milestone in pedal history”: Fortin triples down on modded-TS tones with the Fourteen – an boost/overdrive pedal representing the “apex of Mike Fortin’s modification philosophy”
Andy Bell and Liam Gallagher 2005
“I’m in and I’m really looking forward to it”: First non-Gallagher member confirmed for Oasis reunion line up

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

  • 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...