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  1. Drums
  2. Drum Gear

New drum gear of the month: review round-up (December 2015)

News
By Rhythm published 16 December 2015

All of November's drum gear rated

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

Tycoon Crate Cajon

Tycoon Crate Cajon

The Rhythm reviews team has been hard at work once again, casting their expert eyes over the cream of the drum world in the last month.

Another superb collection of gear has passed through our doors, and we've we ran the rule over everything from Pearl's lush Fiberglass and Natal's Arcadia kits to cajons from Tycoon and Ruach. All the reviews here appeared on MusicRadar in November, starting with the Crate cajon from Tycoon.

MusicRadar's Verdict:

“This is a good sounding cajon which has plenty of body and feels good to perform with. However, it is hard to forget the price which we feel is difficult to justify being so expensive.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tycoon Crate Cajon

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 1 of 12
Page 1 of 12
Performance Percussion PP600E

Performance Percussion PP600E

MusicRadar's Verdict:

“While there are some good features with the PP600E, there are other kits around which offer much more for your money.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Performance Percussion PP600E

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 2 of 12
Page 2 of 12
PDP Concept Black Wax

PDP Concept Black Wax

MusicRadar's Verdict:

“PDP is constantly impressing us by drawing upon quality DW craftsmanship to create its much more affordable ranges. These snares certainly are a bargain for the asking price.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PDP Concept Black Wax

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 3 of 12
Page 3 of 12
Dixon Jet Set Plus

Dixon Jet Set Plus

MusicRadar's Verdict:

“A versatile kit that offers something a little different for the jobbing drummer, the Jet Set Plus is a full-featured kit in a pint-size package.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Dixon Jet Set Plus

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 4 of 12
Page 4 of 12
Pearl Wood Fiberglass

Pearl Wood Fiberglass

MusicRadar's Verdict:

“Pearl's original Wood- Fiberglass shell was a genuine classic and this excellent, timely update with Kapur shells comes at a knock-down price.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Pearl Wood Fiberglass

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Pearl Wood Fiberglass currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 5 of 12
Page 5 of 12
Ruach Live Cajons

Ruach Live Cajons

MusicRadar's Verdict:

“The Live A is certainly the pick of the Ruach bunch, but it is eye-wateringly expensive.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ruach Live Cajons

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Ruach Live Cajons currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music

Page 6 of 12
Page 6 of 12
Schlagwerk Agile Pro

Schlagwerk Agile Pro

MusicRadar's Verdict:

“A well crafted instrument with an excellent sound.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Schlagwerk Agile Pro Cajon

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Schlagwerk Agile Pro currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 7 of 12
Page 7 of 12
Wambooka Acyrlic Drum

Wambooka Acyrlic Drum

MusicRadar's Verdict:

“Who knew that by adding water to a drum you could add a whole new dimension to a traditional instrument?”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Wambooka Acyrlic Drum

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 8 of 12
Page 8 of 12
DW Design Black Nickel Over Brass Snare

DW Design Black Nickel Over Brass Snare

MusicRadar's Verdict:

“An absolute stunner of a snare, both aurally and visually. Top quality design and construction is what we've come to expect from DW, only now it comes without the price-tag.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DW Design Black Nickel Over Brass Snare

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: DW Design Black Nickel Over Brass Snare currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 9 of 12
Page 9 of 12
Natal Arcadia

Natal Arcadia

MusicRadar's Verdict:

“With premium features from Natal's high-end lines, adapted for the working drummer, the Arcadia series sets a stunning new standard for entry-to-mid-range kits.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Natal Arcadia

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Natal Arcadia currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 10 of 12
Page 10 of 12
Istanbul Agop Mantra Cymbals

Istanbul Agop Mantra Cymbals

MusicRadar's Verdict:

“This neat set provides Cindy Blackman-Santana with a jazz-based cymbal retaining that hallmark traditional Istanbul character, but with a sharper, brighter cutting, rocking edge.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Istanbul Agop Mantra Cymbals

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 11 of 12
Page 11 of 12
Schlagwerk X-One Cajon

Schlagwerk X-One Cajon

MusicRadar's Verdict:

“A great sounding cajon at a pocket-money price.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Schlagwerk X-One Cajon

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Schlagwerk X-One Cajon currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 12 of 12
Page 12 of 12
Rhythm
Read more
Millenium MPS-850 E-Drum set
“Boasts an array of features above its relatively low price”: Millenium MPS-850 E-Drum set review
Drumcraft Bell Brass Snare
“An excellent entry point into the world of cast-shell drums”: DrumCraft Bell Brass Snare review
GForce Software IconDrum
“The perfect environment for creating iconic drum sounds, which have scope to move beyond their original sonic remit”: GForce Software IconDrum review
Sennheiser MD421 Kompakt
“A high-quality solution for capturing your drums”: Sennheiser MD 421 Kompakt review
A collection of single and double Tama Iron Cobra pedals on a silver corrugated metal sheet
Best bass drum pedals 2025: single and double bass pedals for every budget
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
Latest in Drum Gear
Zultan Cymbals
"Crafted from Heritage. Tuned for Tomorrow": Zultan Cymbals celebrate their 25th birthday with a new high-end 25 series
Roland DrumLink
Roland's V-Drums go wireless for new simple and seamless WT-10 sensor and DH-10 hub DrumLink system
Millenium Drums book
Millenium launches new book for drummers of all ages and abilities
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
Sennheiser MD421 Kompakt
“A high-quality solution for capturing your drums”: Sennheiser MD 421 Kompakt review
Zultan Z series update
“A versatile set but these cymbals excel in a rock and metal context”: Zultan Z Series review
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