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
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
More
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  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
Latest in Drum Gear
Zultan 25 series
“A versatile set with dry and dark tonal qualities”: Zultan 25 Series Cymbals review
 
 
Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook
“An extremely well-thought-out and all-encompassing piece of drum education”: Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook review
 
 
Man jams with a guitar player and bass player on an electronic drum kit
These huge drum deals at Sweetwater are about to disappear – here’s your last chance to bag up to 60% off electronic drums, cymbals, sticks and more
 
 
Sleep Token drummer II Drumeo
“I’ve taken inspiration from the UK dance music scene": Mixwave put Sleep Token’s drummer in a plugin
 
 
DW SonicPly
Neil Peart called him 'the Wood Whisperer' and now he's blended metal and timber in DW's new SonicPly shells
 
 
Zultan Cymbals
"Crafted from Heritage. Tuned for Tomorrow": Zultan Cymbals celebrate their 25th birthday with a new high-end 25 series
 
 
Latest in News
Dijon
The 'secret sauce' that creates Dijon’s distinctive vocal sound isn't what you thought it was
 
 
amenbreak
AmenBreak VST is a break-slicing, sample-mangling junglist powerhouse - and there’s a free version
 
 
Keeley Electronics Nocturne: this new stereo reverb is the latest signature pedal for Andy Timmons and has a dark metallic blue enclosure with a similar control surface to his Halo Core pedal.
“I turn this thing on, I don’t want to stop playing”: Keeley Electronics has made Andy Timmons fall in love with reverb with his new signature Nocturne pedal
 
 
Money
“They represent rent paid, instruments bought and careers sustained”: PRS has distributed nearly £275 million in 2025
 
 
Paul McCartney points to the crowd and raises an eyebrow as he performs with his iconic Höfner Violin Bass
Paul McCartney's favourite bass company is in trouble – Höfner's future uncertain as it files provisional insolvency proceedings
 
 
Jane's Addiction
“We have come together one last time to resolve our differences”: Peace breaks out between Perry Farrell and Jane's Addiction
 
 

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
  • 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...