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
  • Plugin Week 2026
  • 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
  • Eloise's guitar journey
  • Keef's greatest hit
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Led Zep's Rain Song
  1. Drums
  2. Drum Gear

New drum gear of the month: review round-up (January 2016)

News
By Rhythm published 4 January 2016

All of the latest drum gear reviews

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

Sonor Vintage

Sonor Vintage

As we entered the new year, the MusicRadar team was hard at work casting an eye over all of the latest and greatest drum gear.

We had a cracking month of reviews, with everything from Foo Fighters-approved snares to lush vintage kits via a drum made from an old rat catching van. Seriously. Everything in this round-up was reviewed on the site in December 2015, and we start with Sonor's stunning Vintage series.

MusicRadar's Verdict

“With its beech shells, rounded bearing edges, Superprofil hoops and teardrop lugs, Sonor's Vintage Series recalls a fondly- remembered defining period in the German company's 140-year evolution.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sonor Vintage

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Sonor Vintage currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
Ruach MK Cajons

Ruach MK Cajons

MusicRadar's Verdict

“The MK1 may be vanilla, but it gets the nod from us.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ruach MK Cajons

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Ruach MK Cajons currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
Provenance VW Rat Snare

Provenance VW Rat Snare

MusicRadar's Verdict

“The ethos of Provenance is to build unique instruments from historically noteworthy reclaimed materials. This rusty VW 'Rat' may be the boldest experiment yet, but it sounds fantastic.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Provenance VW Rat Snare

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
Ludwig Atlas Classic Hardware

Ludwig Atlas Classic Hardware

MusicRadar's Verdict

“Ludwig has updated its 1960s flat-based stands in line with popular retro trends. The Atlas Classic series is practical, stylish and boasts many clever and genuinely useful design details.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ludwig Atlas Classic Hardware

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Ludwig Atlas Classic Hardware currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
J Leiva Medina Cajon

J Leiva Medina Cajon

MusicRadar's Verdict

“Though lacking in bass tones this cajon still sounds good but lends itself to being miked up with a slight tweaking in the eq department.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: J Leiva Medina Cajon

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
Pearl Vision Birch VBL

Pearl Vision Birch VBL

MusicRadar's Verdict

“Pearl's Vision Birch Lacquer kit brings professional features such as custom-style finishes and hardware with affordable shell construction.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Pearl Vision Birch VBL

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Pearl Vision Birch VBL currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
Gretsch Taylor Hawkins Snare

Gretsch Taylor Hawkins Snare

MusicRadar's Verdict

“Chad Smith's signature Pearl snare has built a reputation as a brilliant all-rounder on a budget over the last decade, and now Hawkins' Gretsch is set to do the same.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gretsch Taylor Hawkins Snare

(Originally reviewed in Rhythm)

BUY: Gretsch Taylor Hawkins Snare currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
Rhythm
Read more
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Drum Machines Best drum machines 2026: Top beat boxes for all budgets and skill levels
 
 
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
 
 
Roland TD-716 e-kit in a rehearsal room with a Marshall cab in the background
Electronic Drums Best Roland electronic drum sets 2026: my top Roland V-Drums for beginner to pro drummers
 
 
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
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: A guide to the best music sales right now
 
 
Drummer wearing headphones shot from behind an electronic drum set
Drummers Best headphones for drummers 2026: sound isolation for the studio, rehearsal room and stage
 
 
Latest in Drum Gear
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
 
 
Zultan Raw mini hi-hats
Cymbals “Chunky, organic, trashy and very characterful”: Zultan Raw 8” Mini Hi-Hat review
 
 
Zultan 25 series
Cymbals “A versatile set with dry and dark tonal qualities”: Zultan 25 Series Cymbals review
 
 
Millenium Drums Legendary Drumbook
Drums “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
Drum Gear 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
 
 
Latest in News
HAMBURG, GERMANY - MAY 08: Rick Rubin on stage during the OMR Festival 2024 on May 8, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Tristar Media/Getty Images)
Artists "He doesn’t know nothing”: Finneas is as confused by Rick Rubin’s production claims as the rest of us
 
 
The Fender American Original 60s Strat leaning against an amp
Guitars Thomann is taking legal action against Fender in cease-and-desist dispute
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Charli XCX attends the UK Premiere for "The Moment" at Picturehouse Central on February 17, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Grant Buchanan/Dave Benett/WireImage)
Artists Charli XCX reflects on the reaction to her 'dancefloor is dead' lyric
 
 
Sting and Stewart Copeland of The Police backstage at The Police: Concert to Benefit Thirteen/WNET & WLIW21 at Madison Square Garden on August 7, 2008 in New York City.
Drummers “I’m happy that we get along just fine”: Stewart Copeland says he and Sting are still talking
 
 
British songwriting and production team Stock Aitken Waterman, circa 1985. Left to right: Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman. (Photo by Tim Roney/Getty Images)
Artists Better music technology hasn’t made life easier for producers than it was in the ‘80s, says Mike Stock
 
 
Andre 3000 7 Piano Sketches
Singers & Songwriters André 3000 has made a short film inspired by his 7 Piano Sketches EP
 
 

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...