New drum gear of the month: review round-up (July 2012)

The past month's drum gear at a glance

The past month's drum gear at a glance

Every month, MusicRadar's industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish the best independent and in-depth music-making gear reviews.

This is a collection of kits, percussion, accessories and more from Rhythm Magazine's gruelling testing process - first reviewed in Rhythm issue 204 and published on MusicRadar throughout June.

Scroll on for this month's top picks and click through to read each product's full review.

First up: EcHo-Flint snare drums

Echo Custom Drums Echo-Flint snare drums (£450) — This joint venture sees EcHo metal shells married to Flint Percussion's marching band style free-floating shells

Echo Custom Drums Echo-Flint snare drums (£450)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“These unusual snares will probably appeal to heavier players who want something bulletproof.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Echo-Flint snare drums

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 204)

Gretsch Catalina Maple Kit (£875) — An excellent value all-maple kit from one of the world's oldest drum brands

Gretsch Catalina Maple Kit (£875)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Gretsch delivers the goods once again.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gretsch Catalina Maple Kit

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 204)

BUY: Gretsch Catalina Maple Kit currently available from:
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass
FR: Michenaud | Star's Music

Meinl Artisan Edition Cajons — German percussion giant Meinl tops its cajon arsenal with some beautiful new hand-crafted models

Meinl Artisan Edition Cajons

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Always forward-looking, these Artisans are a particularly fine testament to the company's continuing success.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Meinl Artisan Edition Cajons

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 204)

BUY: Meinl Artisan Edition Cajons currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
FR: Thomann | Woodbrass

Remo Ambassador X14 — Remo's most durable single-ply head makes light work of the heaviest of demands

Remo Ambassador X14

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Quite simply, what's not to like?”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Remo Ambassador X14

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 204)

BUY: Remo Ambassador X14 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
FR: Thomann | Michenaud | Woodbrass

Roland TD-30KV (£5779) — Roland's new flagship V-Drum kit comes with all the power of the SuperNATURAL

Roland TD-30KV (£5779)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Pay out for a high-end acoustic kit and you only get one. With this set-up you get hundreds of kits and the cymbals thrown-in too!”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Roland TD-30KV

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 204)

BUY: Roland TD-30KV currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
USA: Sweetwater
FR: Michenaud | Star's Music

Sabian Players' Choice cymbals — Four brand new and wildly different Sabian one-offs, the winners of Sabian's online player selection scheme

Sabian Players' Choice cymbals

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Interesting one-off cymbals, but they won't be for everybody.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sabian Players' Choice cymbals

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 204)

BUY: Sabian Players' Choice cymbals currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music