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
  • 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
  • Tiny Dancer
  • Browser DAWs
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Restring your guitar
  1. Drums
  2. Drum Gear

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

News
By Alex Turner; Rhythm
Published 2 July 2012

The latest kit tested by Rhythm magazine

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

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

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
Echo Custom Drums Echo-Flint snare drums (£450)

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)

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
Gretsch Catalina Maple Kit (£875)

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

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
Meinl Artisan Edition Cajons

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

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
Remo Ambassador X14

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

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
Roland TD-30KV (£5779)

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

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
Sabian Players' Choice cymbals

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

Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
Alex Turner; Rhythm
Read more
Man plays Alesis Nitro Max drum kit with black sticks
Electronic Drums Best beginner electronic drum sets 2026: top-rated e-kits for entry-level drummers, tested by experts
 
 
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
 
 
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
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: A guide to the best music sales right now
 
 
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
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
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 Alaris cymbal set
Cymbals “Well balanced and sit wonderfully with each other in terms of pitch”: Zultan Alaris Cymbals 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
 
 
Latest in News
Sophie Lloyd shreds on her signature Kiesel
Artists Sophie Lloyd pays tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne with a shred cover of Black Sabbath’s Paranoid
 
 
Razorlight perform at STEREO Covent Garden to celebrate 20 years.COPYRIGHT 2026PhotographicGenius.com
Artists Razorlight’s biggest song was originally intended for another artist, says Johnny Borrell
 
 
Moog Minimoog Model D 2022
Samples SampleRadar: 493 free Moog synth samples
 
 
charli xcx
Artists How Charli XCX's producers ran a jam session through an AI sampling plugin to make No One Lasts Forever
 
 
Jay Weinberg and Bruce Springsteen
Artists Jay Weinberg on the Bruce Springsteen test that left him “deathly afraid” when sitting in with the E Street Band
 
 
Ray Davies (left) and his brother Dave Davies, of The Kinks, at a soundcheck before a session for the BBC at the Playhouse Theatre, London, 7th September 1964.
Guitarists “I don’t know, but never say never": Dave Davies isn't ruling out a Kinks reunion
 
 

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...