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
A pair of Sennheiser in-ear monitors lying on a MIDI controller
Studio Monitors Best in-ear monitors 2026: IEMs for stage and studio
Elektron Tonverk
Samplers “Easily one of the most inspirational and accessible Elektrons we've used”: Elektron Tonverk review
Yamaha has unveiled more concert and dreanought sizes of its cutting-edge TransAcoustic acoustic guitar range, with the TAG Cutaway models offering Bluetooth support
Guitars Yamaha expands TransAcoustic lineup with more guitars that look like regular acoustics but are anything but
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Drum Machines Best drum machines 2026: Top beat boxes for all budgets and skill levels
An UDO Super Gemini synthesizer on a white table
Synths Best synthesizers 2026: Top analogue, digital, mono and polysynths
A pair of Kali Audio LP-6 V2 studio monitors on a studio desk
Studio Monitors Best budget studio monitors 2026: Make your mixes sing with these wallet-friendly home studio speakers
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2026: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found $200 off an accessible Yamaha turntable, $100 off an iconic Korg synth and healthy discounts on guitars and much more
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals 2026: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
Nord Piano 6
Keyboards & Pianos Best stage pianos 2026: Our pick of the finest keyboards for live performance
A pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors on top of a carry case
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2026: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
A pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones in a studio
Headphones Best DJ headphones 2026: Booth-ready choices from budget to pro-level
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
Acoustic Guitars Best acoustic guitars 2026: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
A pair of KRK GoAux studio monitors on a studio desk
Studio Monitors Best small studio monitors 2026: Compact studio speakers
Akai MPC Sample
Samplers Akai MPC Sample review
More
  • Jimmy Douglass speaks
  • Ultravox's Vienna
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Elektron Tonverk Review
  1. Drums
  2. Drum Gear

New drum gear of the month: review round-up (May 2013)

News
By The MusicRadar Team published 1 May 2013

All of our drum gear reviews from April

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

Stagg SH Series Cymbals

Stagg SH Series Cymbals

Every month MusicRadar's sister magazine Rhythm publishes the best independent drum gear reviews.

This gallery features reviews of the latest cymbals, kits, electronic drums, percussion and other drum-related gear to have passed through the magazines' pages.

All the equipment on show here was originally reviewed in Rhythm magazine issue 214/215.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The SH may be Stagg's cheapest series, but for such budget cymbals they are unusually refined in tone. B20 bronze, hand-hammered cymbals at knock-down prices."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Stagg SH Series Cymbals review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 214)

BUY: Stagg SH Series Cymbals currently available from:
UK: Andertons | DV247

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Pearl Percussion Cube Cajon

Pearl Percussion Cube Cajon

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Pearl has done another sterling job of providing a significant and thought-provoking additions to what you may have thought possible with a cajon."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Pearl Percussion Cube Cajon review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 214)

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Tama Star Maple kit

Tama Star Maple kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Drum kits just go on getting better and Tama's new Star series, substantially changed from the already excellent Starclassic, is another step towards Drum Heaven... at an eye-watering price."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tama Star Maple kit review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 215)

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Ludwig Acrolite Classic Snare Drum

Ludwig Acrolite Classic Snare Drum

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The lightweight seamless aluminium shell is the ace in the hole of the distinctive bright tone of the Acrolite. A go-to, all-round drum - hard to fault. Whichever finish you choose the Acrolite is a classic."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ludwig Acrolite Classic Snare Drum review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 215)

BUY: Ludwig Acrolite Classic Snare Drum currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Full Compass

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Sabian Cymbal Vote 2013 Winners Series

Sabian Cymbal Vote 2013 Winners Series

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Cymbal Vote is all about showcasing Sabian's imaginative designs and innovative manufacturing and these winning entries certainly reflect these qualities. The four models possess different characteristics, but they are all strong performers."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sabian Cymbal Vote 2013 Winners Series review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 215)

BUY: Sabian Cymbal Vote 2013 Winners Series currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Tama Star Bubinga kit

Tama Star Bubinga kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Two grand for a bass drum is scary. But Tama has gone to great lengths to achieve its goal of maximum shell resonance and woody tone via a series of ingenious solutions which call on the old and the new."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tama Star Bubinga kit review

(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 215)

BUY: Tama Star Bubinga kit currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
The MusicRadar Team
The MusicRadar Team
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the internet's most popular website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers.

GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.

TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.

STARS: We talk to artists and musicians about their creative processes, digging deep into the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music-making that no other music website can.

Read more
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Drum Machines Best drum machines 2026: Top beat boxes for all budgets and skill levels
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $390 off a divisive Fender Stratocaster, $180 off a stunning Gretsch and hundreds off PA and live gear
 
 
NAMM 2026
Tech NAMM 2026: rolling news from the world's biggest music-making gear show
 
 
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Save a colossal $500 off one of my favourite Sterling by Music Man guitars, grab $200 off a super cool D'Angelico, plus all the week's biggest sales on music gear
 
 
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $600 off one of our favourite Casio pianos, $200 off top-tier Sennheiser studio headphones, and so much more
 
 
Hottest music tech gear of NAMM
Tech The best music tech gear of NAMM 2026: Epic polys, acoustic synths, budget samplers, a Behringer Juno and more
 
 
Latest in Drum Gear
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
 
 
Sleep Token drummer II Drumeo
Drum Gear “I’ve taken inspiration from the UK dance music scene": Mixwave put Sleep Token’s drummer in a plugin
 
 
DW SonicPly
Drum Gear Neil Peart called him 'the Wood Whisperer' and now he's blended metal and timber in DW's new SonicPly shells
 
 
Zultan Cymbals
Drum Gear "Crafted from Heritage. Tuned for Tomorrow": Zultan Cymbals celebrate their 25th birthday with a new high-end 25 series
 
 
Latest in News
Prince embraces Apollonia Kotero in a scene from the film 'Purple Rain', 1984. (Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images)
Artists Prince’s Purple Rain co-star recalls the moment he had the idea for one of his greatest songs
 
 
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Olivia Rodrigo performs with Robert Smith of The Cure on the Pyramid stage during day five of Glastonbury festival 2025 at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 29, 2025 in Glastonbury, England. Established by Michael Eavis in 1970, Glastonbury has grown into the UK's largest music festival, drawing over 200,000 fans to enjoy performances across more than 100 stages. In 2026, the festival will take a fallow year, a planned pause to allow the Worthy Farm site time to rest and recover. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Artists Olivia Rodrigo still has The Cure’s Robert Smith on her mind on new single, Drop Dead
 
 
boc
Artists Boards of Canada are back with their first new music in 13 years
 
 
plugin
Tech You might want to open a window before using The Crow Hill Company's filthy new synth
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found $200 off an accessible Yamaha turntable, $100 off an iconic Korg synth and healthy discounts on guitars and much more
 
 
David Lee Roth performs at the 2026 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival - Weekend 1 - Day 1 on April 10, 2026 in Indio, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
Artists David Lee Roth has clarified his creative role in Van Halen (again)
 
 

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...