Musikmesse 2012: Drums, drums and more drums
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
We've spent the last few days covering the miles at Frankfurt's Musikmesse show. Head inside to take a look at what we saw. Here's a clue, we saw a shed-load of drums and (as you can see above) a fair old whack of cymbals.
Pearl
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
One of the first sights to greet us in the drum hall was this mighty set-up - Dream Theater Mike Mangini's stunning Pearl Reference Pure kit. Not bad, huh?
Pearl
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
While we were at the Pearl booth we took a look at their Eliminator Demon Chain pedal, as well.
Pearl
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
According to Pearl, the pedal is packed with the features that made their Demon Drive line such a hit, but with the added strength of a chain.
Gretsch
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
We first ran into Gretsch's Brooklyn kits at NAMM earlier this year, and we were eager to have another nose around them at Frankfurt. Here's a gorgeous Red Oyster model.
Gretsch
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
The Renown '57 line is another stunning piece of work from Gretsch.
Core
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
Core, we like the look of this (see what we did there?) Korea's Core drums had this LED-lit kit on show, and as you can see it clocks in at just shy of 10,000 euros.
Roto Drum
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
And here's another relatively low-profile company doing something a little bit different. Roto Drum build their kits with this stonking great gap in the shells. Why? Well, they say it adds all kinds of tonal and tuning possibilities. Not only that, but their kits can also be packed down to take up less room when carting them around, can be muted for practice and allow easy miking by shoving a mic in the shell gap.
Roto Drum
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
ddrum
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
It's not just Roto Drum that we found offering shells that you can lose your sticks in, as this ddrum Dios kit proves.
Meinl
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
It wasn't all drums, y'know. There were also plenty of cymbals, including the latest lot from Meinl. These Serpent hats in particular stood out.
Meinl
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
That Serpent does look pretty cool, right?
LB Drums
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
Of course, heading to mainland Europe means you also get to experience the work of some Continental drum builders who may not be widely available in the UK. Here we present Swiss company LB Drums. Ran by two brothers (from taking calls to finishing shells, they do it all) the company offers a treasure trove of custom options for the kit of your dreams.
LB Drums
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
Like any custom drum builder worth their salt they also do snares, just check this little lot.
Ludwig
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
Taking centre stage at Ludwig's stand was the brand new Club Date kit.
Ludwig
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
Ludwig
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
Plus, Ludwig announced their two new Acrolite snares - one of which you can gawp at above.
Drumcraft (with Brian Frasier Moore looking on)
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
And finally, we have Drumcraft. These guys have been doing some sterling work on the Continent for the last few years and are all set to move into the UK right about now.
Drumcraft
In Pictures: Musikmesse 2012
Phew, we need a lie down after all that. If you're still hungry for more from Musikmesse head to our main page and www.Musicradar.com.
Rich is a teacher, ex Rhythm staff writer and freelance journalist who has interviewed countless revered musicians, engineers and stars for the esteemed likes of Rhythm, Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, and MusicRadar. His victims include such luminaries as Ice T, Mark Guilani and Jamie Oliver (the drumming one).