(USA) Yamaha Drums @ Winter NAMM 2011
The 2011 NAMM show took place in Anaheim, California, from January 13 through 16, and of course Yamaha was there with a spacious booth at the Marriot Hotel. At the drum corner a total of 14 sets were displayed on a multi-level “stage” and new products were introduced.
The big news this year was the Club Custom drums. The Club Custom concept was initially set in motion by ideas and advice from Steve Jordan, leading to the adoption of 100% Kapur shells from our flagship PHX series and a newly developed swirl paint finish. This new hand-applied finish has the gorgeous look of a covering, but is a true painted finish that is thin and light for spectacular sound as well as appearance.
In addition to the three Swirl Series finishes introduced at the show (Swirl Orange, Swirl Black, and Swirl Blue), Dark Wood and Black Wood finishes with a beautiful matte surface are available, filling out the impressive spectrum of Club Custom colors.
The press release event featured demo performances by Kirk Covington, Steve Hass, and Sean Paddock, all raising the excitement level at the venue considerably. Visitors were generally awed and inspired by the impressive sound and visual magnificence on display, but it was the experienced drummers in the crowd who expressed the greatest interest, attesting to the value of the new Club Custom concept.
More details about the new drums can be found here:
http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product/drums/cc/
YouTube: Club Custom Promotion Movie
Other items of interest at the show included a small-diameter Bop kit addition to our popular 100% birch Stage Custom lineup, and a USA-only limited reissue of the legendary Recording Custom kit with original specifications and colors (Hot Red, Mellow Yellow, and Stage White). These were demoed by two special guests who flew to California from Japan just for the occasion.
Senri Kawaguchi, 14-year-old prodigy and YouTube sensation, demonstrated the Stage Custom Bop Kit.
Senri Kawaguchi’s mentor and one of the most respected drummers in Japan, Kozo Suganuma, demonstrated the Recording Custom Ltd.
The scene at the Yamaha booth on Saturday 15 was one of extraordinary excitement as around 50 Yamaha drummers including Mike Bordin, Tom Brechtlein, Ralph Humphrey, Russ Miller, Xavier Muriel, Dave McClain, Felix Pollard, Chris Johnson and others converged for an autograph session.
Keep your eyes on Yamaha drums in 2011 … it’s going to be another great year!