What's new - Yamaha Drums -

NAMM Show 2013 was held at the Anaheim Convention Center from January 23 through 26. The big Yamaha drum news for this year’s show was the announcement of the new Live Custom series!

The new Live Custom drums feature oak shells using oak layers that are 20% thicker (1.2 mm) than the Oak Custom models, resulting in a huge, powerful tone that is ideally suited to contemporary live performance. The lineup includes Black Shadow Sunburst, Emerald Shadow Sunburst, and Amber Shadow Sunburst gloss finishes, plus a lusty Black Wood finish. Black painted interiors and dark silver hardware add to the overall visual appeal. Newly designed features abound, including strainers, floor tom brackets, bass drum legs, and more.

More detailed information about the Live Custom drums can be found on  the web here:
http://www.yamaha.com/livecustom/

An eBook catalog for the Live Custom series is available here: http://ebook.yamaha.com/v2/catalog/?58512

At the press release event on the second day of the show Tommy Aldridge and Matt Halpern played demonstrations that dazzled the crowd with big, punchy sound.

See and hear how leading artists are responding to the Live Custom drums at the official Yamaha YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1EWVCkmb3U

Since this year is also Yamaha’s 125th anniversary, we decided to display a little history at the drum booth. A Recording Custom kit in Quartz Grey finish was set up at the entrance, and then as visitors entered the booth they encountered the hybrid PHX/Recording Custom setup that Carter Beauford actually uses on stage, and a double-bass carbon fiber kit that was used by Tommy Aldridge.

At the back of the booth was a PHX kit set up in Dave Weckl style, along with Birch Custom Absolute, Recording Custom, and Club Custom models with backdrop graphics of Steve Gadd, Steve Jordan, and Dave Weckl. The overall effect was a fitting tribute to Yamaha’s 125-year history of musical instrument innovation.

As in previous years an artist autograph and photo session was held at the Yamaha booth, providing a rare opportunity for fans to rub shoulders with their favorite artists.

Artists who participated in this year’s event included Bill Gibson, Bobby Blotzer, Dan Needham, Dave Weckl, David Garibaldi, Donald Barrett, Gorden Campbell, Jamie Oldaker, Matt Halpern, Ndugu Chancler, Paul Bostaph, Phil Ehart, Prairie Prince, Rick Marotta, Teddy Campbell, Tom Brechtlein, Tom Hunting, Vince Wilburn Jr., and Xavier Muriel.

The long line of fans waiting for autographs extended to outside the venue, and the event, which started at 11 AM, overran the original schedule by a wide margin and continued until 2 PM. Although this was a gathering of some of the most respected players in the music business, smiles and friendly conversation all around attested to how much these artists value the opportunity to spend time with their fans. Seeing so many happy fans carrying drum heads covered in autographs from their idols was a memorable experience.

The Yamaha drum division is constantly working with artists in pursuit of the perfect drum sound for the times. We sincerely believe that it is our mission and duty to always stay in touch with that goal, providing the tone and playability that artists need to deliver today’s music without compromise. The Live Custom series introduced this year presents a new facet of the Yamaha drum sound that we’re confident will become an important and highly regarded feature of live performances by our “family” in years to come.

If you’re a drummer, it’ll be worth your time to hear and play these exciting new drums for yourself.

  The Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) is the largest percussion event in the world, and this year it was held from October 31 through November 3 in Austin, Texas.

A number of Yamaha artists offered their time and talent to make this year’s convention a memorable one: Joe McCarthy, Bob Terry, David Garibaldi, Cliff Almond, Ari Hoenig, Steve Gadd, Mark Walker, Ndugu Chancler, Pedrito Martinez, Marco Marcinko, and Tom Brechtlein.

One common thread that united all of the Yamaha drum clinics was that, rather than concentrating only on technique, the artists offered valuable insights gleaned from their long experience in the world of professional drumming. Often at clinics held in the United States a number of participants will leave the room if they’re not interested in what’s going on, so it’s interesting to note that there were almost no early departures from the Yamaha clinics, attesting to the high quality of the content provided.

The level of interest was also apparent at the artist autograph session, where the long line of fans waiting or autographs remained undiminished throughout the allotted hour.

The next PASIC will be held from November 13 through 16, 2013, in Indianapolis.

Steve was delighted with both the sound and looks of the Club Custom drums.

Musikmesse is one of the world’s largest musical instrument  trade shows. This year a number of notable new Yamaha drum product releases made it an event to remember!

This year’s “I Play Yamaha” slogan formed an appropriate backdrop for a series of important product releases, including the big eye-catcher at the Yamaha booth: an ingeniously configured hybrid kit using the new HEXRACK II system that was first introduced at NAMM 2012. This unique setup effectively demonstrates the HEXRACK II system’s remarkable combination of light weight and holding power.

YouTube: (EN) Yamaha HEXRACK II / Musikmesse 2012

Check out the HEXRACK II advantages at the following URL, and imagine how they might transform your own setup!
http://www.yamaha.com/hex2

The Recording Custom series is a long-running favorite that has become a standard in the music business, and this year there were two distinctive new colors on display! The Antique Sunburst kit featured a 26” x 14” bass drum that’s capable of delivering some seriously solid kick tone and power, and the Deep Blue kit showed a variety of subtle variations as the light changed during the day. The Deep Blue finish is sure to respond to stage lighting in many fascinating ways.

YouTube: (EN) Yamaha Recording Custom Drum Set

The Stage Custom series was also shown in two new colors: Matte Black and Honey Amber. The Stage Custom drums inherit the Yamaha birch sound from the Recording Custom series, and these two new colors effectively enhance their high-class image. Visitors were clearly impressed by these exquisite finishes.

YouTube: (EN) New Yamaha Stage Custom and Recording Custom Drum Sets / Musikmesse

The “European Special” highlight for this year was undoubtedly the signature snare drums created in cooperation with some of Europe’s leading artists.

From left to right in the photo: Christian Meyer (Italy), Ton Dijkman (Netherlands), Soren Frost (Denmark), Pedro Barcelona (Spain), and Erik Smith (Norway).

The final specifications of each model were carefully determined and optimized through close cooperation with the respective artist, resulting in drums that deliver both distinctive sound and appearance. This is just one more example of Yamaha working with the world’s top performers to raise the bar as high as possible!

Other products on display were the popular Club Custom drums in Swirl Orange, an Absolute series setup in White Grape Sparkle, a flagship PHX kit in Turquoise Fade, and of course innovative Yamaha system hardware.

Check out the URL below for info about why Yamaha system hardware is some of the most popular and relied on in the business.

http://www.yamaha.com/drumhw/

The artist autograph even held on the final day of the show brought together some of the most esteemed drummers from Europe as well as rising young stars from around Germany, and turned out to be a crowning moment of the entire show.


The artists included: Ralf Gustke (Germany), Billy Cobham (US), Wolfgang Haffner (Germany), Gulli Briem (Iceland), Erik Smith (Norway), Paul Tetzlaff (Germany / "Clueso"), Der Onkel (Germany / "Ohrbooten"), Carl-Michael Grabinger (Germany / "Jazzanova"), Zacky Tsoukas (Germany / "Errorhead"), Prof. Michael Küttner (Germany), Thomas Holtgreve (Germany / "Frida Gold") Jakob Sinn (Germany / "Revolverheld").

Yamaha has been a leading manufacturer of top-quality drums and drum hardware since 1967. That’s 45 years of significant history. In the impressive new product lineup introduced at this year’s Musikmesse, as well as the level and number of artists who gathered to sign autographs and show their support, it is clear that Yamaha will continue to be a major force in defining the future of music worldwide.

This year marks Yamaha’s 45th anniversary as a drum manufacturer (we’ve been building ‘em since 1967), and we’re still wowing the crowd at the NAMM show.

One of the highlights of this year’s display is the Dragon Hybrid Kit located right at the booth entrance.

This impressive setup demonstrates the flexibility, strength, and safety of our remarkable new HEXRACK II hardware, featuring all aluminum piping that is the lightest in the business! Drummers can create virtually any type of setup their imagination can conceive, to support their individual drumming style. All innovative drummers should definitely check out HEXRACK II!

More information on HEXRACK II can be found here:
http://www.yamaha.com/hex2/
Don’t miss the HEXRACK Gallery while you’re there!

You might have also noticed that the shells used in this kit are Recording Custom reissue shells with an Antique Sunburst finish, one of the two new colors that Yamaha added to this year’s Recording Custom lineup: Antique Sunburst and Deep Blue.

Since it’s release in 1977, the long-selling Recording Custom series has become a standard in studios and on stages around the world, and the distinctive “birch sound” it delivers is still popular with demanding drummers in all genres. The two new colors are not flashy, but they have a deep, sexy, and somewhat mysterious appeal. The depth and dimensionality of these finishes could only be achieved through industry-leading Yamaha finishing technology.

The e-Book catalog is available here:
http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product/drums/recording_custom/index.html

Even the more economical Stage Custom Birch series boasts two beautiful new colors: Matte Black and Honey Amber. These gorgeous, sophisticated finishes give the affordable Stage Birch Custom drums top-line visual appeal.

The e-Book catalog for the Stage Custom series is here:
http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product/drums/stage_custom/index.html

Some great news for Yamaha came in during the show: the Club Custom series introduced last year was selected by Music & Sound Retailer as “Best Drums of the Year”! Check out the announcement at around 31:45 in the movie at the link:http://www.msretailer.com/msr/?p=440

These innovative drums were inspired by Steve Jordan, and are constructed of 100% Kapur for outstanding tone. They also feature a beautiful swirl finish that adds visual appeal to their stunning sound. We’re honored that a distinguished publication like Music & Sound Retailer has evaluated them so highly, and hope that you’ll try them out for yourself!

http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product/drums/cc/

The artist autograph and photo session that took place at the Yamaha booth was probably the highlight event of the entire NAMM show this year. Check out the list of distinguished artists who turned up to show their support for Yamaha! The event began at 11 AM, and even at 1:30 PM the line for autographs and photos was as long as when it started! So many great players in one place at the same time … a very rare opportunity.

The artists were:
David Garibaldi, Tommy Igoe, Gorden Campbell, Donald Barrett, Ralph Humphrey, Steve Jordan, Sonny Emory, Tommy Aldridge, Tom Hunting, Paul Bostaph, Jerry Marotta, Russ Miller, Russ Kunkel, Gerry Brown, Phil Ehart, Prairie Prince, Teddy Campbell, Dave Weckl, Bobby Blotzer, Ndugu Chancler

The Yamaha drums and hardware that these discerning players choose to support their careers is designed and created with the same type of passion that they apply in their drumming. We’re very serious about what we do. We take our “family’s” needs and demands into consideration right from the initial design stage, and that is a significant part of the secret behind the sound, playability, and reliability of Yamaha drums.

It’s our 45th year! As exemplified by our Recording Custom series and System Hardware, our ability to consistently stay at the forefront of the music and technology is our pride. The experience we acquire today goes toward defining the drums of the future. This year begins with the revolutionary HEXRACK II hardware, providing all-new potential for innovative drum settings.

This year’s Frankfurt Music Messe took place from April 6 through 9, and of course Yamaha was there with a range of new products.

The main attraction was the Club Custom kit that had already been announced at the NAMM show, with Swirl Black and Swirl Orange kits on display, and color samples to show off the gorgeous Swirl Blue, Dark Wood, and Black Wood color variations. A large number of visitors stopped by to watch Steve Jordan’s Club Custom demo video, attesting to this outstanding artist’s worldwide popularity.

More details about the new drums can be found here:
http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product/drums/cc/

YouTube: Club Custom Promotion Movie

At the event booth UK drummer Ash Soan played a live demo using the Club Custom drums, with bassist Marco Mendoza and guitarist Soren Andersen in a tight, great-sounding three-piece unit that drew excited crowds. Despite the high sound levels out front, the Club Custom kit played by Ash projected beautifully with solid, well-defined tone. The kit was tuned to a fairly low pitch that clearly demonstrated the wide tuning range of these remarkable drums.

The Recording Custom LTD Edition that was such a hit at the NAMM show has also been slated for release in Europe, so Hot Red and Mellow yellow versions were on display. The Stage Custom Bop kit and remarkably light yet stable 600 series hardware sets were also on show.

One display that drew considerable attention was a prototype of Dave McClain’s 2011 stage kit. This impressive Hexrack-mounted Oak Custom kit in Matte Black finish with a Machine Head badge and logo on the bass drum gave visitors a sneak preview of the custom setup Dave will be using on stage this summer.

Yamaha booth staff handed out badges and called for donations to support the victims of Japan’s recent earthquake and tsunami. The destruction and loss have been catastrophic, and we want to do all we can to help.

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 and Steve Hass, 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!

Once a year the worlds most respected artists meet in Rotterdam, (Netherlands) at the prestigious North Sea Jazz Festival. With 300 concerts on 19 stages and a total of 180.000 visitors in 3 days, the North Sea Festival is Europe’s biggest indoor festival and a gathering of music superstars. And when the worlds best musicians unite, be sure to see many Yamaha Artists around.

With Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Bogie Bowles, David Garibaldi, Questlove, Roy Haynes, Keith Carlock & Antonio Sanchez legendary Yamaha Drum Artists came together with today’s younger generation of influential Yamaha drummers, showing the visitors the wide range of the Yamaha drum line-up on stage: from a PHX with Dave Weckl, an Absolute kit with Antonio Sanchez and David Garibaldi or Oak Custom, played by Questlove, Keith Carlock and Roy Haynes all professional drums series´ were present.

Besides the concert appearances, the Yamaha Drums booth on the festival ground was the place to meet drummers, performing artists, be a part of interview sessions or to relax and talk about music.

Especially for the 2010 festival, a limited Oak Custom kit in Black Sparkle Sunburst equipped with NSJ2010 badge had been made in the own Yamaha Custom factory and was displayed to public visitors at the main entrance of the festival. All 7 sets are now available for sale at Yamaha Pro Shops across the Netherlands.

Follow the links below to see the videos.

David Garibaldi of Tower Of Power
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOfnfu9snD8&feature=related

Roy Haynes with Chick Corea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWaf1FiLBHY

Keith Carlock with Rudder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJijoEHRBXM

Antonio Sanchez of Pat Metheny Group
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhpPvYsTWqs

Bogie Bowles with Joe Bonamassa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCLiwr2BlYI&feature=related

?uestlove of The Roots
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hIgLLB647E&feature=related

Steve Gadd with David Sanborn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7uizvSiFjs&feature=related

Dave Weckl with Mike Stren
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gh9rnW7TbY

Louis Cato with Marcus Miller
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LMLkW7L8WA

Macy Gray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dB9BHM3AHc

Joss Stone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgSy_iROHU8

Musik Messe 2010 was held from March 24 to 27 in Frankfurt, Germany. At the Yamaha drum booth the brand new "Rock Tour" drums were on display in big rock sets with 10 inch toms representing the full color line-up. The Rock Tour drums, previously announced at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, were are major attraction, drawing large crowds of visitors.

In addition to the Rock Tour drums, Yamaha announced a limited edition of the Recording Custom drums designed just for Europe. Their beautiful wood pattern in Vintage Natural finish is reminiscent of the Real Wood finish of the historic YD9000 series.

http://europe.yamaha.com/eu/products/musical_instruments/drums/drumsets/recording_custom_vintage_ltd

In the event booth, Glenn Hughes and his band performed some of the finest rock grooves heard at the show. On the final day Billy Sheehan joined in on Glenn's signature tune, "Burn." It was clear to the excited audience that Yamaha rocks with power and style. The band’s talented young drummer, Matt Goom, played the Rock Tour drums and was obviously impressed by the set’s solid rock sound. The audiences and PA engineers couldn't hide the fact that they were deeply impressed as well.

The ultra high end model "PHX"

Maple Custom Absolute (White Grape Sparkle)

Oak X ( European Limited)

Yamaha’s brand new "Rock Tour" drums were announced at Western NAMM 2010, causing considerable excitement among visitors to the Yamaha booth.

Two variations were featured in the center of the booth: "Matte on Matte" coordinating a matte finished shell with matte silver hardware, and "Textured Ash" using the same paint technology as Yamaha’s ultra high-end "PHX" model.

The shell material is Big Leaf Mahogany. This wood is originally from South America, but has been reforested and now grows in Indonesia. Big Leaf Mahogany delivers rich low frequencies and controlled decay with a powerful, tight sound overall. Remo pinstripe heads help in achieving an even more aggressive tone.

The vertical Yamaha logo on the bass drum’s front head adds some modern rock attitude to the set. In both sound and appearance it is clear that these drums are a different breed from what people typically expect from Yamaha.

Sully Erna, vocal for the band “Godsmack,” provided a powerful demonstration for the press release event. In addition to his distinctive vocals for Godsmack, Sully is an outstanding drummer. The Rock Tour drums definitely proved their potential with their tight, solid response to Sully’s passionate playing.

65 excellent drummers including Dave McLaine (Machine Head), Paul Bostaph (Testament), and Jon Rice (Job For A Cowboy) participated in the autograph and photo session, and all expressed their admiration for the Rock Tour drums. "Looks cool, sounds great!"

Yamaha is destined to be a new force in rock in 2010.

Rock Tour ( Left : Matte Black Metallic  /   Right : Textured Green Sunburst )

Snare drums and Hardware

Yamaha 100 Year Anniversary Model (just for display)

Rock Tour Demonstration by Sully (Godsmack vo.)

Autograph & Photo Session