Show Report Feed

04/04/2012

(EUR) Yamaha Drums at Musikmesse 2012, Frankfurt

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!
Dsc04085 Dsc04352


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.

Dsc04303 Dsc04304


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.
Dsc04299 Dsc04297


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.
Dsc04283 Dsc04270


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.

Dsc04281_3

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.
Dsc04311 Dsc03853

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.
Dsc04324 Dsc04330
Dsc04341 Dsc04338_2
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").


Dsc04321_2 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.

02/01/2012

Yamaha Drums at NAMM 2012

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.

Dsc03252 Dsc03518

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

Dsc03291_2

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!

Dsc03298 Dsc03293

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.

Dsc03523 Dsc03524

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.

Dsc03517 Dsc03526

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


Award_3 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/

 

 

Dsc03484Nam_6726

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.

Nam_6605Nam_6688_2Nam_6736

Nam_6633_2Nam_6618_2Nam_6620

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

Nam_6714Nam_6595

 

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.

Nam_6758_4

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.

04/13/2011

(EUR) Yamaha Drums at Frankfurt Music Messe 2011

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.

Dsc00160 Dsc00385

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.

Dsc00156 Dsc00157

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.

Dsc00468 Dsc00470

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.

Dsc00158Dsc00169

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.

Mcclain Dsc00173

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.

Dsc00566

01/24/2011

(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.

Img_2419_2  P1010348

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.

P1010332

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.

P1010373 P1010364

P1010368

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

P1010338 P1010342

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.

P1010349

Senri Kawaguchi, 14-year-old prodigy and YouTube sensation, demonstrated the Stage Custom Bop Kit.

P1010359

Senri Kawaguchi’s mentor and one of the most respected drummers in Japan, Kozo Suganuma, demonstrated the Recording Custom Ltd.

P1010631 P1010644

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.

P1010682

Keep your eyes on Yamaha drums in 2011 … it’s going to be another great year!

07/27/2010

(NLD) North Sea Jazz Festival 2010

Revnsj2010112_3

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.

Steve_gadd1 Revdaveweckl4

Revkeithcarlock3 Revrudder2

Revbogiebowles4 Revjoebonamassasoundcheck

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.

Revyamahabooth3

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.

Revnsj2010031 Revnsjdisplaykit

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

03/30/2010

Musik Messe 2010 Report

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.

P1030444 Dsc00507

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

Dsc00509

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.

Glenn_hughes_band Matt_goom

The ultra high end model "PHX"

P1030445

Maple Custom Absolute (White Grape Sparkle)

P1030457

Oak X ( European Limited)

P1030443

03/19/2010

W.NAMM 2010 Report

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 )

P1000321 P1000323

Snare drums and Hardware

P1000318

Yamaha 100 Year Anniversary Model (just for display)

P1000220

Rock Tour Demonstration by Sully (Godsmack vo.)

P1000338

Autograph & Photo Session

P1000361 P1000370

Rs1_3087ret_2