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GEAR REVIEWS (by members)

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Bart Elliott:
Here you'll find Reviews on a wide variety of instruments, gear and equipment ... all written by current (or past) Drummer Cafe members. All comments are those of the individual writer  and not necessarily the views or opinions of Bart Elliott or the Drummer Cafe.

Please provide the brand and model of the piece of gear you are reviewing
 in the SUBJECT heading of your post.
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Be sure to view the GEAR REVIEW (by members) - Archives (2002-2006)

DrumDude:
I'm not one that goes for new gadgets or accessories for my drums, but I took a chance on this product.

I play country music mainly and the band members werent too happy with my cross-stick sound that I was getting with my "new" Yamaha Recording Custom snare. I love the sound of the snare on warmth and depth, but couldnt figure out how to get the cross-stick sound that "snapped" like my metal snare.

So while I was in Nashville at the end of December, I went to a local drum store and picked up the Yamaha Russ Miller Groove Wedge.

Last night was the first time that I was able to use it in a gig enviroment. The band loved it! I loved it! I was able to get the sound I've been looking for while keeping the warmth of the birch snare.  I also didnt have to "slam" the stick down so hard in order to get this sound, I had actually been "jamming" my hand so hard that my hand was beginning to revolt on me :)

Pro: wonderful attachment to snare, no attaching to another stand like a jam block. Low profile as to not get in your way. The version I bought has no jingles, but that is an option.

Con: pricey (for me anyway) at $36 (I paid $45), it doesnt fit with the snare into my snare case so I have to remove it before storage. It has two wing nuts that makes it easy to remove from the snare without removing entire bracket (which is a good thing), but fear I may lose the wingnuts over time. A misplaced strike is more pronounced, but once I found the "spot" it was very consistant with projection and clarity.

overall: if looking for something to get a nice cross-stick and you play alot of them, I'd recommend this before a jam block of either color.

Chris Whitten:
I just tried one of the new K Zildjians developed with the help of Cindy Blackman.
It was a Zildjian 22" K Dark Medium Ride Cymbal 22.

The sound and playability impressed me.
It didn't sound that dark, not too dark anyway.
It had a sweet, bright attack, but with a warm wash underneath. It was very crashable, without taking off and becoming too washy with heavy playing.
A very nice all-rounder IMO.
I might get one.



Caveat:
I'm an endorser, but I hardly ever request new cymbals, and would only do so if I thought I was really going to use it a lot.

PS: I tried the hi-hats that are from the same series (Cindy again).
They sounded quality, but weren't quite crisp enough for my current taste.
I could get excited about these C.B. designed cymbals.

Gregg Rivers:

EV 767a Microphone
Wow! I have to say I was surprised. I was very surprised at the response this little handheld mic has offered. I just picked up this mic today, so my field test is incomplete, but initial reaction has been very favorable by me and the stations IT/Engineer. The other DJs I've let use it have actually picked the 767a OVER the EV RE20 mics used in all the on air and production studios!
The first thing I noticed is its hotter signal level. While recording into Cool Edit, it was easy to see the input level difference in the wave file. It was significant! Audio clarity comparisons left the RE20 sounding very flat and maybe a bit thin! Then here's the big difference! The 767a cost me about $120.00. My RE20 at home was $430.00! For the money, on vocals, I'm thinking the 767a may very well be my new favorite!
By the way, the reason for the purchase was to replace my Shure SM57 mic I use for vocals during band gigs. The EV767a has a super cardioid pattern that is excellent for drummers! I might actually be able to put a mic on my SNARE drum now! LOL We'll see what the sound guy says! It also has better low end response than the SM57, so when I'm doing the low/bass background vocals on Proud Mary or the spoken part of Van Halen's Panama I think you'll be able to hear it better! I'm excited about this mic and can't wait to use it live!

Pipus:
A couple of weeks ago, I ordered a set of Saluda cymbals for a church for whom I do the maintenance of their drum set. Their old cymbal set was a mix of Zildjian A custom crashes (1 broken), Sabian HH ride and hi-hat, UFIP splash (broken), and Wuhan china (broken). they asked me to recommend a set of cymbals, and I opted for Saluda after asking Jamie if he could do a security engraving on the cymbals (church initials and a serial #), because of previous cymbal mysterious dissapearences.
 
Since the church has about 5 drummers, who actually play on various worship reunions, I asked Jamie what series was more suited for general playing (like Zilds. A and A customs, or Sabian's AA), so he recommended a set of Mist X. With that, I ordered a set which included a 14" hi-hat, 12"splash, 18" and 16" crashed, and a 20"ride from the MistX series, along with an 18" Voodoo china (I already own a 15", so I knew this was the type of sound for them). I also stated some descriptions on the cymbals, except for the splash. On the hi-hats I was more precise, since I wanted god balance between stick, and foot work.
 
Last saturday, I picked up the box with the cymbals, and went to set them up at the church's drum set. After dusting off the drums, and re-tune them, me and 1 of my students, went ahead and started setting up the cymbals.
 
First was the splash (don't know why, I always put hi-hats first), full bodied sound, not a small crash, but a splash. Never liked 12" splashes, but this one won it for me. It sounds like the brother of an old 10" Zil. K Brilliant, from early 80's, that's way thinner than newer ones (even A Customs).
 
After that were the crashes. Again, full bodied sounds with the sharp attack I described. The decay was just fine, and they complimented each other and the splash.
 
Third was the ride. Good sick definition, with a musical wash under it. Good responsive cup and a great crash. Unlike the 20 Sabian HH, they had before, the wash on the Mist X was just phenomenal. It doesn't hurt the ears, doesn't get in the way of the stick sound and the crashes, and it has a set of overtones more complex and not monotone.
 
The last one to get on a stand was the Voodoo china. Trashy, good tone, just enough sustain, again, complements the set just fine.
 
The hi-hats, weren't the last to go, but the one in my review (this isn't bad). I know I went for a lengthier description on the hats, when I ordered them (and when it's time for my own set, it will be worst), so I was curious when I saw a Mist X paired with a Diamond on the box. Jaime didn't stated which one was top, and which one was bottom. I had a ball finding which combination sounded best. First were Diamond Top/ Mist X Bottom. This way the hats had everything I told Jamie, with a low fundamental tone, more on the dark side of the spectrum. I can see where I can play that sound, and that I can live with it on a day 2 day basis, but decided to switch them around and check them. Now it was Mist X Top/ Diamond Bottom. Wow, again everything I told Jamie was there, but with a higher fundamental tone. I've mix/matched and switch side of hi-hats before, but never got 2 distinct sounds like with this set. One thing that got me was that the Diamond is marked as the heavier one (not that much, but heavier), but it felt lighter than the Mist X.
 
After all were set, I played for a moment and was very pleased with the set, and the reaction from my student who was standing to my back. The drums are set behind a Plexiglas sound barrier, and while the previous set was obnoxious and hurtfull to unprotected ears, the Saluda's where musical, sounded like a family, and pleasant to unprotected ears. After I played, I gave my student a chance at the driver's seat, and got to hear them from about 10' front of the plexi. There they sounded exactly like my descriptions, and even more musical. My student told me he was impressed with the crashes (specially the 18"), and with the ride.

 
Thanks Jaime, for such a beautiful set of cymbals. Nexi stop it's another church in need of a cymbal set, and start my own set of Saludas.
 
Pipus
 
Sorry there are no pictures at the moment, but I got out of my house on a hurry, and couldn't grab the digital camera. I will go there later, and get some pics. to post.

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