DRUMmagazine.com April 2014 DRUM! 31

Drum Roll, Please...

ear lust. It’s part of our drummer DNA, which explains why every year we in-spect the latest outpouring of drum and percussion models like lab technicians

glued to microscope lenses, hotly anticipating the chance of finding that ultimate thing to satisfy every creative need and desire. Hey, it can happen!

In that sense, we are all experts with our own unique set of criteria, based on years of hands-on ex-perience fine-tuning our tools and sounds. Such hard earned wisdom brings meaning to the results our an-nual Drummies! Gear Awards winners, which were chosen by DRUM! readers from around the world.

So what gear most floated your boat in the past year? Turn the page to see.

G

Drum Roll, Please...

DRUMmagazine.com April 2014 DRUM! 3131

ear lust. It’s part of our drummer DNA, which explains why every year we in-spect the latest outpouring of drum and percussion models like lab technicians

glued to microscope lenses, hotly anticipating the chance of finding that ultimate thing to satisfy every creative need and desire. Hey, it can happen!

In that sense, we are all experts with our own unique set of criteria, based on years of hands-on ex-perience fine-tuning our tools and sounds. Such hard earned wisdom brings meaning to the results our an-nual Drummies! Gear Awards winners, which were chosen by DRUM! readers from around the world.

So what gear most floated your boat in the past year? Turn the page to see.

G

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32 DRUM! April 2014 DRUMmagazine.com

DRUM SETPearl Export SeriesRunners-up:DW Design SeriesSonor Birch InfiniteYamaha Live Custom Oak

SNARE DRUMDW Collector’s Series Vault EdgeRunners-up:Mapex NomadPremier One SeriesSonor Gavin Harrison Protean

CUSTOM DRUM COMPANYDark Horse PercussionRunners-up:Craviotto Drum Company Pork Pie SJC Drums

RIDE CYMBALZildjian 23" A Sweet RideRunners-up:Meinl 22" Byzance Extra

Dry �in RidePaiste 22" Signature Preci-

sion Heavy RideSabian 24" AA Bash Ride

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DRUMmagazine.com April 2014 DRUM! 33

HI-HAT CYMBALSabian 16" AAX X-Plosion Hi-HatsRunners-up:Meinl 16" Byzance Extra Dry Medium �in Hi-HatsPaiste 14" Signature Precision Sound Edge Hi-HatsSabian 14" Xs20 X-Celerator Hi-Hats

CRASH CYMBALSabian 18" AAX Freq CrashRunners-up:Meinl 18" Byzance Benny Greb �in Sand CrashZildjian 19" A �in CrashZildjian 20" A Medium �in Crash

SPLASH CYMBALPaiste 10" Signature Precision SplashRunners-up:Paiste 10" 602 Modern Essentials SplashSabian 10" AAX Air SplashSabian 8" AAX Air Splash

CHINA & EFFECTS CYMBALSabian 19" Limited Edition Chad Smith RHCP-Edition Holy ChinaRunners-up:Meinl Classics Custom 16"/18" Trash ChinasPaiste 18" Signature Precision ChinaSabian 14" Hoop Crasher

CRASH/RIDEMeinl 22" Byzance Benny Greb Crash/RideRunners-up:Bosphorus 20" Black Pearl Crash/RideBosphorus 19" Black Pearl Crash/RideIstanbul Mehmet 19" Origin Dark Crash/Ride

PEDALTama Speed Cobra Limited Edition Midnight SpecialRunners-up:Gibraltar G-Class PedalSonor Perfect Balance By JoJo Mayer PedalTama Iron Cobra 600 Pedals

STANDTama Iron Cobra 605 Hi-Hat StandRunners-up:Mapex Falcon Series Hi-Hat StandMapex Falcon Series Boom StandTama Iron Cobra 205 Hi-Hat Stand

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34 DRUM! April 2014 DRUMmagazine.com

THRONERoc-N-Soc Lunar Threaded ThroneRunners-up:Dixon K-Series �roneDrum Doctors Drum �rone

STICKS/BRUSHESVic Firth American Classic 5A Hingestix

Runners-up:Vater 5A StretchVic Firth Xtreme Series X55AVic Firth 50th Anniversary American Custom SD1

SIGNATURE STICKSVic Firth Pete Lockett Signature SeriesRunners-up:Regal Tip Daniel Adair B-52Zildjian Dave McClain Artist SeriesZildjian Ringo Starr Artist Series

CASES & BAGSLudwig Atlas Drum LuggageRunners-up:Meinl 22" Benny Greb Artist Series Cymbal BagProtection Racket Snare/Pedal BackpackSKB Percussion/Mallet Case With Holsters &

Trap Table

ACCESSORYVic Firth VicearplugsRunners-up:LP Click Hat TambourineMeinl Oriental Drum RugTru Tuner

DRUMHEADEvans Level360 CollarRunners-up:Aquarian Modern Vintage IIRemo White Suede AmbassadorRemo White Suede Emperor

Vic Firth Vicearplugs

Meinl 22" Benny Greb Artist Series Cymbal Bag

ELECTRONICPERCUSSIONYamaha DTX502Runners-up:Roland TD-4KPRoland Handsonic

HPD-20Yamaha DTX450K

CASES & BAGS

HARDWARE ACCESSORYLudwig Atlas MountRunners-up:Ahead Dynasonic Vintage Snare WiresAxis �e MicroTune Spring TensionerTycoon Rhythm Rack

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DRUMmagazine.com April 2014 DRUM! 35

HAND DRUMRemo Versa DjembeRunners-up:Gon Bops Orestes Vilato

Signature TimbalesLP Durian Wood Classic

Congas & BongosTycoon 30th Anniversary

Series Djembe

CAJONLP Groove CajonRunners-up:Meinl Artisan Edition Cantina Line Cajon in Walnut finishPearl Sonic Boom CajonTycoon 30th Anniversary Series Cajon

HAND Remo Versa DjembeRunners-up:Gon Bops Orestes Vilato

Signature TimbalesLP Durian Wood Classic

Congas & BongosTycoon 30th Anniversary

Series Djembe

PERCUSSION ACCESSORYLP Guira CowbellsRunners-up:LP Cajon �roneMeinl Finger JinglesRhythmTech Hat Shake G2

BOOKBig Band Drumming Fill-osophy by Steve Fidyk and Dave BlackRunners-up:�e Roots Of Rock Drumming by Steve Smith &

Daniel Glass101 Breaks by Assaf KrausDrumset Coordination: A Method For Devel-

oping Complete Independence by Blake Paulson

DVDThe Grid by Mike ManginiRunners-up:Advanced Funk Studies by Rick LathamMusical Solo Drumming by Terry BozzioSecrets Of �e Working Drummer by Gorden Campbell

WEB SITEDrumChannel.comRunners-up:DrummerWorld.comOnlineDrummer.comDrummerCafe.com

EDUCATIONAL WEB SITEDrumeo.comRunners-up:DrumChannel.comMikesLessons.comVicFirth.com

MANUFACTURER WEB SITEDW DWdrums.comRunners-up:Pearldrum.comSabian.comZildjian.com

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