Specialty snares, flashy congas, and a vibrating metronome are just a sampling of this month’s most interesting product releases.

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NEW AND NOTABLE

MODERN DRUMMER • JULY 200934

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1. MAPEX’s 51/2x14 Black Pantherspecial edition elm snare drumfeatures a 6.1 mm maple shell with anexterior ply of hand-selected elm that’s fin-ished in a high-gloss clear lacquer. Thedrum also has a 3.4 mm walnut sound ringat the top and bottom edge of the shell.These rings are claimed to add roundnessand darkness to the drum’s tone. ($744.99)

The 51/2x14 special edition BlackPanther Mayan-themed snare drumhas a steel shell embossed witheagle/human mask art. The shell’s bearingedge is rounded on the batter side forgreater head-to-shell contact. ($623.99)mapexdrums.com

2. SKB’s Cymbal Safe is designed toprovide extra protection for cymbalsstored in gig bags. This highly durablecase is rotationally molded from LinearLow Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), and ithas a D-shaped design with molded-infeet so it can stand upright. The CymbalSafe also includes a padded interior foradded protection.skbcases.com

3. HAMILTON STANDS’ low-mass,lightweight KB225 and KB245 cymbalstands are endorsed by jazz mastersJeff Hamilton and Lewis Nash. Thesestands, which weigh about 20 percent lessthan traditional stands of similar size, feature internally dampened tubes toeliminate rattling. The small, flat-baseKB225 sells for $65; the KB245, whichhas a large A-shaped base, goes for $85. hamiltonstands.com

4. GROOVE JUICE Stick Grip is anaerosol spray that creates a tacky feelon drumsticks. Once the invisible formuladries on the stick, it doesn’t come off on the hands. One four-ounce can is good forseventy-five to eighty applications. ($13.95) groove@myexcel.com

5. PEARL has released a limited run of thirty four-piece mahogany shellpacks. These high-end drums feature 4-ply African mahogany shells with maplereinforcement rings. This combination ofwoods was chosen to create the warm,dark, vintage-sounding tone that manydrummers are after. Sizes include an18x22 bass drum, 8x10 and 9x12 toms,and a 16x16 floor tom. ($3,399)pearldrum.com

6. BRADY’s Kosaka bamboo blocksnare drum has been created to honorthe memory of Tat Kosaka, longtime presi-dent of Pro-Mark Japan and a friend ofChris Brady of Brady Drums. The drum isavailable in 41/2x14, 51/2x14, and 61/2x14versions and is said to have a loud and cut-ting sound without being too abrasive. bradydrums.com.au

7. The BODYBEAT metronome pro-duces a pulsing vibration to delineatethe chosen tempo. ($129)bodybeat.net

8. TAYE’s affordable PSK701C singlepedal ($159) and PSK702C double pedal($349) have texture-coated frames, a sleeknew spring assembly, an adjustable stabilizerplate, and adjustable connecting rods. tayedrums.com

9. MOON MICS makes a large-diaphragm microphone for bassdrums. This microphone specializes incapturing low frequencies that many othermics can’t pick up. Drummers will appreci-ate the extra “boom” the mic adds to abass drum sound when placed close to theresonant head. Each mic is available with aPearl stand. ($630) moonmics.com

10. In response to drummers’requests for larger cymbals, TRX hasadded a 21" crash/ride to the LTDseries. Models in this line feature a multi-finish surface consisting of a natural bell, alathed and hammered bow, and a polishededge. ($474)trxcymbals.com

11. MEINL’s Marathon Designer seriescongas make a huge visual impact.These drums are constructed from rubber-wood and come in striking appliqué finishes,including “island sunset,” “calypso night,”“mega star,” and “vintage racer.” (Quinto,$460; conga, $480; tumba, $500)meinlpercussion.com

12. The TREEWORKS SpringTree iscreated by spinning an eleven-foot1/4" solid aluminum/titanium alloy rodinto a 19" round spring. This designallows the SpringTree to be played with atriangle beater using long vertical sweeps,direct strikes, or muted strikes (much likemuting a triangle with your hand). Theincluded TRE53 mount allows theSpringTree to be clamped to any cymbalstand. Each SpringTree also comes with astainless steel triangle beater and sand-cast bronze finger cymbal. ($116)treeworkschimes.com

13. TYCOON has created a moderncajon design called the e-Cajon,which comes with a built-in pickup,amplifier, and speaker. Two modelsare available: Siam oak and makah burlwith bubinga.tycoonpercussion.com

14. The DRUMMERSLEASH is a drum-stick grip that slips around a fingerand a drumstick, allowing drummers tospin sticks without the risk of droppingone. ($24.95)drummersleash.com

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