Welcome to the inaugural issue of “This Week in Drums,” the first in a new series of bi-monthly posts highlighting the most recent arrivals at the Drum Center of Portsmouth. Next week (November 16th) will be the launch of “This Week in Cymbals,” a similar review of the latest and greatest gear to grace us with its presence, but with a particular focus on bronze pies!

This first issues features 40 new snare drums and 5 new drum sets. Admittedly, we have cheated a little bit and decided to showcase most of the gear that has landed in the last three weeks or so. There is actually quite a bit more, but much of it has sold already. Future issues will likely be a bit shorter with less gear being shown.

The way it works is we will list the gear alphabetically by brand (for the time being) and have brief write-ups of the gear in question. We’ll also provide links to each piece of new gear with photos, video (when available), specs, more thorough descriptions, and an “add to cart” button so that if you would like to buy something, you can do so right from the website.

We really enjoy drooling at these beauties all day long. We hope these new series of weekly posts will allow you to drool right along with us! As always, drop us an email or give us a call at 603-319-8109 with any questions, including where to find the best BBQ north of the Massachusetts state line!

New Brady Snare Drums

First off, we’ve taken in a dozen new Brady snare drums in the last week alone. This bumps up our total Brady snare drum stock (as of this writing) to more than 20 drums, including Jarrah, Marri, and Spotted Gum Ply models as well as Jarrah, Sheoak, Wandoo, and Tasmanian Blackwood Block shell models. Most of these drums have video demos showcasing their excellent, unique sonic characteristics. The drums that do not yet have them should within the next week or two (we hope!).

• Brady Jarrah Block Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Natural Satin – JB-1053 – Video Demo
• Brady Jarrah Block Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Natural Satin – JB-1054 – Video Demo
• Brady Jarrah Block Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Natural Satin – JB-1055 – Video Demo
• Brady Jarrah Block Snare Drum – 8×14 – Natural Satin – JB-1056 – Video Demo
• Brady Jarrah / Sheoak Harlequin Block Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Natural Satin – HB-041 – Video Demo
• Brady Sheoak Block Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Natural Satin – SOB-554 – Video Demo
• Brady Sheoak Block Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Natural Satin – SOB-555 – Video Demo
• Brady Sheoak Block Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Natural Satin – SOB-556 – Video Demo
• Brady Spotted Gum Ply Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Natural Satin – SP-080 – Video Demo
• Brady Tasmanian Blackwood Block Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Natural Satin – EX-227
• Brady Wandoo Block Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Natural Satin – EX-229 – Video Demo
• Brady Wandoo Block Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Natural Satin – EX-230 – Video Demo

New Canopus Snare Drums and Drum Sets

Since the day we opened our doors in 2009, DCP has been a strong supporter of Canopus Drums from Japan. We’ve been committed to stocking just about every one of their snare drum models and a variety of drum sets. When Canopus decides to offer limited edition models like their 1 of 30 Block Rosewood and Inner Carbon Maple snare drums, we jump on board and order as many as we can. However, sometimes that’s just not enough. We want to bring you the best possible drums whenever possible. The best of the best if you will.

Last Christmas season we teamed up with Canopus to build five 6.5×14 Solid Ply Walnut snare drums; the only five of the 6.5×14 models in existence. They sold out in less than a month. This Christmas, Santa Shane and Santa Shinichi (Usuda, head of Canopus Drums) are teaming up to bring you five 6.5×14 Solid Ply Soft Maple snare drums. Like their Walnut brethren, these are the only five in existence on the planet AND two are already sold. If you would like to get your hands on one, be advised to do so quickly!

Oh yeah, we’ve got a cool new RFM Maple Club Kit. This is great for the gigging drummer, the low-volume-situation drummer, and the drummer-parents who want to spoil their young children with a hip pro drum set for Christmas

• Canopus 1-ply Soft Maple Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Limited Edition – 1 of 5 Worldwide!
• Canopus RFM Maple Drum Set (Club Kit!) – 12×15, 7×10, 12×13 – Silver Sparkle

New George Way Snare Drums

The George Way name has been around for decades but it wasn’t until recently that master drumsmith Ronn Dunnett acquired the rights to the name and began building beautiful sounding drums at affordable prices under the moniker. As some of you know, we love Ronn’s gear and typically have a revolving group of the latest and greatest Dunnett creations in the shop. We’re starting to branch out into the George Way stuff. We’ve got a Hollywood Brass model in the shop as well as these two beautiful Aero models. Sadly (or is it Happily?), other recent George Way arrivals like a cool Studio-X model with a Burl finish have already left the building.

• George Way “Aero” Aluminum Snare Drum – 6.5×13
• George Way “Aero” Aluminum Snare Drum – 6.5×14

New GMS Snare Drums

What can we say? Tony and Rob’s crew are constantly putting out some of the nicest drums on the market. Their latest designs like the PVS and Revolution snares really highlight how much attention to detail the GMS guys pay. The GMS Super Vintage series snare drums are no exception. We’ve got one really classy drum in stock, listed below. Hopefully we will have a video demo of it for you very soon!

• GMS Super Vintage Series Snare Drum – 5.5×14 – Natural Maple

New Gretsch Snare Drums and Drum Sets

Does it get anymore classic than Gretsch? Going on 130 years old and still cranking out some of the coolest drums around. We’ve got a couple of classy new USA Custom snares and a pair of 8×14 behemoths to boot. In addition, we’ve got a hot little Catalina Jazz number in Whiskey Pearl. Gretsch’s Catalina Jazz kits just keep getting better and better while staying very affordable… a great kit for anyone from the hip working jazz cat to students just picking up their first pair of sticks.

• Gretsch USA Custom Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Natural Maple / Gold Hardware
• Gretsch USA Custom Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Harlequin Black Gloss / Curly Maple / Gold Hardware
• Gretsch Hammered Brass Snare Drum – 8×14
• Gretsch Full Range Maple Snare Drum – 8×14 – Natural Maple
• Gretsch Catalina Jazz Drum Set – 16×18, 8×12, 14×14, 5×14 – Whiskey Pearl

New Joyful Noise Snare Drums

Curt Waltrip is one of the nicest, most genuine guys in the business. He builds nice drums too! Snares from Curt’s Joyful Noise Drum Company are the epitome of classic, modern instruments. Made with oodles of TLC (that’s made tender, loving care!) in Colorado, Joyful Noise snare drums are truly investment grade instruments.

Curt makes each drum by hand so each shell, each finish, and each sound is unique. These really can’t be beat. The Luminary series of Aluminum snare drums from JNDC is Curt’s latest endeavor to bring his hand-made awesomeness to the market. Be sure to click through to see the video demo of these amazing Luminary snare drums, it is well worth the five minutes.

• Joyful Noise Luminary (Aluminum) Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – One-of-a-Kind Finish – Video Demo

New Longo Snare Drums

Longo snare drums are handcrafted by Neil Longo in Pennsylvania. We hear that Vinnie Colaiuta has a fondness for the Walnut flavor. We hope you enjoy the latest batch of solid Walnut and solid Cherry Longo snares listed below!

• Longo Solid Ply Cherry Snare Drum – 5×14 – Video Demo
• Longo Solid Ply Cherry Snare Drum – 6×14 – Video Demo
• Longo Solid Ply Cherry Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Video Demo
• Longo Solid Ply Walnut Snare Drum – 5×14 – Video Demo
• Longo Solid Ply Walnut Snare Drum – 6×14 – Video Demo
• Longo Solid Ply Walnut Snare Drum – 7×14 – Video Demo

New Ludwig Snare Drums

At the NAMM show back in January, Ludwig (re)introudced Sky Blue Pearl as a finish for Classic Maple line. We’ve got a cool 5×14 Classic Maple snare in this cool new (or is it old) finish. In addition, we have taken our “shell bank” idea, where we stock a bunch of different sizes of Ludwig Classic Maple drums in the rare Black Abalone finish and applied it to snare drums. Right now we’ve got several Classic Maple snare drums in stock in Natural Maple, with a few more on the way. Check them out below.

• Ludwig Classic Maple Snare Drum – 5×14 – Sky Blue Pearl
• Ludwig Classic Maple Snare Drum – 6×12 – Natural Maple
• Ludwig Classic Maple Snare Drum – 3.5×13 – Natural Maple
• Ludwig Classic Maple Snare Drum – 5×14 – Natural Maple
• Ludwig Classic Maple Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Natural Maple

New Pearl Snare Drums

We’ve been selling Pearl since the beginning of the year and finally had an opportunity to bring in our first Masterworks snare drum and what a beautiful drum it is. Featuring a 5.5×14 Maple and Mahogany shell with Single Flanged hoops and concert snare wires, this is a really unique piece that we think is super cool. Certainly one of the classiest Pearl snares we have seen in a long time.

• Pearl Masterworks Snare Drum – 5.5×14 – Maple / Mahogany Concert Snares

New SJC Custom Snare Drums and Drum Sets

We’ve been working with the guys at SJC (who are just across the border in MA) to sell some of their latest creations. We’ve already found new homes for a couple of their snare drums, so we’ve only got the pretty yellow number listed below. However, the “Butcher Burn” set is really a sight to be seen. With beautiful hand-burned designs on the shells, weathered brass hardware, and unusual sizes, SJC has really shown their potential.

• SJC Custom 10-ply Maple Snare Drum – 6×14 – Yellow Satin Stain
• SJC Custom “Butcher Burn” Maple Drum Set – 16×26, 8×12, 16×18 – Hand-burned Designs / Weathered Brass Hardware

New Sonor Snare Drums

Sonor has really been making major strides with its line of artist snare drums within the last few years. While many big names like Danny Carey, Phil Rudd, and Steve Smith have been longtime endorsers of Sonor’s drums, it hasn’t been until recently that signature snare drums of their design were made available. The Benny Greb signature snare drum is one of the latest additions to Sonor’s artist snare drum family. They’ve actually been around for almost a year now, but we haven’t really had them in stock because one we get them, they typically leave us right away! In any case, we just got another Benny Greb snare in house, so check it out!

• Sonor Benny Greb Signature Snare Drum – 5.75×13

New Tempus Snare Drums

Paul Mason has been building Tempus / Milestone drums for several decades now, being based in the Vancouver, BC area. Paul’s creations are hand-crafted from Fiberglass, Carbon Fiber, and a CarbonKevlar composite (bullett-proof drums anyone!) and available in a myriad of finish options. We love Paul’s work as do many others. Tempus drums sound great, often getting comments such as “what wood is that?” The two beauties below are no exception. Give them a look!

• Tempus Milestone Carbon Fiber Snare Drum – 6.5×14 – Black Gloss / Chrome Hardware
• Tempus Milestone “Demi-Mondo” CarbonKevlar / Fiberglass Snare Drum – 8×14 – White / Black Hardware

New Yamaha Snare Drums and Drum Sets

Many a drummer has drooled over Yamaha’s vast array of signature snare drums from the likes of Steve Gadd, Anton Fig, Akira Jimbo, Dave Garibaldi and more for a long time. When Yamaha announced that signature snare drums would no longer be available in the USA at the beginning of 2011, many a tear was shed. We’ve been able to obtain a handful of Yamaha’s remaining signature snare drum inventory and the newest arrivals are listed below. In addition, we have a stunning Absolute Maple kit in the classic Cherrywood lacquer that just arrived.

• Yamaha Dave Weckl Signature Snare Drum – 14×5 – Solid Black
• Yamaha Manu Katche Signature Snare Drum – 14×5.5 – Brass
• Yamaha Manu Katche Signature Snare Drum – 14×6.5 – Brass
• Yamaha Absolute Maple Drum Set – 22×18, 10×8, 12×9, 14×13, 16×15 – Cherrywood
• Yamaha Rock Tour Drum Set – 22×18, 12×8, 16×15, 14×6.5 – Textured Green

Shinichi Usuda Visits the Drum Center of Portsmouth

When we started carrying Canopus drums, we knew they would be popular, but the excitement that has been generated in recent months is well beyond our expectations. Shane’s conversation with Mr. Usuda covered a variety of topics from the manufacturing process of Canopus drums, how Mr. Usuda designed and built proprietary machinery to craft his magnificent solid-ply shells, the introduction of the new Canopus Sword series drums, as well as future products coming down the pipeline.

Anybody who talks with Shane about snare drums for more than five minutes is sure to hear the word “Zelkova” mentioned more than once. The Zelkova snare drum is Canopus’ flagship snare drum model. You can read more about Canopus Zelkova snare drums and the manufacturing process here. If you’re not interested in reading, just watch Shane demonstrate a 14×6.5 Zelkova snare drum in the video below.

If you would like to buy one of these amazing Canopus Zelkova snare drums, give Shane a call at 603.319.8109 or pick one up from our eBay store.

Lucky for drummers, Canopus is far from a one-trick pony. In the photo above, Mr. Usuda is holding one of the VERY limited Block Rosewood snare drums. In addition to Block Rosewood, Canopus offers solid-ply models in Walnut, Bubinga and Soft Maple. Canopus also offers a wide variety of ply and metal snares in maple, birch, mahogany, brass, bronze, steel, and carbon fiber.

If you are not content with owning only a Canopus snare drum, rest assured a number of drum kits are offered with different shell types and configurations. The newest and most exciting is the Japanese Sword Model which features North American maple shells, a new lug design, classic finishes and a very modest price point. We currently have a Japanese Sword Model bop kit in stock, the very setup that was recently the subject of rave reviews in the August 2010 issue of Modern Drummer magazine.

To learn more about Canopus Drums, visit their website or read this recent interview with Mr. Usuda in DRUM! magazine.

Stop by today and check out these incredible drums!

We are proud to announce the introduction of Yamaha Electronic Drums to our product lineup. Yamaha has been a leader in Electronics for decades, and I have watched and worked closely with them enough to have the confidence to bring them in to DCP. The groundbreaking DTXplorer ($599) to the new DTX900/950 kits, cover every possible user and price point. I have been extensively trained in all aspects of E-drums and I am knowledgeable enough to make the right recommendations for your needs. I have chosen Yamaha because of their pursuit to provide the highest quality product at the most competitive pricing. You need not spend a gazillion dollars to get your needs met.

The new

Yamaha DTX 12 Multi Percussion Pad

Sonor Phil Rudd Signature Snare Drum

Sonor has introduced a number Signature model products lately. First it was the Steve Smith kit, then came the Danny Carey Snare, and now, the AC/DC’s Phil Rudd has his very own snare drum. The recent history of Sonor’s Signature is interesting. The Steve Smith kit was a bit of a slow mover due to the high price, while the Danny Carey snare has proven to be a solid performer because of its relatively affordable price point. With the release of the Phil Rudd snare, Sonor has targeted an even wider audience setting the price well below Danny Carey’s drum.

The Phil Rudd Signature model drum features a 5.x14 Chrome over Brass Shell with Die Cast hoops. On one side of the shell is Sonor’s Artist badge. The other side boasts the famous Signature badge that was used in the 80’s and early 90’s on the Signature series drums. It’s nice to see it again on a different range of products. The drum shell and most parts are Made in Germany and assembled in China for lower costs (how’s that for globalization!). As mentioned above, Sonor has really hit a sweet spot with the price — it can land at your front door for just $399.00.

A note from Shane:

“I pulled it out of its box and the quality was absolutely flawless, as expected. What blew me away was the sound. It features the same high walled hoops the Steve Smith snare does, which lends to a very similar sound. It’s crisp, it’s cracking, and it sounds like a Sonor. There are several cheaper black beauty clones out there that all do the same thing but wear different badges, this is altogether different. It’s a Sonor snare, it sounds like it, it looks like it, but the price is indicative of a drum that does much less. Quite honestly, I am really blown away by this drum. It’s that good, and I’m not kidding. I wish I used 5×14’s…”

In late May as I was packing my bags for a three month stint in Bangkok (doing research for grad school, I swear), Shane pinged me on Facebook or email or some other damned thing and said “hey, do you want rock?” to which I immediately replied “ROCK!” If Shane is the Yin of the bricks-and-mortar professional drum shop industry, I guess it makes me the Yang of e-commerce percussion retailing. If you really want to stalk me, Google “Andy @ Massmusic” to find out more about how I spent a big chunk of my time between 2002 and 2008, otherwise read below.

The Upper Midwest (1983-2001)

I was born and raised in the Twin Ports of Superior, Wisconsin and Duluth, Minnesota, former industrial powerhouses now relegated to providing for summer tourists. I heard many rumours growing up that Superior has more bars per capita than any other city in the USA. While I have never taken the time to verify this claim, I do not doubt its authenticity.

I spent most of my adolescence / high school years either on the golf course or in the bowling alley, depending on if the temperature was above freezing or not. During high school, I joined the school concert, jazz and marching bands and learned the ropes of all things percussion (or at least what they teach at that level). Sadly, the marching scene up north is nothing like other places around the US, so I got my kicks playing as many drums simultaneously (quints) as I could, instead of playing one really well (snare). Likewise in jazz band, I was never really inspired enough to be any better than I needed to be (which was not very good). Towards the end of my senior year, I found some inspiration and people that shared it. Myself and a group of friends formed an impromptu band which performed various Beatles, Jackson 5, and Metallica songs (among others) at band concerts and other related events. Then I went to college.

The Arizona Years (2001-2008)

I moved to Tempe, Arizona in the summer of 2001 to pursue undergraduate studies at the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University. I always tell people that my first two years were spent roaming between astronomy, physics, and business classes (which is true), but only insofar as those were the only classes I liked… academically I was directionless and dropped out in 2003.

It was however in the fall of 2001 that I met the guys who would become the members in my first “real” band. By spring 2002, I had my gear shipped out to Tempe and by April 2002 we played our first show. Then I moved back home for the summer (D’oh!). We picked back up again in the fall and kept on rolling until late 2003. If you want to hear the evolution of our music, our home recording (hey, it was 2002-2003 and GarageBand was years away), and me (re) learning how to play, click here and here

Also in 2002 I started working for a then-little known (and still lesser-known?) company called Massmusic Inc. At the time (October 2002), I was hosting at IHOP (a great place for late night games of RISK and unlimited beverages, BTW) and looking for a small ZIL BEL. Since Guitar Center was far away, and I had already developed a disdain for it, I hit upon Zildjian’s website for the nearest other dealers. This is the first place I stopped and by the time I had walked out… I had a new ZIL BEL and a new job.

The years past, I helped build the company (and its reputation for service along with Reade Roehrich, PJ Coleman, Andre Alekseyev and Russ Martin). In 2004, two of the members of my first band recruited two new members, to form the band that I am most proud of (in terms of music) — Citizen Insane. In 2006, I went back to school and in December 2007 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies. During my second go-round at ASU, I got in with a professor who does a lot of international (consulting) work in the field of urban planning / development. To make a long story short, he influenced my decision to apply to grad school and gave me good reasons to start working internationally (namely a contract with the World Bank).

2008 – Present

I am writing this post from my flat in Bangkok (it is now my fourth visit to the Land of Smiles)  doing research on transportation infrastructure finance at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. For those of you into the whole brevity thing, MIT is fine too.

I am working ad-hoc with some old musician friends. Our outdated blog/project is known as the The Nomenclature

I put together this nifty little blog/site for the shop. If you have questions, comments or otherwise about it, please send me an email – andy[at]drumcenternh[dot]com

Please also feel free to add me on Facebook