my sonor designer

[Wim Coppers]

hello everybody,

i've been reading on the forum for a while now, and it's about time i participate and do my share of the writing. that's what a forum is all about isn't it?

so, my first post should be my sonor stained green designer maple light shell kit. needless to say, i absolutely love this kit to death and i'll play it until i lose my arms and legs in some weird accident.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i42/koowpie/s1.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i42/koowpie/s3.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i42/koowpie/s8.jpg

here are the specs:

22x22" bassdrum
14x4" snare
14x4" snare (gretch renown maple)
8x8" tom
10x8" tom
12x10" tom
14x12" floor tom
16x14" floor tom
skins: remo coated ambassador (batter skin), remo clear ambassador (resonant skin)

zildjian 10" zil-bel
zildjian 15" avedis mastersound hihat
zildjian 16" avedis medium crash
zildjian 18" avedis rock crash
zildjian 20" scinitar ride
zildjian 20" Z custom china boy

paiste 8" chime
paiste 10" alpha splash
paiste 14" alpha hihat

sabian 10" B8 splash
sabian 16" crash
sabian 16" HH dark crash
sabian 22" ride

hardware: mostly sonor, but i have some adams/pearl stands and seats as well.

iron cobra double bass drum pedal and a pearl single pedal

and all the hardcases to transport this monster!

btw: not everything is pictured, this is just a pic of my current set up. i even like to play with my sonor as a four piece kit and 1 or 2 crashes from time to time, keeps you creative!

i hope you'll like it, now go and play yours!

Wim.

[AvengedDrummer]

Do you think that sonar mounting system is just a little much? I know its fully adjustable.... but I wish sonar could've found a more minimal way to mount toms...But other than that excellent kit. Brilliant cymbal choices, and the hand tune bass drum lugs are a brilliant idea on sonars part.

[mind_drummer]

It's a wonderful kit Wim ! ( the tom mounting system is not my liking though It's too much obstrusive ) Look like a very confy setup...

You have great gears all around !

How tall it bring the hardcase tower ?

Keep rollin' dude & wish you warm welcome !

A+

[Wim Coppers]

hey you guys, thanks!

i do like the tom mounting system a lot, but i must admit, it wasn't my cup of tea when i started experimenting with it. but once you get the hang of it, that mounting system is really sweet and above all, it's more than decent! it takes me no time now to mount my toms and change their position and flexibility. and yes, thank god for those hand tune bass drum lugs.

cheerio!

Wim

[eddrummer05]

beautiful drums man a love sonor !!!!!

[radeq]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOOO NICE WONDERFULL GOERGOUS, i have sonor also, but only the force series 2003 - but they are maple and sound amazing, I wish one day I could have set like yours, it is really beautyfull :)

[wondering]

very nice kit, I played a few times on delite and designers, and they sound amazing. I just dislike the tom mounting system that's a bit big and silvered for my eyes..

radeq> force 2003 are birch aren't they? just the new force 3005 that re mapple made of.

[BarryBuchanan]

lursh set man!!! luving that kit!!! looks awsome 2 play :D:D

[Stu_Strib]

Nice setup...I would hardly change a thing!

Not so sure I like all that metal mounting stuff though...

[NYdrummerdude]

beautiful set i really like the finish on it

[radeq]

very nice kit, I played a few times on delite and designers, and they sound amazing. I just dislike the tom mounting system that's a bit big and silvered for my eyes..

radeq> force 2003 are birch aren't they? just the new force 3005 that re mapple made of.

nope - the 2003 are the combination of maple and basswood, but already the 2005 are fully birch

[fijjibo]

that kit is beutiful!
i just love your double lugs!!!

[DrumProgressive]

Prachtige drum Wim, precies de manier waarop ik hem zou opstellen =). En hiermee irect ook nog een belg meer op het forum. Ons aantal neemt toe =)

[superbatmat]

I love your kit... Beautiful color, hardware, cymbals... Nice set man...

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

When I picture my dream drums. It's a Sonor Designer Series, a seven piece. In exactly that finish. Maybe with a different cymbal selection, but I wouldn't change ANY aspect other than that. You own one of my dream kits. Willing to trade for a 5 piece Tamburo Ash? ;-)

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

nope - the 2003 are the combination of maple and basswood, but already the 2005 are fully birch

Nope... the 3003 are a combination of maple and basswood. The 2003 are a combination of birch and basswood. Work with the continiuty and you see that the 3005 are full maple whereas the 2005 are full birch. Not that it actually makes much of a difference in sound.

[Cool Cat Magee]

Steve Smith fan?
Nice looking kit!

[aahznightsky]

Ahhh ... green maple high end kits ... I have a thing for them!

question ... what kind of maple is the outer ply?

[Wim Coppers]

thanks for the kind words and the warm welcome everybody!

yes, i am in fact a steve smith fan, who isn't that knows how to play a drum?

i'm not sure if i want to trade it for a 5 piece Tamburo Ash Mediocrefunkybeat, i'm gonna need to think about it for a while! :)

some technical stuff:

maple light (floor) toms and snare are 9 layers (3 layers and 3 plys) in total with a 6.3 mm thickness and the bassdrum is 12 layers (4 layers and 3 plys) with 8.4 mm thickness, i can't tell you exactly which layer the outher ply is.

take the best of care everybody, keep on drumming!

[TitanSound]

Excellent kit in an even more excellent colour!!!

Wicked cymbal collection too.

[Wim Coppers]

wow Titansound:

Posts: 666

the number of the beast in my topic!

[finnhiggins]

Nice, nice drums. Not quite my ideal - the cymbal set is a bit lacking in darker tones for my tastes, and I'd rather have shallower toms personally - can't stand the whole high-toms thing, I'm too lazy to move my arms. But I'll wager it sounds absolutely stunning, and while that big central post on the bass drum is super-ugly I actually like the rather heavy-duty long-lug look of the Sonor mounting system aside from that.

[Wegadrummer]

Well, there goes my jaw... smooth kit..

[Jay.B.]

Sweet looking kit you got there, love the finish, love all the hardware, looks really solid, MMmm shiney, DOH!! does it sound as meaty as it looks? that would probably be the kit to sway me away from pearl (sshhhhh I didn't just say that)

[Wim Coppers]

thanks a bunch you guys.

the big central post on the bass drum might the be most "ugly" thing on a sonor designer, i agree with you. nevertheless, some people told me they think it's goodlooking/cool, it's a matter of taste. when i'm playing with less toms (with my band, when i'm giving drumlessons, ...), i always remove that post, it's pretty easy to remove and put it back again.

ooh and yes, it sounds as least good as it looks, i would say even better! :)

[TitanSound]

I like the "industrial" look the hardware gives. Solid kit for solid playing! I would have to say this kit is probably the finest I have ever seen.

[Wim Coppers]

i can definitly agree, this kit IS solid. it has been through some hard banging and thanks to the tune-safe system it still sounds impeccable. no matter if you play it hard, normal or soft, it really gives you a nice and comfortable feel. i don't know how to say this, but you can adjust "the stiffness of the tom on the stands" as well. you can choose how flexible you want them to be. man... i love this kit!

[Wim Coppers]

i tried to take some pictures of the stained green finish, but it's extremely hard to do it justice. here's what i got, hope you all like it:

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i42/koowpie/2.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i42/koowpie/1.jpg

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Oh my. Oh my oh my oh my. That's probably my favourite finish I have ever seen. Bar none.

[Class A Drummer]

wow thats a unique finish. ive never seen it b4, looks great.

[Jay.B.]

I really do think I'm goiing to have to get saving up for one of these babies, can't stop looking at it ... ... ... ...

[nhzoso]

Very impressive. I am so jealous. I bet those sound friggin awesome. Can you post a close up of the BD hand lugs. I have never seen them before. Did you buy it as a 4 piece and add on or as a whole? How much if you don't mind me asking? Actually may want one of these when I upgrade instead of the Green Ludwig. Will have to listen to both and see how close they are $$ wise.

Very nice man enjoy those babies.

[Wim Coppers]

here you go nhzoso, a picture of the BD hand lugs. i don't how i managed all those years without them!

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i42/koowpie/3.jpg

i bought the whole kit at once, if you want to know how much you'll pay for yours (if you plan on buying one), i suggest you visit www.sonor.com. have a good look at their catalogue, decide what kind of wood you want, what sizes, which hardware, which finish etc... and you can do the math for yourself! i can tell you, a sonor designer is not cheap, but it's more than worth the money.

hope i helped you out, take care.

[Danny]

Good thing, you know, that that's not MY DREAM SET!!!!!!!

It...is...absolutely STUNNING in every aspect. I think all the hardware looks amazing, it sets off a different feel...like TitanSound said, an 'industrial look.' I don't think anything on it is ugly. If anything it's just...a step into the future for drums. It's really genius. I'm pretty sure this thread has set me on what set i'm getting next, regardless of the (more than substantial) price.

[Jay.B.]

I think I just shat out my army of anal dwelling ninja but monkeys and had a bloody heart attack at the same time, just priced up the shells on their own and that came to £3,500 ... just the shells... think my next kit can stay in my head, for a very long time haha

[TheSteve]

WOW!!!! Those are the nicest drums I have ever seen, I love the finish. At my local drum shop they had a Designer set up and it sounded fantastic, I'm sure yours sounds just as good. Isn't Sonor the best made drums? I love mine and it's only a Force 2003

[d.c.drummer]

...show-off

Nice galvanized, man-cases for your drums. Need some of those...

[Wim Coppers]

haha, if i was a show-off i wouldn't try to help other people out in this topic. but i have to say, those first 3 pictures are kinda funny yep.

man-cases for drums, they kick ass!

[max77]

Your setup looks like the setup of Gavin Harrison! Awesome!
Nice very nice finish.

[jollymosher]

i hear these things are BRICKS when it comes to their travel ablity. although they sound beast and look even better! congratz!.

[Wim Coppers]

thanks guys,

man these things aren't bricks, they are HOUSES! it's true, it's heavy stuff to carry around. worst thing about all this, i have to carry them up and down a set of stupid stairs at least once a week! good thing is, it saves me a lot of gym-money.

[Latin Groover]

Are those omi-tune lugs? But incorpoarated into a design with hand lugs? If it is.

X-TREME

[Wim Coppers]

Are those omi-tune lugs? But incorpoarated into a design with hand lugs? If it is.

X-TREME

i have no idea what omi-tune lugs are? help me out here please.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Omni-Tune lugs tune both heads. Tama used to use them, and are starting to again. The famous Gladstone snare drum did too, but I don't think Sonor use them.

[Wim Coppers]

thanks Mediocrefunkybeat,

nope sonor doesn't use them, well at least not on the designer series. if they would use it, they would probably use it on the designer or delite for sure.

[TopCat]

Beauty, just pure beauty. A designer will be my next kit...oh yes, it will be.

[Latin Groover]

I play sonor and i love them too. My next kit will prob be a desighner or dare i say SQ2. Money though man those SQ2 are deer. It showed me in AUD as well. Gulp. I was about 98% sure Sonor didn't have omin-tune lugs but i thought that they may have just brought them in or sumthing. But hand lugs thats cool. Is it like that on the toms too? I think i would rather the old way using a key though. 1/4 turn with a key is easy, do an exact 90 degree with ur wrist.

[Wim Coppers]

hey Latin Groover

nope, the hand lugs are only on the bassdrum. i got to check out that SQ2 kit! i've been hearing a lot of good things about them. and man, the sonor designer X-RAY.... damn that's yummy stuff!!!

[Latin Groover]

So how do u like the hand lugs. It would make it easier to turn, but id rather a key, more presice.

[Wim Coppers]

i disagree with you there, if you ever see a designer somewhere, just try to turn those hand lugs. it IS very easy and precise, at least as precise as turning with a key IMHO. all designer lugs (toms, snare, bassdrum) are equipped with a tune-safe-system. once you got the sound you want, the designer keeps it that way, it's really easy to tune the kit like that. i'd say, try it out somehwere if you see one!

take care

[Latin Groover]

i disagree with you there, if you ever see a designer somewhere, just try to turn those hand lugs. it IS very easy and precise, at least as precise as turning with a key IMHO. all designer lugs (toms, snare, bassdrum) are equipped with a tune-safe-system. once you got the sound you want, the designer keeps it that way, it's really easy to tune the kit like that. i'd say, try it out somehwere if you see one!

take care

So with each minute turn does it click or do u feel a sort of click, cause yea actually i agree that would be quicker and eaiser. Just count the clicks.

[Wim Coppers]

nope, there's no click or anything. really, you should just try it out for yourself, it's incredibly accurate and precise and so amazingly easy.

[Latin Groover]

hmmm. I still have my accurecy doubts

[Sonor Drummer]

hmmm. I still have my accurecy doubts

Doubts Smoubts. The accuracy is there. And even more so with the tune safe. How many kits have you owned with wing bolts for the tension rods on the bass drum? Well it's the same thing only you don't have those big bulky wings pointing every which way. This is just a neater way of having the bass drum look cleaner. And if you haven't noticed. Everything on these drums is designed to mimmic the Sonor Logo. The lugs, bass drum spurs, bass drum tension bolts. Go ahead, take a look. It's all about the mallets..........

[Latin Groover]

Doubts Smoubts. The accuracy is there. And even more so with the tune safe. How many kits have you owned with wing bolts for the tension rods on the bass drum? Well it's the same thing only you don't have those big bulky wings pointing every which way. This is just a neater way of having the bass drum look cleaner. And if you haven't noticed. Everything on these drums is designed to mimmic the Sonor Logo. The lugs, bass drum spurs, bass drum tension bolts. Go ahead, take a look. It's all about the mallets..........

Yea i already knew that. I also am a sonor drummer. But the idea that i have in my head about these lugs must be very different cause u say its great. If they where wingnuts on the end i get that thats great, deosnt look to great but you can tell if ur turning it 90 degrees etc. With circles you cant tell, unless they had a click which they dont. But im must be missing sumthing cause otherwise i would understand. Oh well ill just have to drag myself to go and play one at my local drum shop. What a chore.

[Sonor Drummer]

Yea i already knew that. I also am a sonor drummer. But the idea that i have in my head about these lugs must be very different cause u say its great. If they where wingnuts on the end i get that thats great, deosnt look to great but you can tell if ur turning it 90 degrees etc. With circles you cant tell, unless they had a click which they dont. But im must be missing sumthing cause otherwise i would understand. Oh well ill just have to drag myself to go and play one at my local drum shop. What a chore.


I seriously doubt it would be a chore my friend. As far as being able to tell how far you've turned the knob, C'mon.......You can't tell if you turned something a quarter, half, three quarters, or a full revolution. Myself, I use a drum dial at first to get everything close to where it needs to be, then I "tweak" by ear.And The knobs on the bass drum really are very nice to work with. Much easier then a wing or a key.
Be careful when going to check out a Designer kit..................Bring a checkbook. You'll be hooked!!!!!!

[Wim Coppers]

Be careful when going to check out a Designer kit..................Bring a checkbook. You'll be hooked!!!!!!

AMEN to that! (and make sure you have some money on that checkbook)

[Latin Groover]

I was sort of joking back there. I want to get either a Designer or a SQ2 for my next kit, but the $$$. So ill prob get a delite or desinger . I just luv sonor.

[Wim Coppers]

i didn't hear a SQ2 so far, but they look great. it's going to be hard to sound better than a designer. i'm curious if they do!

i played some delites myself, and they are good solid kits, you can't go wrong with them. hell, even the S class pro are really decent drums.

sonor, one of the good german things!

[Raymond Bloom]

Every time I see a Sonor designers drum set my reaction is:'' OH MY GOOD!!!!!''

I had a chance to play a designers set once and it was absoultely the best I've ever played/heared, I thought I was dead and in heaven.

[drummerchick435]

Dude, who are you? My twin?! hahaha! That's my dream set up! Exactly even down to hardware!

[mofle]

Lovely kit, man! I love the Sonor Designers, they are awesome!

I love your finish, allmost the same as mine (yours look a bit better though) Green maples for everyone!

[h3r3tic]

hello everybody,

i've been reading on the forum for a while now, and it's about time i participate and do my share of the writing. that's what a forum is all about isn't it?

so, my first post should be my sonor stained green designer maple light shell kit. needless to say, i absolutely love this kit to death and i'll play it until i lose my arms and legs in some weird accident.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i42/koowpie/s1.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i42/koowpie/s3.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i42/koowpie/s8.jpg

here are the specs:

22x22" bassdrum
14x4" snare
14x4" snare (gretch renown maple)
8x8" tom
10x8" tom
12x10" tom
14x12" floor tom
16x14" floor tom
skins: remo coated ambassador (batter skin), remo clear ambassador (resonant skin)

zildjian 10" zil-bel
zildjian 15" avedis mastersound hihat
zildjian 16" avedis medium crash
zildjian 18" avedis rock crash
zildjian 20" scinitar ride
zildjian 20" Z custom china boy

paiste 8" chime
paiste 10" alpha splash
paiste 14" alpha hihat

sabian 10" B8 splash
sabian 16" crash
sabian 16" HH dark crash
sabian 22" ride

hardware: mostly sonor, but i have some adams/pearl stands and seats as well.

iron cobra double bass drum pedal and a pearl single pedal

and all the hardcases to transport this monster!

btw: not everything is pictured, this is just a pic of my current set up. i even like to play with my sonor as a four piece kit and 1 or 2 crashes from time to time, keeps you creative!

i hope you'll like it, now go and play yours!

Wim.


Wow!, really cool! keep groovin´

[Synthetik]

I have never seen that color finish on a Sonor before! That is an elegant finish, and a very nice backdrop for a photo! The sunlight really brings out the color. That kit is amazing! I hope you are in the gallery at www.sonormuseum.com (http://www.sonormuseum.com).

[Drumsword]

Thats an awesome kit, I love it..absolutely beautiful. Not as beautiful as neurotica but close.

[Ozzy Biz]

I have so much gear-envy right now that even a heavy prescription of cowbell can't fix.

But seriously, that kit is gorgeous. My concept of my dream kit has just been altered a bit, thanks to you.

Biz

[DamoSyzygy]

Wim - amazing kit! I am also a Designer owener (I have the Vintage Maple shelled version myself) and I wouldnt part with it for anything!

For your info, the top veneer you have is birdseye maple, which is then stained and lacquered.

i didn't hear a SQ2 so far, but they look great. it's going to be hard to sound better than a designer. i'm curious if they do!
They needed to upgrade the Designer Series, because its been around since 1992 (if Im correct) very few changes since then. The SQ2 is replacing the Designer. It will still give as good a sound as Designer, but with slightly modified components and more construction choices and finish options.

[YAMAHA DRUMMER]

WOW What a great set ,the Sonor Designer series are amazing . i like the set up and the finish... but ' i don't like the hardware ... the toms \ floors mounts.
Great set
take care

[Wim Coppers]

thanks guys!

DamoSyzygy, you've had the change to play one of them SQ2 kits? and if anybody has ever played a X-ray designer/SQ2, i'm dying to know how they play/sound!

take the best of care, keep on groovin'!

[DamoSyzygy]

Actually (youre gonna hate me for this!) I played the SQ2 made for Jojo Mayer when he toured here in promotion of the SQ2. They do sound amazing. Personally for me, Id still prefer a Designer over them though - There are a few things theyve altered which were (in my opinion) better the way they were.

[Wim Coppers]

DamoSyzygy, that's awesome! Jojo is wonderful musician, cool that you got the change to play his kit. unity!

yeah, i've been reading a lot about the SQ2, and there seem to be some things that didn't change for the best. i'm sure i'm going to keep this set for the rest of my life, no SQ2 can ever change that.

by the way, i've been hearing here and there that sonor will stop selling designers with SQ2 on the rise. but it's pretty hard to believe. anyone?

take care!

[TimeConsumer]

Netjes!
........................

[DamoSyzygy]

SQ2 is replacing the Designer series, and I believe after this year you will not be able to order Sonor Designers anymore. They are to be completely phased out.

As far as add-on components and replacement parts for Deisgner, Sonor will still make them for at least another 2 years.

[Wim Coppers]

thanks Damo, that's good to know because i think i'm going to order some extra designer hardware (even if i'm pretty sure that this hardware will actually last a lifetime). too bad sonor will stop making that. i've heard that the hardware is the biggest "problem" with the SQ2.

anyway, designers have been around since 1994 if i'm not mistaken, that is time enough to get your hands on one!

take care!

[Wim Coppers]

since this has been my set up for about half a year now, i decided to take some pics and share them with you guys. especially for those "big central post tom-mounting thing-haters" hehe. just the 10" tom and the 14" floor.

cymbals are:
zildjian 15" avedis mastersound hihat
zildjian 16" avedis medium crash
zildjian 18" avedis medium ride

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i42/koowpie/1-1.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i42/koowpie/2-1.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i42/koowpie/3-1.jpg

check this green out! FUGLY !

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i42/koowpie/4.jpg

i'm still saving for some Zildjian K Constantinople cymbals but in the mean time, i'm really satisfied with these cymbals. they are light enough for jazzy stuff and still good for the obliged heavy banging once in a while.

thanks for watching and take the best of care y'all!