Yamaha Absolute Nouveau series lugs verses Standard Lugs

[over_kind_man]

Hi All
Does anyone have experience/opinions they could share regarding the Yamaha Absolute Nouveau series lugs (quick release)?

I’m interest in knowing from a sound quality standpoint does it make a difference?
From a practically standpoint if it really is easier to change heads, etc.
Any other pros & cons regarding these lugs.

Thanks

Mike Vondran

[Stu_Strib]

I like the looks of the lugs, but found them to be mostly a gimmick.

I had a snare with the new lugs, but my kit has standard lugs.

The problem is you still have to unscrew the lugs about 80% of the way anyway, so it isn't really as "quick" as you think. Then all the lug nodes hang from the rim, and you have to realign them all back on to the nubs, but they are swinging wildly and bashing into the shell of your drum.

Sonically they may be better, but Yamahas sound great anyway. I doubt there is any normal human on earth that can hear a difference.

Hope this helps, but you should just try one at the store. I found it disconcerting that there were no instructions on how to swap the heads out quickly, so maybe I was doing something wrong?

Stu

[moe.ron]

i agree with stu. but i doubt i'll ever buy anything with those lugs. i just like standard lugs better

[Drum-Head]

Hum... I only have a Stage Custom Nouveau kit (I refuse to buy high-end drums) but I found the Nouveau lugs to be very practical.

For instance, I like the fact that I don't have to waist time puting the tension rods and washers in a little container so I don't loose them/so they don't roll all over the place. If I have to change a head before a gig I found this to be usefull. And I think you do gain some time - although not THAT much - with the Nouveau lugs when having to do these operations...

It's not a revolutionnary thing but it's enough to convince me - I'm a bit of a freak when it comes to "details."


Cheeers,
Christopher.

[aceman]

Unlike Stu and Moe, I love the nouveau lugs on my kit. Head changing is a breeze and the lugs don't have to be losened 80% to remove the heads. At least not mine. Since my drums are tuned med. low anyway, its only a couple of turns and the rim, lugs and head are off. If you simply pick the rim straight up you wont have to worry about lugs banging around on your shell. With these lugs, I can probably change heads on 3 nouveau toms to 1 conventional tom.

[Stu_Strib]

Aceman,

I was hoping that was the case. I only had a 14x7 brass snare, it took nearly 80% of the turns on the lugs to get the heads off. That WOULD be a time saver if it weren't for the time wasted trying to line up all the lugs when putting the next head on. Those dangling lugs are just a pain...

I love everything about Yamaha, but this is one thing I just consider to be a bit too gimmicky for my tastes. I like the look of the lugs though.

[harryconway]

I used to have Zickos drums, which had a quick release feature. A drummer buddy of mine has a Remo kit, so I'm familiar with their quick release design also. Several years ago I met the man who designed the Yamaha system at a NAMM show. He was very excited and proud that his design was put into production. And I remember all the pre-Nouveau lug Oak kits that were blown out cheap to make room for the new design. I think Yamaha drums speak for themselves. For me the lug design is well thought out. Would it make or break me buying a Yamaha kit with that feature. Probably not. I'd buy another Yamaha kit simply because I like their drums.

[cdrums21]

I like the nouveau lugs. They look cool and are practical for the most part. The only thing I don't like is that I had to change my tuning protocol a bit because of them. With regular lugs, I could finger tighten the tension rods to get an even start on the tension on the drum head when tuning. With the nouveau lugs, I can't get my fingers in there to do that, so I have to go by when the lug first starts to grip the head, and then go from there. It's cool though, I still can tune them up easy. I notice no sonic difference in the lugs whatsoever, purely a functional item.

[Vintagedrummer]

I have the Stage Custom Nouveau kit. The lugs are what Yamaha advertises them to be IMHO. They work, are easy to tune, easy to swap heads (I do swap heads a *lot*) & look sexy as hell to boot.

Quality wise, I have not had a problem at all. My snare changes from loose tuning to tighter than a drum corps can. The nouveau lugs handle both with ease. My latest purchase was brass colored 2.3mm hoops to replace thew 1.6mm the SCAN came with. No effect on the lugs. They handle the heavier hoops just fine.

If I decide to upgrade form the Nouveau, I would look hard at the Maple Custom Nouveaus. Those cast rims look sweet alongside those nouveau lugs.

Bottom line, you would be disappointed in these lugs. Yamaha is top quality all the way.

[Drummer Karl]

I think I would prefer the normal standard lugs...I say "would" because I never tried those Nouveau lugs yet.´It`s a pretty nice feature of the Yammie drums but nothing for me I guess, it doesn`t matter for me when the head switching and tuning takes no time. Seems to be nice...but till now I`d still choose standard lugs.

I liked this Yamaha following statement :-D ---- "The new Nouveau lugs don`t touch the shell, so there will be more sustain and more power" ----- Wow, really?! I mean, is THIS little bit more sustain hearable???

Karl

[rendezvous_drummer]

I actually really like the Nouveau lugs. I find them easier to tune and it's much easier to change heads fer me. I just don't like how they're plastic on the Stage Customs.

[wnameth]

there great, much easier to change and a different look with them, contrast well.

-Wes

[YAMAHA DRUMMER]

i have the Yamaha Birch Custom Absolute Nouveau and the Nouveau kugs are great , they practical , and they well design and they look great on the drums , i think that nobody can hear the differences between the Absulote lugs and the Nouveau lugs.... Yamaha's drums are just amazing ... take a look and see how beautiful it is ...8215 ( as you can see , this is NOT a great picture.... sorry )

[rendezvous_drummer]

It's true, nobody can hear the difference, and that was the flaw with the description that Yamaha gave when describing these new lugs. They don't give more sustain, it sounds just like standard lugs....but the damn plasitc!!

[Drummer Karl]

It's true, nobody can hear the difference, and that was the flaw with the description that Yamaha gave when describing these new lugs. They don't give more sustain, it sounds just like standard lugs....but the damn plasitc!!

yeah, and that is the funny thing about this statement from the magazine.
It is really like: "das" and "dass" in German, you can`t hear the difference, you can just see it.
...but what`s wrong with the plastic lugs? (I know, metal is always better than plastic, but I`ve heard that they are very solid...?)

Karl

[Timcha]

I don't really change the heads on my drums much so i guess in terms of convenience and use, standard or nouveau lugs weren't really an issue. But i do think the standard lugs look a lot better than the nouveau ones. I've got a stage custom with standard lugs and i think it looks great. I'd hate to see those black nouveau ones on them though.

I was purchasing my snare (which has standard lugs) and the store guy told me that the nouveau ones were "in a totally different league". Not sure if thats quite valid though.

[DrumMasterDave]

I love tghat finish on the oak kit btw!! But i would have to say the neveau lugs are pretty decent. The only think i do not like is changing the snare head. IT seems to take longer for me to do this then before. Keep in mind, i had the old style of lugs for my older Maple Custom Absolute. Then i bought a Maple Custom Neveau snare, and i do not like changing that head. But it looks snazzier!

[rendezvous_drummer]

I just don't like plastic over-all. I'm not a plastic guy, if that makes sense.

[yamaha freak]

I just don't like plastic over-all. I'm not a plastic guy, if that makes sense.

ohh yeah... then try another kit than a stage custom advantage nouveau... on the high end kits, the lugs are made in metal (does'nt matter which kind :-D ) it's only on the SCAN kits, you get plastic lugs..

Emil

[thumper]

Im not a metal or plastic purist...I just like how much easier it is to change heads on my SC Nouveaus:) No more loose parts spilling onto the rug, and I like the subtle black lugs against the matte black oak finish-VERY cool IMO!

[Drummer Karl]

I just don't like plastic over-all. I'm not a plastic guy, if that makes sense.

Yes, I`m a bit sad that the lugs are plastic. It doesn`t look worse but I`m very sceptical about quality. I really like the sound of Yamaha drums and the sound of Stage Custom drums... but business is hard and metal lugs would cost more money so that is actually a good reason: Money.

Anyway, metal lugs on Stage Custom Nouveau`s would be so perfect. would look awesome!

Karl

[rendezvous_drummer]

Well the plastic black lugs look horrible on some of the finishes like the natural finish and matte sienna. That's just my opinion, but they look fitting with the cranberry red finish. I wasn't skeptical of the quality of the lugs because they're from Yamaha, but I just never liked plastic on me shells. It's all good for now..maybe I can buy some metal lugs from Yamaha.

[bonzo49]

Has anyone got a close up image, im intregued.

[rendezvous_drummer]

http://www.drumcentral.com/images_yam_scn/scn_lug.jpg

This is the closest shot I could find.

[over_kind_man]

Hi All,
By the way, after much time and thought on the subject, I ended up buying a Yamaha drumkit with the Nouveau lugs.

Thanks for your help.

Below is a link to the thread with the details.

http://drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33094

Mike Vondran (over_kind_man)

[drummerboy77]

i have the Yamaha Birch Custom Absolute Nouveau and the Nouveau kugs are great , they practical , and they well design and they look great on the drums , i think that nobody can hear the differences between the Absulote lugs and the Nouveau lugs.... Yamaha's drums are just amazing ... take a look and see how beautiful it is ...8215 ( as you can see , this is NOT a great picture.... sorry )

Hi YAMAHA DRUMMER,

I gotta say this is the most beautiful drum set I have ever seen! I just ordered a Maple Custom Absolute Vintage (Absolute Lugs), 20x16 virgin, 10x7,5, 12x8, 14x14, 16x16 and now I even think about adding a second bassdrum (22x18). What size is your kick?

Greetz,
d.

[over_kind_man]

The kick is 22 x 16.

[drummerboy77]

The kick is 22 x 16.

Hey over_kind_man,

thanks for the info but I was talking to YAMAHA DRUMMER... :-) What do you think is the size of his kick? Looks like a 22x18 to me, but I'm not sure.

BTW, I love your kit, too! But for me it has to be the Vintage Natural Finish. I can't really decide what kick size to choose, 22x16 or 22x18. Any thoughts? Why did you go with the 22x16?

Thanks,
d.

[Steady Freddy]

Here's a couple of pictures of the Nouveau lugs. The lug slids over a small stud that's mounted to the shell. As the tension is increased it it is held in place by the dovetail on the lug and stud.

I love em!