DrumEatDrum
Platinum Member
This year I was only able to attend NAMM for one day. Due to limited time, I didn't take many pictures, or look at everything, but I did notice one trend:
Manufactures are trying to put pawn shops out of business.
Nearly every "new" product was an old product.
Zilldjian's big thing was their new "A Avedis collection" (which is a bit silly given the "A" stands for Avedis") which are re-creations of vintage A cymbals that would be found in a pawn shop. Other than the lack of green patina, they look like older, used A's. And sound like them too. Also noted for no labels. There are no size marking, no indicating what is crash or ride. Just like the really old days. Along with the previously released Kerope line, Zildjian has made it fully possible to buy new cymbals that look and sound like you bought them used.
Paiste couldn't be outdone with their new black label 2002 line, which look like old black label 2002's. From a few feet away, I actually though they had a bunch of used cymbals on display.
Sabian even gets in on the vintage with the remastered HH line. They don't like they were found in a pawn shop, but they sounded like they were.
Ludwig took the new is old to a whole new level with the new American made Club Dates. Unlike the previously line of over-seas made Club Dates that had vintage inspired finishes, the American made Club Dates have finishes that are re-creations of vintage finishes.
I swear, put a layer of dust on them, throw them in a dark corner of a pawn shop, and it would be tough to tell a new kit from a vintage kit without looking up close.
And if the 50's/60's aren't your thing, Ludwig also had a Vistalite in the 70's era Tequila Sunrise color scheme for your Eagles/Led Zeppelin combo tribute band.
Yamaha had their new re-launch of the classic Recording Custom line. And they featured RC's in the natural wood finish which they haven't offered since the early 80's.
Gretsch, well, they always have new-vintage looking kits on display.
DW had a "Mick Fleetwood" snare with graphics from the mega hit 70's album "Rumors".
Pearl wasn't all in on the vintage, but they did have a Fiber-wood shell kit that looked like a used/vintage kit at first glance.
Sonar had their new-vintage looking drum kit on display, as well as celebrating Nicko McBrain returning as an endorser.
Tama wasn't promoting vintage gear, but they were promoting Billy Cobham and Dave Lombardo back as Tama artists, proving what is old is new again.
As I drove home, I wondered, is this it? Have we seen all we can ever see from drums and cymbals? I mean, I get there is only so much one can do with a round cylinder of wood or a round piece of bronze, but the manufacturers used to at least pretend they were innovating.
Have rock and jazz reached the end of all they can do, and that is why their is such a focus on going back to the old days?
Should we celebrate that we have seen everything there is see?
Or do we mourn the end of an era?
I'm not sure of the answers.
But I do know if you want to have a full brand new drum kit with cymbals that looks like you bought it all used from a pawn shop, you have a large selection of choices! lol
Manufactures are trying to put pawn shops out of business.
Nearly every "new" product was an old product.
Zilldjian's big thing was their new "A Avedis collection" (which is a bit silly given the "A" stands for Avedis") which are re-creations of vintage A cymbals that would be found in a pawn shop. Other than the lack of green patina, they look like older, used A's. And sound like them too. Also noted for no labels. There are no size marking, no indicating what is crash or ride. Just like the really old days. Along with the previously released Kerope line, Zildjian has made it fully possible to buy new cymbals that look and sound like you bought them used.
Paiste couldn't be outdone with their new black label 2002 line, which look like old black label 2002's. From a few feet away, I actually though they had a bunch of used cymbals on display.
Sabian even gets in on the vintage with the remastered HH line. They don't like they were found in a pawn shop, but they sounded like they were.
Ludwig took the new is old to a whole new level with the new American made Club Dates. Unlike the previously line of over-seas made Club Dates that had vintage inspired finishes, the American made Club Dates have finishes that are re-creations of vintage finishes.
I swear, put a layer of dust on them, throw them in a dark corner of a pawn shop, and it would be tough to tell a new kit from a vintage kit without looking up close.
And if the 50's/60's aren't your thing, Ludwig also had a Vistalite in the 70's era Tequila Sunrise color scheme for your Eagles/Led Zeppelin combo tribute band.
Yamaha had their new re-launch of the classic Recording Custom line. And they featured RC's in the natural wood finish which they haven't offered since the early 80's.
Gretsch, well, they always have new-vintage looking kits on display.
DW had a "Mick Fleetwood" snare with graphics from the mega hit 70's album "Rumors".
Pearl wasn't all in on the vintage, but they did have a Fiber-wood shell kit that looked like a used/vintage kit at first glance.
Sonar had their new-vintage looking drum kit on display, as well as celebrating Nicko McBrain returning as an endorser.
Tama wasn't promoting vintage gear, but they were promoting Billy Cobham and Dave Lombardo back as Tama artists, proving what is old is new again.
As I drove home, I wondered, is this it? Have we seen all we can ever see from drums and cymbals? I mean, I get there is only so much one can do with a round cylinder of wood or a round piece of bronze, but the manufacturers used to at least pretend they were innovating.
Have rock and jazz reached the end of all they can do, and that is why their is such a focus on going back to the old days?
Should we celebrate that we have seen everything there is see?
Or do we mourn the end of an era?
I'm not sure of the answers.
But I do know if you want to have a full brand new drum kit with cymbals that looks like you bought it all used from a pawn shop, you have a large selection of choices! lol