Sonor AQ2 Stage Kit?

Pauly

Member
Hello All,
First timer here. Has anyone have any experience playing a Sonor AQ2 Stage or a Sonor SQ1? The last kit I owned was in 1999 which was a DW Collectors. It has been about 20yrs Since I've owned a Kit. I really have my heart set on Sonors. Just wanted to know if there was any real Sonic difference (Besides Birch vs Maple). I've looked online but no real tests on the AQ2. Any help would be greatly appreciated. P.S. I already have the snare covered with a Dunnett Bronze GB!
 
Hello All,
First timer here. Has anyone have any experience playing a Sonor AQ2 Stage or a Sonor SQ1? The last kit I owned was in 1999 which was a DW Collectors. It has been about 20yrs Since I've owned a Kit. I really have my heart set on Sonors. Just wanted to know if there was any real Sonic difference (Besides Birch vs Maple). I've looked online but no real tests on the AQ2. Any help would be greatly appreciated. P.S. I already have the snare covered with a Dunnett Bronze GB!
Welcome @Pauly! Any pics of that snare? :unsure: :) I’m not a Sonor guy but a lot of them hang out on the @Gavin Harrison thread for obvious reasons!;) Happy kit hunting, and remember, it’s never too late to play Pearl...?(y)
 
The AQ2 Series are decent maple kits, made in China. I have owned an AQ2 Safari, which sounded great.
But I also own a Sonor ProLite (maple) and an SQ1 (birch). Both of them are German made and „play“ in a different league.
The SQ1 sounds fantastic with different tunings and is my absolute favourite. I recommend to go for the SQ1 Series.
 
Hi Pauly and welcome to DW. The Sonor AQ2 series for me is the best in class in QC and for the money. The 4000 foot pedal is quite good. All the other 4000 hardware are pro grade.
 
I kinda blew my budget with this snare hence why I’m looking at the AQ2’s now. Just listened to a video with the SQ2, 1, and AQ2 not a huge amount of difference?? Or am I way off?
 
The AQ2 Series are decent maple kits, made in China. I have owned an AQ2 Safari, which sounded great.
But I also own a Sonor ProLite (maple) and an SQ1 (birch). Both of them are German made and „play“ in a different league.
The SQ1 sounds fantastic with different tunings and is my absolute favourite. I recommend to go for the SQ1 Series.

Yeah they play in the 2-4K vs 1k range?
I love Sonor but they are virtually impossible to see in person let alone play. Someday I will have another one. Had the ridiculous designer series bubinga about 16 years ago. They were typical German overbuilt tanks with a Tom mounting system that would hold up a BMW but the damn Tom tighteners would loosen! LOL they sounded incredible though
 
Yes a big difference. Get the German SQ1, you won't regret. AQ2 is Mapex china factory shells with Sonor hardware and china Remo heads which need replacing straight away, it's still good quality, but the SQ1 just sounds and feels better. I have owned AQ2 Bop and have played SQ1.
 
I have the AQ2 Safari for gigs, which I love. For recording (home studio), I'm about to trade up from a Premier XPK which I bought back in the early or mid 90s. I'm considering the Sonor AQ2 Stage. Also the DW Performance series. Big difference in price. If anyone has played both kits I'd love to hear what you think about the DW Performace compared to the Sonor AQ2.
 
I have the AQ2 Safari for gigs, which I love. For recording (home studio), I'm about to trade up from a Premier XPK which I bought back in the early or mid 90s.
There’s a few guys on here who might be interested in your Prem XPK... a very well made kit that packs a punch from the Blaby Road factory in Wigston UK...? (y)
 
There’s a few guys on here who might be interested in your Prem XPK... a very well made kit that packs a punch from the Blaby Road factory in Wigston UK...? (y)
Hey Al, I see your located in the UK! What’s the skinny on British Drum Company? Have you heard or played them? They also have peaked my interest?
 
Hey Al, I see your located in the UK! What’s the skinny on British Drum Company? Have you heard or played them? They also have peaked my interest?
The Casino line hardware looks very good also, can’t seem to find anyone in the states carrying it though
 
Hey Al, I see your located in the UK! What’s the skinny on British Drum Company? Have you heard or played them? They also have peaked my interest?
The Casino line hardware looks very good also, can’t seem to find anyone in the states carrying it though
I’ve not played them but their main design guy used to work for Premier. It’s stunning high end quality gear but with a price tag to match...I’m considering getting some casino hardware and kick pedals myself as it happens... (y) :)
 
Hey Al, I see your located in the UK! What’s the skinny on British Drum Company? Have you heard or played them? They also have peaked my interest?
That's a good idea, however my Premier kit is 7 pieces so it would have to pick-up only and I'm in Southern California. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
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