Dave Holmes
Latest articles by Dave Holmes
![The shells have bands of matt black sprayed at the top and bottom leaving a central band of finely grained wood](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d2f2577c0fa7d2b613585a082ebafc20-320-80.jpg)
Performance Percussion PP Black Velvet Kit
By Dave Holmes last updated
A set of Chinese-made drums aimed at the budding basher is up for review this month from JHS's popular Performance Percussion brand, specialising in starter drums and educational percussion
![The covers are placed onto the cymbals while still on their stands for easy pack-away](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/254d351a0eab594778601476918a654d-320-80.jpg)
Cymskin Cymbal Covers
By Dave Holmes last updated
Drummer and CymSkin proprietor Mark McDermott came up with the cymbal cover concept back in 1993
![The beater post clamp can be attached to virtually any stand, piece of hardware or cajon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d52653e68880aea93db7a1db0d60df7a-320-80.jpg)
Dixon Cajon Pedal Plus
By Dave Holmes last updated
While Dixon enjoys the success of its top of the range acoustic drums, its roots actually lie deep in the manufacture of competitively priced hardware
![The Equator range snare (pictured left) gets its name from the thin black band that wraps around the shell](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f7d3f380cf67c3c000457400c2458f5e-320-80.jpg)
Dixon Maple/Carbon Fibre Equator snare
By Dave Holmes last updated
Previously, Taiwanese firm Dixon has been known for its affordable and reliable drums and various accessories and other components
![The beading on the Hammered Brass snare's thin shell (top) adds rigidity and strength](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f7d3f380cf67c3c000457400c2458f5e-320-80.jpg)
Dixon Hammered Brass Artisan snare
By Dave Holmes last updated
For almost 40 years, Dixon has successfully gained and maintained a reputation for its cost-effective but trustworthy drum accessories, hardware and affordable drums
![The kit comes with four cymbals: a 12" hi-hat, two 14" crashes and a 16" three-zone ride](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5758012b23415d663303b22ee88ea927-320-80.jpg)
Alesis DM10 X Kit Mesh
By Dave Holmes last updated
Alesis goes all-mesh with its latest e-kits to partner the DM10 module
![The variety of textures and finishes contribute to the Transition's visual appeal and its sonic character](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ee244fea0547edb58ae0596d16253032-320-80.jpg)
Meinl Byzance Transition Ride
By Dave Holmes last updated
For his signature Meinl Ride, Mike Johnston called on the input of his online drumming community
![The shell (left) is stave-constructed from red African hardwood padauk](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cbb385cd777a0bdb8f2c9998fe1ebf42-320-80.jpg)
AD Drums Padauk snare
By Dave Holmes last updated
For around eight years AD's Carl Haffield has been making his mark in the drum world with a range of custom drums
![The drum (right) is wrapped in Teal Blue Pearl with an insert of off-white Marine Pearl](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cbb385cd777a0bdb8f2c9998fe1ebf42-320-80.jpg)
AD Drums Birch snare
By Dave Holmes last updated
Considering the usual wares of AD Drums' Carl Haffield are eye-catching to say the least, our 14"x61⁄2" birch ply snare looks somewhat nostalgic
![The shell is made from sheets of mahogany and features a tuneable carbon fibre frontplate](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cfa585cf5565105162f7e145a1648040-320-80.jpg)
DeGregorio Kanyero Cajon
By Dave Holmes last updated
Today it's the turn of the brand new top-of-the-shop DeGregorio Kanyero cajon to be perched upon and put through its sound and rhythmic paces
![The fully adjustable 'Eccentric Drive' helps rapidly accelerate the beater onto the bass drum batter](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/81d8b4d2912ec12e952f32e23cbb277c-320-80.jpg)
Ahead Mach 1
By Dave Holmes last updated
Ahead's catalogue is absolutely bulging with an eclectic mix of drum-related products including snare drums (metal and wood), drum stools, drum cases, ear plugs, accessories etc
![With solid, deep chromed hardware throughout and a superb glossy finish, this snare appears extremely well-made](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f7d3f380cf67c3c000457400c2458f5e-320-80.jpg)
Dixon Artisan Chris Brady snare
By Dave Holmes last updated
For almost forty years, Dixon has successfully gained and maintained a reputation for its cost-effective but trustworthy drum accessories, hardware and affordable drums
![With a thin, 3mm shell, the Flame Birch snare (left) makes for a lighter drum](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/0c623344bf3066fd2080d8e0f5109251-320-80.jpg)
Liberty Drums Tenius Flame Birch snare
By Dave Holmes last updated
This Flame Birch snare from UK firm Liberty Drums is beautifully finished with a finely-grained 'blazing' birch veneer
![Mapex has retained the familiar maple/walnut hybrid of the Saturn series](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/86a427e5492cecf9fdc77777de68f113-320-80.jpg)
Mapex Saturn IV Shell Pack
By Dave Holmes last updated
Mapex may be able to run rings around the competition with its Saturn IV series
![This snare (right) has a 15-ply birch shell topped with a veneer of rare elm burr](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/0c623344bf3066fd2080d8e0f5109251-320-80.jpg)
Liberty Drums Elm Burr snare
By Dave Holmes last updated
This handcrafted Elm Burr And Birch snare from Country Durham drum maker Liberty Drums, boasts a whopping 15-ply birch shell
![This is a 12-piece set supplied with its own hand-made, hand-woven basket](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/28255b89d5aa900fe8b4257258356e61-320-80.jpg)
Performance Percussion Multi-Cultural Basket
By Dave Holmes last updated
For review this month is a comprehensive selection of ethnic percussion sourced by Performance Percussion
![Floor tom Shakers have two layers of foam and spread the load of the tom foot over an 88mm diameter area](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cec67f4510e162c47797f87c892baab6-320-80.jpg)
TNR Booty Shakers
By Dave Holmes last updated
As drummers we're always reliant on decent acoustic surroundings. So a helping hand at source is always welcome
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9087832c0d9a283a21dd75a39abdf463-320-80.jpg)
J Leiva Medina Cajon
By Dave Holmes last updated
A Spanish-made cajon for flamenco and Latin rhythms
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7c518bf1fdceabddd1a4480a5ec9e5d6-320-80.jpg)
Remo Powerstroke 77 Drum Head
By Dave Holmes last updated
Under the sticks this month is the latest member of Remo's popular Powerstroke family.
![The mic set comes with its own reinforced, aluminium briefcase-style box](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6ec3ca7d66ca3e0b40d1fb473cce54fc-320-80.jpg)
AKG Session 1 Microphone Set
By Dave Holmes last updated
A set of no less than seven AKG drum microphones for under £250! Has the world gone mad?
![The cajon can be folded down to roughly a quarter of the depth of a standard cajon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d3568209168a473ce0792fec7004e8b7-320-80.jpg)
J. Leiva Travel Series Omeya Cajon
By Dave Holmes last updated
This Omeya Travel Series cajon hails from the same family of Spanish-made instruments as other Omeya models including the Evo, Junior, Bass Pro and the Studio Bass, reviewed last year
![Just six buttons access all the practice routines](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7dbb26979edb35b0baff3113f2014fa9-320-80.jpg)
Stagg Electronic Beat Tutor EBT-10
By Dave Holmes last updated
A no-frills portable electronic practice pad
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3b396d2b5dff8b3fd49a75f96448a3f3-320-80.jpg)
Sakae Drums Pac-D
By Dave Holmes last updated
As the manufacturer of drums for one of the world's leading musical instrument companies for 40 years, Sakae Rhythm's position is well-documented.
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