Dave Holmes

Latest articles by Dave Holmes

Many of the larger off-cuts from Manuel Rodriguez's guitar production become component parts for its cajons

Manuel Rodriguez Alegria Cajon

By Dave Holmes last updated

A hand-made cajon from the renowned Spanish guitar luthier

Percussion
This review set has a beautiful shimmering orange/red wrap, shown to great effect on the deep bass drum with its colour-matched rims

Crush Sublime E3 Kit

By Dave Holmes last updated

Now that Crush Drums has made it to these shores, Rhythm gets its hands on the company's vintage-sounding maple kit

Drum Kits
With six channels, you can configure the pad with a full kit of kick, hi-hat, snare and toms

Nord Drum 2 and Pad

By Dave Holmes last updated

Nord's updated drum synth and accompanying Nord Pad are put under the microscope

Drums
HighWood claims that The Malleus is "the last pedal you will ever need". It might be right.

Highwood Malleus Double Kick Pedal

By Dave Holmes last updated

A double pedal described as a 'high-performance machine' is a truly exciting prospect

Drum Pedals
Using traditional methods, veneers are applied with Pearl glue, an iron and a specialist 'veneer' hammer

Tiki Snare Drums

By Dave Holmes last updated

A brace of vintage-styled snares from Preston Prince and his Brighton-based drum company are put through their paces

Snare Drums
The 602 series is entirely hand-made using the same manufacturing methods and materials of the models made in the late 1950s

Paiste Formula 602

By Dave Holmes last updated

Paiste's legendary cymbal series is treated to some lush new additions

Cymbals
In the flesh, the Tribal Red of this five-piece review kit is every bit as drool-worthy as the photos suggest

Sonor Prolite Kit

By Dave Holmes last updated

The ProLite is the latest German-made kit to inherit the best elements from its ancestors

Drum Kits
The original Demon Drive pedal was a piece of engineering brilliance and the Demon Chain option improves on it

Pearl Eliminator Demon Chain Drive

By Dave Holmes last updated

Pearl's new Eliminator Demon pedal now comes with a chain drive

Drum Pedals
With its maple ply counter hoops and recessed tuning bolts, this cherry/birch snare is quite striking

AD Drums Cherry/Birch snare

By Dave Holmes last updated

Fresh from the Malvern Hills comes a tantalising cherry and birch snare from AD Drums

Snare Drums
Much like the DrumCraft snares reviewed recently, this snare also has an industrial vibe

AD Drums Steel Snare

By Dave Holmes last updated

A robust steel snare drum hailing from the Malvern Hills in the UK

Snare Drums
Apart from the cloth coverings of the toms and a slightly larger module, the new HD-3 is near-identical to the HD-1

Roland HD-3 V-Drums Lite

By Dave Holmes last updated

The HD-3 is an upgraded version of Roland's original affordable V-Drum kit, the HD-1.

Electronic Drums
The system comprises two basic components; the amplifier and transducer or 'thumper', both of which are finished in the same vivid red

Pearl Throne Thumper

By Dave Holmes last updated

Drum by the seat of your pants with Pearl's new Throne Thumper

Drums
The shell graphics echo those from the film The Matrix.

Dixon Matrix Green Snare drum

By Dave Holmes last updated

An oak and steel hybrid with a well-focused sound

Snare Drums
The light natural maple finish features an inlay of two strips of Bubinga.

Gretsch Mark Schulman Signature Snare

By Dave Holmes last updated

We check out the latest Full Range signature snare from Gretsch

Snare Drums
The kit is finished in a two-tone Motor City Blue lacquer.

Gretsch Renown '57

By Dave Holmes last updated

We take a retro-styled classic for a spin

Drum Kits
The sturdy rack comes ready-assembled.

Alesis DM7 USB Kit

By Dave Holmes last updated

We flick the sticks over the new DM7 e-kit from Alesis

Electronic Drums
These shiny black 'Hyper' cymbals are derived from Paiste's mid-range to pro-level Alpha series and modelled on the current Slipknot touring set-up

Paiste Black Alpha 'Hyper' Cymbals

By Dave Holmes last updated

Paiste pays tribute to the legendary metal drummer, Joey Jordison, with these special edition Black Alpha 'Hyper' cymbals

Cymbals
It is the shiny top layer which gives the heads their mirror-like chromed finish, reminiscent of a still, dark pool

Evans Black Chrome Drums Heads

By Dave Holmes last updated

A set of good-looking heads designed to heat-up your hitting...

Drums
The Sonix 922 Jazz kit builds on the success of the original entry-level Sonix series

Percussion Plus Sonix 922 Jazz Kit

By Dave Holmes last updated

Percussion Plus introduces a new jazz kit into the 922 series

Drum Kits
This maple/acrylic hybrid is an intriguing drum with several eye-catching, not least the acrylic insert

AD Drums Maple/Acrylic hybrid snare

By Dave Holmes last updated

Fresh from the Malvern Hills comes this interesting hybrid snare from AD Drums

Snare Drums
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Drumcraft Series 8 Metal Snare Drums

By Dave Holmes last updated

Some fine Chinese-made metal snares from newbie brand DrumCraft

Snare Drums
The SLP Classic Maple snare features Tama's triple-flanged 2.3mm steel Sound Arc hoop.

Tama SLP Wooden Snare Drums

By Dave Holmes last updated

The evaluation of Tama's Sound Lab Project drums concludes with some tasty wooden snare

Snare Drums
The mesh-heads of the TD-11KV make a massive difference to the playability and sound options of the kit compared with its more affordable sibling

Roland TD-11KV Kit

By Dave Holmes last updated

Worth the extra dough?

Drum Kits
This expansive nine-piece set features drum sizes specified by Ian himself

Pearl Ian Paice Signature Kit

By Dave Holmes last updated

A monster kit for a monster of rock

Drum Kits
Cheap, light and lovely to play.

Traps A400

By Dave Holmes last updated

Could this sub-£300 kit be the Holy Grail of portable drums?

Drum Kits
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