Geoff Nicholls
Latest articles by Geoff Nicholls

John Bonham considered him "a god": the story of Gene Krupa, the king of swing
By Geoff Nicholls published
Best of 2024: Drum Heroes: Krupa was "a dazzling blitzkrieg of cymbal and snare drum violence", and one of the most influential drummers ever

Ginger Baker, the reluctant rock god
By Geoff Nicholls published
He may not have admitted it (or anything else), but Ginger was at the forefront of rock conquering the world

Natal Café Racer kit
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Natal gives us a bargain-priced alternative to their established Originals Series in new and exotic-sounding American tulipwood

Sonor SQ1 Series Drums
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Sonor’s latest top range all-birch kit sees the debut of a clever new and unobtrusive technology for tom mounting

Gretsch Broadkaster Vintage Series
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Gretsch edges it in the legendary stakes with its 'round badge' Broadkaster drums from the '50s and '60s – favourites of studio drummers and producers.

Yamaha Recording Custom
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Few drum kits achieve legendary status. Gretsch's round-badge Broadkaster, Ludwig's Super Classic. Add to those Yamaha's Recording Custom, commonly called the Yamaha 9000.

DW Collector's Series Cherry Mahogany Kit
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Last year we reviewed a DW Collector's Series kit with all-cherry wood shells.

Steve Gadd's drum setup: legendary session drummer's kit in pictures
By Geoff Nicholls last updated
Steve and his tech talk session drumming, technique and gear

John Bonham, the quintessential rock god
By Geoff Nicholls published
How Bonzo's triplets helped British rock rule the roost

Oriollo Ferromang Series Drums
By Geoff Nicholls published
Oriollo’s unique drums are built in Serbia and available in a variety of seamless spun or cast metals

British Drum Co The Duke Snare Drum
By Geoff Nicholls published
From the misty peat bogs of East Anglia

Provenance Ardbeg snare drum
By Geoff Nicholls published
Will this stave oak creation will have you drunk with delight?

Zebra Drums Free Floating drum kit
By Geoff Nicholls published
Combining modernistic and vintage aesthetics

Sabian Crescent Stanton Moore Signature Cymbals
By Geoff Nicholls published
New Orleans native Stanton Moore’s unique and updated self-designed Crescent cymbal set is now made by Sabian

Ludwig NeuSonic Series drum kit
By Geoff Nicholls published
Ludwig's first US-built kit to sell in the UK for under £1,500

British Drum Co Ltd Edition Wild Etimoe Lounge Kit
By Geoff Nicholls published
BDC motors past a major milestone

Remo ColorTone Drum Heads
By Geoff Nicholls published
Remo finally manages to mass produce full-toned and dynamic coloured heads

Noble and Cooley CD Drum Kit
By Geoff Nicholls published
A genuine alternative to the mainstream, combining classic and cutting-edge design

Ludwig Raw Brass Phonic & Standard Maple snare drums
By Geoff Nicholls published
Two new contrasting snares from Ludwig

One O One Black Diamond & SupraNolic snares
By Geoff Nicholls published
Top notch wood-fibre composite snares from the young, eco-conscious, Swedish custom build company

Behind the drums - Dave Mattacks: “By contemporary standards, I’ve no technique to speak of"
By Geoff Nicholls published
Too-modest session ace takes on our must-know questions
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