DRUMANDSTAGE FORUM

drummermark wrote: Tue Aug 26, 2025 12:39 pm

I've had Yamaha and Pearl kits over the last 40 years and had been aware of Sonor since Steve Smith in the 80s. But it was Todd Sucherman that pushed me into making a decision on a new kit.

Great reason to play Sonor!

Jules wrote: Mon Jul 28, 2025 6:27 am

DaveInNZ wrote: Mon Jul 28, 2025 1:20 am

...And Chester Thompson.

Did you have any inclination to change companies when he left Sonor? I doubt he would do an interview about why he left Sonor, but I may reach out to him.

I think we can pretty much guess that everybody who left Sonor did so because the benefits of being with other big brands were better.

I think that not all drummers march to the beat of the same drum, in that sense. To some (most?), gear is a means to an end: "Give me the drums for free (or pay me to play them), and I'll play them." That sort of thing. I think it takes a relatively rare bird to 1) get with a company, 2) work with them over the years to remain fulfilled, and then 3) stay with them for any number of years. And I think it's historically been different in the US than in Europe, in terms of support with a European company like Sonor.

Maybe, years ago, guys like Chester had some issues getting support like @krusher74 implied, so he moved to what all the cool kids were playing at the time: DW.

Nico McBrain was the guy that got me into Sonor listening to Iron Maiden.