DRUMANDSTAGE FORUM

If they truly have no 150th anniversary badges, that is an instant no for me, I'm not buying an anniversary kit with no anniversary badges!!!! And no matter how they decided the badging may clash with the vintage badges, it's just another terrible 150th decision.its could have worked many ways, simple vintage badge on one side, 150th badge opposite side. If may have a Box and a certificate, but that's not cutting it. Next they will be selling that standard Sonor t-shirt and telling us that because it's sold this year it's the 150th version..........

JoeStarrDrum11 wrote: Fri Sep 12, 2025 11:01 am

Completely out of their minds with the price on this kit! They still cant sell all the other 150th kits released at namm.

Don't forget part of that "price" is getting an EU product into the USA with tariffs.

Another thought is they call it "craftman collection" A term I dont recall them using in sales pitches before and have not put in the title of previous 150th sets titles. Surely these are the craftsmen who build the SQ2 and 150th aniversary SQ2's.
Sonor seem to have been very cost-effective in all these anniversary sets other than the badges i can't see any other incurred outlay; everything is from the already made parts bins.
This Vintage kit appears to be getting maple SQ2 shells with a SQ2 finish and the hardwear is off for a SQ2 plating finish. its not even incurring the costs of 150th badges!
Its almost like the accountant has told them to make sure the anniversary kits don't incur any extra cost to the company, and then a different team that decided what the public would like for the 150th anniversary completely f**cked up what's going to be made in what numbers at what price!

If you look at the price of the Black Chrome vs Chrome on the configurator; it's probably a pretty good outlay to have the Vintage series parts done in that special finish. I would surmise that the Vintage Series badges are more expensive than the 150th Badges in that they are 2 piece, one of which is cast. Plus there is a special finish on the 150th Vintage badge.

The Vintage 150th is getting Vintage shells in Maple with Vintage bearing edges.

As to the last line about not incurring any extra costs to the company; the Sonor Lite and Signature offerings have unique shells, not to mention that the Signatures have Genuine Bubinga Veneers whereas the SQ2s have replica Bubinga veneers.

I swear I think a few people around here are trying really hard to hate things that don't warrant the effort.

Yeah, politely, not getting the hate.

What should they have done instead? I think the fact that across their current seven drum series, we have four 150th edition drum sets is pretty good going. And I'm personally of the opinion that the wording they've used on these Craftsmens implies there are more Craftsmen kits coming.

The pricing is robust granted, but Sonor has never, ever made it's name from producing value first products, they're just like any other aspirational/premium brand - priced 'optimistically.'

Interesting info from the inter webs

"Ruthenium (chemical symbol: Ru) is a hard, brittle, silvery-gray transition metal belonging to the platinum group metals. Discovered in the early 19th century and named after Russia, it's primarily used as a hardening agent in alloys with platinum and palladium, and as a catalyst in various industrial chemical processes, including chlorine production and the removal of hydrogen sulfide from oil refineries. Ruthenium can also improve the corrosion resistance of titanium and has potential applications in microelectronics and medicine"

A friend and fellow Sonor nerd in Australia picked up an SQ2 snare with black ruthenium hardware and wanted to try die-cast hoops on it. He got hold of some generic black nickel plated hoops (possibly Tama) and they're a very different colour. He also said he thought the hardware on the Artist Bronze was way less shiny than the SQ2 he's now got, but @Jules you've ordered black ruthenium Hellas and they match the rest of the hardware?

Do Sonor only do black ruthenium currently, nothing with more conventional black nickel anywhere?

And I wonder, given what it is, whether ruthenium hardware is much more like chrome in its resistance to wear? Normal black nickle plating on hoops etc. is really easy to chip and mark and is one of the main reasons I'd otherwise always avoid buying a drum with ruthenium hardware - I assume it's similarly fragile. Perhaps I'm wrong on that?

Dave, thanks for the questions.

Yes, the Hellas were a dead on match for the rest of the drum hardware and the Artist Die Cast hoops that were on the Artist Bronze. They also match a couple of triple flange Sonor hoops I got from Aaron Edgar. And I might add that it is a beautiful finish.

As to the black nickel question. I am not aware of Sonor currently using it.

To you last comment/question: if given the option, I would have opted for chrome. However having just done a quick review, I think I just changed my mind. Here is what I have found verbatim:

Example A:
Yes, ruthenium is used in metal plating for both decorative and industrial applications, providing a hard, durable, wear-resistant, and corrosion-resistant finish. It is applied to jewelry to improve its appearance and durability, especially as an alloy with platinum and palladium, and in electronics for components and contacts. Ruthenium plating can create a range of finishes from light gray-white to dark, smooth black, depending on the plating solution used.

Applications of Ruthenium Plating

Jewelry: Plating with ruthenium enhances the hardness and scratch resistance of jewelry, giving sterling silver, gold, and platinum a beautiful, durable finish, according to Sharretts Plating. It can also provide a unique dark gray or black color as an alternative to rhodium or black nickel plating.

Electronics: Ruthenium plating is ideal for electronic components and electrical contacts due to its hardness, wear resistance, and chemical stability.

Industrial Uses: Its excellent wear resistance makes it suitable for aerospace applications and as a catalyst. It can be a substitute for palladium plating, offering similar benefits with potential cost advantages.

Benefits of Ruthenium Plating

Hardness and Durability: It significantly increases the wear resistance and hardness of the underlying substrate.

Corrosion Protection: Ruthenium plating offers excellent protection against corrosion and tarnishing.

Decorative Finishes: It can produce a wide range of attractive finishes, from a mirror-like luster to a sleek, pure black, making it a popular choice for decorative items like watches and enhanced coins.

Chemical Stability: Ruthenium is unaffected by many chemicals, making it a very stable and inert finish.

Example B:
Ruthenium and black chrome are two distinct materials used for different types of metallic coatings. While both can produce a dark, hard-wearing finish, they are made from different metals and have different properties.

What is ruthenium?
A platinum-group metal: Ruthenium is a rare, transition metal in the same family as platinum and rhodium.

Properties: As a coating, ruthenium is exceptionally hard, resistant to scratching, and durable. It is chemically inert and highly resistant to corrosion.

Appearance: Ruthenium finishes can range from a light, gray-white to a medium-to-dark gray or black, depending on the process. It often has a sleek, subtle shine.

Applications: It is often used in high-end applications like watches and jewelry to create a durable and scratch-resistant dark finish. It is also valuable in the electronics and aerospace industries.

What is black chrome?

A chromium-based finish: Black chrome is a type of electroplating that uses a layer of chromium, often with additives, to produce a dark finish.

Properties: It is known for its aesthetic appeal, corrosion resistance, and durability. The finish can be lustrous, semi-lustrous, or matte.

Appearance: Depending on the plating process, black chrome is a dark, lustrous finish that can vary from a dull dark gray to a reflective, nearly black sheen.

Applications: Black chrome is widely used in the automotive industry for trim and wheels, architectural hardware, and optical instruments.