Are Drummers Overthinking Gear in 2025?

[Jules]

Another great question courtesy of ChatGPT. Should we just grab a great drumset (Sonor, of course) and run with it, or do all the details, nuances and options really important when the rubber meets the road?

[tcbetka]

Depends on what you plan to do with the drums. Are they your "forever" kit, or just a kit to gig out with? If I'm ordering an $8k+ Sonor kit, I am pretty much obsessing about every detail--for two reasons: 1) I get exactly the kit I want, and 2) if after a MONTH (or more) of obsessing over the little details, I still want to buy the kit...then I really wanted to buy it. You have no idea how many times I thought I wanted to buy something, only to decide that I really DON'T want to buy it after obsessing about the details.

[Jeremy Bender]

Too true. Does one bring an $8k drumkit to the uncertainties of a gig or do you bring your player's kit with wrap finish that can handle a night out and a ride in the back of the van.
I don't want to be like the Dad in Ferris Bueller's Day Off who never drove his prized sports car and kept it in a glass room because it's too nice to drive.

[Scott_M]

Another great question courtesy of ChatGPT. Should we just grab a great drumset (Sonor, of course) and run with it, or do all the details, nuances and options really important when the rubber meets the road?

I don't see where those are mutually exclusive - in fact, I think all those details, nuances, etc are what elevates Sonor's drums over the competition's and makes them what they are, regardless of the targeted price bracket.

Too true. Does one bring an $8k drumkit to the uncertainties of a gig or do you bring your player's kit with wrap finish that can handle a night out and a ride in the back of the van.
I don't want to be like the Dad in Ferris Bueller's Day Off who never drove his prized sports car and kept it in a glass room because it's too nice to drive.

For me, which kit I'll bring to a gig depends on the gig. If it's a gig where I'm expected to share my kit, rando's from the audience having access to it during breaks, known stage crew apathy, etc, - that gets one of my "cheaper" kits (Performer or Phonic) that I wouldn't be so freaked out about if it got damaged, beer spilled on it, etc.

If it's a higher profile gig, nice stage, and lower overall risk, I'll happily consider using my SQ2 kit instead.

[Hazelwood7]

I am the rare person who plays out my top line kits regardless of the room. The details are important so I can setup and breakdown fast. Most drum companies including Sonor try to help drummers setup and breakdown quickly. The hardware is is an important part of this. Not just the tom mounts and bass drum hardware but all the stands and pedals. Top line drums should have sturdy hardware that is easy to use, set up in the right position easily and not come loose or fall down in a gig and not weigh a ton. If I am paying that kind of money I expect the kit to perform at that level.

If the kit sits in your house then these issues don’t matter as much. No repeated setting up and breaking down, the. It’s not such a big deal.

Of course Sonor was such ab innovator of hardware that even though their stuff was heavy, you got such great innovative features. The rocket launcher is the best bass drum mounting system I have ever used. It’s super heavy but makes it so easy to setup and tear down and get things into place. The snare drum stand with the spring release. These things made life a lot easier.

I think Sonor these days and some folks truly underestimate the impact of new and innovative hardware . Sonor has lost the hardware market battle. Something 20 years ago they were very much in the fight for. They used to release new hardware when a new series came out.

Sq2 is almost 20 years old. It’s the longest series ever by Sonor and they haven’t done any upgrades. The hardware is aging and today’s technology could make it work better. Plus drummers love great new hardware. So when Sonor can’t or won’t make new hardware, they loose that market share and they shrink. I think that is a bad business decision that will continue to hurt them.

How about this… A new version of the rocket launcher but with modern technology upgrades, including weight reductions to make it weigh half the original rate and makes it less of a physical imprint. Now you are talking!