What's in a name? "Force"

[Jules]

I was a Sonor fanatic (though not yet an owner) when HSS went through the cycles of losing the Sonor distributorship, marketing and distribution of Slingerland (then owned by Fred Gretsch) and then HSS ultimate recovery of Sonor distribution, which was then followed by the sale of Slingerland to Gibson.

Buz King was active in lots of things Sonor through that era and he actually designed Force and Force Custom, as well the Force 1000 hardware. As good of friends as Buz and I are, I never really liked the name "Force". I should ask him what the inspiration behind it was. Seemed like a good moniker for a line of Police Night Sticks, or something.

Apparently, I was alone in my position, because the Force name went on to be used on lower end German made drums (Force 1000, 2000, 3000, and Force Maple) then the Asian made lines as well up until Smart Force, Essential Force and Select Force.

Has there been a model, or series name that you haven't really been find of?

[krusher74]

I wonder if Force played a part in the recent choice of momentum. I prefer Force of the two, as it feels simpler for the public to work more meanings around.

I really dont like SQ2 "quality squared" what the hell is that? Maybe it makes more sense in German.

I much prefered designer.

[SonorBart]

SQ2 was originally called Drum Design. Here's Dave Kurdelak's kit via the Sonormuseum Geeks section. It's patterned after a Nicko McBrain kit from the 80's. He placed the order in August of 2003 and the kit arrived for NAMM in 2004. It had Designer badges because the two mallets weren't available yet. The name change must've happened in 2004. If you go to the Sonormuseum site, click on Geeks, and then search Dave Kurdelak (way down on the left side) for more pics and his narrative.

[Jules]

I was a dealer during that time. I think Drum Design was a working title, never exactly official. No badges, no product lit or anything with Drum Design.

[James Fullier III]

I wonder if Force played a part in the recent choice of momentum. I prefer Force of the two, as it feels simpler for the public to work more meanings around.

I really dont like SQ2 "quality squared" what the hell is that? Maybe it makes more sense in German.

I much prefered designer.

haha,.. yep that is their ridiculous marketing mind set IMO.

If SQ2 is quality squared..... then SQ1 is quality not squared or the square root ?

Momentum ! What momentum ? They are building Momentum just now in 2026 with the same components they have had since the 90's ?

They could of left everything as is from the early to mid 90's with all those lines including Designer with small modifications and been better off today in 26' IMO.

Delite ? What was that ? Designer Lite ? .. where did it go ? oops.. rename to Pro Lite. That is the Pro version of Lite that was already Pro ? Prolite discontinued for several years ? maybe yes maybe no.. still on the website means it exists.. right ?

[SonorBart]

Yes, Delite was Designer Lite after lite had been established with Sonorlite and Hilite. I never understood why the change from Delite to Pro Lite was necessary. Maybe because it wasn't...

[SonorBart]

Here's my quick synopsis/opinions of Sonor's (primarily German made) naming history over the past 50 years; Ludwig started using phonic for their Supraphonic snares in the early 60's and then Sonor introduced the Phonic series to replace the Champions and Super Champions in the mid 70's. Phonic Plus was a logical name because of the extra depths trend that started in 1980. The Signature Series was obviously called that because of the quality and Horst Link's signature on the badges. Performer and Panther were the cheaper German lines and International was the first step into Asian sourced drums. Sonorlite was appropriately titled because the shells were significantly lighter and thinner than the other series. Hilite followed in slightly thicker Italian maple. Force began with a variety of levels and later shifted to Chinese. Designer was a good name choice because of all the options. Sonic Plus was an obvious play on words from the discontinued Phonic Plus. S-Class Pro (Chinese made maple) was a reference to Mercedes Benz S-Class. Drum Design was the precursor to SQ2. Delite was Designer Lite, S-Classix was likely related to the previous S-Class Pro, but were German made birch. Pro Lite replaced Delite. Birch Infinite replaced S-Classix before it was replaced by SQ1. Vintage Series is self explanatory. Pro Lite and SQ1 are gone replaced by Momentum. Whew!

[Jules]

Prior to S-Class Pro, and quickly following the first version of Sonic Plus, was S-Class. I had a set. Most of the Sonic Plus and S Class hardware (original series) and fittings looked good on paper but didn't translate to very user friendly. High failure rates on spurs, and the bolt on accessories were difficult to keep tight. My red stain S Class were adorned with vomit red plastic or composite hoops and I think black would have been better.

I didn't keep the Sonic Plus Stands long, but since the legs were connected, and extended and retracted within a plastic housing, I doubt they lasted the gigging circuit long, and you virtually never see them in the wild.