by Sound Percussion Labs | Mar 29, 2017 | News
Thousand Oaks, CA – March 2017..… Agazarian, a provider of value-minded cymbals, is now offering gongs from China’s Hubei province that have been individually crafted by hand in the ancient land’s centuries-old tradition. The new line includes 26-inch, 30-inch, and 34-inch Chau gongs (Tam Tams) and a 22-inch Wind gong (Feng gong), as well as sturdy steel gong stands. The new gongs come complete with a mallet.
Made from the fired cast of a distinctive bronze alloy, Agazarian’s Chau gong delivers a big, deep crash, providing a large spread of low tones with intricate characteristics. Ranging from a sustained drone to a building crescendo of fast explosive crashes, this hand-hammered gong is an excellent choice for both performance and recording, blending well with a wide array of instruments. It works beautifully in a variety of musical genres, including symphonic applications.
The almost flat design of the Agazarian 22-inch Wind gong is the result of highly skilled hand hammering and lathing. Its distinguishing smooth sound is mostly low-pitched, yet can open up nicely with a wash of overtones when played more aggressively. Offering a shimmering sound for traditional ceremony, its vibration spreads out in an exceptionally wide pattern, with a long sustain. Like the Chau gong, the Wind gong complements a variety of musical genres. Play it with a traditional drumstick, as you would a ride cymbal, and you’ll get a great deep, dark, trashy ride sound.
Built of durable steel with a textured, powder-coated finish, Agazarian gong stands are robustly designed for heavy use. These traditional, square-frame, hanging stands are easy to assemble and will offer years of reliable, hassle-free performance. Three height adjustments accommodate gongs of various sizes. Agazarian offers two stand models: the AGZ26ST for gongs up to 30 inches and the larger AGZ40ST for gongs up to 38 inches. Both include smooth-rolling, locking casters for easy transport and placement.
Whether in an orchestral setting or a rock or pop ensemble, hand-crafted, attractive Agazarian gongs will deliver the gorgeous sound you’ve always wanted. Stands start at $89.99 and gongs start at $149.99. Check them out at Guitar Center, Musician’s Friend and WWBW.com.
by Sound Percussion Labs | Mar 20, 2017 | News
Thousand Oaks, CA – March 2017..… Sound Percussion Labs (SPL), designers of quality drums, percussion, and accessories for today’s hard-working musicians, has introduced new competition marching drums that enable your marching ensemble to hit the field at full power. These top-quality instruments feature all-birch construction for bright, cutting tone and low-end attack. Hard, dense birch provides an articulate, focused sound that’s highly desirable for marching drums. The triple-flange hoops and Remo USA Crimplock® Pinstripe® heads create the open sound, increased sustain, and articulation necessary for high-level competition. All SPL marching drums are available in black or white finishes, and sticks are included.
For the most drum-configuration options, start with the SPL Birch Competition Marching Tenor Quads. These SPL tenors feature 7-ply all-birch shells for a bright, highly projected sound while maintaining low-end attack-ideal for halftime shows, parades, pep bands, and more. They’re available with 6-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, 12-inch and 13-inch shells. Most companies charge extra for a carrier, but SPL includes a sturdy, rugged, lightweight, T-style carrier free to ensure you can effortlessly carry your marching drums.
When you want to expand your marching drums, the SPL 6-inch Birch Marching Tenors are an ideal solution. Since all SPL marching drums are modular, you can quickly and easily swap out drums, enabling you to reconfigure your set. No drilling or special tools are needed; simply add the 6-inch tenor (or two) to expand a quad into a quint or even a sextet, using the preconfigured slots on the SPL carrier-or downsize a quint or sextet to a quad with ease.
If you are ready to go big or go home, opt for SPL’s Birch Competition Marching Tenor Sextet, which includes two 6-inch shells, along with 8-inch, 10-inch, 12-inch, and 13-inch sizes. As with the Marching Tenor Quads and Quints, the SPL T-style carrier and sticks are included.
“Our new marching drums are exactly what you need for a competitive marching ensemble,” offers SPL Product Manager Clyde Miller. “We use only top-quality wood and other materials, and we paid attention to details and components that make a difference. The result is great sounding instruments that will hold up under the stress of travel and outdoor performances, show after show.”
SPL Competition Marching Drums are available at Guitar Center, Musician’s Friend and Woodwind and Brasswind (wwbw.com).
by Sound Percussion Labs | Jan 10, 2017 | News
Thousand Oaks, CA – January 2017..… Sound Percussion Labs (SPL), designers of quality drums and percussion equipment for today’s hard-working musicians, introduces three new Unity Series drum “shell packs”. Great for beginners and advancing students, these shell packs (drum sets without the stands, pedals, and cymbals) feature rugged, multi-ply, poplar shells that deliver a bright, projected sound, ready to fill any practice space or performance venue.
Unity Series shells offer sturdy, 5.6 mm, 8-ply construction, with low-mass lugs and precision, 45-degree bearing edges for enhanced attack and superior sustain. They employ durable one-piece, weld-less, triple-flange hoops for enhanced strength and include top-quality Remo heads.
A high-quality, yet affordable solution for expanding your existing drum kit, the SPL Unity 3-Piece Extension Shell Pack includes a 22×16-inch bass drum, 8×7-inch rack tom, and 14×12-inch floor tom. Add this trio, and your old drum kit will feel and sound fresh, with many more musical possibilities.
Designed for the advancing player who wants a great sounding drum kit at an equally outstanding price, the SPL Unity 5-Piece Shell Pack offers a 22×16-inch bass drum, 10×8-inch and 12×9-inch rack toms, a 16×14-inch floor tom, and a 14×5-inch snare. Use it to built a new kit or to upgrade your existing kit in a big way.
If you’re ready to go all out, get the SPL Unity 8-Piece Shell Pack. Delivering great tone, power to spare, and more drums than you can shake a stick at, this monster kit delivers dual 22×16-inch bass drums; 8×7-inch, 10×8-inch, and 12x 9-inch rack toms; 14×12-inch and 16×14-inch floor toms, and a 14×5-inch snare.
A kit this potent is not for the faint of heart but if you’re serious about double-kick drumming, the Unity 8-Piece Shell Pack is for you.
Not quite ready for the full 8-piece experience yet? Start with the Unity 5-Piece Shell Pack, and add the Unity 3-Piece Extension Shell Pack later. The two smaller kits combine to give you the equivalent of a full-blown Unity 8-Piece Shell Pack.
“Our Unity Shell Packs are high-quality and very affordable, and they’re great for a wide variety of styles and skill levels,” observes SPL Product Manager Clyde Miller. “These poplar shells sound bright and present, and they’re built to last. We’re very proud of them.”
All three SPL Unity Shell Packs are offered in White, Black, Silver Sparkle, and Wine Red finishes. Cymbals, pedals, and stands are available separately. SPL Unity Shell Packs are available at www.guitarcenter.com, and at Musician’s Friend.
by Sound Percussion Labs | Feb 29, 2016 | News
Thousand Oaks, CA – March 2016..… Sound Percussion Labs (SPL), designers of quality drums, percussion, and hardware for today’s hard-working musicians, introduces the new SPL DBX5522 Unity Birch kit, a 5-piece, all-in-one drum set designed with high-grade all-birch shells for warm, full-rounded tone and deep, powerful attack.
Featuring SPL’s exclusive Arch-Tech™ bearing edge design for fast, easy tuning and ultra-warm tone, the Unity Birch Set’s 100% birch construction delivers the deep, resonant sound drummers crave. Starting with an all-birch 22″ x 16″ kick drum, 10″ x 8″ and 12″ x 9″ mounted toms, 16″ x 14″ floor tom, and 14″ x 5″ matching snare, the Unity Birch Drum Set also includes an 18″ crash/ride cymbal, a pair of 14″ hi-hat cymbals.
Matching, solid wood bass drum hoop adds to the aesthetic, and low-mass lugs help maximize resonance even more, making this the perfect high-value drum set for a broad variety of drummers. All drums are fitted with high-quality Remo heads. The Unity Birch 5-Piece Drum Set includes everything you need to start playing right now, right out of the box, including top-grade, chrome plated, double-braced cymbal, snare, and hi-hat stands, single-chain direct drive bass drum pedal, hardware, and even a drum throne.
“The DBX5522 Unity Birch kit is the latest in the new generation of Sound Percussion Labs drums, and it’s one we’re particularly proud of,” remarked SPL Product Manager, Clyde Miller. “It’s a high-quality, affordable drum kit that’s well made, great sounding, and looks fantastic.”
Available in Black Mist, Red Mist, and Silver Mist finishes, the Unity Birch kit is available at all Guitar Center stores, guitarcenter.com, and Musician’s Friend, carrying a street price of $499.99.
by Sound Percussion Labs | Dec 23, 2015 | News
Modern Drummer Magazine has named the Street Bop by Sound Percussion Labs as one of its “Best Four-Piece Shell Packs for Under $400”.
SPL Street Bop Shell Pack ($299) – This kit from Sound Percussion Labs comes in at a much more competitive price point but with fewer color options. The birch/basswood shells include a 16×18 bass drum, a 7×10 tom, a 13×13 floor tom, and a 5×13 snare.
