by Sound Percussion Labs | Nov 15, 2018 | News
Thousand Oaks, CA – November 2018..… Sound Percussion Labs (SPL™), designers of quality drums, percussion, and hardware for today’s hard-working musicians, has introduced the Scarlet Fade Limited Edition Snare.
Ideal for the beginner, as well as the more experienced player who wants to expand an existing kit, this 14 x 4-inch snare provides dynamic tuning and a tonal response that can range from low, wet tones to a high, crisp attack. Its versatility makes it an excellent main snare or a high-quality, unique-sounding side snare.
The Scarlet Fade Limited Edition Snare’s wood ply shell features a glossy finish that gradually blends from scarlet red to black, making it a real attention-grabber under stage lights. With elegant mini-tube lugs, chrome hardware, and a hand-sanded snare bed, the Scarlet Fade looks as great as it sounds.
An unbeatable value, the SPL Scarlet Fade Limited Edition Snare is available for an MSRP of $129.99 at Guitar Center stores, at www.guitarcenter.com, and at Musician’s Friend.
by Sound Percussion Labs | Mar 5, 2018 | News
Thousand Oaks, CA – March 2018..… Sound Percussion Labs (SPL), designers of quality drums, percussion, and hardware for today’s hard-working musicians, is pleased to announce that all SPL Marching and Concert Drums now come standard with top quality Evans™ drum heads. For each model and application, these SPL drums come with Evans MX1™ heads for bass drums, Heavyweight™, and Hybrid™ heads for snare drums, System Blue™ and Corps Clear™ heads for the Birch Tenor drums and EC2™ heads for Concert Toms, ensuring a premium performance experience.
Evans invented the weatherproof synthetic drumhead in 1956, changing the drum world forever. Known for outstanding sound quality, consistency, and durability, Evans is the first and only drum head manufacturer to be certified ISO9001 compliant, a certification that proves the company’s commitment to quality.
Evans™ MX1™ Marching Bass 1-Ply series heads include a unique tone damping system that can be manipulated by applying individual felt arcs (included) to enhance articulation and focus low-end for both indoor and outdoor marching.
Evans™ Heavyweight™ Clear Snare Batter heads, included on SPL Standard Marching Snare Drums, combine dual plies of 10 mil film to provide maximum durability and compressed attack while maintaining a high dynamic range. The Reverse Dot lends extra durability focus and attack in the center. SPL High Tension Snare Drums are outfitted with the Evans™ Hybrid™ Series, utilizing two high-tensile fibers for durability and flexibility to achieve greater sensitivity, a broad dynamic range, and enhanced projection.
Evans™ System Blue™ Tenor series was developed with the multiple DCI World Championship-winning Concord Blue Devils corps. Featuring a unique film combination and sound control technology, the System Blue™ series offers enhanced attack, tonal clarity, and projection with increased durability and tuning stability. System Blue™ heads are included on all Birch Marching Tenor Drums. For the individual 6″ or “Spock Drum,” Evans™ Corps Clear™ heads are included, and feature two plies of film providing cutting attack and accents to the Quints and Sextets while delivering prolonged life and staying in tune longer.
SPL Concert Toms use Evans™ EC2™ series. The Sound Shaping Technology (SST™) Edge Control ring mounted on the underside delivers an extremely well balanced and pre-EQ’d sound across the full set by varying the size of the ring for each different head size. Two 7mil plies optimize attack, tone, sustain and ease of tuning.
SPL Concert and Marching Drums are available at Guitar Center stores and at www.guitarcenter.com, www.musiciansfriend.com, www.wwbw.com and musicarts.com.
by Sound Percussion Labs | Nov 6, 2017 | News
Thousand Oaks, CA – November 2017..… Sound Percussion Labs (SPL™), designers of quality drums, percussion, and hardware for today’s hard-working musicians, announced the Baja BTB1413L Timbale Set.
The set includes 13-inch and 14-inch steel shells, finished in a robust black chrome finish and accented with rugged brass lug inserts that are tunable with a standard drum key. The set also features a black, 5.75-inch, low-sustain cowbell with adjustable rod. These new timbales deliver the brightness and clarity to cut through any band and feature an exclusive ribbed shell that provides a variety of playing styles, including cascara, and a guiro effect.
The sturdy, height-adjustable, double-braced chrome stand includes a convenient tilter that enables you to angle the entire timbale set. You can adjust the timbales’ angle for traditional stand-alone positioning, or easily fit the set into your current drum or percussion setup. The exclusive “stabilizer bars” connect the shells and minimize movement during performance and positioning.
“Our new Baja 13-inch and 14-inch timbales cut through a mix with a clean and sharp tone,” notes SPL Product Manager Gerry Helfrich. “They’re great for Latin, reggae, world, and today’s contemporary music styles. The exclusive stabilizer bars really add strength and support. But what’s most unique about these timbales is the rhythm variety you can achieve from the ribbed shells, and their authentic, pure, bright, clear tone.”
SPL drums and Baja world percussion products are available at Guitar Center stores, at www.guitarcenter.com, and at Musician’s Friend.
by Sound Percussion Labs | Sep 11, 2017 | News
Thousand Oaks, CA – September 2017..… Sound Percussion Labs (SPL™), designers of quality drums, percussion, and hardware for today’s hard-working musicians, has unveiled the Baja 10-inch Timbale, designed as a simple addition for any drum set.
This machine-precision instrument features a steel shell and delivers the brightness and clarity to cut through any band. Add it to your existing drum kit or percussion setup, and you’re ready for Afro-Cuban styles like mambo, songo, and cha cha cha; reggae, with its staggered-triplet rim shots; and other genres where you want bright, cutting tone.
“A lot of drummers use a high tensioned snare drum or modified small tom because they don’t have a timbale that fits into a drum kit,” offers SPL Product Manager Gerry Helfrich. “But that’s a makeshift substitute. With the Baja 10-inch Timbale, drummers and percussionists can add the real thing to their existing setup and enjoy an authentic tone that really cuts through the mix.”
The Baja 10-inch Timbale’s shell is finished in polished black chrome, with a matching SPL seamless one-piece rim for durability. Its heavy-duty steel side mount enables you to mount the timbale just about anywhere within your drum set. SPL offers the SPH05 or SPH02 adjustable L-rod ball mount, or you can use the mounting arm you already have, as the timbale’s mount is compatible with most popular post sizes (9.5, 10.5, and 12.7 mm), using the included interchangeable threaded eyebolt.
The Baja 10-inch Timbale is available at Guitar Center stores, at www.guitarcenter.com, and at Musician’s Friend.
by Sound Percussion Labs | Jun 28, 2017 | News
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing one of our own, Clyde Miller, a valued member of Sound Percussion Labs team. Since joining SPL in 2013, Clyde has been a driving force in our brand development, including the introduction of a number of our most popular kits.
Admiration for Clyde runs deep in the MI Industry and particularly in the percussion and B&O community, as evidenced by the overwhelming outpouring of respect and recognition from industry associates that span decades. A musical passion that was sparked in high school drum and bugle corps, Clyde dedicated his life to music and music education for both the young and old, beginners and veterans.
He spent much of his career nurturing and expanding the skills of others — providing personal lessons, owning a teaching studio and running a music instruction lab as a Computer Music Clinician. As a music retailer and merchant, Clyde’s professional network widened, working at various music stores on the east coast.
In 2013, Clyde packed his belongings (and boxes of fine cigars) and moved to the west coast where he joined SPL — and embarked on his California Dream, living it to the fullest. For those of you who knew Clyde, we are sure you would agree, a kinder gentler soul you will not find. This easy-going Gentle Giant with a heart of gold will be sorely missed by anyone that ever shared the pleasure of his company.
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.
