This excerpt is taken from the complete article that appears in the March 2016 issue, which is available here.

Product Close-Up

Natal

A competitive entry-level kit with a full set of hardware.

The last time we checked out Natal, we talked about their vision to offer a range of high-level drumsets. Each kit comes with the same high-quality components, but it was the species of wood that differentiated each model. The company recently expanded on that concept and is now offering entry-level kits, called the Arcadia series. The purpose of this lineup is to provide worthy contenders in the $600 to $800 price range, in both rock- and jazz-size configurations, the latter of which we were sent for review. Let’s take a look.

Our Review Kit
We received an Arcadia kit in traditional jazz sizes ($599), which included an 8×12 tom, a 14×14 floor tom, a 14×18 bass drum, and a 5×14 snare drum. The kit features 6-ply poplar shells with a great-looking gray strata wrap. Two additional finishes are available for the poplar-shell option: black sparkle and red sparkle. The Arcadia series also comes with birch/poplar shells, and kits in those are available in two lacquers. All kits in the Arcadia series include a medium-duty hardware pack. The hardware we received comprised a boom stand, a straight stand, a snare stand, a bass drum pedal, a hi-hat stand, and a tom mount. The Arcadia series is also available in four- and five-piece rock configurations with a 22″ or 24″ bass drum for no more than $699 for the poplar option and $799 for birch/poplar shells.

Same Price, More Hardware
With the Arcadia series, you get a nice savings in hardware alone. Most other manufacturers offer a shell pack in similar sizes and at the same price points, but they usually only come with a tom holder. To get an additional hardware pack that includes all the same pieces that come standard with the Arcadia kits, you’re going to spend on average an additional $220. Advertisement

Check out a video demo below.
 
Miguel Monroy
 
For the complete review, check out the March 2016 issue, which is available here.