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

Product Close-Up

Yamaha

Recording Custom Drumset

An icon redesigned.

The Recording Custom series has a long history in the world of drumming. The kit originally launched in the mid-’70s as the YD-9000, taking on the Recording Custom name in the mid-’80s. Over the years, the Recording Custom has changed in a few ways, but its all-birch shell has remained the unwavering trademark of the series since its inception. Yamaha recently collaborated with drumming icon Steve Gadd to revamp the Recording Custom for 2016. According to Yamaha, the result is a “refined, focused sound with…deeper tones.” Let’s dig in!

The Review Kit

We received a six-piece Recording Custom kit with a surf-green finish (list price: $4,419.99). Included were 7×10 and 8×12 rack toms, 13×14 and 15×16 floor toms, an 18×22 bass drum, and a 5.5×14 aluminum snare. Other finish options include high-gloss solid black and classic walnut, as well as a matte-lacquer wood. The kit features 6-ply North American birch shells with 30-degree bearing edges and redesigned Hi Tension lugs that are weighted to enhance lower frequencies.

A 20″ bass drum on a floating riser is also available (and is used by Gadd). The riser minimizes interference from the floor, which results in greater resonance from the shell. Yamaha offers a beater that has an extended rod to ensure that the drumhead is struck precisely in the center. All Recording Custom toms are equipped with Remo Coated Ambassador batter heads. The bass drum comes with a Smooth White PS3 resonant and a Remo Coated PS3 batter. Completing our review kit was the new Recording Custom 5.5×14 aluminum snare. Advertisement

 

Miguel Monroy

For the complete review, check out the Novemberber 2016 issue, which is available here.