Sonor

(Originally written by windgong/translated from Audiofanzine FR) Sonor Force 3005 - Black Sparkle Fusion (beautiful finish) - 22-10-12-14-16 I've been playing drums since the 70's. I've played virtually every music style and I've owned many drum kits. I started to play again after a break. I needed a new drum kit and I didn't want to spend too much money. I looked for a mid-range instrument. I found a Sonor Force 3005 on sale. I've been playing this Sonor for nearly 3 years. The sound is powerful and rather warm. Sensitivity and responsiveness are very good (you can play soft and loud with the same results). The instrument produces nice overtones and it is easy to tune. You can feel the 9-ply maple shells (3x3). All musicians I've played with found its sound very powerful, nice and precise. The hardware is not so bulky as on bigger models and it is very good. The drum kit has no real flaws and it can easily compete with much more expensive drum kits. Weak point: the snare provided isn't bad but I find it a bit too "light" with an average responsiveness. You will need to, at least, replace the top heads of the toms (even with Remo Ambassador Clear) and buy another snare. Once you do that the drum kit sounds like a top-range instrument. I needed a sensitive sound with a good response allowing me to play soft or loud. I first wanted a sound with resonance and overtones (very well controlled on the kit) and without damper. I used Remo Suede Ambassador heads on the top and Remo Diplomat Clear on the bottom. The overall sound is open, slightly dull and very well balanced. The sound of the 3005 toms are not as full and round as a Delite or a S Class Pro. They are perhaps slightly less powerful but still far above the average in this price range and quite close to the Delite. With these heads tuned real tight, the toms had a hollow sound (not as full as a Delite), but 6 ft. away and further the drum kit produces a resonant and singing tone very common in high-class drums (typical Sonor). Recorded with overheads this drum kit sounds great with a nice resonance and a well-controlled response. On the kick I put a coated Powerstroke Ambassador that gives it a duller response compared to the original head. The bass drum sounds very powerful, deep and accurate. It's difficult to get a better sound! This drum kit has an exceptional value for money, much higher than the average, and it can easily compete with top-range kits of most brands.

Bought new 6 or 7 years ago, it's a limited edition drumset that can no longer be found now (except on the second-hand market). The whole kit including cymbals and hardware was sold for around €550, which is €150 less than the lower end kit in that same brand. For such a price, you'd expect low-end materials, yet not so much... Sonor really gave a lot with that kit. It includes: - a 22x17 bass drum - a pair of (12x9 & 13x10) toms - a 16x16 low tom - a 14x5.5 snare (All drums are factory-equipped with Remo heads - I don't know which models but it looks like Ambassador). A "Cast Series" cymbal pack, including: - a 16" crash - a 20" ride - a 14" hi hat It also comes with complete hardware with stands, pedals, stool and so on. A standard kit, which is very versatile - and durable! I've had this kit for almost 7 years now, took it everywhere not always in the best conditions ans except for the drum heads which had to be changed the drums and hardware are still in good shape - to my utmost surprise. The cymbals are not exceptional but they really do for a beginner. As I said you can't find this kit new any longer, but if you have an opportunity to buy it used for a good price and its age doesn't deter you, then go ahead and get it!

I inherited a Sonor 1001 from my deceased uncle. The color is a nice wine read and the drums sizes are the rock sizes. I am impressed with the quality of this kit that is labeled an entry level kit. I'm 50 and have been playing drums since I was 9. My current drums are Vintage 60/70's Slingerlands. This Sonor kit is one nice kit for the money they went for. The model is outdated but the kit was brand new when my uncle passed. I think my uncle paid about $300 or $350 for the kit in 2006. He bought them at a store in the Bay City/Saginaw area in Michigan. His purchase was to just dink around when he got bored. I believe he bought them as a close out item. He was a miser. I like everything about this drumset. The color is vibrant. The shells are solid. I replaced the batter heads with Evans G2 and these things rock. I put a Aquarian Superkick II on the BD and it rocks. I'm not real used to the power toms so I only use the 12'. Even though i'm 6 ft tall the kit feels real big to me. The only thing I don't like about this kit is the depth of the toms. I would much prefer the standard 8x12 and 9x13. Excellent quality and contruction on the shells. My final thoughts are the Sonor Force series far outshines the competitors in quality for the money. In retrospect I also realized that these were the same drums being played by most of the cat's on Bourbon Street on my visit to New Orleans in 2007. You can't go wrong with these drums. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought the Stage Set 1 (22 x 17.5 bass, 12 x 10, 13 x 11, 16 x 16 toms and 14 x 5.5 snare)online from the Drum Power Melbourne store for AU$1299 but it retails for AU$1795 so I guess I got a good deal. Strong, punchy bass. Easy to tune and will usually stay in tune. Nice sounding toms. The famous Sonor TAR system is great! Remo heads and full birch 9ply shells how can I complain. The finish is amazing (I have the wax blue fade) Best of all the sound is just awesome. Hardware could be a little better quality, but it's pretty good as is. I did replace 1 of the boom stands with a better pearl stand. Snare can be a little ringy. Sonor have always made great quality kits and this is no exception. It is of the highest quality! An exceptional quality kit for a very reasonable price. Excellent value semi professional kit - you definitely won't be disappointed! This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

i purcassed this drumset at my local music gear dealer, i got it for 5500 danish knoner, that is about 800 us dollars. in my country this is very good offer, normal price is 1150 dollars so i saved a bit.. the sizes: 10 12 14 14snare 22bass the wood: basswood maple construction it got a nice wax finish, stain amber,brown orange. dont really now how to describe it. great color and fingerprints is no problem with this kind of finish. THE SOUND: well great sound.. when the crappy wery poor sounding factory heads were replaced with remo clear emperor's on the toms and a coated ambasador the snare. there is great attack in the tomtoms a following warm tone, the floor tom is just growli'n maybe there there's a bit to much sustain in it.. or maybe it is a tuning question.. the bass drum is loud when tuned probably.. and great attack.. nice bassdrum with good attack and low end snare is nice.. there is acttualy lot of punch in it.. a good cracky snare the projection of the snare is not the best, and wax finishes are easy scratched.. but offcause this is not yam. abs. maple or starclassic but it is a great midrange drumset construction seem great for the price.. and the hardware quality is okay.. could be better... im thinking about upgrading to a taye studiomaple good midrange kit with great sound to the price.. im satisfied for now.. but will anybody be satisfied until they have a masterworks or dw collector series.. not me... This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I paid $899 for the Fusion 2 kit with the 22" kick, 8",10",12",14",16" toms and a 14" wooden snare. WOW! Where to begin... I did a lot of reading of reviews from both magazines and the internet on what to look for when buying a kit, and what kits were hot. The Sonor kept coming up so I went to Atlanta Pro Percussion and checked one out. The finish is top-notch (I got the Red Maple Laquer finish). The hardware is beefy and I especially like all of the memory locks. The sound is what totally sold me! Damn these drums sound great! I was playing a medium range Yamaha set with my band which I thought sounded pretty good...last week I brought the Sonor's to band practice and what a difference! We taped the session with only a couple room mics and the kit sounded loud, full and just plain sweet! The kick drum moves a ton of air and the toms cut nicely through the mix. You will love this kit! The only thing I didn't like at first was the Remo single ply clear heads on the toms. The were a bit "ringy" to me. But once I heard them with the band they projected nicely and sustained well...I had always been guilty of trying to tape the heads up but after hearing the toms wide open I definitely am liking that! I will probably switch the g2 heads though shortly. The quality of this kit is top notch. I feel like I got a pro-level kit for a steal! This kit sounds great live, and unbelievable when recording. Everything is solid and looks sweet. Go ahead and buy it, you won't be sorry. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

The Sonor Designer drums are a set that comes in a number of different set ups and sizes. I don't know exactly what year these drums were made, but I'm pretty sure that the one that I used was made in the mid 90's. Having recently used Sonor's Designer drum set for an album's recording session, and it's one of the fullest sounding drum kits that I've used to date. I don't know too much backing information about this drum set, as it was a kit that the studio had and we used it for a couple of days. The tom tom drums are some of the deepest sounding ones I've heard, which is really helpful during recording as it makes your job as an engineer a whole lot easier. I don't know the exact sizes on these drums, but the rack tom in particular was one of the deepest I've ever seen, and it definitely made a nice difference in the sound. The kick is round and punchy as well. We didn't end up using the snare, as there were many snares to choose from that we liked a bit better, and that were more versatile. I'm not a drummer myself, but I was the engineer on the sessions where we used this kit. I try to learn as much as I can about the way drums sound, as everything tone related is helpful as an engineer. I can't really comment too much on the price, as I really don't know what the drums I used in particular would cost, or how readily available they even are. I find it hard sometimes with drum kits to figure out exactly when they were made and all without actually getting the chance to ask someone. I'd love to use this kit for recording any time I'd need a nice and full sounding kit for rock n roll.

(Originally written by DJluxlux/translated from Audiofanzine FR) - How long have you been using it? Since I won the Sonor 2008 contest (November 2008). - Which feature do you like best? Sound, unusual diameter and depth... - Which feature do you like least? Until now, none - Did you try any other models before buying it? I had a normal 14" Force 3007 snare (and previously I owned a Pearl snare). But the size of the 13" gives it a much better sound than the 14". - How would you rate its value for money? Ok. The price is affordable. - Based on your experience, would you buy this product again? I got it as a prize and I don't know if I would have bought it... Yes certainly after testing it.