On drums...

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Cliff

River City Trio

What if we did all have the same opinions?

Now that...is f'n hysterical

Following the logic others have employed in pointing out that Sonor does not currently refer to its veneers as 'genuine bubinga', 'genuine rosewood', etc., do we now need to ask if we are getting 'genuine maple', 'genuine birch' or 'genuine beech' shells?

And hey, is that genuine chrome, or the flaky Designer stuff?

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Cliff

River City Trio

What if we did all have the same opinions?

... or for that matter, are they genuine drums?

While on the topic of genuineness, following closely a certain topic reveals one way in which censorship functions so that it cannot be called censorship:

When you begin with “...an ample supply of horses to beat to death,” are reduced to “...a corral full of horses,” followed closely by just “...a couple of ponies to bludgeon and perhaps a burro or two..."; at this rate there will soon be just one jackass left standing.

Humor, at least, remains genuine.

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Gregory

This thread has been an eye-opener for me.

I had NO clue about this debate and, after spending the last few days reading the posting on this thread and SonorMuseum, I must say that I am glad I have found a new home here!

I'll try not to keep whacking Mr. Ed but it seems to me like some people have blinders on. Sonor's earned it's name by producing quality drums in both sound AND look! I've seen a lot of drums that sound great but look like a pile of junk - I've seen kits that look amazing and sound like crap - I've seen everything in-between. It's the mix of both great acoustics and great aesthetics that we, as percussionists, look for.

Sonor seems to no longer offer BOTH and are being misleading (if, not down-right dishonest) about their lax in standards. It seems as though Sonor's morals, along with those standards, have slid down the inevitable "corporate-greed" slope.

The only thing more disappointing than this are the loyalists who defend a poor product because of the brand it's associated with.

Fortunately enough, there are still plenty of good "old" Sonor drums (Phonics, Signature, Designer, etc) floating around that we can live in the past for some time while the others squabble over semantics.

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Justin

Designer Maple Light (Bubinga) 8,10,12,14,16, 22 kick
Force Custom (Bee-Bop Jazz) 12,14, 18 kick
Remo Roto Tom (Chrome) 14, 16
Snare HLD 588 Signature

This to me is a major part of the argument. When the new Sonor Ascents with "beech" were introduced the first thing out of my mouth was "where is the beech from?" You can call wood whatever you want really--remember "Phillipine Mahogany"? My point here is that no one blinks an eye about debating the qualities of Euro beech over Asian beech, and how one may be inferior to another (probably based more on cultural bias than anything else), BUT when questioning whether or not engineered or natural wood sound different many simply say "it doesn't matter that much." B.S. I think. If ordered a Beech Thin shell, at 5mm and 1mm of that was real rosewood I think it would sound different than poplar based engineered rosewood, especially if this wood was on the inside and outside.

Ahhh.... Kelly about those SQ2s? Can I get my money back?

Kidding aside... the veneer thing doesn't bother me too much either. Just because I think the newer drums (e.g. S-Classix) still sound phenomenal. And I still think Sonor is still doing certain things, like the tune-safe lugs, beefy rubber grommets, quality snare strands, etc. that make a HUGE difference in tuning, stability, and tone that other companies aren't doing. I love Gretsch and Yamaha and own both brands as well as other top-line drums, but if I was going to shop for new pro-line kit I would still look toward Sonor.

That being said, I think the cost and scarcity of these more "exotic" types of woods, and the availability of good looking and consistent synthetic veneers is just the new reality. We all just wish Sonor would be honest and recognize that their fan base is smart enough to use their ears to decide how the sound is being affected. And if the S-Classix is an example of a compromised drum, manufactured with a "fake synthetic" veneer, than I don't hear any tonal compromise.... maybe only tonal improvement?

- D.

Well thankfully the unofficial list looks like the Scandi is the real deal. So no, you can't have your money back
Actually the guy that bought most of it is in Japan, quite possible that kit is underwater now.

Yeah I don't think it's so much about being okay with fake veneer. I'm sure I would be. Would just like to know that I bought it before I bought it.
And like I said, it's not really the veneer issue that is my biggest problem with the whole thing. It's the avenue or lack of that Sonor is addressing/ignoring the issue. But that's typical Sonor. "We made it, you paid a lot for it, you should be greatful".

Since it's FOB (fingernails on a blackboard) to hear any defense of Sonor's action, I'll reiterate my position, once, just for clarity:

I want to know what I am buying. I don't so much care what it is just as long as I am given enough information to make my own decision. When I bought the Classix, a decision was made for me that was not anyone else's decision to make. If I had the time and resources, I would initiate a suit, beginning with the shop that sold them (for good measure) all the way up the ladder back to Sonor, because, under questioning, everyone of those places claimed I was getting genuine rosewood. I'd do it even if I thought I couldn't win, just to watch Hohner blame Sonor, and to watch Sonor squirm, publicly. Based on principle, of course.

But it's not worth it.

I just bought a Gretsch kit. That's my vote.

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Gregory

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Cliff

River City Trio

What if we did all have the same opinions?