Yamaha Live Custom Hybrid Oak Kit - Drummer's Review

Here's our review of a Yamaha Live Custom Hybrid Oak kit and matching snare drum (available separately). Filmed at Middle Farm Studios, February 2019. For full specs, please visit our website: www.drummersreview.com, and to connect with us further, check out our social media channels...
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[@DirtyJobsGuy1]

This may just be the best sounding kit that I have ever heard.

[@donsak111]

seriously considering selling my kit and getting this second handed!!!they sound stunning!

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

Came to the comments to say basically that.

[@300kike]

For $4k, I sure hope so

[@pianoalan1]

Hope you're right, just ordered one!

[@ryanhovis7692]

you've never heard Maple Custom Absolutes

[@muranyijanos]

I am a proud owner of a last of the line japanese Oak Custom kit (20, 14, 12, 10) and it could not have been a better choice back then. I have tested the kit in studio recordings and on live gigs too and it is still a joy to play it since. Just a perfect pro-work horse kit with a great sound. Sturdy and reliable in every situation, I would not trade it for any posh DW. I couldn't agree more with every word that has been said in this video. Well made review, 100% trustworthy.

[@alfiebold3312]

Is a very loud kit ?

[@cbaum64]

I’ve never heard Nick rip so hard right after the “Let’s hear a few sound clips” bit; Those must be some SERIOUSLY inspiring drums!

[@bryangibson8479]

Just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed the videos on your channel. Top notch. Keep up the good work!

[@alexma321]

I have one suggestion. Please, when Nolly talks, give us a more close up pictures of drum kit. We want to enjoy of every detail of the beautiful drums :) Whatever, this is Fantastic channel Chears!

[@andreasbreitwieser1449]

the look is reeeeaaally fantastic and the sound is - I would say - typical Yamaha. I'm a Yamaha player since middle of 80's so I would (will) buy it !!

[@M123OCT]

If I could make one small suggestion - it would be good also to hear the kit with just the room sounds/mics, and without the close-up mics (as a well-known USA shop does with their reviews). I say this because, to be honest, every kit in every price range which you've reviewed sounds fantastic through the mics. Surely they can't ALL sound amazing.

[@davidsuprenant893]

They sound great as they should in this price range,and I love the fit and finish.It remindes me of a piece of fine furniture that has aged quite well.I think that Yamaha is really doing great things for the pro player,as well as the weekend working musicians with the stage custom and tour custom kits.

[@EHiggins]

I have the older oAk Customs and i love them. I have the 8, 10, 12 inch rack toms 14, and 16 inch floor toms and a 22 inch bass drum. What i love about oak is it almost has a gated sound, and they do project and cut through. Yamaha's hardware is second to none. Glad they are keeping the oak shells. I wonder if the bass drum weights would make a difference in other bass drums? Great review!

[@Assimilator702]

E Higgins Simon Philips uses a paint can which I believe is sand filled for a similar effect. The inner weights as a concept should work with any bass drum. I like the way Yamaha implemented the concept.

[@enricobriotti5129]

Hi, I am a longtime Ludwig drummer. I tried this amazing drum and bought it right away. A real enjoyment, a real joy both in the studio and live. Believe it, live it sounds superior to what you hear in the video. Fantastic Yamaha. Greetings from Italy!

[@paulyates8762]

Have just ordered an identical shell pack with the additional 14" x 13" floor tom. This video showcases the drums beautifully and I would go as far as saying that this is one of the best sounding drum sets that I have ever heard. Hoping that it is everything that I expect it to be as this video out of all the videos I have seen sold it to me.

[@mpk6664]

I just realized that this is THE Nolly.

[@darrengerman5761]

That floor tom is just bloody fantastic. Love it

[@rongriffin5980]

Just bought a set of these,same finish. It was between these and the new recording custom. I chose these due to clear,bright and full tone from both the bass drum and toms.Great review. Thanks guys!!!!!!

[@golferal]

You made the right choice. These sound great both mic'd and unmic'd whereas the RCs don't come alive until you put mics on them. I have this same finish and get more compliments than I have in 20 years of playing other kits with more traditional finishes. 👍👍

[@craigmaxwell6334]

i had never heard oak drums before - i tried them in the shop & then compared them with other leading contenders - I was really blown away with them & purchased them, i also went with the direct drive foot pedal - its perfectly weighted & its quick & a delight to use.

[@humdrum98]

What an absolutely beautiful, well sounding and well crafted drum kit. AAAAA+++++

[@jettsom]

One of the best drum out there! Oak is a fantastic wood for drums!

[@matteobdrums]

Stunning finish! And that bass drum...WOW. It's definitely one of the best sounding kits I've ever heard!

[@bello__]

I have an early issue oak custom kit from the discontinued series and Yamaha's attention to detail then as well as the use of oak make it a fantastic kit. I can only imagine how good they're making them now.

[@Prodrummer1603]

I own the old "Oak Custom" and would not trade it for any kit in the world except this one ❤ Just love the way Oak sounds.

[@abrader100]

Very nice review, I went out and bought myself a setup as well but the Charcoal Finish and I couldn’t stop playing them, they are certainly with playing them and highly recommend this kit to anyone who loves Yamaha or not. Anyways all the best to you guys who own a set and post some vids in “The Yamaha Drum Closet”, Rock on 🤘

[@galacticdrum311]

I heard Mike Dawson on the old Modern Drummer podcast record these with just a two overheads and a kick mic and it sounded so much like this video with just 3 mics. Seems like an amazing kit.

[@avramnovorra]

Those toms were super good sounding. Rest of the kit was also really nice., great review!

[@loko306]

Great review, loved the sound! I'd really appreciate if you do the same for the Yamaha absolut hybrid maple in the bop config. That kit hasn't got a real-decent review over youtube and I think its a great kit.

[@nicklucero2994]

Literally can’t imagine a better drum sound - wow

[@scottlowell493]

I can't help but think that a double tom mount on the kick (although less elegant) would have the same effect as weights. It's enough weight to choke the higher pitch overtones and allow more low end to be heard. I feel that a tom mount does too. The drums sound very lively, round and warm. Very articulate and responsive too. Playing at low levels (pianissimo) they still have nice tone and ergo, great for jazz. Lots of wide open power, they can handle rock and metal too. Amazing finish and I'd love a kit.

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

I HATE any mounted toms. WTF. WTF. WTF. If you're gonna make a drum kit, don't ruin it.

[@rongriffin5980]

Bought the 5 piece configuration(10,12,14,16,22 kick). This finish is unreal in person.

[@davelenavitt7815]

Was wondering how the drums are? They sound incredible though!

[@bdubzdrumz]

Absolutely beautiful sounding (and looking!) set of drums. While some of that marketing (phenolic ply and BD weights) seemed a little suspect at first...it’s obviously yielding beautiful results. Those drums could be used for any style, as evidenced by all the different play styles exhibited by the drummer here. I do agree with others here that at this price point the Hybrid lugs would have been a more favorable choice... I’d love to own a set of these to offset my vintage Recording Customs!

[@radiancefitness]

This kit is amazing. Satisfied with ours, sounds amazing recorded.

[@petetherock9900]

Beautiful finish & sound. Long time I didn't see more beautiful finish.

[@rongriffin5980]

These drums are full and clear. Easy to tune and great projection

[@peak905]

I got a chance to play this kit at Vic's Drum shop in Chicago. It blew me away and the two other guys in the room. Your neighbors will hate you if you bring this kit home.

[@larrytate1657]

Is it louder than other kits with the same sizes?

[@pacificdrum0301]

@@larrytate1657 Thick shells and oak. Yes.

[@smoreshaunted]

Looks stunning and sounds superb!!

[@alessandroventura1330]

This is one hell of a drum-set !!! It sounds amazing !!! Greetings from Italy 🇮🇹

[@drumprof1772]

Need to see a decent review of the Absolute Hybrid Maples. Fusion sizes would be great. Can’t find a single video on all of the web for the 20-10-12-14 shell pack.

[@MyDadWasALifeguard]

I demo’d a kit at a local shop....I went back nearly every day for a week or so until I broke down and bought them. Absolutely beautiful open Tom sounds...and I had a 6 month old SQ1 set.. that’s how awesome they are

[@MrStarship3]

Outstanding Video Gentleman Super Great Drums 🥁

[@sidmarks265]

Thunderful kit. I don't mind the 'coffin look', must be an age thing. I wonder what the bass would sound like with the weights removed? Great video and superb playing. Don't leave the next one as long as we've waited for this please!

[@ivanbajovic3476]

More weight in bass drum more low frequencies. For example, Simon Phillips put the paint can in the bass drum for studio recording. Just search: Simon Phillips, studio tips and tricks

[@sidmarks265]

@@ivanbajovic3476 Many thanks for that.

[@joeywaters7927]

Do you guys think that the Hybrid Oak kicks are far superior to the new Recording Custom kicks in terms of volume and low end? It's kind of hard to tell from youtube, which makes me think that there isn't a gigantic difference.

[@buddyrichable1]

Just bought this exact kit, except it is the pure oak finish. Traded in my original Custom Oaks, and my son has the Live Oak, black finish kit. I can honestly say I’ve done side by side comparison. Only difference is I have the 22” bass and the others were 20”. The biggest difference is the bass drum. It’s definitely superior to anything I’ve played. Great set of drums.

[@giuseppecasa3574]

one of the most beautiful yamaha drums

[@ritzk79]

For 3000 dollars we should be getting die cast hoops and hybrid lugs. It’s also called Live Custom Hybrid, so why not use hybrid lugs which are found on Maple Hybrids?

[@austing.8870]

I wouldn't use cast hoops on oak drums at all. Oak already has a shorter sustain and it would completely choke the drums. The Hybrid lugs would be a nice addition.

[@abrader100]

Because the black chrome hardware works for these oaks and the triple flange have a better sound on them. Remember Yamaha spends countless hours on R&D so I trust their judgment when they decide to use triple flange over diecast. Your always welcome to switch them out of if you like!!!

[@toddcapiton6285]

Die cast hoops suck. Except Yamahas aluminum ones. Yes these are a little pricy. But they are top tier drums! Wow, incredible sound. This channel rips, been watching for years now. Noly is a kick

[@sourcefor]

Its a tough call nowadays which drum kit to get as they are all stepping the game!!!!

[@jonathansparkesdrummer.8490]

Can you guys review the Yamaha stage custom birch kit. Thank you.

[@dannycutchin7684]

I can say these are amazing drums. I have the regular live Customs and they sound amazing. Very loud and thick sound. Despite being made in China they are very precise.

[@buddyrichable1]

What’s the problem with being made in China? I recently bought this kit. I traded in my original Custom Oaks. My son has the Live Custom set. I’ve done side by side comparison of the three kits and there is a noticeable difference in each generation. As far as made in China... Yamaha built a state of the art factory, and Chinese workers are probably the best in the world. When any toolmakers decide to open a precision tool and die shop to service the auto industry, it is quite common for them , in Ontario, to hire an all Chinese labour force for work ethic and quality workmanship. The iPhone is made inChina.

[@badlarrys]

What microphones are those? Dang, that kit sounds amazing!

[@jaysquire7084]

Would love to know if you could purchase the bass lug weights from Yamaha, I recently purchased the previous iteration live oak customs in black shadow sunburst. I drool over them every day, so stunning. Great review!

[@Leanneburkeband]

Tuned my Live Hybrid Oak to the following piches/frequencies shown below but not quite sure if that's what you have tuned this kit to? Please could you kindly advise? 10" tuned to D = Reso head C#4 frequency 277. Top head A# frequency 233 12" tuned to A = Reso head G#3 frequency 207. Top head F3 frequency 174 14" tuned to E = Reso head D#3 frequency 155. Top head C3 frequency 130 16" tuned to C = Reso head B2 frequency 123. Top head G#2 frequency 103

[@MrPentre]

My dream kit! Maybe someday🙏

[@SheldonKreger]

THE BLUE FINISH!

[@blakegowan6623]

How heavy is that bass drum?

[@abrader100]

Quite heavy, the oaks are heavier woods than maples plus you have the weights which weigh around 28 kgs when added up, so 28+ whatever the kick weighs...

[@abrader100]

I have just put in an order for a 10/12/14/16/22x16 setup with snare and can’t wait to receive these drums. I will be getting the “Earth Sunburst Finish” also like above. I owned the “Charcoal finish” version a while ago and had the 22x18 kick and loved them but had to sell for certain reasons. Anyways I will be getting my new kit in 2 weeks straight from Yamaha so I will do an unboxing on “The Yamaha Drum Closet” when they arrive. Join today. facebook.com/groups/YamahaDrumCloset/?ref=share

[@DrummersReview]

Many thanks for letting us know Andrew, we hoped the video proved helpful. Best wishes from DR

[@jasonmusic9938]

my god does that sound so good

[@Fab_Rice]

Please review the stage custom :D

[@ritzk79]

Fab Rice isn’t it quite old now?

[@Fab_Rice]

@@ritzk79 Yeah but still selling and in the budget of a lot of drummer ;)

[@ritzk79]

Fab Rice yeah but by now everyone has heard them before and there are countless videos about it on KZbin

[@EverythingisFire]

It would be good for a 'Drummer's Review' fan to hear recording of it consistent with their other reviews. @@ritzk79

[@andyham6094]

I play Tama and my Tama starclassic bb’s are my favorite kit ever but this is definitly my favorite kit outside of tama’s umbrella. If I had to play another company it would be Yamaha and this would be the kit. Such a great low end tone to it. Please review the Tama starclassic bubingas if you can get your hands on one or the bb’s or any Tama starclassic or even better review a Tama star kit

[@patrickmchenry2217]

I’ve been a Tama fan for some time, best snares! Best hardware on the market too. I think next would be Mapex Saturn line up and their hardware. I think I can get twice the drum of a Yamaha kit for the money with Tama or Mapex. I do have a stage custom Yamaha, it is an okay set, 20 inch bass...easy to transport to gigs.

[@BionicleSaurus]

Aw fudge that VSauce bass guy just came out of no where.

[@manojkamalakar6293]

@drummers review. this kit or mapex saturn v ?? which one is best and which suits the best for a church?

[@christianyanez2449]

Bass drum is just wow, massive.

[@jackthomson5047]

Is there another way of mounting the. 2 rack Toms other than directly on the back drum. I like them to be to my left leaving a bit of room for a ride cymbal. Thanks.

[@ivoshterev]

These sound amazing … the toms … the kick …..

[@Djpaulyt]

Ok oak is no joke 😍

[@Terry-oj2bi]

These are beautiful drums, but Yamaha should have put die cast hoops on them instead. Would love to see you do a review of the Yamaha Absolute Maple Customs.

[@buddyrichable1]

They decided not to use the diecast hoops and recording custom lugs because what they used here sounded better. It was purely based on what sounded better.

[@Terry-oj2bi]

@@buddyrichable1 Sound is subjective, what sounds better to them doesn't necessarily mean they would sound better to others.

[@777samuraijosh]

Wow those drums look beautiful

[@danielefalchetti1732]

Che presenza questa batteria,è bellissima ,naturalmente al pari la qualità del suono.

[@ronniek7748]

I'm not a Yamaha guy but these were deadly good!!

[@Clancedrums]

Nice kit! But I hate the fact that Yamaha has this fetish on having the toms mounted on the kickdrum.

[@Atarijunkie72]

A 3000 bucks kit with a hole in the bass drum shell isn't sexy!

[@beatboxerz]

You can get a virgin bass drum from Yamaha. My Live Custom Bass drum has no Tom mount...

[@elpapagamesmasramdom2148]

The old live custom gave the option to order without Clamp, but these new live custom hybrid do not offer that possibility

[@EpicLemonMusic]

Lol you can get the virgin bass. But honestly Yamaha spends thousands of dollars sonically matching kits and tuning them to have their award winning hardware on there, even the toms sound perfect right out of the box, and while some may like the overly resonant virgin toms only the Pro level kits e.g DW, Tama, GretschUSA, etc sound good out of the box.

[@bdubzdrumz]

Clance Vaasen totally disagree! I’m so sick of virgin kicks, glad Yamaha and Tama still have bass drum Tom mounts. Makes gigging so much easier

[@iloveNgany]

I have a hard time believing that those bass drum lugs make any difference in sound. But I'm used to gimmicks at this point from drum manufacturers.

[@drumnut]

What are those mic's he's using?

[@rhythmista7707]

This beast of a Drum kit is well controlled, sounds amazing, with a killer low end, resonance, a punchy attack, and sounds like it tunes up quite easily. I've never heard a crap Yamaha drum kit. Even their lower lines, when tuned properly and with good heads, sound great. And those finishes give it a gorgeous aesthetic look.

[@ddrum1090]

Can't say it's my favorite sound that I've heard, but great view nonetheless!!

[@eduardoricardo94]

Watching right away....

[@eduardoricardo94]

Controlled sound

[@dreadmaps]

What mics are on the toms?

[@johnbertasius2612]

The primary purpose is served by a good sound. But that finish would look better on a coffin in my opinion. I'm sure others will disagree.

[@larrytate1657]

I like it,

[@JasonWelchMusic]

I love it....

[@alextana746]

woah a wild Nolly comes outta nowhere :O

[@PRODUCEMUSIC321]

Very. Nice. Allways. Acoustic. Drumms.

[@robburgess4556]

Thank you for using the tom mount the correct way around! I see so many using it backwards 😞

[@mikedulin1325]

It is on backwards...but if your not going to use the extra mount hole for another cymbal arm or whatever you wanted to use there, then no problem with spinning it around like they are doing here...but technically it is mounted backwards.

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

Best sound I've heard on this channel so far. Ugly as hell, but I assume it's available with better aesthetics.

[@XFL33]

Really excellent sounding drums, especially the bass drum (the snare though is pretty bland), but twice the price of the old "non hybrid" Live Custom ?! Totally unjustified!

[@euex]

I would like to hear it with coated heads; coated ambassadors on toms and coated powerstroke3 on bass drum; I am not sure for the floor tom.

[@frozd58]

This Yamaha kit has some bite for sure . But the price tag...

[@producer73]

These drum companies need to offer shallower depth bass drums. 12" and 14" fast and punchy.

[@aviregal]

Have you tried the DW frequent flyer kit? It has a 20x12 bass drum, sounds incredible and is reasonably priced

[@producer73]

@@aviregal Thanks, they are sweet looking. I'm actually shocked and happy they make 12" depth bass drum. Every company seems to only go for deep shells. Don't understand it. I have a 68 Rogers with 14" depth bass drum, but I'm looking to part with it down the road and go for a 12x22 or 24.

[@aviregal]

@@producer73 18'' depth bass drums are becoming the norm, when the sound is almost the same on a 12'' or 14'' depth. I don't undersatand why someone would prefer a 20x18 bass drum istead of a 20x12 or 14 when the sonic differences are so small and the weight/footprint are so much different. That's why I bought the Frequent Flyer, and I'm extremely happy with it. The only top drum ser with a 12'' depth bass drum.

[@Assimilator702]

producer73 Tama is doing a 16” deep bass drum as standard on the new Birch/Walnut and also on the top of the line Star.

[@jasonfallon4968]

Best sounding & looking. End of.

[@roybeckerman9253]

Great sounding toms, although not a fan of the snare..

[@emo_drummer_9398]

Intelligent drummers play Yamaha drums. So versatile and well built!

[@danielchoxom5326]

Monster drums

[@EpicLemonMusic]

Overpriced by around 500 dollars I think but clearly going to stay a standard for Professionals looking for the thick sound. I have the old live customs and while these definitely sound better than them, the difference is so small it is not worth the upgrade.

[@mikedulin1325]

I'm thinking about 1K over what they should be. Price point should be same as previous Live Custom.

[@EpicLemonMusic]

Mike Dulin nah I mean they are completely different and cost alot more to make, also the old live customs were priced way under Oak Customs and were arguably better wood than the originals (maybe not better quality) but rarer wood. LC low price spoiled us.

[@mikedulin1325]

@@EpicLemonMusic agree to disagree, all good. I just feel at that price point they may be pricing those out that may be interested in Oak drums.

[@Lukedrummer]

Very good drums indeed. In my opinion, pinstripe heads on the toms would really unleash the potential of this hybrid kit, offering a deeper projection and a longer sustain, really making this wood sing. That said, this is still not as good as the OG full Oak kit sadly discontinued, still one of the best drums out there that I'd never trade for anything else

[@ohrid59mk76]

longer sustain ith Pinstripe heads !!!???

[@Lukedrummer]

@@ohrid59mk76 I didn't explained myself properly, I think with Oak Pins limit the right amount of overtones and offer overall a more rounded and louder tone which in combination with bottom diplomats give an amazing sustain. I don't know, these toms on the hybrid kit with emperors sound pretty dead...what do you think?

[@davidmartin6959]

for yamaha I like the ease to position the toms. not like pearl ...

[@patrickmchenry2217]

They do have a good mounting system although a hate the cheap die casting look. Especially the wing bolts...cheesy looking.

[@lawlothegradiator7723]

JFZ28 agree with you, I really hate made in china stuff

[@musshwins412]

made in japan or china?

[@נריהלוי-ר6ת]

Japan

[@karlmaanum4286]

These are actually made in China. Only PHX are still made in Japan.

[@razgriz380]

It clearly says on the badges 'made in china'. Surely that's a giveaway?.

[@lateralus9244]

I wonder why the shells only come in ONE length! It makes the toms look a little weird when adding on a smaller tom. They should have made the 10 and 12 inch toms come in a 1 inch longer shell or made the 8 x 7 inch add on tom an 8 x 6 inch. Because, if you get an 8 inch add-on tom, it's the same length as the 10 x 7. Wtf?

[@banditY2K]

As if drums aren't heavy enough without putting weights in the bass drum. The don't sound too bad though!

[@rajivgain4511]

Sir please give me a drum set

[@phillamoore157]

These sound great…..MUCH more musical than the 1st gen Oak, which were borderline obnoxious. But, Yamaha undermined their entire legacy by having almost all of their high-end drums made in China, now. Had the made that move, to make the drums more affordable, then it would’ve made a bit more sense.

[@BIGHEARTM1967]

They sound kinda dull after watching Simon Phillips Tama's

[@hippydippy]

Nice kit, but that 2nd rack tom is tuned for shit if you ask me.

[@ReignJeffersonCTria]

0:16

[@Lazyboy51]

6:56 man what a let down.. I hate seeing a MADE IN CHINA stamp :( fantastic drums.. but kind of a shame to see that.

[@ShutTheMuckUp]

The device you used to type that was probably made in China.

[@redelbluredelmai2750]

Dude, you should trust your ears and not your eyes when it comes down to musical instruments. Everything is made in China nowadays but if you compare the quality of a 300$ drum kit vs a 3000$ one, trust me, you're gonna hear the difference.

[@buddyrichable1]

That’s what they used to say about Japanese products. The I phone is made in China. If you build a state of the art plant you get state of the art products, and Chinese workers are the choice for any tool and die shops in Canada. Some of the most talented workers available.

[@jonataneloy]

no mics please

[@thomasparker1456]

Made in China though.

[@harrypar1]

the stock drumheads of this set are super shit. it deserves better stuff