Sonor SQ1 3pc Drum Set 22/12/16 - Video Demo

Sonor SQ1 3pc Drum Set 22/12/16 - SQ1-322-NM-GTB
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/SQ1-3...
Snare drum used in this video:
Sonor SQ1 Snare Drum 14x6.5 - buydru.ms/SQ1-1...
Cymbals used in this video:
Paiste 16" & 18" Signature Full Crashes, 22" Dark Energy Mk1 Ride, 15" 602 Modern Essentials Hi Hats, 18" Signature Heavy China
www.drumcentern...
Follow us on:
/ drumcenternh
/ drumcenternh
/ drumcenternh

[@mdloser1]

I've owned 2 sets of Pearl drums, one set of Gretsch and now a Mapex kit. In my opinion, Sonor make THE BEST sounding drums in the world. I can't wait till I own a Sonor kit. I'll probably buy an SQ1. I think I'll be happy with them for life.

[@ampdrum1]

I just got the SQ1 320 shell pack from DCP. Shane answered the phone and sold me Sonor and a smattering of PAiSTe cymbals. Got Jost Nickel snare too. Best kit I've ever played. Great service from Barret. Big, deep, focused sound boys and girls.

[@drumcenternh]

Awesome! Thanks so much and enjoy them!!

[@stringer19]

I just purchased a Sonor Prolite after spending years playing on a "Custom Best Drums in The World" kit. I must say... I am absolutely blown away by the quality, craftmanship, precision and overall sound and playability of Sonor kits. I am 100% sold on Sonor. Anyone who hasn't played one of these kits needs to go try one out immediately!

[@jaylee8703]

WHich "Custom Best Drums.. " kit Brock ?? The one with "Shell Technology" that SOnor was already practicing in the 60's ??

[@stringer19]

Yes.. the one with "Secretive Bearing Edge Technology", "Sonic Venting System", & "Free-Sound Lug Design" ... If I could only go back 10 Years into my late teens and spend that money on my current Sonor Prolite Kit I would have been much better off. I guess that's the beauty of life... making immature mistakes and learning from them over time.

[@larrytate1657]

Prolites are so good.

[@peterpiece2102]

h@@stringer19 Yeah and the second secret is the selected wood, to find the true instrument wood for the drum making....

[@ickysticky3672]

Just got mine two days ago in green. What a sound. I have Fiberskyn Ambassadors on my batters, stick reso heads and a black suede emperor on the matching snare. It's a winning combination for me.

[@blownaway13]

Nick Colantonio stick reso heads? Stock ?

[@rigorhead01]

You guys always have the best sounding drums in all your videos, whether it be a budget kit or a super high-end kit. Thanks, they're very intertaining to watch.

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks! Glad you enjoy them.

[@nickavenoso7851]

Sonor kits just sound incredible. I think Sonor, TAMA, Ludwig, & Gretsch, are my favorite drum manufacturers out there right. But, there are so many great drum makers out there that it’s so hard to choose 😂

[@jcw91371]

Shane gettin' DOWN in the Phat Room! I call that room the "Phat Room" because every kit you record in there sounds huge. I still contend that a mint condition set of Sonorlites with a little modification( getting rid of that shell-killing mounting hardware from the 80's )are STILL some of the best birch drums you'll ever play. It's good to see( and hear )that they haven't lost their touch. Great kit!

[@danaholmes5493]

All of my Sonorlite toms are on the aluminium RIMS bands with Aquarian Heads top and bottom. They sound great!

[@cresk]

After watching tons of reviews I finally found the perfect sounding drumkit. I’ve been a big fan of the Gretsch sounds (Renown is great) but for me now this SQ1 Kit just has it all.

[@SCFireDrummer]

deviantdutch Sold my Gretsch USA kit which was beautiful and great but purchased the SQ1 with an SQ2 snare and it’s a dream sound and set up!! Gretsch was great but nowhere close to the sound of my Sonor’s!

[@Vefanian]

@@SCFireDrummer a little while ago but I got one question^^ did you buy the 22 inch kick or 20 inch one ?

[@SCFireDrummer]

@@Vefanian 20”. It’s just a versatile size for me!

[@traviswoodall6547]

@@SCFireDrummer LOVE a 20” kick. So versatile.

[@msparks85]

Great video! Any chance reviewing 24/13/16 SQ1?

[@munton5150]

Seriously? These sound incredible especially with headphones in this video. Maybe the best sounding demo video yet.

[@elijahmuhammed2915]

Wow, sq1 even Beats the premier genista.

[@danaholmes5493]

I too am a huge fan of birch drum kits. I have been playing Sonorlites off and on for the past 25 years. My current kit is a Sonorlite kit. I have tried/ purchased other kits like Ayotte, Yamaha Maple Customs, etc. I ALWAYS come back to Sonorlites. I discovered these SQ1's just yesterday and am blown away by the quality of the look and sound on these videos. I have not seen or heard a real SQ1 kit in person. I would love to hear the SQ1's with Aquarian Drum Heads. Great video and and review! Thanks! Dana

[@jcw91371]

The original Sonorlite kits back in the day were absolutely the best birch drums you could buy. I credit Sonor, DW, and a multitude of independent custom shops for practically FORCING the major manufacturers both in the US and abroad to up their game in the production and quality departments. Everyone benefited. Now, as a result, you can go out and buy the best drums that companies like Ludwig and Gretsch have ever made since the vintage eras.

[@danaholmes5493]

Sonorlites for sure bro! I posted above. I currently am playing a Sonorlite kit in Onyx Black. 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 22 and two different Sonorlite snare drums. One with the regular Throw-Off II and the other with the big-a$$ Parallel Mechanism. The Throw-Off II snare is a much better sounding drum. Opens up more and isn't 'choked' by the parallel mechanism. I am thinking of grabbing one of these SQ1 kits for sure!

[@PowersOnDrums]

This kit sounds phenomenal with Aquarian Response II heads on it!

[@michaelanderson2881]

Of the probably thousands of drum videos I've watched, Gavin Harrison (on Sonor) consistently has the best sounding kit. Not the only good sounding kit, but spot-on excellent sound and a notch above the rest every single time. There are a lot of variables that go into drum sound, of course, but the evidence is pretty strong. The A&F video demo by Nick DiVirgilio is also out of bounds awesome, but for $12k it better be. Having said that, Gretsch Catalina 7-piece maple would be my go to. Unbeatable 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆.

[@evilhubert]

I happen to own one and it sounds exactly like the one Shane is presenting here, incredible quality and it sounds thunderous

[@slysendice]

These sound ridiculously nice. The SQ1 might be my next (and final) kit.

[@jasperjenkins7729]

Next & Final !!! I'm in that Exact Spot right now.

[@jeffballou2940]

I have the Prolite and now the SQ1 to go with it. I remember playing the S-Classix, best birch kit I played, and thought this one, with the new mounts and shells, would one up it. It did not let me down. This is the best live drum I have played, they do not sound like typical birch, but they cut through the mix like birch is known for, but has more bottom end, and great response. The kick is awesome.

[@aaronburrconspiracy]

I also play an S-Classix (favorite kit I've ever had for the reasons Shane discusses) and am quite curious to see if the SQ1 represents a meaningful upgrade.

[@mdloser1]

Jeff Ballou You're a very lucky man!!!

[@NikkLiberos]

I was reluctant about the birch bass drum (Maple Bass drum all the way, baby!!!) until I heard it in this video: really thumpy and low in pitch. Just loved it. Saving up for my SQ1s already.

[@SCFireDrummer]

José Nicanor Liberos Mascarell I use the 20” and it’s a beast, mic’d and un-mic’d. I get compliments at every gig especially from my band leader who prefers vintage drums. I had a maple Gretsch USA and Ludwig Classic Maple, both were killer in their own way, but these SQ1’s are more dialed in regardless of personal head and tuning choices. My 20 is effortless👍

[@pearlwsz7]

Great sounding drums. Love an open Sonor kick

[@robertboomsema4422]

Well I have the Sonor Birch Infinte kit and its just fantastic, totally in love with the sound 😍Great attack and really deep lows👍

[@bevifla]

Could you add a video with 24 - 13 - 16 configuration? Thanks

[@levinpugsley9256]

Yes please, I’ve scoured the net, zero results for recordings with Sq1 24”

[@JD-qp9ox]

You do great demos, Shane. Thanks!

[@fdasaro1]

they do sound amazing

[@johnnymerritt9544]

These sound huge and nice workmanship as well !

[@SCFireDrummer]

Johnny Merritt workmanship is stellar !!

[@KevinZ2269]

Good grief Charlie Brown !! What a tone !! Amazing and mouth watering

[@SimonChampagne]

That kick is like thunder droppin' the C.

[@jcw91371]

That ain't no shit; my favorite part of the kit hands-down. I remember when I switched from a Yamaha Tour Series to a custom made Keller maple kit that I loved the toms immediately, but it took a while to get the bass drum dialed in because the maple shells were very heavy on lower mids and bass, but really lacking in attack.

[@jasperjenkins7729]

Just bought a SQ1 kit that will arrive in 3 days. My 2 Tama Birch Starclassic kits and Yamaha Birch Custom Absolute are officially for Sale.

[@ampdrum1]

Part 2: I put Evans UV2 on top and UV1 on bottom toms, UV EMAD on kick with EQ pad and EQ3 reso. HD dry on Jost Nickel top ,300 on bottom. Here's the CRAZY part: Sounds like a cross between old birch Tama Superstars and Gretsch USA Custom. Therse's that birch slice and punch, but a pleasing warmth that reminds me of Charlie Watts on "You can't always get what you want". That's my 12" tom sound. Crazy, I know. Just a word to you fence-sitters, this is a kit for sound, not looks to impress the girls.

[@soolee-cho8908]

That bass vibrates so much that I even felt it

[@layman1194]

Sonor...The best money can buy!!

[@benjaminllinas3221]

Hey I haven't played the sq1 kit yet, but I have tried a new recording custom and loved it. How do these compare to Yamaha rc.? I was thinking of pulling the trigger on a recording custom, but I can actually save some money and seek out sq1.

[@crashtestdrummie-nl6411]

Regret that I sold my brandnew Sonor S Classix rosewood (22,10,12,14,16,14 snare) recently for only 1300 euros. One of the best sounding and constructed kit I ve owned. Fortunately I still OWN my beloved Premier drumsets.

[@ivanbajovic3476]

What is your opinion about Premier Genista?

[@SuperMolamola]

Sounds amazing!!! 34 snares on the back! 😍 all ratlling haha

[@danyheld9952]

Amazing Sound 👍🏻🥁

[@danielmorales6151]

You weren’t joking these sound really different. I can’t believe I’ve been ignoring these

[@danielmorales6151]

The name sucks. Literally made it sound like a Tornado style company lol. Whoops

[@andyham6094]

I was looking at the sq2, sq1, and Tama starclassic BB, or starclassic bubinga. I tried all of them and all of those kits are great but chose the 5 piece Tama starclassic BB hyperdrive in the exact finish and sizes I wanted for just 1800 shipped straight from the Tama warehouse. Imo the tamas just had some extra beef, and bounce back and tone. Tama and sonor are the best two companies imo but my kit came with the updated hardware brought down from the star drums. The quick lock rack Tom and floor Tom leg brackets, air cushioned floor Tom legs, swivel wing mounting system, new bass drum Spurs, all that for just 1800. Can’t beat that. But Tama and sonor are definitly the two best. It’s all preference tho. Whatever works for u. I haven’t looked back since I got my starclassic. Tama star, Tama starclassic, sonor sq2, sonor sq1. Can’t go wrong with any of those.

[@blakegowan6623]

Fabulous sound. I would buy. Maybe someday.

[@peterpiece2102]

Amazing set! I have a SQ1 snare!

[@ingemosh5430]

that bass drum sound!!! damn....

[@Zazquatch1]

Sonds great. I am also out after a brick kit. was looking at Yamaha Stage Custom or the YR's. This might be an alternative.

[@johnfearon5238]

Just ordered this kit today

[@davidb8259]

Amazing kit

[@ideabarn]

Fantastic reviews

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks for watching!

[@carloscrosara6931]

Kicking ass drum kit!!

[@Paisteconvert]

Would love to try some REAL (German made) Sonor drums sometime! Btw, Shane..."floating heads" (undersized shells) were reportedly pioneered in the U.S.A. by Leedy Drums back in the 1930s, as was the finishing of the inside of the shells for more resonance and tone. Leedy/Slingereland was even advertising this "feature" in their 1960s brochures.

[@SONORSQ2guy]

Sonor Birch SQ2 is the best! The SQ1 sounds great as well.

[@scsdrummer]

Hello, I've seen some of your videos with your heavy shells. If you were to order another set, would you order the same configuration and thickness of shells? Thanks.

[@SONORSQ2guy]

scsdrummer Absolutely yes👍

[@jaylee8703]

I think you're right Greg.

[@NikkLiberos]

This with an extra 14" tom and the Mikkey Dee signature snare and I'm sold, man!!!

[@larrytate1657]

Aren’t they the same sound wise but you can just customize your sizes and different badge on the SQ2?

[@jaylee8703]

Shane .. your new store definitely has MUCH better acoustics than the old store. This is one of the ONLY vids of these SQ1's that does any justice to the sound at all. All the others suck, IMO, that I've heard.

[@orthodrummer7945]

Hi Shane, These sound awesome! Love the new sound presentation set up. Is this the shop floor? Gives the drums a really natural sound sampling.👌

[@larrytate1657]

That kick is a cannon.

[@Pearl3Drummer]

What's the difference between an sq1 and birch infinite?

[@DustyCowdog]

Dang... those sound soooooooooo sweet.

[@ScottHunterBooks]

Hiya - tunebot settings for the toms would be great - thanks.

[@tmaddrummer]

Lookin' Good.... Soundin' Great!!!

[@roybeckerman9253]

Great vintage sounding drums, with much better hardware.

[@terrydonegan1622]

Monster!! Would love to hear the drum into to 'Over the Mountain', played on these

[@PowersOnDrums]

Do they make a 13" tom in this series?

[@Alex-Grt]

Yes they do:)

[@rpmoore04]

Ok... Ugh.! What did you do to me..! ...? The "sound" .. these are not "just drums" these are MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.! All I could picture in my mind was "what could I do with these.!" My mind is blown... best sounding drums I have ever heard, bar none.! WOW

[@billybovine99]

Would you guys have any advice on tuning for these kits? I've got an SQ1 in 13/16/24" sizes and I can't seem to get them sounding anything like they do in this video. I think my problem is getting the batter and reso heads to work together well. They always sound very ringy whatever I do. Any tips for where to start from? Great review btw 👍

[@ramenthenoodle_]

Shoot for tuning the 13 to a G and and the 16 to a C. An approach to getting there would be to tune the reso side a half note flat so for the 16, tune to a B. Then tune the batter side a minor third below that.. so G#. Start there. On one of my kits I found that only going a half step down on the reso resulted in my toms being sharp, so I went down a full step on the reso and still did minor third below on the batter. You can experiment with different intervals but rule of the thumb is you want the two heads to work together as a sort of chord in tune to get the best possible sound out of the drum. Hope that helps.

[@toddstrong1353]

How did you get that floor so low? I went to a local store to check these out and found the kick to sound similar but the 12 and 16 were no where near this! To be fair, the 12 as 12x8 not 12x9. But the floor tom is killing in your video. Couldn't get this out of the one at GC tried different heads etc.

[@damienswan11]

Todd Strong That's sonor for ya. Best floor toms on the planet. Ever heard Benny Grebs floor tom? Jesus. It's ground shaking. No matter what Sonor Kit he's playing, the floor tom always sounds incredible.

[@blackl1steddrums]

THUNDEROUS

[@dogmart]

The floating head on the undersized Sonor shells--would a shell with double 45 degrees produce the same effect?

[@NickHolum]

Yes, as an owner of a Spaun custom maple kit and a Ludwig Keystone kit, it’s a very similar effect. Personally would love to own this Sonar for that very reason. The tuning range gets very wide and precise this way.

[@jaredg.2211]

These definitely compete with DW Collectors Series kits. At a lower price too.

[@oluare]

It makes my old Genista Premier sound timid. best combo is birch drums with Maple snare.

[@scotturban54]

So nice

[@Mao-max454]

Good Sound !!!

[@larrytate1657]

When do you think we will get the Sonor SQ2 beech vs Maple vs birch comparisons?

[@drumcenternh]

We're having a hard time keeping all 3 in stock at the same time! Hopefully soon, though...

[@larrytate1657]

Ok I’m waiting cause I want to buy an sq2 with you eventually but want to know which way to go. Now I’m leaning toward medium beech rack toms, vintage beech floor Tom, medium beech kick.

[@larrytate1657]

I’m between that and a hybrid maple yam. Which do you think would sit better in a studio for recording hard rock to jazz fusion? Thanks

[@drumcenternh]

@@larrytate1657 Sounds good - except you may want to opt for a "thin" floor tom over the vintage. Might be odd for only one drum to have re-rings.

[@drumcenternh]

@@larrytate1657 Both would do great, but the edge for recording would probably go to the Yamaha. Slightly more versatile.

[@HadEnough745]

The drums are great BUT the room has a lot to do with the sound here. That natural reverb from the room will make most drum kits sound great. Imagine if he was playing like he meant it..They would even sound better.

[@fnv-w3n]

This is a huge point, that a lot of people don't realize.

[@Jokilldrum]

How would you compare these to a dw collectors custom. I own a dw kit now and love it but I’ve always been impressed by sonor.

[@drumcenternh]

Sonors (generally speaking) project a little more articulately because of the slightly undersized shells. DW's focus more on a boomy, thuddy sound.

[@briancouto4850]

I own a sonor sq1 wich is my first sonor kit and im sorry but it is the best kit ove owned to Date!!!!! I own a DW collectors ..pearl reference pure...pearl masters...Pdp Exotic...Mapex exotic and tama starclassic W/B and hands down my sonor sq1 was the best sounding kit and also feeling that hit my studio !!! Im officially a Sonor Fanatic and im sorry to say in my opinion sonor blows dw out of the water for 1 sound...quality....and tuning .....

[@TheIntelligentView]

What batter head is on the kick?

[@del5606]

Gonna flog my DWs for a set of these

[@roybeckerman9253]

How do these compare to the Ludwig Mahogany kits., price wise.

[@areitomusic]

Ludwig Legacy Mahogany is about double the price of these.

[@roybeckerman9253]

Areito Music 😳. Hell....but they sound great. Love the Ludwig vintage sound.

[@frankjaegervandlarssen6657]

Ok, so the SQ1 sounds amazing. But! - we need at least five more color choices (including a couple of veneers) and matching kick drum hoops.

[@NikkLiberos]

While I am seriously considering those drums in black, I am also thinking that I may buy a new set of "matching" bass drum hoops when I make the move. Do not dig the clear wood hoops either.

[@larrytate1657]

Yeah a nice walnut to black fade would be nice.

[@areitomusic]

Sonor limited the choices to be able to keep these at their price point.

[@Jdrummer77]

Ain’t no better kit.

[@johnfearon6115]

Shane could make pots and pans sound good !!!

[@thewheelofhc]

That vs the sclassix. Sound wise whats the difference

[@drumcenternh]

The SQ1's are a little more boomy in the low end, and sustain a little bit longer.

[@beatfunk]

And drumhead is 1ply or 2ply?

[@drumcenternh]

1

[@tylerland4421]

Holy mother of God....WOW

[@rhythmista7707]

Come oooooooooonn lottery jackpot.....

[@TheIntelligentView]

If Sonor made a 16x24" kick in this series, I would purchase a double bass kit right NOW!! But a 14" depth kick will NOT do for me. These drums are POWERHOUSE sounding! I LOVE their new tom mount. Yah... if you want a tom to go Booooooong.... Buy DW! (crap)

[@MrGuitarandvocals]

Why do you prefer the 16" depth over the 14? I'm trying to decide on a 14x24 or a 16x24 double bass sq2 kit

[@larrytate1657]

A lot of pros love 14s as they often have more tone. The sound wave has less distance to travel before it reaches the resonant head. Giving it more tone and character.

[@jcw91371]

Agreed. I'm so tired of these drum companies releasing a 24" or 26"( if we're even lucky enough to get THAT), and then tagging it with some cheese-ass 14" or 16" depth. The only time that works right is when the shells are THICK, and I mean Sonor Signature-thick. Well guess what? No one is marketing super-thick 8-10-12 ply shells anymore because that shit went out with the 90's. Everything is thinner shells now, and I LOVE 'em. BUT...they've gone completely absurd in their "vintage craze", not realizing that deeper drums combined with a thinner shell sound AMAZING. Why? because you are incorporating more wood. More wood = more shell resonance = MORE BODY. Attack can ALWAYS be dialed-up. But not body. Anyway, thanks for the rant!

[@ilovemusicsomuch]

Larry Tate I don’t find that to be true at all. My 24X18 has an AMAZING amount of tone. It sounds absolutely perfect. Get what sounds (and feels) best to you. Deeper depths, shallower depths- it’s all just trends. What’s hip today won’t be popular tomorrow, but eventually it’ll come around again. I like my deep drums AND my shallow drums. They both sound killer!!

[@Mystninja]

I'm a Tama guy. But these sound really good.

[@jcw91371]

I've got it; the Sonor "BOINNNNNNNNNNG"(!) series! Someone call Germany R&D IMMEDIATELY!!!

[@stevenfederico2594]

I think the SQ ones sound better than the twos

[@carvelli3]

I like this kit very much, but it's out of my price range.

[@thearchman4133]

The rack Tom needs to be cranked up. It sounded to dead to me Birch sings tuned high or medium high for sure.

[@roybeckerman9253]

Nice sounding kit, but hate the rack tom stand. They should back to going into the bass drum, like the past 100 years. Forget this virgin sound rubbish.

[@ilovemusicsomuch]

Roy Beckerman Amen to THAT! Not having the ability to mount your tom(s) on the bass drum is a HUGE. pain in the ass. Whoever dreamed that up? It makes zero sense to have to carry a whole other stand so that you can mount a tom. It’s a nightmare.