The ULTIMATE Sonor SQ2 Drum Set Comparison - Part 1

What's the difference between Sonor SQ2 Maple, Birch and Beech? What about shell thickness? We attempt to answer these questions in part one of the COMPREHENSIVE SQ2 shell shootout!
Timestamps For Your Convenience:
00:00 - Intro
02:58 - What To Listen For
05:24 - Thin Birch Demo
09:05 - Thin Maple Demo
12:26 - Medium Beech Demo
16:03 - Medium Birch Demo
19:14 - Medium Maple Demo
23:01 - Heavy Beech Demo
26:53 - Tuning and Mics
28:48 - Head To Head Comparison
31:45 - Closing
Buy the drums here:
Sonor SQ2 5pc Drum Set Thin Birch - Birdseye Amber Semigloss
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/SQ2-1014656-2
Sonor SQ2 5pc Drum Set Thin Maple - Birdseye Amber Semigloss
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/SQ2-1014657-2
Sonor SQ2 5pc Drum Set Medium Beech - Birdseye Maple Semigloss
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/SQ2-1014658-2
Sonor SQ2 5pc Drum Set Medium Birch - Birdseye Maple Semigloss
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/SQ2-1014660-2
Sonor SQ2 5pc Drum Set Medium Maple - Birdseye Maple Semigloss
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/SQ2-1014661-2
Sonor SQ2 5pc Drum Set Heavy Beech Birdseye Maple Semigloss
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/SQ2-1014646-2
Snare Drum:
Sonor Artist Snare Drum 14x6 3mm Bronze shell
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/AS-1406-BRB-SDBD
Cymbals:
Sabian Prototype AAX Hi Hat Cymbals 14" 907/1264 grams
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/SABPROTO21-AAX14-907...
Sabian Prototype HHX Crash Cymbal 18" 1342 grams
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/SABPROTO21-HHX18-1342
Sabian Prototype HHX Crash Cymbal 19" 1462 grams
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/SABPROTO21-HHX19-1462
Sabian Prototype HH Ride Cymbal 22" 2659 grams
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/SABPROTO19-HH22-2659
Tune-Bot Settings
Head to Head Tuning
10” - Top A3 Bottom D4
12” - Top D3 Bottom C4
14” - Top B2 Bottom G#3
16” - Top F#2 Bottom G3
22” - By ear
Higher Tuning:
10” Top C4 Bottom D4
12” Top G3 Bottom A#3
14” Top 3 Bottom G3
16” Top B2 Bottom E3
22” By Ear
Snare T C#4 Fundamental G3
Lower Tuning:
10” Top G#3 Bottom D4
12” Top C3 Bottom C#4
14” Top A#2 Bottom F#3
16” Top E2 Bottom E3
22” By Ear
Snare Top C#4 Fundamental G3
Microphones used to capture the drums:
Bass Drum:
Audix D6 Dynamic Bass Drum Microphone - www.drumcenternh.com/audix-d6...
Audix A133 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone - www.drumcenternh.com/audix-a1...
Snare Drum:
Audix i5 Dynamic Microphone - www.drumcenternh.com/audix-i5...
Audix ADX51 Condenser Microphone - www.drumcenternh.com/audix-ad...
Toms:
Earthworks DM20 Small-diaphragm Condenser Drum Microphone - www.drumcenternh.com/earthwor...
Overheads:
Earthworks SR25 Small-diaphragm Condenser Instrument Microphone - www.drumcenternh.com/earthwor...
Room Mics:
Earthworks QTC30 Small-diaphragm Condenser Microphone - www.drumcenternh.com/earthwor...
www.drumcenternh.com
Follow us on:
/ drumcenternh
/ drumcenternh
/ drumcenternh
#sonor #sonordrums #sonorsq2

[@jimparker6610]

The amount of work put into this project is why I believe DCP is without comparison. Thank you to all at DCP….amazing work !

[@tinterlande]

Thanks Jim 😉

[@rickyeastwood7667]

Hey Tony. This video is incredible. Please would you explain how you use the tune-bot? Do you tune by ear to reach the pitch eg when you say D3 over C4 and then use the bot to match lug frequencies? I'm not sure how to use your settings with the device. Thank you so much

[@tinterlande]

@@rickyeastwood7667 thank you! I definitely don’t use it the way most do. I use it more to check my work, rather than using it explicitly by the book. I tune by ear then record the settings. When I go to the next kit, I then tune to the previous kit and then double check my accuracy with the Tune Bot settings from the first kit. Does this make sense?

[@rickyeastwood7667]

Amazing. It does. I got that impression from the way you listed the tune bot settings. I got one to better dial in my tuning but I have to say so far I've found it more of a confusion than an aid. Also, will there be a Part 2? I'm waiting for more wisdom before placing an SQ2 order here in the uk!

[@tinterlande]

@@rickyeastwood7667 yeah, I think it works differently for some people. I just find that this works best for me. There will be a part 2, but unfortunately, it won’t be for a little while now.

[@DidYouReadEULA]

Heavy beech shocked me, especially as a thin shell lover. Great video, thank you for the hard work and effort.

[@thesneakygamer4343]

Good drums are good drums. Played many Sq2’s and all were incredible in their own way

[@supraphonic88]

I'm one of the people that asked for this a year or so ago and all I can say is THANK YOU! Absolutely perfect demo, super instructive. Really appreciate the effort that went into this, and looking forward to part two!

[@giuliocarmassi]

You guys are just legends. Definitely seemed to me like the medium shells were the best balance of punch and body. The thin shells seemed a bit weak and unfocused, comparatively, and the heavy beech is just a cannon, but not super nuanced. It also seems that the bigger the drum and lower the fundamental, the more a thicker/heavier shell helps making the drum efficient and strong. My vote would be medium maple toms all around and medium or heavy beech bass drum! Ultimately they all sounded amazing, as they should, for that price! :)

[@randywiedmer4656]

Samesies

[@johnpaulondrums]

Amazing. Shot out to whoever chose the Cynic and Death bits. RIP Sean Reinert!

[@adamfrost3722]

👍

[@7319Drummer]

Wow! That Heavy Beech is a beautiful tone. And I’m a Tama Guy. Great Video Gentleman, very well done.

[@cymbalism1]

The thin birch captured my ears and heart at the first hit!! Such beautiful tones!! I have a Yamaha BCA and I still love it but have always struggled with the bass drum. But the Sonor didn't have any weaknesses!! Great demo!!!

[@stevelewis2080]

My BCA has one of the punchiest and fattest thumps ever. Amazing drums, and the best kit I’ve ever owned

[@dustyjann2121]

The heavy beech definitely has a lot more power. But those medium birch shells sound very aggressive. The birch floor toms were awesome. Very dark with some added bite. Medium birch & heavy beech! Would love to hear a heavy birch kit. For some reason the maple didn't stand out on overall tone or the 'lows' as much as I thought it would. And all the 10" toms didn't sing/resonate like I thought they would either. Sounded dull compared to the larger sizes. All the rest of the drums I thought harmonized very well together. Nice video. Thank you! I'm still a Pearl fanatic. Love my MMX.

[@krusher74]

power and aggressive arnt musical terms, why do we keep using terms that mean nothing,

[@tee-dots9532]

I bought the medium birch SQ2 from the vid. They should be delivered sometime today. I'm beyond excited! Thanks to James Fulmer and DCP!

[@larrytate1657]

How do you like or love them?

[@tee-dots9532]

I had a kidney transplant at the end of April, so I haven't been playing much, but I'm sure I'll get going again.

[@cannonball21]

James is awesome guy! He helped me with my drum needs back in Sam Ash, San Antonio.

[@tee-dots9532]

@@cannonball21 I grabbed the SQ2 and a Noble & Cooley solid ply snare from him. Good guy. No complaints.

[@dave_sanderson]

The video many of us have wanted for ages. Awesome work team. I suspect this will be beneficial to Sonor's kit sales worldwide for next decade - even if we can't get it from you because we live on the moon and it makes no sense, the video will still guide sales overseas. Bravo!

[@krusher74]

Sonor should really be doing this and putting the info on thier own website/socials. Their online presensce is severely lacking. Just somthing as once a week a post of what an endorser is playing would be interesting and keep the brand in peoples minds.

[@willymccabe6602]

No one makes product videos like DCoP. There's DCoP, and then there's everybody else. Incredible.

[@tinterlande]

🤘🤘

[@jazzleebert2]

Unbelievable work. Priceless. That's what is really needed in this business of music gear ...

[@memopadilla5931]

Jeez alot of people coming in with Thin Birch for the win .. my favorite as well

[@dougsprouse1150]

Choosy drummers choose Gretsch. However, having just said that, if money were no object, the SQ2 in medium maple thickness is one awesome sounding drum(s). The tonality is amazing. Gavin Harrison has the best drum tone of anyone, and while it has a lot to do with how he tunes them, it also has a lot to do with his SQ2 kit. Thanks for all the hard work guys. The best drum channel by far !

[@CodyOsburn]

Can you elaborate on the Gretsch vs Sonor? I’m looking to buy either a USA Custom kit or an SQ2. Just like hearing people’s opinions on both.

[@davidsuprenant893]

Can't wait for part 2. Love these drums.

[@stromghouls]

i prefered all the thin shell kits, but thin birch is my favorite. it was nice of you of having a couple songs with sean reinert on the drums. cynic focus and death human are landmark metal albums.

[@banditY2K]

Nobody does birch like Sonor.

[@pfunnk14]

Some of the best drums being made right now are Sonors. Currently rocking a birch kit. So good.

[@krusher74]

Some of the best drums being made have always been sonors, not just now. The SQ2 has basically been around since 1994 as the designer

[@dconsmack]

There is no shortage of nice drums these days but quality and production of the recoding, the room sound, and the phenomenal tuning skills are stunning. The most famous drum recordings of all time usually don’t sound this good to me. I’m very grateful for all the time and effort you put into these videos. Not just anyone can get results like this.

[@tinterlande]

Thanks so much, that’s a huge compliment!

[@dave_sanderson]

@@tinterlande entirely deserved. Exemplary work Sir.

[@tinterlande]

@@dave_sanderson far too kind, thank you!

[@krusher74]

" phenomenal tuning skills" is called a tunebot, for 100euro perfect tunning for the rest of your life.

[@jazzants]

What an incredible effort. Thank you for this - very well done.

[@TheCapedCrusader94]

Still watching this video from time to time and just drooling over all the kits. Can't wait for part 2!

[@drumcenternh]

We start filming part 2 next week!

[@tonylapsansky530]

Audio sounds fantastic - great work, Tony!!!

[@tinterlande]

Thanks so much my friend! Hope all is well with you!

[@MrNickDrummer]

After decades playing Tama starclassic maple drums I've switched to Sonor SQ2 thin beech and while both sound great in their own main characteristics, the Sonor kit is a different animal for me, especially when it comes to mixing. With music, kits sound different and sit on the mix differently as well. I'm still getting a hang on mixing the thin beech SQ2 correctly, in context with music. Floor toms are thunderous, smaller toms (8") are a bit more of a challenge. But the quality of the Sonor sound, at least for me, is what I call more 'sophisticated' and complex. Excellent video!

[@marcus_mayhem]

You guys are the best channel for reviews I've seen!!!! It's a good thing I don't live in Portsmouth, because you'd never get rid of me. What a brilliant channel. Thank you for all that you do for the drum community here!!!!! 🙏❤😊💯

[@glennedwardgo]

The amount of effort put into this...just wow! Thanks for this!

[@drumcenternh]

Glad you enjoyed it! Prepare yourself for part 2 coming very soon as well!

[@jasonbarclay1489]

Thanks guys, I sincerely appreciate all the work put in for this. Great video.

[@ajmpatriot4899]

I love the parchment looking bass drum skin

[@itikutok6568]

A lot of work went into this. Thank you so much!

[@mikeevangelista1177]

Both those beech kits sound the best at both tunings to my ears 🔥🥁

[@christopherdonegan333]

Heavy Beech for me, always has been. I remember Steve Smith’s Horst Link Signature kit, I believe that was heavy beech and to this day it’s my favourite drum sound. I’d have a 24, or even a 26 bass with a 8, 10, 12, 14 & 16

[@davix8669]

Yes but at that time "heavy beech" was 12mm thick, i these ones are 8, the difference is high, the sq2 is more resonant and round sound

[@guyjeffrey3999]

Thank you DCP! I’ve been waiting so long for this and killer job as usual! Man the Heavy Beech and thin Birch just reached out and touched me! Also the Birch and Beech bass drums were just beautiful. I have to say, I knew Beech would be great all of them for that matter they are SQ2, but the Birch really surprised in this, got me thinking now!

[@davidwainer6566]

Amazing content, as always. You guys set the bar for reviews, and this video proves it. Cheers to everyone at DCP!

[@alkingborn4620]

Meium maple and heavy beech are those I liked the most. Also, Sabian proto aresimply stunning. Excellent tunings as usual. Fantastic job once again guys

[@stephenanthonythomas3533]

So well done! Thank you for the the incredible work that went into making this video. The head to head portion blew me away how consistent the tuning was from drum to drum. You guys have now set the bar extremely high for what a comparison video is to be. My gut says this will become the de-facto SQ2 shopping guide! Mondo props!

[@dougckelly]

Awesome video! Thank you for putting the time into this.

[@drumcenternh]

Glad that you enjoyed it Doug!

[@timurhant469]

This is a true service to mankind! Much appreciated time, the effort and tuning accuracy. Hats up!

[@josephandrachick1774]

great job guys love the thin birch shells. thanks for the videos. hopefully will make a visit to your store soon. keep up the good work!

[@evankesel642]

Truly a masterpiece of a video. Congratulations on being done (so far). You guys should be very proud of the finished product.

[@HankNinja]

I’m enormously satisfied with my new SQ2 kit. Heavy beech on higher Tom’s and 20” bass. Medium beech on floors. Vintage 18” aux bass that sounds particularly good and bop-y. Shane and co have been very helpful. You can’t go wrong with these folks.

[@thesneakygamer4343]

Went very similar to you except medium beech on toms/bass and thin on floors. Very happy with it.

[@codymb1374]

I chose a similar setup, went with heavy beech high toms and medium kick / floors. Couldn’t be happier with it.

[@user-nv2gw1tt5o]

I too love the heavy beech. Hopefully purchasing by the end of the year. Question for you guys - what type of music are you typically playing? Just curious as I believe this dictates the species of shells people gravitate towards. Thank you in advance for your response

[@RTEllis]

Absolutely superb production! I particularly liked the time stamps at the bottom that allowed me to jump back and forth between shells. Playing was awesome and really highlighted all of the drums! Sabian prototypes sounded great as well!

[@grayknight836]

Thank you 👍🏻 very much Shane and DCP Crew! Sonor’s exorbitantly priced SQ2 drum kits deserve quality comparison videos like this. For me it’s (Heavy Birch 🌳) with a 26” bass drum, and a Artist Series Bronze Snare Drum 🥁 with Black Chrome 🖤 Hardware but in 6.5” depth!

[@MaksimVorfolomeev]

Thank you very much for this awesome video!

[@ivoshterev]

This is a lot of work, much appreciated. My next drum set will be from your store !

[@bellbrass]

You guys make the best, most detailed, and useful product videos in the business.

[@davidedwards7448]

Great video fellas!!

[@stephentyler4352]

I love the medium birch shells in the lower tuning, especially!! They sound phenomenal!

[@pavlojavro1675]

Birch toms maple kick. Great job, you've really worked hard to get this one done and you did amazing!

[@stringer19]

Man… Sonor is perfection.

[@Timotolas]

Massive work behind this video. Thank you.

[@jasonb2180]

Wow - they really are amazing drums. I still have the drum set I bought when I was young. If I never decide to upgrade, I would look at these for sure. Incredible!

[@steevidrums]

All amazing sounding drums... holy cow!

[@MarcosLopes-tc1ts]

Amazing work. Congratulations!!!

[@Dus10_A]

This was awesome! The Heavy Beech and the Medium Birch stood out to me.

[@thecolemanayers4713]

WHOA! Love the cynic in the beginning! Everyone sleeps on that album!

[@Theratron]

Great job guys! These are some of the best drum sounds I've ever heard! I have a Gretsch Catalina maple so I gravitated towards the thin maple shells, but I just loved the punchy attack of the heavy beech shells as well! Great sounding drums! The German word "sonor" means "full and clear of tone", and they certainly do their name justice :)

[@omarcortes5754]

All of them sound amazing.

[@rowmur284]

Seriously, being behind the scenes making these videos would be my dream job.

[@adamfrost3722]

Can confirm

[@tinterlande]

You’ll hear a bunch of me getting frustrated… then excited… over and over again, but also can confirm.

[@drumvlado]

Wow, thin birch! Amazing work, thank you!

[@crypto101podcast]

thank you! this was incredibly helpful.

[@larrytate1657]

You did it!! Thank you!

[@zildmaster]

I went with Thin Beech for my rack toms, medium beech for my floors and heavy beech for my 20" kick. Honestly you could pick and choose any of these combinations and have a wonderful kit no matter what you go with. Great vid!

[@gregorymeredith3266]

Big ups on throwing that little Hella clip in there! This is an incredible video. Appreciate it, y'all! Heavy beech all the way for me. I mean, maybe I'd go medium or thin on the floor toms like Danny boy, but really, I'd just be stoked to have a Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech!

[@chipvdrum]

Guys, what a great video! Great work. So interesting to hear all of those back to back. Sure beats comparing kits by playing backline stuff heheh.

[@MikeLuke]

Oh gosh, you constantly raise the bar in terms of video quality, yet still being the humble and funny guys you‘ve always been. Thanks ever so much for all the love and work you put into your content and give it for free. All kits sound absolutely brilliantly. The heavy beech in lower tunings are probably best for big stadium rock, the medium birch shells might work best in studio recordings. Personally never been the biggest fan of maple though. That open timpani sound is so unique to Sonor - independently from the shell material. Thanks again!

[@BorisJeric]

Heavy Beech is THE Sonor sound. Great video. Thanks guys.

[@davidramie379]

You guys are the best. I have an SQ1 Birch. I love it but sometimes I want more from the 22x17 Bass drum. Especially after hearing the maple and beech

[@brettt1268]

I agree you guys are simply the best

[@joshuatappan2407]

Awesome "Labor of Love" indeed! The videos must be a ton of work, but they are always great to watch for people like me who are interested in hearing different sounds and learning more about drums and different manufacturers, as well as getting new ideas. Always enjoy the videos you guys produce, love the shop and coming in to see everybody. Awesome job, thanks!

[@sirjustis]

The heavy beech and the medium maple with high tuning were my personal favorites.

[@thomaskruck4474]

This is phantastic, thank you so much!

[@alanbutler5210]

So... are we just ignoring the phenomenal clip from Death's Human album when they're headphone intro played?! Excellent choice guys, mad respect for the decision to use that clip, way underrated album in the metal genre.

[@drumcenternh]

You have excellent taste, Alan.

[@CFChristian]

Hahaha came here for this. Never thought I'd hear that on this channel. Hella is in there too apparently.

[@FusionHowie]

Very cool video, THANK YOU!

[@izzyoss773]

So great SONOR No matter Thin or heavy Great sound Thank you for your honest work guys

[@davidd708]

Great video. I can't believe how consistent you guys got the tuning intervals across all those different kits... I bet that was a lot of work! As usual, lots of great drumming, but that first thing birch demo sounded like some late Tony Williams stuff. Extra musical.

[@mitchalexander1506]

Thank you so much for this comparison!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks for watching!

[@drumdrumdrum]

Love your videos guys! I'm not s Sonar guy, but I did just order some DWs through you a few weeks back and am anxiously awaiting for DW to build them. : )

[@drumcenternh]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@widagdoal]

Appreciate for all the efforts

[@footnotedrummer]

Amazing content, like always. This one in particular really showcased the nuances between these kits. Great drumming all around as well. Way to really showcase just the drums. Too many "drum showcases" simply showcase the drummers skill level on the kit, and you rarely get a chance to hear what the drums sound like. Great job, guys! I have to say... I have become quite the lover of birch shells. They have a certain balanced musicality that's just magical. You can really hear the tympanic quality with Sonor's construction method.

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@mikemurphy2407]

Thank you. The was a hell of an effort! I didn’t realize until just recently after having a conversation on the Sonor group on FB about wood selection that this matters probably the least of all factors. The videos kind of prove that out. They all sounded amazing and yet subtle differences. I’m a life long maple player but bought an SQ1 2 years ago and have been blown away by the sound of scooped mids. I thought that was the best overall sound and I’m partial to the lower tuning.

[@ArneSuter]

Amazing work! This is the best sound and shell comparison. I love Sonor shells for my livetime. I worked for the company many years. Congratulation for this great work !i

[@memopadilla5931]

they gave up a few techniques they used during Link era and even into Designer, .. They used to put the seams as the "S" type that sort of locked together.. they have a patent on this.. "Wave Seam" , after Designer they switched to straight all around. They also used to literally lay or sew in the veneer sections on to the shell.. I have a video of all of this stuff from Designer era early 90's.

[@stephprime]

heavy beech lower tuning. superb.

[@bilhamcobbly2957]

I thought the birch had the roundest note.But overall I liked any of the thickest shells,They had note,Tone volume,And presence that made a great impression under the mics.

[@krusher74]

by "roundest" do you mean most dominate fundamental with least harmonixs?

[@StuartJrBarrett]

Tony, did you do a tuning video yet? If not, PLEASE DO!!!!!!!!!!! You are by far the absolute BEST!!!!

[@tinterlande]

Not yet… maybe soon… thank you!

[@williamperri3437]

@@tinterlande please Tony consider some Ebony Emperor suedes on the toms! Very neglected tom tom head. These drums sound great any tuning.

[@toebee1952]

Thanks for all the efforts. Watching this was a very good learning experience. It seems though that the differences you can create with head choice and tuning (let alone the room and EQing) far outweigh the nuances of the different woods. Shell thickness also creates more difference than wood choice imho. And once you put other instruments in the room it is another thing altogether. This is why I love drums: They are a pretty complex instrument, and there's so many little things you can change and tweak and tinker with... it just never stops to fascinate me, even after 30-some years of playing. Thanks again for ALL your great videos! One remark: I especially enjoy your comparisons with the Bop kits and the respective players that also play with a lighter and more melodic approach.

[@2002rude]

I can't wait for part 2. I'm curious to hear heavy maple and heavy birch kits. I've been buying drums from Shane since his pre - DCP days , as well as afterwards with his DCP staff . I have Sonor SQ 2 heavy birch and heavy beech drums that I've bought from Shane and his staff throughout the years. Well done!

[@pfunnk14]

I'm really liking the heavy beech. Wow. So much punch. Not too much resonance but still very musical. Thank you guys for doing this video. Sooooooo much work, we know. And we really appreciate it! You guys are the best.

[@kimweemhoff5622]

Tremendous work, guys! I really liked the thin birch in high tuning ( loved the SonorLite that i played in the end of 80’s/early 90’s) But any of these kits are of exceptional beauty and craftmanship& more important such rich and yet controlled timbre

[@GlitchComputer]

The birch and beech really are two different sounds/feeling!! This video was a really big help. I’ve been torn between getting a custom heavy beech or going thick to thin type deal.

[@drumcenternh]

Glad it was helpful!

[@OliKember]

This is endgame level perfection! So many of these came out sounding really similar to my ears, which I was surprised by. Or certainly most of the differences would get lost straight away in a mix. It would be fascinating to do a similar test with all of the tom heads in Evans' lineup for instance. I think you'd get more variety out of the heads than you ever will with the wood type or thickness, but that's just a hunch. If true it would be very empowering. Certainly a cheaper way to change the tone! Thanks for what must have been an unreal effort. Look forward to part 2!

[@randywiedmer4656]

Drum Centre of Portsmouth...more like Drum Nerds of Portsmouth. insanely in depth video...the commitment and love to drumming is unparralelled. Dear anyone who lives near this place - APPRECIATE IT !!!! As a Canadian we have some pretty decent retailers but nothing even close to this. I've had an SQ2 and an AQ2 and were both excellent kits. Sonor is a level ahead of most other big name companies. They all sounded amazing. Only taste will be the difference with respect to the sound of these beautiful intstruments and trying to decide "which sounds best".

[@jasonb2180]

I live about an hour from them, and it is indeed something I appreciate. Have been there for anniversaries, Back Friday Sales, to try prototypes out hands-on, etc. So lucky to have this be my local drum shop. And, even though they are the biggest, their staff is as friendly and attentive and helpful as you imagine to everyone who walks in the door. Small-shop service with a selection to die for ....

[@TrentYurkovitch]

Did yall really just drop the intro to Malevolent Creation's "Coronation of our Domain" @4:07 in your video? Hell yeah guys.

[@adamfrost3722]

🤘

[@lancelucifer4851]

I have a massive vintage Pearl set, but my next kit will probably be Sonor, they seem to project a ton of sound. Thanks guys!

[@thesneakygamer4343]

I had an old pearl birch kit and a reference kit but then when I got a sonor delite and later an SQ2, there is no going back. They sound like how drums should

[@jeffballou2940]

Owner of the heavy beech, heavy birch, and medium beech.. Love them all. The birch was killer live, and still waiting to get the heavy beech on stage.. But, the heavy beech sounds almost perfectly balanced around the kit. Perfect sustain, not too much, plays strong. Can not go wrong with any of these! Great job guys-

[@larrytate1657]

How do you like the medium beech?

[@krusher74]

@@larrytate1657 he hates it, lol

[@petermasalsky8844]

Wow. Just so much good here. You guys must have worked a hella long time on this thing (and it's only part 1!) So, good to see some old friends back in the mix. Great to hear all those drums. Also happy to see you guys highlighting the toms; as great as that snare sounds, I'm here for the rest of the kit in this instance. All kits sounded great to me, but my preference appears to be for the thin maple shells. Not that I would argue if someone wanted to gift me the heavy beech kit. Anyways, thanks for this.

[@dariusburke8625]

My goodness what an amazing display. I loved this entire video. Thank you so much for such careful detail to try and give the best representation you can with these amazing drums. For me the medium Beech was what I was drawn to for the bass drum and two floor toms. The medium birch for the 12 inch and 10 inch toms. It's weird how those different woods sound the best for the different toms and bass drum. Thanks again for such an awesome video. I hope to be worthy of drums as awesome sounding as these one day.

[@txkevinu]

Y’all are amazing for doing this! As always, superb video & audio quality. I would pick the beech based off the video. I would go with medium plies on the toms while going heavy on the floor and kick. Also the SQ1 has been an AMAZING kit and would highly recommend to check them out as well. Incredible value for the money!

[@drumcenternh]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@Timotolas]

0:29 - "Textures" by Cynic, best way to start this video.

[@markuspfeiffer8829]

Hey there. I love this video and I still hope for part 2. When do you publish it?

[@drumcenternh]

We starting shooting part 2 in a week or two!!

[@garyjohnson4988]

Love that snare! Dang!

[@MM-pd5zi]

SONOR Prolite, SQ1, SQ2 and the Vintage Series are qualitywise the best Drumsets you can buy on the market today. Manufacturing is just perfect. I’ve owned them all: DW Collectors Maple, Yamaha Recording Custom vintage and new, Tama Starclassic Maple, Ludwig Classic Maple, Ludwig Vintage Sets, etc., etc., (all good sets, but none of them comes close) I‘m very proud of my SQ2 Medium/Heavy Beech Set, I like it a lot. Live it sounds just killer. The typical SONOR sound stands for itself. No matter what wood type or sizes you‘ll choose. Thanks for this great video, Shane & team. Cheers

[@randyblosil6124]

I was surprised by the beech too. I go between the medium maple and medium/heavy beech. That snare is killer!