"The sound is impressive and the detailing and build quality of the individual drums and certain aspects of the hardware is notable. Crush have gone all-out to ensure the tone created is authentically vintage".
Following an exclusive preview last month, Rhythm magazine review Crush's vintage-sounding maple kit - the Crush Sublime E3 - in the latest issue.
"This review set has a beautiful shimmering orange/red wrap, shown to great effect on the deep bass drum with its colour matched rims. Once applied, the bearing edges are double cut to 45° on the toms and bass drum and a single, sharp 45° trim for the snare. The edges are then triple-sanded, resulting in possibly the smoothest surfaces of any drums I have reviewed - so smooth, a peach would seem rough in comparison".
"Before I take the sticks anywhere near these new drums, there's a small matter of installing the heads on toms and bass drum. The process takes much longer than usual as I stop to admire each design element and check once more to see if those shells really are as smooth as when I first looked at them".
"...the tuning components respond swiftly and smoothly. With just a couple turns of the key and the occasional palm press at the head centre, the drums are ready to go. These are incredibly easy to tune and the chosen hardware angles are achieved rapidly - this all helps speed things along so I can get playing".
"I quickly discover the toms have just the right depth so they don't have to be pummelled before they burst into life. Whether giving a delicate tap and tickle or, when necessary, a hefty thump - they deliver at all stick velocities, producing a rich warm 'dooooom' sound".
"One of the biggest surprises here is the 6" deep snare drum - this sounds much thicker and far richer than its diminished depth might suggest. It has a gorgeous woody 'thwock' and, courtesy of the reversed flanged hoop, a well-controlled overtone. The hoop also provides us with some tasty cross-sticking and impressive rim shots. Upon each hit you get the immediate crack and a nano second later (or even sooner!), the wood shell thickens the sound creating a fat blast".
"Overall the drums are well-balanced,with no individual drum perceivably louder than the other. This is where the kit blends as a whole instrument rather than a collection of individual drums - with its range of dynamics, scope of tuning and versatility, the kit would be equally capable on stage or for recording".
The full review can be found in the latest issue of Rhythm magazine (October, Issue 221) on sale now. The Crush Sublime E3 Drum Kits will be available from November starting at £949 RRP inc VAT. The Crush Sublime E3 kit configuration reviewed above (22" x 18" bass drum, 14" x 6" snare, 12" x 8" rack tom, 16" x 14" floor tom) is priced at £1049 RRP inc VAT.
Crush Drums are distributed in the UK and ROI by Sound Technology Ltd. For more information on Crush visit www.crushdrum.com, or connect with us at facebook.com/crushdrumsuk and twitter.com/crushdrumsuk.
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