Yamaha Stage Custom Birch 18"x15" RB

Sharp and powerful bass drum

Yamaha Stage Custom Birch 18"x15" RB

I bought this to replace my 22 inch Recording Custom BD for when I have a small or jazz gig. It came with Remo "UT" heads both with control rings on the inside, which look like fairly thick heads more suitable to rock or general purpose. I put on and tuned up the batter head low to medium tension and the front a little higher, with no damping. As soon as I played I couldn't believe how good this drum sounded. Great tone and low end. It certainly gave my other 22 inch drums a run for their money. I have done a couple of small gigs with it since and I can see already I'll be carrying a lot less 22 inch drums to gigs from here on.

I think if you wanted it purely for a bop kit though you would be better off with thinner heads.

The only negative thing I can say about it though is the rubber feet/spike arrangement. The spikes are permanently fixed and the rubber feet slide down and twist over a roll pin. Nothing to stop the rubbers getting lost when they stretch out after a couple of years being moved up and down, hence I took one star off the quality rating. Overall though a great drum which I would highly recommend.