Sonor
Sonor (Pronounced: SO-noor) is a German percussion manufacturer. Founded 1875 as a percussion manufacturer.
Sonor drum sets and hardware are both revered and notorious for being constructed in a very durable, painstaking, and therefore, unusually heavy manner (older models). One of the oldest existing models of drums manufactured by Sonor is a 1942 Johannes Link Parade Snare, a very heavy snare drum with an aluminum shell and thick tension rods.
Current Sonor artists include Mikkey Dee of Motorhead, Danny Carey of Tool; Gavin Harrison of Porcupine Tree; Paul Bostaph, former drummer for Slayer, Exodus, and Forbidden; long-time AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd; Ken Serio a New York session and touring drummer, Adam Nussbaum, great jazz drummer, Jazz legend Jack DeJohnette, Steve Smith, Joe Winters of The Steepwater Band; Jojo Mayer, New York City session drummer, clinician, and drummer for drum-and-bass project NERVE; Rob Rivera of Nonpoint; Sam Segurado of Tails; James Knox of The Business and many more.
The Force 3000 series was developed and marketed as an upper-midline level, bringing Sonor build quality and tone capabilities to a more mainstream market. Features were Scandinavian birch shells with options of quality lacquer finishes. When production moved to the Far East, it fell into the "budget" lines.
S Classix: made of thin Scandinavian birchwood shells, this line offers both vintage and veneer finishes.
Delite: made of extremely thin vintage maple shells, this line offers veneer and fade finishes.
SQ2: Sonor's top line of drums, this line is custom made according to the customer's specifications, including shell material, shell thickness, lug color and type, hoop color and type, and inside and outside finishes.
Steve Smith 30th Anniversary Kit: The drum kit is based on Steve’s setup that he has been using for over twenty years. Steve uses this setup in studio sessions and live on tour with his groups Vital Information and Jazz Legacy. All shells are hand-made by Sonor craftsman in Germany. The shells are made of Beech Wood with a Birdseye amber outer veneer and are constructed to make the drum kit a versatile work of art. Whereas the 20"x 16" Bass Drum shell is made out of 6.1 mm, 9-ply Beech Wood, the 14"x 14" and 16"x 16" Floor Toms as well as the 8"x 8", 10"x 8" and 12"x 8" Tom Toms and the 12"x 5" Snare Drum are made out of 8.1 mm, 9-ply Beech Wood. The Bass Drum comes equipped with a removable Felt Strip on both the batter and resonant sides. Phonic style Claw Hooks with wing screws gives the kit a Vintage look. The specially engraved badges on all shells just give a hint what this beautiful kit is all about.
Sonor also makes African, Latin, Marching, and other percussion equipment.
