At Winter NAMM 2009, Yamaha introduced a new Absolute series added with several features from other drum lines. Their YESS mounting system for the tom-toms, which debuted on the PHX series in 2008, now comes standard on the Absolute series. Also new are two bass pedal lines (the 8500 and the 9500 series) and new hardware for the 800, the 900 and the 1200 series.\"The new hook lug and redesigned YESS mount continue a long tradition at Yamaha Drums of taking key features and adapting them to other drum lines. Now, these improvements are available to a wider range of drummers.\"
The YESS mount enhances sustain by shock-mounting the toms with dense rubber spacers between the shell and the mounting plate.
The kits come in several exciting colors, including Burgundy, Caramel Sparkle, Blue Ice Sparkle, Deep Blue, Luminous White Sparkle (which glows in the dark), Solid Silver and White Grape Sparkle.
The Absolute series of drums, available in Birch or Maple, is expected to ship in July 2009.
New hardware
Yamaha Drums also introduced a new lineup of hardware , including the 800 series, the 900 series and the 1200 series.
Additions to the 800 hardware series include cymbal stands (CS-850 and CS-865), a snare stand (SS-850) and a hi-hat stand (HS-850). Cymbal stands incorporate several design changes, including a toothless cymbal tilter, a new boom tilter with a hinged clamp, and plastic caps placed in the vertical tubes to prevent rattling. All stress points have pure zinc castings. Dave Jewell:
\"The new toothless tilter has been road-tested by many of our artists. Even a small detail, like caps on the vertical tubes, illustrates our commitment to making the best hardware on the market.\"
The HS-850 hi-hat stand features a spring tension adjustment.
The 900 series has been streamlined to a single cymbal stand model. The CS-965 retains the 900 series tripod base, and incorporates the new toothless cymbal tilter and boom tilter clamp. The CSBW extra-long accessory boom is fitted with Yamaha’s toothless tilter and a heavy counter weight.
New hi-hat stands include the HS-1200, a straight-pull, three-leg stand, the HS-1200D, a two-legged version of the 1200 model, and the toggle-link drive HS-1200T. The spring tension also features a numbered scale, and all models ship with two upper pull rods of different lengths. The new locking clutch keeps cymbals in place.
New bas pedal lines
The 8500 series and the 9500 series include two new bass pedal lines.
The 9500 series includes models FP-9500D, FP-9500C, DFP-9500C and
DFP-9500D, and features a different design than previous pedals. Dave Jewell:
\"Drum key adjustments for footboard and beater angle are easier to perform among many other improvements.\"
The 8500 series offers two drive systems. Model FP-8500C is a double chain drive with a nylon strap that users can install instead of the chains. It includes a full bottom-stabilizing plate, a new side-adjusting hoop clamp and a double-sided beater as well. he FP-8500B is a strap drive pedal.
Both models come in double-pedal versions (denoted by the DFP model prefix) and feature longer footboards to accommodate heel-down players or those who use the heel-toe technique.
