Sonor presented no fewer than five new drum kit series at NAMM 2011, ranging from entry level to professional models. Sonor also offers a second chance for anyone who wanted to purchase a new Sonor set with beech wood shells.Smart Force
Sonor has launched the Smart Force Series designed especially for beginners or drummers with a limited budget. This nine-ply kit features a full, balanced tone and is available in six different colors.
Smart Force Xtend
The Smart Force Xtend Series is identical to the Smart Force Series, but comes as a complete drum kit with a set of cymbals, an extra mini boom cymbal stand plus a drum stool.
Essential Force
Sonor's new Essential Force Series is designed for the advanced drummers not willing to sacrifice their musical freedom. There are five configurations to choose from or you can build your kit based on the fifteen optional drums. With six layers of birch wood the Essential Series Force series feature highlighted medium and high frequencies with defined low tones.
Select Force
The Select Force Series is the pinnacle of Sonor's new Force range, designed especially for advanced and semi-professional drummers. You can choose from a large amount of sets and components and the latest developments of Sonor's professional series. Its seven-ply Canadian maple drum shells produce a rich and warm sound.
New isolated mounting system
The Select Force sets use the new TAR (Total Acoustic Resonance) Tom Mount System. Both the Essential and the Select Force drum series are equipped with a new version of the isolated TAR grid. This allows the toms to resonate fully and produces a nice open sound.
Ascent: Beech is back
The new Ascent Series marks the revival of the famous Beech Shell construction that has been a trademark of Sonor in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. In fact, its success to Sonor's Signature series in 1989, and became known for its huge shells and exclusive finishes.
Back in the day a Signature set cost nearly €5,000 euros (about €6,778 USD) but the new Ascent has a suggested retail price of around €2,100 - way more affordable indeed. The Ascent Series features 9-ply toms, a snare drum of 8.75 mm thick and a seven-ply 6.35 mm thick bass drum. The Ascent is available in plenty of finishes and you can choose between regular or black chrome hardware.
