DRUMS JOIN US ON FIND YOUR DEALER HARDWARE SONOR.COM ACCESSORIES The beat of life. Content SONOR History ............................................................. 02 Listen…Just feel it. The Secret behind the Sonor Sound ...................... The whole world swings. 04 Our life has a rhythm, SQ² Drum System ........................................................ every day has its tune. 06 ProLite Series ................................................................ 26 Nothing touches us Vintage Series ............................................................... like the beat that gets under our skin. 36 From the first breath we take, SQ1 Series ...................................................................... it’s rhythm driving the melody: 48 the beginning of music AQ2 Series ..................................................................... the heartbeat of life. 58 AQ1 Series ...................................................................... That’s why we create our instruments 62 AQX Series ..................................................................... to speak straight to the heart. 68 Artist Roster ................................................................... Each piece: hand-crafted. Honed to you. 72 Signature Snare Drums .............................................. Designed to inspire and spread 74 the love for music. Artist Series, Phonic Reissue Snare Drums ........... 80 Because, more than just craftsmen, Serial Snare Drums ..................................................... 82 we’re lovers of the musicians’ art, Bass Drum Pedals ........................................................ in tune with the power of sound in 86 each instrument. Drum Thrones ............................................................... 92 A sound that’s more than the sum of Hi Hat Stands ................................................................ our knowledge, commitment and 93 expertise – every SONOR instrument Cymbal Stands .............................................................. is a masterpiece made to express 94 Double Cymbal Stands / Cymbal Boom Arms ...... what no other voice can say. 95 Snare Drum Stands ...................................................... So you instantly know: 96 this is the sound I was born to play. Tom/Cymbal Stands / Tom Stands ........................... 97 Tom Holder ..................................................................... SONOR. The beat of life. 98 Basic Arm System ........................................................ 99 Multi Holder System ..................................................... © SONOR GmbH / Catalog Drums 2021 / 63010255 100 Product Design: Frank Boestfleisch, Thomas Barth, Philipp Rabe, Karl-Heinz Menzel Hardware Sets .............................................................. Product Photography: Martin Kreutter, Marburg and SONOR, Bad Berleburg-Aue Catalog Design: Tobias Schuster 101 Text Concept: Frank Boestfleisch, Thomas Barth Accessories..................................................................... SONOR reserves the right to update or change its products without advance notice. Wood is a natural product, which can cause slight alterations in color and grain. 102 Print reproduction of Drum designs and finishes can vary depending on color density and general print quality. Aaron Spears Armoni Cymbals ............................................................ WWW.SONOR.COM Photo: Martin Kreutter 104 History. The „Mallet“ logo was introduced in 1961, becoming 1875 - 1900 an inherent part of the design of the logo and also in It was in 1875 when the SONOR heart started beating product design until today. In 1975 the famous Phonic when Johannes Link opened a small workshop for Series as well as Champion Acrylic drum sets were simple drums and drum heads in East Germany. introduced, along with the 45 degree bearing edge. He was a pioneer in his field, his passion for music In 1993 the “Jet Set” with 24k gold plated hardware and craftsmanship the driving force. It’s his spirit creates international buzz. The Designer Series, that was passed on over generations to employees, introduced in 1994, kicks off our the SONOR-era of artists, worldwide fans and associates. customization. SONOR continues to modernize and makes most 1900 - 1946 components in-house. This tradition continues into Innovation and a forward-looking mentality are deeply the early 1990’s. rooted within the company. As early as 1900, SONOR introduced its first single bass drum pedal. In 1914 the company mourned the passing of its founding father 2000 - 2020 Johannes Link and his son Otto took over. Later on, The early 2000s saw the birth of the Delite Series – Otto’s personal relationship to King Gustav V of replaced by the ProLite Series in 2012. Based on the Sweden laid ground for the rebirth of SONOR after idea of Designer Series, SONOR introduced SQ² in WWII. 2006, offering an almost fully customizable drum kit perfectly suited to the player. Each drum a master- With Music evolving globally, the company’s idea piece of handcraftsmanship and as unique as a center continuously strived for new innovations, fingerprint. such as the first double pedal „Duplex“ in 1927 and the first Snare Drum with multi 3-way strainer in 1930. Remarkable technical innovations in the hardware However, the emerging WWII results in the collapse of sector go hand in hand with some of the finest drums this golden Weißenfels era. available: Giant Step pedals in 2001, Dual Glide Snare Strainer System and Perfect Balance Pedal designed 1946 - 1960 by Jojo Mayer in 2012. The time of rebirth. At the close of World War II, In 2015, celebrating the 140th anniversary, the Otto Link‘s son Horst fled from the Russian occupied company introduced the analogue sound into a digital Eastern Germany to Aue, in the British-occupied world with the Vintage Series, featuring some of the section of Germany. In a rundown army barrack he most remarkable features and designs from earlier established a tannery and began making drum heads. centuries. The “golden Aue era” began. Teaming up with some of the greatest players the In the early 1950s the first drum kit with concert toms company introduced the Signature line of snare was introduced and the famous „script logo“ drums, constantly being updated over the years. Birch trademark marked the early teardrop era. After the is back with SQ1 drums in 2016, the “Sound Sustainer” passing of his father, it was Horst Link’s time to take mounts, exclusive to SQ1, mark another technical over and it was during his time when SONOR innovation highlight. The entry and semi-pro level established some of the most iconic and most drums were entirely overhauled with the AQ family innovative products, leading up to the new century. of drums starting in 2017. 1960 - 1999 TODAY The following decades marked a striking number The history of SONOR is like no other in the industry of milestones in the ongoing journey of innovation of drum manufacturing. The spirit of pioneership, the and craftsmanship. But it was also the era of SONOR love for music and craftsmanship are unbroken. establishing relationships with international drumming The heart keeps on beating. The “What’s next” and stars such as the legendary Kenny “Klook” Clarke, how to help elevate musicians around the globe is Jazz Great Jack De Johnette, Journey’s Steve Smith, what’s constantly thought about. That’s what matters AC/DC’s Phil Rudd, and many more, shaping up to a most. From the first early steps to professional level. passionated, global family and source of inspiration 1 2 3 4 5 Because nothing makes us all feel alive like music. second to none. 1 Johannes Link / 2 First Single Pedal. 1900 / 3 Company Building "Am Bad" Weißenfels/S / 4 Concert Tom Drum Kit / 5 Horst Link SONOR.COM | PAGE 3 The Secret behind the SONOR sound. Optimum Shell Technology (O.S.T.) O.S.T. is a well-figured-out process which you can see and hear in all our shells we make in our headquarters in Germany. Applying best German engineering since 1875, this process has been constantly optimized over the years. Shell Size The Total Acoustic Resonance (T.A.R.) Drum shells need to mounting system act as solid acoustic Vibration free moun- unities as the founda- ting results in pure tion to a great drum tone and warm sustain. sound. For SONOR, Enhanced by the total it starts with the shell acoustic resonance diameters, which are and advanced pro- optimised to give the drum head the jection system, the drum enjoys sonic space to float freely, allowing unrestric- freedom and stays mechanically stable. ted contact between the bearing edge The patented Acoustigate allows to and the drum head. fine-tune the sonic fingerprint by This manufacturing process supports turning a dial. This results in a beautiful precise tuning and best vibration tone and unmatched projection. characteristics. The Dual Glide System Shell Construction The strainer In 1975, SONOR was the first drum mechanism features a brand to introduce a 45° bearing edge technically perfected for maximum resonance and sustain. snare wire engage- For Sonor, developing the optimal drum and-release system. is based on our exceptional manufac- Both the strainer and butt sides are turing process that has evolved equipped with a fast-release snare wire over the years. It's about our unique detach function. A fine-tune adjustment technique, how we hand-select the knob is employed on both sides. This wood, and how we specially heat & results in stress free and convenient