Gregg Field told me about a new high-end drum kit from Yamaha a few months ago when we were discussing options for his new drum kit. I was in Pro Drum around the same time and noticed a beautiful wood grain to green fade Yamaha kit with a badge that said Hybrid, which peaked my curiosity.
Wow ! I picked up the 10" tom which seemed kind of heavy and holy cow, these drums are thick but have a highly tapered sharp egde that the head seems to be in contact with only one or two plies.
There was the Y.E.S. mount but it is rubber iso-mounted to a block of wood ! It also has an additional third bolt at the bottom. Technically they are not mounted to the drum because there's a rubber grommet in the hole that the bolt goes through.
These are radical drums, in construction, wood type and design.
Construction-wise thick drums are not en vouge and only one or two companies even offer them, notably Sonor, which are known for a thick fundamental note and no overtones. Well, the PHX really bloom with a fat, round, wide sound with huge low end that fills the room and moves air. Whoom!! The Bass drum is massive, round and boomin' with monster low end and good attack. The PHX kick is one of the best sounding bass drums I have ever played and heard ! The floor toms are like junior bass drums and are no less impressive, super round with huge low end and good attack. Bloom! Now the toms. The 10" & 12" follow the PHX sound with incredible low end, good attack and are rounder and fatter then other brands similar sized toms. I will go on record to say the 8" tom is the fattest I have ever heard. A junior monster drum!
I got to hear the PHX kit miked-up and slightly EQ'd going through a PA. Yamaha's PHX are unique and impressive with their round, fat and full low end quality.
I heard that Yamaha had a blind shoot-out with some top drummer's special tweaked custom recording kits and that the artist themselves preferred the PHX every time.
As a die-hard Gretsch guy, I must say that the Yamaha PHX drums offer a truly new and unique huge sound.
The PHX are slightly heavier than most, but the trade-off of great sound is well worth it.
Besides, if your a pro touring drummer, you have a drum tech or if you're a studio owner or hobbist you hardly ever move your drums any way.
