Sonor Introduces The Steve Smith Signature Snare Drum

SONOR, proudly celebrating over 135 years of excellence, has announced the launch of the new Steve Smith Signature Snare Drum to be introduced at the Winter NAMM Show 2011 in Anaheim, CA, USA. Steve Smith, one of the world's greatest drummers, has been endorsing SONOR Drums for more then 30 years and thanks to Steve's hands-on input, SONOR engineers have created a true masterpiece.

The 14" x 5.5" Signature Snare Drum is an outstanding instrument, made out of an exclusive, 2.5 mm cast steel shell with 2.5 mm reinforcement rings and two air vents. Vintage style Phonic lugs with integrated TuneSafe are in place for a vintage look. Die-Cast Hoops and a REMO Fiberskyn3 batter head in Diplomat thickness add to the overall effect. As well as the signature badge, Steve's signature is engraved on a re-Issue of the "Hilite Exclusive" Badge, adding another vintage touch. Steve uses this instrument in studio sessions as well as in live performances while on tour.

Steve toured with jazz violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, was the drummer on the last Focus album, as well as playing with Ronnie Montrose before joining Journey in 1978. He occupied the drum chair from late 1978 through mid-1985. Steve left the band in 1985, but he returned in 1995 for the band's 1996 comeback album, Trial by Fire. He has also worked as a session musician for pop and jazz artists such as Mariah Carey, Zucchero, Bryan Adams, Mike Mainieri's Steps Ahead and Tom Coster, just to name a few. Steve also leads his own jazz group, Vital Information. In 2001 Modern Drummer magazine named Steve as one of the Top 25 Drummers of All Time. The following year, he was voted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame.

Steve proudly stated "SONOR drums have remained my first and only choice as a high quality instrument for the past 30 years. My sound is the "SONOR sound, I can't imagine playing any other drum kit."

Features

14" x 5.5" Cast Steel Shell (2.5 mm shell thickness with 2.5 mm reinforcement rings)

Equipped with a signed ee-Issue of the 1988‘s Hilite Exclusive badge

Phonic Series re-Issue tuning lugs with TuneSafe and 20 slotted tension rods

REMO Fiberskyn 3 Diplomat batter head

Artist Series die-cast hoops

SONOR SoundWire with 24 Steel Wires

The Snare Drum is available via authorized Sonor dealers beginning February/March 2011. For more information on Steve Smith go to: www.vitalinformation.com

– also check out the SONOR homepage: www.sonor.com to see the latest gear coming in 2011!