Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Product Review: Brash Drums practice pad

I recently purchased this online, from someone who’d bought it at WGI and needed some quick cash.

I’d been reading about Brash Drums practice pads for awhile and was intrigued by the possibility of a pad that could improve the Xymox design and customer service.

I have to say that I’m pleased with what I got.

The pad is pretty solidly made, and features three things I really, really like:

— a slightly softer playing surface than Xymox, which makes it applicable for those who play Mylar instead of Kevlar heads. The feel is actually very nice, and some may prefer to use the pad without the snare unit.

— a removable snare unit that attaches magnetically and can be used separately as a shaker.

— a more durable powder-coated aluminum rim, which will certainly last longer than Xymox’s plastic one. (As with Xymox pads, the lug nuts are strictly for attaching the rim and do not make the pad tunable.)

Right now, they make just a 12” size. It’s my hope that at some point they might make a 14” pad that will fit atop a drum, offering a little more versatility. My 12” pad can only be used on a lap or a snare stand; and if you want to hear the snare unit you need to set the pad flat, not at an angle.

Custom colors and some custom designs are available.

The $149 retail price puts it at a similar level to more high-performance pads.

A simpler design without snare unit costs $59.

Delivery for custom pads is roughly three weeks, and delivery for factory designed pads promises shipment within a day of ordering. 

I got mine from a private party and paid $90 including postage.

I’m shockingly happy with it, and I think a lot of marching drummers will agree.




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