Steve Smith’s Gear

Sonor Drums

50 Years with Sonor Drums

Steve Smith has been playing and endorsing Sonor Drums since 1977. 2027 marks the 50th anniversary of the collaboration.

Steve's Current Setup

These days I am using three main Sonor Drum setups, an SQ2 kit, a Vintage kit and my 30th Anniversary kit.

I have two identical 30th Anniversary Signature kits, one based in NYC and one kit stored at the Sonor Factory in Germany. My 30th Anniversary Signature kit is made of 9-ply beech and finished in Birdseye Amber Satin. The kit has a 20x16 bass drum, 8x8, 10x8, 12x8 rack toms, plus 14x14, 16x16 and 18x16 floor toms (recently added) plus a 12x5 matching side snare. The main snare is my 14x5.5 metal snare, and many times I also include my 14x5.75 40th Anniversary snare with the setup.

Also based in NYC is my Sonor Vintage kit finished in Vintage Pearl. This kit has an 18x14 bass drum, 12x 8 rack tom, 14x13.75 and 16x14 floor toms. The main snare is the matching 14x5.75 Vintage snare and as a side snare I use my 14x5.5 30th Anniversary Steve Smith Signature snare.

My SQ2 kit is stored at the KHS warehouse in Nashville and is shipped to various locations in the USA based on my touring needs. The SQ2 kit is made of maple, finished in Silky Oak with a 20x20 bass drum,  8x7, 10x9, 12x11 rack toms, 14x14, 16x16, 18x16 floor toms. The kit has three snare drums; as a main snare I use my 14x5.5 Signature metal snare, and two side snares, the 14x5 matching wood snare and a 12x5 snare made of clear acrylic.

Click here to learn about the drum heads Steve uses on these drums!

Celebrating Milestones

In 2008, Steve and Sonor celebrated 30 years together with 50 clinics all over the world.

At the clinics Steve wowed the audiences with extended solo pieces, combining incredible techniques, dynamics and musicality. Playing with mallets, brushes and VF Signature Sticks, he drew sonorous tones out of the Sonor drums and Zildjian cymbals. 

Steve also demonstrated some techniques from the recent Hudson video "Playing with Brushes." He then finished up with his version of "Mr. Hi Hat," always a crowd pleaser!

Only 100 of the 30th anniversary kits were made.

The 40th Anniversary Snare Drum

To celebrate four decades with the brand, Sonor released a special commemorative snare drum in 2017.

“This drum is limited to 77 pieces globally to mark the year (1977) that Steve joined the Sonor family.”

• It features a thin 6mm, 9-ply German beechwood shell with a mountain burl interior and exterior finish.

• Design details include 1970s-style Phonic lugs with TuneSafe, dual 45-degree bearing edges, and a 5.75x14-inch size that mirrors elements of Smith's preferred SQ2 setups.

• Signature Snare Drum
  
  Steve and the SONOR engineers have created a true masterpiece that is addicted to sound, features, design and most of all, Steve's input.
  
  The 14" x 5.5" Signature Snare Drum is an outstanding instrument, made out of an exclusive, 2.5 mm cast steel shell / 2.5 mm reinforcement rings and two air vents. Vintage Style Phonic lugs with integrated TuneSafe are in place for a vintage look, and die-cast hoops and a REMO fiberskyn 3 batter head in Diplomat thickness add to the overall effect of what Steve is looking for in a snare drum: a crisp, full-bodied instrument with an immediate and effortless playing response.
  
  Besides the Signature Badge, Steve's Signature is engraved on a Re-Issue of the “Hilite Exclusive" badge, adding another “Vintage SONOR" touch. Steve uses this instrument in studio sessions and live on tour with his groups Vital Information and Jazz Legacy.
  
  Technical Information
  
  Product:  SSD 11 1455 STS
  Measurements:  14" x 5.5"
  Shell:  Cast Steel
  Shell Thickness:  2.5 mm with 2.5 mm reinforcement rings
  Tension Rods:  2 x 10 pieces
  Batter Head:  Fiberskyn 3 Diplomat Made by REMO USA
  Resonance Head:  Sonor Clear Resonance Made by REMO USA
  Snare Wires:  24 steel wires
  
  Features
  
  Artist Series die-cast Hoops, Phonic Series Re-Issue tuning lugs with TuneSafe, slotted tension rods, throw-off snare action, chrome plated shell hardware, 'Signature' Series Steve Smith Badge, signed Re-Issue of the 1988's Hilite Exclusive Badge.
  
  Click here to learn more on the Sonor site!