LUDWIG ATLAS PRO HARDWIRE

99
WWW.RHYTHMMAGAZINE.CO.UK FEBRUARY 2013 |
VERDICT: Some of the best hardware I’ve
ever seen. The Pillar Clutch snare stand
and hi-hat are innovative, the rest
ingenious and functional. If it’s good
enough for Vinnie Colaiuta…
BUILD QUALITY
PLAYABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
RATING
Also try…
1
DW9000 SERIES
We say: “A modular
system that allows
multiple booms and
clamps to be mounted
in seemingly limitless
combinations.”
2
TAMA IRON
COBRA
We say: “Industrial-
strength pedals with a
reputation for speed
and power.”
PRICES
Atlas Pro:
Bass drum pedal with
Rock Plate, £195;
Double bass drum pedal
with Rock Plate, £519;
Hi-hat stand, £285;
Snare stand, £142;
Pillar clutch snare stand,
£169;
Cymbal stand, £145;
Boom stand, £155;
Saddle throne, £179;
Round throne, £169
CONTACT
Active Music Distribution
020 8693 5678
www.ludwig-drums.com
Essential spec
well balanced and beefy. If you like a
particularly high footboard angle you can
swap to a shorter chain drive.
I gigged the single bass pedal twice and
loved it, the medium density felt beater
producing a noticeably fat and rounded
thump. The sharp ribbed surface of the
aluminium footboard is not so good for
sliding on, but good for grip.
Ludwig’s big news with the two snare
stands is the Aerodyne dual-axis gearless
tilter. Dual-axis means the tilter rotates not
just up and down but also side-to-side.
Brilliant. And gearless means infi nitely
adjustable so you can achieve the position you
really, really want rather than the usual
compromise of a toothed/geared ratchet.
I never imagined describing a snare drum
stand as sexy, but the Pillar Clutch model
with its sensuously curved, lavishly chromed
basket arms and minimum contact rubber
grippers is a stunner. Still, the heavy
detachable snare basket is a little tricky to
handle when slotting onto its pillar clutch –
the folding arms fl ail about loosely, but once
tightened the vice grip clamp does what it
says. All three arms are readily adjusted for
length, accommodating snares (or toms) all
the way from 10" to 16". Both snare stands
have clever minimum-contact rubber grippers
which just lightly caress the shell, allowing
unimpeded resonance.
Finally, the two generously proportioned
thrones are luxuriously cushioned in high
density foam. My not-inconsiderable derriere
was dwarfed by these ample seats. The saddle
tends to grip as you sink into it and I preferred
the freer, rounded seat which you can sit on
the edge of.
I NEVER IMAGINED DESCRIBING A
SNARE STAND AS SEXY, BUT WITH ITS
SENSUOUSLY CURVED BASKET THE
PILLAR CLUTCH MODEL IS A STUNNER
HI-HAT PEDAL
Base is a massive casting
housing a double-chain
drive which acts like an
upside-down bass pedal
SNARE STANDS
Both snare stands have
the Aerodyne gear-less,
dual-axis system which
positions your drum
exactly where you want it
HI-HAT STAND
Hi-hat stand is a twin-leg
design which leaves space
for other pedals
RHY212.gear_ludwig.indd 99 12/19/12 12:42 PM