When it's a Yamaha product one is asked to review, at least it's fairly safe to assume that it won't turn out to be either a real nasty or a familiar instrument hiding behind yet another brand name. So, learning that the nearby branch of Stix had just unpacked a new 8000 Tour Series outfit, I decided to meander down to that emporium and see the look of horror appear on store proprietor Jim Luff's face when I started to give it the once-over for IN TUNE.

My first surprise on seeing the newly-delivered kit came when I noticed not just the bright blue lacquered finish, but also the use of individual tension lugs on the bass drum and tom toms; a departure from the familiar flush bracing type fitted to the successful 9000 Recording Series. Being neat and rounded, these are not dissimilar to Slingerland or Gretsch lugs, but are perhaps a little sleeker, and feature the springless design Yamaha tend to make much ado over. I feel this is possibly a good point; but good tuning characteristics and rattle-free lugs are something every good drum should enjoy as a basic requirement, and yet for some reason Yamaha sell this virtue as an added bonus.

Sizes on the six drum set were of the now usual 'power' dimensions, with tom toms sporting pin-stripes on top and clear heads on the bottom - not forgetting the current trend for a black front bas drum head. The snare drum was also a new venture from the Yamaha design team, being a 6½" deep wood model. For some strange reason this seems to be a size Yamaha have previously avoided making, favouring 7" instead. Also, whilst retaining the same number of tension fittings as used on the 9000 series for all the other drums in the 8000 ranged this snare drum was an 8-lug model. Perhaps the purpose in reducing the number fitted to this particular drum was to qualify it for the lighter weight 'Tour' label, or maybe to help cut costs. Whatever the truth behind its emergence in such a format, the type fitted were of the usual long, slim, double receiving variety, and although some may be surprised at finding a professional range snare drum with only eight tension lugs, I believe it must be judged on its tuning ability and sound rather than by any other criteria.

Another area in which Yamaha have managed to save a few bob is by opting out of the hand lacquer process for the 8000 range. Instead, they've used another form of lacquer finish, which on the kit I saw was excellent, with a deep, lustrous gloss - although their 'Fine Blue' is a colour you'll either love or hate! Frankly, it would take a side-by-side comparison to show the difference, if any, between this and the more costly 9000's lacquering. Inside, all the shells revealed the trouble Yamaha take to produce what they claim to be the 'best finished shell construction' available, and it's here that we find the major differences between the two top ranges from this maker. Whilst 9000 drums have all-Birch shells, the 8000 utilise a Birch/Phillippine Mahogany ply sandwich formula, producing a different sound which I'll attempt to describe later.

On the hardware front, 9000 spurs, tom tom legs and double holder have been used, the only obvious omission being the facility for an additional tom tom or cymbal arm on the double tom tom mount. However, with the numerous clamps available it's no big problem to add one of these later, should you so desire. In common with the majority of drum companies Yamaha will supply drums individually, sets without hardware, or any parts of their 'system' to suit your needs or your pocket.

The reason for Yamaha having introduced a second 'professional' drum line, they say, is to provide a top-range outfit for drummers wanting separate tension fittings, plus (thanks to different ply construction and external finishing process) the fact that it's possible to produce the 8000 drums at a cost of around 25% less than the 9000 custom recording range - but at present this pricing is difficult to be absolutely accurate about, so get a figure from your dealer before reaching for your plastic card or prostrating yourself on the bank manager's carpet!

How do they sound? Well, I was fortunate in having both Dave Mattacks and Mickey Barker in town that night, doing a clinic on - surprise, surprise - Yamaha 8000 drums; which must have pleased the staff at Stix, who otherwise would have had to suffer my efforts (I do buy the aspirin!). Dave was using a six drum outfit, in standard sizes except for two large power toms, stand mounted in place of floor tom toms, and the kit was finished in a nearly-matt Sunburst that will be available later this year - it looked extremely classy. Mickey, as one would expect, had a multi-drum set spread round his two bass drums, and his kit was in an effective black lacquer that really looked deadly under the lighting, although (surprising to me) he also favours standard size drums - and why not?

When playing commenced, it didn't take long to hear why Yamaha have been shouting the odds on these drums. They don't produce the hard, cutting edge of the 9000s, tending towards a warmer sound - but it's in no way inferior; just different, and a sound which most drummers would be very happy to produce. The snare drum dispelled any doubts that may have crossed my mind earlier, giving out a crisp response whilst retaining the characteristic warmth which is giving wood snare drums a revival. If you like a sharp, high snare sound but also the qualities of a traditional wood drum, this alone may be worth your attention, being suspicious of what can be done by putting a drum kit through a first-class sound system, I asked Dave Mattacks to play his outfit without any amplification. Obligingly he asked for the system to be switched off, then fixed me with one of his owl-like stares and proceeded to play a load of sickeningly good rhythms all over the kit. The sound quality didn't suffer in the least, and the volume, from my position in front of the kit, was enough to make my brain itch!

Any reviewer likes to think he can find something that can be improved on, hoping it will benefit both maker and player if he points it out. In the case of the Yamaha Tour 8000 series, though, I have to say that I can't find any real issue that isn't either personal preference, or really trivial. Perhaps ten lugs on the snare drum would make more drummers happy, and a wider range of natural wood finishes as an alternative to mainly colours would be nice - but that's about all I can say, other than that the kit looks, works and sounds great! Should I ever be in a position to trade in my set of 'Winfield Superchronics', the 8000 series would be a drum for serious consideration, offering very strong competition for value in its price range.

EXAMPLE PRICES - YD822F 'POWER TOM' SET-UP (SHELL SIZES 22", 12", 13" & 16" INC. TOM TOM HOLDER) RRP £769 plus HW700E HARDWARE RRP £244 plus SD865L 6½" WOOD SNARE RRP £159. COMPLETE KIT PRICE RRP £1,172 Inc. VAT. ALTERNATIVELY, YD822C 'REGULAR DEPTH' KIT (SHELL SIZES AS ABOVE), RRP £699 plus HW700E HARDWARE, RRP £244 plus SD855C 5 1/2" SNARE, RRP £139. COMPLETE KIT PRICE RRP £1,082 Inc. VAT.

More info from Yamaha Musical Instruments Ltd., (Contact Details).