I'm on stage at the moment with my A400 kit playing with a swing band. kick tuned high and singing along sweetly! Fair bit of brush work so am using the Ludwig 402 for a bit more swirl room. Great fun and great kit!

Dave Mew

 

Dear Traps Drum Company,

I have been a drummer for 41 years and drumset instructor for 30 years. I own 3 drum kits.  All professional level, maple shell kits. I also have 2 sons that play out quite frequently. When I pack up for a gig, I use my Suburban and make several trips back and forth  to get my gear.  Just something I'm used to being a drummer for so many years. Comes with the turf.

My young sons play out quite often and they load up their kits in several different friends cars just to get it all in. Each time they take a kit, I have to make up a inventory list of all the parts leaving the studio. This alone makes me quite nervous as sometimes it's 2 or 3 days before the entire kit makes it back home. I am equally nervous about the venues they play. There are usually several bands/drummers and I believe it's just matter of time before something "walks away".

I saw a competitive "portable" kit at our local drum shop, but was most unimpressed with the quality of sound so I gave up on the idea of a portable kit. I mean, I loved the idea of portability and having the whole kit stay together as one piece, but the sound quality has to be there.

Then I saw a small column in a drum publication written by one of their readers. It didn't speak of the quality of sound, just the various options available for your product. From there, I surfed the internet and found many testimonials about the durability and, more important, the quality of sound from your product.

There were no local dealers that offered your product, so I took a chance and purchased one online from a dealer in California. When it arrived in on small flat box, I thought to myself "this is going to be a nightmare to set up!" I followed the instructions provided and, within 1 hour, I had it all set up and tuned to my preferences.

I brought my sons into my studio and showed them the new Traps A400 kit. There first reactions was "is this some kind of toy?". I simply said, "listen to what you call a toy!".

I played the kit for them and their jaws dropped. They still can't figure out how you get the sound quality without conventional shells.

My personal kit of preference is a professional level DW kit  for Rock and Big Band, and a vintage Slingerland kit for jazz combo....all with maple shells. I have to honestly say that the sound of the Traps kit rivals my maple shell kits. If anything, I like the punch of your bass drum much better!

I had read one testimonial that the toms sound much like roto-toms. Well, I have a set of roto-toms and, in comparison, the Traps kit toms have a much purer sound quality to them.

The 12" snare has a  nice penetrating crack to it and even when played lightly, it rivals my expensive maple and brass shell snare drums.

The hi hat, bass drum pedal and cymbals provided with the Traps A400 kit are not up to my level of quality, but they would be very good for any entry level drummer. At the time I ordered, the online dealer did not offer this configuration. I will donate these accessories to a beginner drum student. As drummers, we all know that quality hardware and cymbals can cost much more than the drums.

Also, I help all my beginner students choose their first drum kits. Going forward, I am going to strongly recommend the Traps A400 for it's sound quality and extreme portability (not to mention the affordability!).

As for my sons, I can't get them off the new Traps A400 kit. Their bands love the unconventional drum kit appearance. They claim it makes their band standout among the rest. The drum sound is huge!

Now, they want me to get the electronic Traps kit for their recording sessions.

Thanks for great customer service and a truly wonderful product!

Best Regards,

Dan Owens - Chicago, IL

 

Hi Bob
If that famous brand of lager made portable drum kits, they'd probably look exactly like Traps. Best regards

Rob, Footes Drums

 

Hi,
First of all: thank you for hearing my prayers!
I knew somebody was listening.
I'm from Latin America, I´ve been drumming for a while but I have recently discovered the Traps A400, congratulations man, well done!
I would like to buy the following drum set:
TRAPS A400-nh
I already got cymbals, hi-hat stand, kick and stool from my drum set, so I don´t need to buy them.
Best wishes,

Ian Gerpe - Espronceda

 

Hi Bob,
I just wanted to let you know I just received my set of Traps Drums yesterday. As I was building the kit I couldn't get over the level of quality in every piece of the kit. Sturdy, full of sound, clean design and strong, not a single piece moving as I played them.

I just wanted you to know as I've told all my students that I meet, how nice the Traps Drums are and they should honestly think about purchasing a kit themselves.

I would be interested in endorsing this brand as a professional drummer.

Guy Stevens

 

Hi
Purchased a set of Traps from Drumwight in Reading last Thursday used them at a GIG in a Pub in Dunstable on the Saturday while the kit was not milked up it was still in perfect balance with a 6 piece band with out hammering it, there were comments from the band like love the drums they take up a lot less room, they are all you need now!! The feedback we got from the audience was also very positive.
I have made one change to the kit I have installed a Power stroke 3 head on the bass drum sounds even better now. This kit is amazing I can get it in the boot of a Fiat Punto without putting the back seat down!! It is so light and set up time has now been halved now with only 2 visits to the car all the hardware incl throne (I still prefer my motor bike seat throne which requires one more visit to the car) go in one bag.
I was a bit worried about buying this kit at first as I owned a set of Flats before and to be honest they did sound a bit thin.
I need a kit for small Gigs and venues that have no or poor parking, The Traps Drums are 100% better the bass drum is unbelievable stick a power stroke 3 on it and it rocks I am now going to buy some drum mikes so I can use it with the PA it at larger venues ……Know anyone who wants to buy a full size drum set one owner!!

Job well done guys you have a winner
Kind regards
PS Bob your Drumstore got me started in drumming many years ago you sold me my first Snare drum High hats and crash/ride cymbal all second hand from your basement never looked back since.

George Garside

 

Many, many thanks for Traps Bob, my wife owes you big-time (as do I)! I have been trying to convert folk to Traps since we got them. They are ideal for accompanying dance classes, show rehearsals etc. Many thanks again, and kind regards

Eric

 

Greetings Nigel!
Well, my kit arrived Friday. I must say it is so light and portable! And looks just like the photos. I have tuned it some, but am not the greatest tuner, so I know when I see my teacher this weekend that he can really bring them to life. I can't wait to use them out live somewhere. I was wondering how they sound mic'd. I have a couple SM 57's that I use for my congas. i suspect that would be fine... More often than not I imagine I will use them unplugged, but it is nice to know if you have any tips for micing. (sp?)
My teacher is endorsed by several companies; not to mention a very experienced drummer, he has seen and heard a ton of products. In fact he's heard Arbiter Flats. A year and a half ago I was considering them and asked him about them. He said they sounded good for what they were. I toyed with the idea of getting some but gave it up for an assortment of reasons. But the desire haunted me for a small, portable kit that sounded like real drums. I am so glad that I never got the Arbiter's! And even more glad that I discovered Traps last month (by chance). The desire for this "dream kit" was rekindled with a vengeance and today it is in my home!!!!

Best wishes Sherri

 

Hey Joe
Did my first gig with the Traps kit a couple of weeks ago. Sounded great and the coolness of the kit caused quite a stir. Thanks for hooking me up.
Best

Rich

 

Hey Traps,
Great to hear from you. It was a true treat to see someone create and advance a design for a sorely needed niche within the drum market. We are ecstatic at the prospect of receiving one of these kits. We've already lined up those New York City Subway promotional gigs. We'll be happy to tell anyone who will listen about the Traps, and be happy to utilize any promotional items that you may have available.
Please keep me posted. I've been telling people about the Traps ever since we got home. There are a lot of very excited people here dying to see and play this thing.
Thanks for taking the time to meet with us at NAMM. We're looking forward to a lasting relationship with the Traps family.

Andrew Thaler NYPD Drumline

 

Hi, Earlier this year I purchased a Traps A400 which I subsequently converted to an E400 (for practice reasons). I would like to know if the Roland TD-3 V Drum module is compatiable for use with the traps triggers. Thanks for you help and a great product.
regards.

 

Hi Bob, hope things are good with you. Jonathan loves his kit and has come on in leaps and bounds since Christmas. I must send a picture some time. Other drummer friends of mine were really impressed with the kit, so hopefully word will get around a bit on this side of the water. Can I ask what sort of price I'd need to pay for an A400 snare on it's own?
Thanks & Best Regards,

Peter Doherty

 

The A400 is the best portable set yet, it takes a pounding and still looks and sounds fantastic, Excellent for any situation, great product

Steve Christey

 

It's refreshing to see a company such as Traps trying to extend the boundaries of drumming. Personally I can see the flat type kits becoming more predominant in the market and possibly out stay the traditional kits.

Lyle McCalmont

 

We received the Traps kits last week, sold one Saturday!, great kit, easy out of box set up. Sound Attak gives this a big thumbs up! the best compact kit on the world market for sound and value. WE LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!

Pete, Sound Attack

 

Hi all at Traps. Just wanted to say thanks for giving me the chance to finally learn how to play the drums! It's been about nineteen years in the waiting since my folks said the fatal words, "Sorry son, but you ain't getting one of those noisy contraptions." Now freed from the confines of living with said evil parents I've discovered I have the means and resources to get myself a kit and start banging away. Although if it wasn't the Traps A400 I'd still be waiting, since a conventional sized kit just wouldn't be practical in my flat. This way I can pack it up and move it about with so much ease. And it sounds great too! Keep up the good work and I'll persevere in trying to learn those pesky 4/4 beats! Cheers

Tom Wright

 

Dear all
I have now had the Traps E-400 for 3 weeks now and must say I absolutely love it! I had been a kit drummer for 15 years but gave up as I couldn't practise in my flat. I have always shied away from electronic drum kits due to their plastic, unnatural feel but the Traps E-400 really managed to bridge the gab between electronic and real kits. The fact that I can play it at home without disturbing the neighbours allowed me to get back into drumming. Well done and congrats on building such a fantastic product. Many thanks again!

Markus Stripf

 

Sir, I met up with Bob Henrit in May 2005 at a drum show in Warwick, I saw the Traps kit I was so impressed I bought one 3 weeks later and have played it ever since. Whether I have just got lazy, or they are the answer to every drummers prayer, I dont know. I have in my collection a Camco kit, a Pearl jazz kit and 2 Hayman kits but for transportation, storage and most of all for a big sound from a non-shelled kit I shall continue with Traps to the end. I will also look forward to experimenting with a twin bass set up. I will follow traps drums future with enthusiasm good luck with future developments
regards

Phil J Protheroe

 

Hi Traps, Thought I would give you some feedback on the drums live. I played the drums out for the first time this weekend. My band mates could not believe it nor could I. The first night I triggered them which worked great with some muting of the heads( Prevent those double triggers). The second night I used mic's. They sounded great. I put the emad eq3's on both sides big difference. Overall pack up was quick and easy. Very happy with it. I had about 5 people come up to me and ask what it was. Gave them the lowdown and steered them to East Coast. I will be at Toads Place in New Haven opening up for a popular band at the end of the month, I am sure I will be getting more questions. We taped the show, I will get a mp3 clip for you to hear..
Thanks again..

Gene

 

I firmly believe that not only does the Traps E400 electronic drum kit fill a gap in the retail market, it also works as a thoroughly useful teaching tool that I will be recommending to the Drumsense Teacher Network and I will be using a set myself.
Regards,

Colin Woolway, founder Drumsense Teaching Project www.drumsense.com