The Absolute Formula to Expressive Drums
We designed the new Absolute Series drums with two points in mind. First: to develop a shell that has as wide an expressive range as possible; and second: to create a drum that faithfully reproduces every nuance in your playing – from a tap to full stroke. In other words, to craft a drum that delivers the tonal consistency and volume you expect in relation to player input.
To address this, we first developed a unique shell formula that responds accurately to differences in the way the drum is played. Then we focused on eliminating as many of the tone-inhibiting elements in the shell as possible. At this stage in development, the shells went through a critical evaluation process of over three years with our great artists and professional recording engineers. They also underwent detailed acoustic analysis by a special team of acoustic engineers. This advanced level of research and development, a trait we at Yamaha are proud of, led to three significant features that are being introduced with the new Absolute Hybrid Series.
Hybrid Maple Shell
The new Absolute Hybrid Series inherits the hybrid shell technology found on our flagship PHX Series. On Absolute Hybrid shells, the design consists of a core ply of wenge a very hard and heavy wood native to Africa, sandwiched between plies of maple, well known for its clear tone. This hybrid design delivers a drum tone that plays rich and clear across the full dynamic range, from pianissimo to fortissimo.
Hook Lug
Hook lugs offer quick and easy head replacement, precision tuning, and can readily handle high-tension tuning. Lug bases are designed with a small footprint to maximise tone output from the hybrid shell.
YESS III
An evolutionary step up from our YESS II tom mount, the YESS III reduces acoustic dampening even further. Allowing the shell to vibrate more freely, the YESS III mount brings out more of the shell’s natural sustain and volume.
Low-Mass Tom Holder Base
The tom holder’s light weight and small footprint allows the bass drum shell to vibrate more freely.
Optimized Bearing Edge
The bearing edge angle on the bass drum differs from the angle used on the tom and snare shells to optimise tonal balance in the drum set. A 45º/R1.5 edge is used on the snare and toms to a balanced tone; while a 30º/ R1.5 edge on the bass drum shell brings out more low-end tone for a deeper, more powerful sound.
Vent Hole
The vent hole plays an important role in performance, since it affects not only the sensation of hitting the drum (the impact) but also the initial sound, sustain and tone.
Through an exhaustive series of prototypes, YAMAHA has discovered the optimal number and vent hole position depending on the air capacity of each shell. Particularly, vent holes contribute to the enhancement of tone colours in midrange to low-frequency sounds, as well as the control of sustain.
Vintage finish interior
Shell interiors are coated with our exclusive “Vintage Natural” finish for enhanced tone and refined looks.
3.0mm Aluminium Die-Cast Hoops
Aluminium die-cast hoops deliver a strong tight sound with an extraordinary attack and decay.

EVANS 22 GENERA G2 CLEAR BASS DRUM HEAD
YAMAHA FLUTE CLEANING ROD PLASTIC
MEINL MC2 MULTI CLAMP
K&M 24116 CONNECTOR PLATE
PROTECTION RACKET BOD16 BODHRAN CASE
EVANS 12 GENERA G1 COATED TOM HEAD
K&M PLASTIC PULB FOR ROD ENDS
YAMAHA AC1MII VN ELECTRIC ACOUSTIC GUITAR VINTAGE NATURAL
ROLAND TR08 RHYTHM COMPOSER
KLOTZ M2 MIC CABLE 3M XLR-XLR
YAMAHA S3X SH3 PE PREMIUM SILENT PIANO 186CM
STAGG M60 MICROPHONE CABLE, 1M
MEINL MTB TIMBALE BAG
ERNIE BALL 7-STRING POWER SLINKY 11-58
ROLAND PM100 PERSONAL MONITOR
KLOTZ AY50200 Y-CABLE 2M
FOCUSRITE CLARETT PLUS 4PRE
VIC FIRTH 3AN AMERICAN CLASSIC NYLON TIP
MEINL MSM3 SKIN MARACAS
BOSS KTN100 AMP COVER
DADDARIO ASCENTE VIOLIN 4/4 MEDIUM SET
VIC FIRTH AMERICAN CLASSIC 5B WOOD TIP
ERNIE BALL 6 STRING BARITONE 13-72
BOSS ML2 METAL CORE
HOHNER BRAVO II 48 RED SILENT KEY
ERNIE BALL EARTHWOOD EXTRA LIGHT 10-50
K&M 23850 MIC.DESK ARM WITH CLAMP
K&M 16235 GUITAR WALL MOUNT
FENDER ESC105 EDUCATIONAL SERIES WN VINTAGE NATURAL
ADAMS REVOLUTION TIMPANI 23 HAMMERED COPPER
FENDER AMERICAN STRAT BRIDGE SECTIONS
EVANS MIN-EMAD TOM AND SNR DAMPERS
MEINL 18BYZANCE MEDIUM CRASH
EVANS 20 EQ3 BATTER CLEAR BASSDRUM HEAD
K&M 28410 SINGLE RACK RAIL 10 SPACES
STAGG US-WHITE SOPRANO UKULELE
ERNIE BALL COATED BRONZE ACOUSTIC 13-56
EVANS 10 GENERA G2 CLEAR TOM HEAD
EVANS 10 J1 ETCHED
TAKAMINE GC1 NAT
DUNLOP 6504 GUITAR TECH CARE KIT
WARWICK CHROME KNOB 6MM
KORG LP-380-U ROSEWOOD DIGITAL PIANO WITH STAND
YAMAHA TP-6320R SYMPHONIC SERIES SMOOTH COPPER TIMPANI 20 RANGE E - C1
HOHNER BLUES HARP Bb-MAJOR
MEINL NINOADJ3XS WOOD DJEMBE
ORANGE SUPER CRUSH 100 GUITAR AMP HEAD
YAMAHA CPX 700II SB
DADDARIO EJ74 11-40 MEDIUM SET MANDOLIN PHOSPHOR BRONZE
BOSS SD1 SUPER OVERDRIVE
VIC FIRTH 5AN AMERICAN CLASSIC NYLON TIP
K&M 12247 MUSIC STAND LIGHT T-MODEL
FENDER AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL STAGGERED STRATOCASTER®/TELECASTER® TUNING MACHINES
DEATH BY AUDIO MICRO DREAM
EVANS UTILITY DRUM KEY
YAMAHA CWH 940
K&M 24180 SPEAKER WALL MOUNT
K&M 18846 BAG FOR BABY SPIDER PRO
BOSS MT2 METAL ZONE
YAMAHA B1 SC3 SILENT PIANO POLISHED EBONY 109CM
PROTECTION RACKET 6016 TOM CASE
EVANS 14 HAZY 200 SNARE SIDE
STAGG NMC1R N SERIES XLR/XLR CABLE
ART TUBE MP MIC PREAMP
SENNHEISER XSW 1-835
YAMAHA FP 9C FOOT PEDAL
GIBRALTAR SC-GLO LUBE PEDAL LUBRICANT
MEINL RIM CLAMP
EVANS EQPB2 BLACK NYLON BASS PATCH
KLOTZ Y-CABLE SOCKET - 2X JACK
YAMAHA CP-88 DIGITAL STAGE PIANO
K&M 12297 PIANO LAMP BLACK
YAMAHA ATT 1510 TOM 