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.

MEINL THBS HEADLINER BONGO STAND
YAMAHA RAS1455 RECORDING CUSTOM ALUMINIUM SNARE DRUM
STAGG NMC3R XLR CABLE DELUXE
PAISTE 17 2002 THIN CRASH
YAMAHA STAGE CUSTOM BIRCH 2F5 CRANBERRY RED
VIC FIRTH AJ4 AMERICAN JAZZ
YAMAHA FP9500C
TAMA HT530B DRUM THRONE
ROLAND FR1XRD DIGITAL V-ACCORDION RED WITH KEYS
STAGG 13”x10” MARCHING SNARE DRUM
GIBRALTAR GCS-M CONGA STAND
YAMAHA HW680 HARDWARE SET
PAISTE GONG MALLET M5
K&M 14045 STOOL BLACK IMITATION LEATHER
SHURE SRH440A RECORDING AND LIVE HEADPHONES
STAGG K10-118 STANDARD BLACK NYLON BAG FOR KEYBOARD
MEINL MQSM QUICK SET MARKERS
STAGG PB43 BLACK POLISHED BLACK VINYL
RUKA 37516 CLARINET LYRE NICKEL PLATED
GIBRALTAR GDS DJEMBE STAND
MEINL CLAMPTRI TRIANGLE HOLDER
VIC FIRTH 5AN AMERICAN CLASSIC NYLON TIP
HOHNER FLEXRACK
YAMAHA FP8500C
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES HYGROMETER PWHTS
YAMAHA HS850
K&M 210/8 MICROPHONE STAND
YAMAHA SBS1455RBL STAGE CUSTOM BIRCH SNARE RAVEN BLACK
YAMAHA DTX6K2-X ELECTRONIC DRUM KIT
PEARL D-930 DRUMMERS THRONE
FENDER TEXAS SPECIAL STRAT PICKUPS
YAMAHA DTX8K-M REAL WOOD ELECTRONIC DRUM KIT MESH
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES VARIGRIP PWVG01
DADDARIO EPS165 PROSTEELS
KORG G1 B AIR WHITE DIGITAL PIANO
K&M 18930 KEYBOARD STAND BLACK
GIBRALTAR S9608R STANDARD ROUND SEAT
YAMAHA ARIUS YDP-S36 DIGITAL PIANO WHITE
MEINL CAJON MALLET SMALL HEAD
CASIO GP-310 BK CELVIANO DIGITAL PIANO BLACK
BOSS ML2 METAL CORE
PEARL PPS37 L-ARM ROD
ORANGE PPC212
PROTECTION RACKET 14X5,5 PADDED SN BAG
ROLAND RPB400WH PIANO BENCH WHITE VINYL TOP
ERNIE BALL POWER PEG PRO
RUKA 37520 TROMBONE LYRE BRASS FINISH
YAMAHA STAGE CUSTOM BIRCH SBP-0F5 CRANBERRY RED
VIC FIRTH WB JAZZ BRUSH
IBANEZ GRG 140 HSS SUNBURST
GRAPHTECH RATIO MACHINE HEADS PRN-2341-C0 ELECTRIC 3+3 VINTAGE BUTTON 2-PIN CHROME
YAMAHA ARIUS YDP-S36 DIGITAL PIANO WHITE BIRCH
YAMAHA HW780 HARDWARE SET
YAMAHA YFH 8315G FLÜGELHORN
GIBRALTAR SC-GCSMC SUPER MULTI-CLAMP
STAGG 20”x10” MARCHING DRUM WHITE
BOSS TE2 TERA ECHO
YAMAHA SBT-1309 TOM 13X9
STAGG NMC6R XLR DELUXE
CASIO AP-550 CELVIANO DIGITAL PIANO, BLACK
YAMAHA AMT-1007 10 X 7 TOM TOM
MEINL 12-INCH PRACTICE PAD, BENNY GREB SIGNATURE
MEINL MCBD COWBELL HOLDER
KLOTZ ICE ROCK MIC CABLE 5M XLR-XLR
GIBRALTAR SC-15C PEDAL SPRING
MEINL DIRECT DRIVE CAJON PEDAL
PROTECTION RACKET 3009CS SNARE CASE
YAMAHA BH85P
DUNLOP 6504 GUITAR TECH CARE KIT
TAMA HT430B DRUM THRONE
DUNLOP 6524 FINGERBOARD CLEANER
KLOTZ M2 MIC CABLE 7.5M XLR-XLR
DW PERFORMANCE SNARE 14X5,5 MAPLE EBONY STAIN
STANFORD NECK ADJUSTMENT ALLEN WRENCH 5MM
GRETSCH CM1-0708T-WG CATALINA MAPLE TOM-TOM 7X8 WALNUT GLAZE 