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 16 GENERA G2 COATED TOM HEAD
YAMAHA TP-7329R SYMPHONIC SERIES HAMMERED COPPER TIMPANI 29 RANGE F - Db
YAMAHA BB 234 BLACK
ERNIE BALL REGULAR SLINKY 10-46
K&M 101 MUSIC STAND NICKEL
YAMAHA FP8500C
VIC FIRTH CMN CLASSIC METAL NYLON TIP
ROLAND HP704 DIGITAL PIANO DARK ROSEWOOD
MOOER ENSEMBLE KING CHORUS PEDAL
SCHALLER MACHINE HEAD ORIGINAL G-SERIES KEYSTONE SR 3 LEFT/ 3 RIGHT
EVANS 12 J1 ETCHED
HARDCASE 14"15"TOM COMBO CASE
PROTECTION RACKET 9110 DJEMBE BAG
K&M TABLET PC HOLDER BIOBASED BLACK
EVANS EC2S FROSTED 18 IN.
FENDER PURE VINTAGE 14" SMALL TILT BACK LEGS
ROLAND FR4XBK DIGITAL V-ACCORDION BLACK WITH BUTTONS
EVANS EC1 COATED 12 INCH
STAGG NMC3R XLR CABLE DELUXE
PROTECTION RACKET 16X14 TOM CASE
ROLAND RUBIX24 USB AUDIO INTERFACE
ROLAND JC-40 JAZZ CHORUS
EVANS 10 GENERA G2 CLEAR TOM HEAD
EVANS 22 EQ3 BATTER COATED
EVANS 18 EQ3 BATTER CLEAR BASSDRUM HEAD
MEINL MYOCAJOV MAKE YOUR OWN CAJON OVANGKOL
GÖLDO HUMBUCKER MOUNTING SCREW 2,2X16MM
TAYLOR 414CE V-CLASS
STAGG PROFESSIONAL 12 X 11 TOM BAG
ERNIE BALL HYBRID SLINKY 09-46
MEINL NINO EGG SHAKER 4-PACK
YAMAHA P-525 PORTABLE FLAGSHIP PIANO BLACK
KLOTZ M1 MIC CABLE 7.5M XLR-XLR
ROLAND KSC90BK BLACK STAND STAND FOR FP90
YAMAHA ABD 1520 BASS
ALESIS TURBO MESH 7-PIECE ELECTRONIC DRUM KIT
BÖSENDORFER GRAND PIANO 170 VIENNA CONCERT
KORG LP 180 WHITE DIGITAL PIANO WITH STAND
BOSS FZ5 FUZZ
MEINL NINO563 WOOD SHAKER
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES 50E03 WOVEN GUITAR STRAP SAUGERTIES
GIBRALTAR 5711S SINGLE PEDAL
EVANS 20 EMAD2 CLEAR BATTER HEAD
TASCAM FR-AV2 COMPACT 32-BIT FLOAT FIELD RECORDER
KLOTZ AY50100 Y-CABLE 1M
PROTECTION RACKET SUR22 SURDO CASE
DADDARIO WOODWINDS GRAFTONITE SOPRANO SAXOPHONE MOUTHPIECES MEDIUM CHAMBER RRGMPCSSXB7
HOHNER BLUES HARP F-MAJOR
FENDER AMERICAN STANDARD STRING GUIDES CHROME
HOHNER BRAVO III 80 BLACK SILENT KEY
DADDARIO WOODWINDS GRAFTONITE SOPRANO SAXOPHONE MOUTHPIECES MEDIUM CHAMBER RRGMPCSSXB5
K&M 21337 DISTANCE ROD
ROLAND PDS-20 SAMPLE PAD STAND
VOX AC15 C2 TWIN COMBO
THOMASTIK-INFELD VIOLIN STRINGS 135 DOMINANT 1/2 MEDIUM
PROTECTION RACKET 1620 BASS DRUM CASE
YAMAHA ARIUS YDP-S55 DIGITAL PIANO WHITE
ROLAND KC-200 KEYBOARD AMPLIFIER
AUGUSTINE 650477 BLUE IMPERIAL HIGH TENSION
IBANEZ GSR180-BK
TAMA HS80PW SNARE STAND
YAMAHA SBS1455RBL STAGE CUSTOM BIRCH SNARE RAVEN BLACK 