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.

YAMAHA SILVER POLISH CLOTH MEDIUM
YAMAHA STAGE CUSTOM BIRCH SBP0F5 HONEY AMBER
CLAVIA NORD MUSIC STAND V2
BO-PEP 751.260 FLUTE FINGER REST LARGE HANDS
MEINL 18BYZANCE MEDIUM THIN CRASH
MEINL 20 BYZANCE THIN RIDE EXTRA DRY
ERNIE BALL EARTHWOOD BLUEGRASS 5-STR SET
REMO 13POWERSTROKE 3 COATED
STAGG K10-097 STANDARD BLACK NYLON BAG FOR KEYBOARD
FENDER GUITARS AND AMPS PICK HOLDER BARSTOOL 30-INCH
REMO 14PINSTRIPE COATED
YAMAHA YSL 881G 02
YAMAHA GC22S GRAND CONCERT CLASSICAL GUITAR NATURAL SPRUCE SOLID WOOD
YAMAHA GC12C GRAND CONCERT CLASSICAL GUITAR NATURAL CEDAR SOLID WOOD
YAMAHA C30M CLASSICAL GUITAR NATURAL MATTE
CLAVIA SOFT CASE NORD STAGE 76
GIBRALTAR 5711S SINGLE PEDAL
IBANEZ GSA60WNF WALNUT FLAT
ERNIE BALL POWER SLINKY 11-48
EVANS 13 ONYX 2-PLY COATED
STAGG FPSL FINGERPICKSET LARGE
PEARL H-930 HIHAT STAND DEMONATOR
EVANS EC1 COATED 10 INCH
MEINL NINOSRS1L NINO RAINSTICK
ROLAND HP702 DIGITAL PIANO DARK ROSEWOOD
EVANS 12 GENERA G1 COATED TOM HEAD
ORANGE ROCKERVERB 50 HEAD MKIII
MXR M300 REVERB
YAMAHA F370
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES 50B01 WOVEN GUITAR STRAP BLACK SATIN
EVANS EC2 COATED 13 INCH
EVANS 13 GENERA G2 COATED TOM HEAD
REMO AMBASSADOR 14 COATED
DADDARIO EJ17 PHOSPHOR BRONZE
ADAMS UNIVERSAL TIMPANI 26 COPPER WITH FINE TUNER
VIC FIRTH BRULLET CAJON BRUSHES
EVANS 14 ORCHESTRAL 300 SNARE SIDE
FENDER BLUES JUNIOR LTD C12-N LACQUERED TWEED
STAGG WIS-A40 FLUTE AND CLARINET STAND
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES AMERICAN STAGE PW-AMSM-10
ERNIE BALL REGULAR SLINKY 10-46
MEINL MDRL-BK BLACK DRUM RUG LARGE
DW 5002 TD4 DOUBLE PEDAL TURBO DWCP5002TD4
PEARL EXPORT EXX705C STUDIO DRUMSET JET BLACK
YAMAHA YM 40 MARIMBA 3 1/2 OCTAVES C-F3
KLOTZ ATCCA0300 RCA TWINCABLE 3m.
TAYLOR 816CE BUILDERS EDITION V-CLASS
MEINL SYMPHONIC ORCESTRAL 18-INCH HEAVY SY-18H
ERNIE BALL HYBRID SLINKY 09-46
DADDARIO EJ32C BALL-END FOLK NYLON
STAGG BX-DELAY MINI STOMP BOX
PROTECTION RACKET SUR22 SURDO CASE
TAMA IRON COBRA 600 DUO GLIDE SINGLE BASS DRUM PEDAL
BOSS ST2 POWER STACK
KLOTZ M1 MIC CABLE 2M XLR-XLR
MEINL CYMBALS CLASSICS CUSTOM DARK MICRO STACK HATS 8"
FENDER VINTAGE NOISELESS STRAT PICKUPS
GIBRALTAR GHBL HARDWARE BAG LARGE
MEINL SONIC ENERGY UNIVERSAL SINGING BOWL - 400G
TASCAM DP-006 6-TRACK DIGITAL POCKETSTUDIO
PRS TREMONTI 1 X 12 CABINET
EVANS EC2S FROSTED 18 IN.
STAGG 52 SERIES DOUBLE BASS DRUM PEDAL
PROTECTION RACKET 1624 BASS DRUM CASE
K&M 3/8 THREAD BOLT
EVANS 10 GENERA G2 CLEAR TOM HEAD
PAISTE 32 SYMPHONIC GONG
ORANGE TH30 HEAD
VIC FIRTH 5AN AMERICAN CLASSIC NYLON TIP
K&M 10111 BAG
STAGG STB-10 W2 1/2 WESTERN GUITAR BAG
EVANS 18 GENERA G2 COATED TOM HEAD
YAMAHA ARIUS YDP-S35 DIGITAL PIANO WHITE
ADAMS REVOLUTION TIMPANI 32 HAMMERED COPPER
YAMAHA AMT1310 TOM TOM 13X10 