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 ABSOLUTE MAPLE HYBRID ROCK SHELL SET
YAMAHA P121M PE POLISHED EBONY 121CM
VIC FIRTH AJ1 AMERICAN JAZZ
DADDARIO EPN110 PURE NICKEL
PROTECTION RACKET 1722 BASS DRUM CASE
PROTECTION RACKET 3007RS SNARE CASE
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES AMERICAN STAGE PW-AMSM-25
ROLAND TD-07DMK V-DRUM SET
FENDER '68 CUSTOM PRINCETON REVERB
SENNHEISER XSW 1-835
YAMAHA SE122 PE
KLOTZ ASMM0300 STEREO-CABLE 3,0m.
K&M PLASTIC RING FOR MIC STAND
YAMAHA YBL 620GE Bb/F/Es(D) PROFESSIONAL BASS TROMBONE
KLOTZ AY10300 INSERT CABLE 3M
KEELEY DYNATREM DYNAMIC TREMOLO
YAMAHA YSL 872 CUSTOM ALTO TROMBONE
HOHNER MARINE BAND 1896 BB-MAJOR
GIBRALTAR SC-4B TENSION RODS
PROTECTION RACKET 5038W HARDWARE BAG
YAMAHA B2E TC3 TRANSACOUSTIC PIANO POLISHED EBONY
KLOTZ MIDI CABLE 9M BLACK
EVANS 16 GENERA G1 COATED TOM HEAD
KLOTZ M1 MIC CABLE 7.5M FEMALE XLR-JACK
YAMAHA S3X SH3 PE PREMIUM SILENT PIANO 186CM
FENDER CYPRESS ACOUSTIC PICKUP SC NA
DADDARIO EPN120 PURE NICKEL
YAMAHA PIANO COVER U1
EVANS 10 J1 ETCHED
EVANS 20 EMAD2 CLEAR BATTER HEAD
PRESONUS STUDIOLIVE 32R 46X26 DIGITAL RACK MIXER WITH 32 RECALLABLE XMAX PREAMPS
DADDARIO EXL160SL
EVANS 22 EMAD RESONANT BLACK
FENDER PURE VINTAGE TELECASTER® STRING GUIDE NICKEL
EVANS EC2 COATED 13 INCH
KLOTZ ATCJ0100 TWINCABLE 1m.
PAISTE 14 PST 5 N MEDIUM CRASH
VIC FIRTH 5AN AMERICAN CLASSIC NYLON TIP
M-AUDIO AIR 192X14 AUDIO INTERFACE
BOSS KTN-110B KATANA BASS AMPLIFIER
YAMAHA YHR-672ND PROFESSIONAL DETACHABLE DOUBLE FRENCH HORN NICKEL-SILVER
YAMAHA C3X POLISHED WHITE GRAND PIANO 186CM
YAMAHA YFL-577 PROFESSIONAL FLUTE
DADDARIO HELICORE H410 LM VIOLA STRING SET, LONG SCALE, MEDIUM TENSION
FENDER TELE CONTROL PLATE CHROME
PROTECTION RACKET 2017R FLOOR TOM CASE
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES 25L00DX
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES TURBO TUNE PEG WINDER GLOW
EVANS 12 J1 ETCHED
MEINL JG1R JINGLE STICK
YAMAHA U1 PWH
STAGG SPM-235 HIGH-RESOLUTION SOUND-ISOLATING IN-EAR MONITOR BLACK
FENDER AMERICAN VINTAGE STRAT®-TELE® SADDLE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT SCREWS (12)
ROLAND TDM10 DRUM MAT SMALL
HARDCASE 20"BASSDRUM CASE
PEARL S830 SNARE DRUM STAND
VIC FIRTH 5A AMERICAN CLASSIC WOOD TIP
YAMAHA B3E TC3 TRANSACOUSTIC PIANO POLISHED EBONY
PROTECTION RACKET 9017 PERCUSSION BAG
NINO Percussion 10 Rope Tuned Synthetic Djembe Goatskin Head
AUGUSTINE 650467 CLASSIC RED IMPERIAL MEDIUM TENSION
KLOTZ AY50600 Y-CABLE 6M
YAMAHA STAGE CUSTOM BIRCH SBP0F5 HONEY AMBER
YAMAHA YFL 894W CUSTOM GRENADILLA WOODEN FLUTE
BOSS DS1 DISTORTION
YAMAHA APX 700II SB
REMO 26 EMPEROR SMOOTH WHITE
ROLAND TD-17KVX V-DRUM KIT
MEINL NINO564 WOOD SHAKER
GRETSCH GB4163S USA BROOKLYN SNARE 13X7 CHROME OVER STEEL 