Category Archives: New Arrivals

February 28, 2018

Ludwig Snare Demo Day

Saturday, March 3rd, 2018

Come check out an amazing assortment of Ludwig snare drums including Supras, Black Beauties, and the new Raw Brass snares. Factory representative Mike Nieland will be on hand to talk about company history, snare drums old and new, as well as the components and construction of these great tubs.

We will have open box pricing, trade-show stock, and all Ludwig snare drums available to demo. Free T-shirts for the first 10 people to bring their Ludwig snare (old or just purchased) for a new head and expert tuning by Ludwig staff.

Have a vintage Ludwig snare you’d like to show off or even sell? Bring it, and let’s have a fun hang and talk about drums!

Event is FREE! Call us at 503-288-6950 for more info, and

RSVP to our Facebook Event Here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1573503736052123/

Here’s a sampling of what we know is coming so far. We will have super low pricing on all of these snares and will offer additional discounts on ANY LUDWIG SNARE, KIT, OR HARDWARE ORDERED THE DAY OF THE EVENT!!

5″ X 14″ Fact Ex Chrm Over Brass
5″ X 14″ Chrmd Brass Snare-tube Lg
6.5″ X14″ Fact Ex Supraphonic
5″ X14″ Fact Ex Hmrd Blk Bty
5″ X14″ Ham’d S-pho Bronze Sn
5″ X 14″ Fact Ex Supraphonic
5″ X 14″ Fact Ex Black Beauty
6.5″ X 14″ Fact Ex Hammered
5″ X 14″ Acrolite Classic Snare
8″ X 14″ Supra-pho Blk Beauty
6.5″ x 14″ Raw Brass
5″ x 14″ Raw Brass
5″ x 14″ Supraphonic
6.5″ x 14″ Supraphonic
5″ x 14″ Black Beauty
6.5″ x 14″ Supraphonic w/ Imperial Lugs
13/14/15″ Supralites
Carl Palmer Signature Venus Snare

September 30, 2013

JUST IN: Djembe Rope

We are once again back in full stock of our djembe rope for all you drum builders out there! We are also now carrying Black with Blue Flecks – a new for 2013 color. Our rope is specifically engineered for rope-tuned drums and is used by some of the finest drum builders in the world. It is a double-braided polyester around a strong, low-stretch core. We offer it in two sizes 1/8″ and 3/16″ and sell by the foot, or in 1200′ spools. You can find pricing information and place your order on our website, or you can always give us a call at (503)-288-6950. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss multiple spool discounts, feel free to email us at info@rhythmtraders.com. Happy building!

picture of rhythm traders djembe rope

August 23, 2013

JUST IN: Vic Firth Dreadlocks

Vic-Firth-DLKS

We’ve fallen in love with these new Vic Firth Dreadlocks, and we can’t stop playing with them. If you’re a fan of unique sounds and textures, you have got to try them out for yourself! Of course, no one can demonstrate what they do better than Jojo Mayer himself in this video below (the action starts around 2:25). Check it out, and then check out the Dreadlocks product page on our site to learn more and pick up yours today.

May 18, 2013

NEW: LP Cajons, Swan Percussion and more

We’re excited to announce some new additions to our Cajon selection this week! We’ve just added a bunch of nice Latin Percussion Cajons, including the Americana Series, Kevin Ricard’s signature Cajon, the LP Soul Cajon, and the LP Angled Surface Cajon. Check out the images below for some details on these Cajons.

The Americana Series has some very nice innovations on these US hand-made Cajons:

LP Americana String Cajon, Tuning

LP’s unique tuning system lets you control string sensitivity and tonal response using a standard drum key from the outside of the Cajon.

LP Americana Cajon Peruvian Style, Dovetail Joinery

Beautiful dovetail joinery on this Peruvian Style Cajon is part of LP’s attention to detail.

Check out all the Americana Series Cajons for more pictures and details.

LP has some other sweet Cajon offerings as well:

LP Kevin Ricard Cajon

This LP Kevin Ricard Cajon has a very cool adjustable port so you can dial in your bass response.

LP Soul Cajon by Mario Cortes

This Soul Cajon by Spanish cajon-maker Mario Cortes has classic looks and sound, perfect for traditional Flamenco music!

LP Angled Surface Cajon

Last but not least is the LP Angled Surface Cajon, with an ergonomic design made for long playing sessions.

We’re super excited to be able to offer these Swan Percussion Cygnet Cajons too!

Swan Percussion Classic Black Cygnet Cajon

We love the looks and sounds of these Cygnet Cajons from Swan Percussion.

We’ve got the Original Cynet and the Pinstripe in addition to the Classic Black shown above, all found here.

If that’s not enough, we just added this Wedge Tri-Side Cajon from Pearl as well –

Pearl Wedge Tri-Side Cajon

Two snared playing surfaces!

You can see all our Cajons and accessories here. Let us know if there are any new Cajons you’re excited about!

April 25, 2013

Sweet Cymbal Bonus Goodies

We just added a couple of nice cymbal extras here on the site and wanted to let everyone in on these deals. Right now, all Zildjian products over $100 come with a free Zildjian ZHT 8″ Splash! This is a popular little splash cymbal, great for accents and filling out the voicings in your cymbal set-up.

You can hear this ZHT 8″ Splash over in the shopping section of our site – click on the image below to check it out:
Zildjian ZHT 8

We’ve also got a 5 Star Drum Shop exclusive deal with some Sabian AAX X-Plosion Fast Crash Cymbals and a free Gibraltar Boom Stand. Like that splash, the 17″ and 19″ X-Plosion Crashes are great cymbals for completing your set-up.

See more pictures and hear these Crashes by clicking the image below:
Sabian Fast Crashes with Gibraltar Boom Stand

We’re excited to pass along some cool bonus gear like this, but we only have a limited number to offer. Call us at 503-288-6950 if you have any questions or want to place your order over the phone.

April 11, 2013

NEW: Paiste Formula 602 Classic & Modern Essentials

The Paiste Formula 602 Classic Sounds and Modern Essentials Cymbal lines are now available, and we’ve got to tell you – these Cymbals sound incredible! The Formula 602 Classic Cymbals are famous for their pristine clarity made with Paiste’s legendary 602 Bronze. The Modern Essentials Series takes that crystal clear sound and adds warmth and fullness.

The original Formula 602 line has a precise and controlled feel brought to life by its uniquely delicate, silvery sound. With the help of Vinnie Colaiuta, Paiste added a darkness and complexity to the tonal mix of the Modern Essentials.

Check out the video below to hear the original Formula 602 Cymbals for yourself:

Part of the original Formula 602 line, this Flatride is a Paiste innovation first introduced in the 1960s. It was designed in conjunction with Joe Morello, famous timekeeper for the Dave Brubeck Quartet.

Paiste Formula 602 20inch Flatride

Vinnie describes these Modern Essentials 14″ Hi-Hats as “a little more chocolaty than the original 602s”. Sounds delicious!

Paiste Formula 602 Modern Essentials 14inch Hi-Hats

Learn all about the Modern Essentials below, played and described by Vinnie Colaiuta himself:

Wow. So that’s what happens when you apply Swiss craftsmenship to the art of cymbal making!

For full descriptions and pictures of our favorites in the Series, head over to our Formula 602 and Modern Essentials product listings. We’re expanding our Paiste offerings every day, so check back for more!

February 28, 2013

JUST IN: Sabian Hoop Crasher

Photo of Sabian Hoop Crasher

It’s finally here!

This is a product we’ve been anxiously awaiting ever since we were introduced to it by master drummer Jojo Mayer at NAMM 2013. The Hoop Crasher sits on any 14″ snare, adding a thick, effected sound to your backbeats. In these digital days, a simple one-layer snare drum sound has always left something to be desired for drummers into fusion sounds such as drum n’ bass, and other electronically-oriented dance music genres. And while using triggers or any other means of digital enhancement has always been an option, it too left something to be desired for those of us that would much rather hear an organic sound than electronic. That’s exactly where the Hoop Crasher saves the day. Whether you are using it mic’d or not, it adds a thick layer of effected sizzle and white noise that requires no digital or electronic assistance to distort, thus sounding truer to the acoustic dynamics of your drums.

Photo of Sabian Hoop Crasher

The Hoop Crasher was voted Best in Show at NAMM 2013 by Rhythm Trader’s owner Brad Boynton and others.

This concept has been in the making for awhile now, and players have stacked everything from tambourines to cracked splashes and china cymbals on top of their snare drums to achieve a similar layered, distorted sound. But never before has anything came close to the simplicity, adjustability, and quality of sound that Sabian’s Hoop Crasher serves up. Find out more and hear it for yourself on our Hoop Crasher product page.

February 27, 2013

JUST IN: JCR Bells

Photo of JCR Bells

JCR: The epitome of Latin and Salsa bells.

We are once again fully stocked on all JCR bells! Those of you in Latin and Samba music scenes should know that these hand-made bells are as good as gold, and we can never keep them around for long. JCR bells leave all of their mass-produced counterparts in the dust with their perfectly warm and rich tones, and that’s why they are played by more professionals than any other bells in the world! One of our personal favorites is the low pitched Bongo Bell. It sounds like it was “The Bell” that was used on many classic Salsa recordings. Which makes perfect sense, considering a lot of those New York recordings were created not far where JCR bells are made in the Bronx. We visited that JCR factory not long ago, and met with veteran bell maker Cali Rivera and his team of craftsmen. Check out photos from the trip here

February 11, 2013

JUST IN: Roc-N-Soc Thrones

A photo of Roc n Soc Thrones at Rhythm Traders

The most comfortable thrones in the world!

We’re once again fully stocked on all colors and styles of the famous Roc-N-Soc thrones. In case you didn’t know, a Roc-N-Soc throne is truly a treat of a seat, and can make a world of difference in your posture and playing. Back and butt pains will be a thing of the past when you have one of these, and you’ll look forward to sitting behind your kit even more! Find out more or pick one up on our Roc-N-Soc product page.

January 16, 2013

JUST IN: Silver Sparkle Ludwig Club Date

Photo of Silver Sparkle Ludwig Club Date

Old-School Specs with Modern Swagger

Check out this fresh silver sparkle Ludwig Club Date! 6-ply Cherry/Gum Wood shells with all round bearing edges give it that warm, resonant, tasty vintage Ludwig sound. It’s the perfect kit for gigging vintage collectors, and this just might be our favorite finish they come in. We’ll have it on the site soon, but until then give us a call if you’re interested (503-288-6950), this won’t be around for long! Things have come a long way since 1956…

Photo of 1956 original Club Date

Original 1956 Club Date