Most drum kits come as a set. Same wood, same finish, same sizes — take it or leave it. That's fine for most players. But what if you could do something different? What if you could choose the exact wood for each drum in your kit, based on what that specific drum needs to sound like?
That's exactly what the Sonor Momentum series makes possible — and it's one of the most exciting things to land in our store in a long time.
Made in Germany. Three wood types. Four finishes. Every shell size available individually. Mix and match to build the kit that sounds exactly the way you want it to.
What Is the Sonor Momentum Series?
The Momentum is Sonor's new mid-to-premium shell series — a range of individually available drums built around a 9-ply, 6mm medium shell renowned for sonic versatility, full-bodied tone, and great projection. The shell responds to all playing styles, which makes it an ideal platform for the Momentum's defining feature: the choice of three different tonewoods.
Every drum in the Momentum series is available in Birch, Maple, or Beech — and crucially, you can mix them across your kit. Bass drum in beech, rack toms in maple, floor toms in birch. Or any other combination that suits your ear and your music. This is not a gimmick — it's a genuinely thoughtful approach to kit building that professional drummers have been doing with custom shells for years, now available off the shelf.
The Three Woods: What Each One Does
Birch — Bright, Focused & Punchy
Birch is the classic rock and pop shell material. It produces a bright, focused tone with a strong attack, excellent projection, and controlled resonance. Birch shells cut through a mix without needing heavy EQ — they're naturally articulate and punchy, which makes them ideal for toms and bass drums in loud, live settings.
In the Momentum series, birch is available in the striking GT Black finish. The Sonor Momentum GT Black Birch Kit (£3,399) is a complete 5-piece in this configuration, and the Momentum Birch 14x6.5" Snare in GT Black (£525) is the natural companion piece.
Best for: Rock, pop, funk, metal, live performance — any setting where projection and attack matter most.
Maple — Warm, Full & Versatile
Maple is the most widely used shell material in professional drumming for good reason — it's warm, full-bodied, and musical across a wide range of tunings. Where birch is bright and focused, maple is rounder and more complex. It has a natural warmth that sits beautifully in a mix without being harsh, and it responds well to both light and heavy playing.
Maple is the wood most drummers reach for when they want a kit that works everywhere — studio, live, jazz, rock, pop. In the Momentum series, maple is available in the bold Red Pearl finish. The Momentum Maple 14x6.5" Snare in Red Pearl (£549) is a standout piece — warm, full, and with a depth of resonance that rewards careful tuning.
Best for: Studio recording, all-round gigging, any genre where tonal warmth and versatility are priorities.
Beech — Balanced, Musical & Distinctive
Beech sits between birch and maple — brighter than maple but warmer than birch, with a full low end and a musical character that works particularly well for bass drums and floor toms. It's less commonly used than birch or maple, which gives it a distinctive tonal fingerprint that stands out in a mix.
In the Momentum series, beech is available in the stunning California Burl finish — a natural wood veneer that is genuinely beautiful and completely unlike anything else in this price range. The Momentum Beech 14x5.75" Snare in California Burl (£499) is one of the most visually striking snares we stock, and the Momentum Jazz Bop 18" Kit in California Burl (£2,299) is a compact all-beech bop kit that sounds as good as it looks.
Best for: Bass drums, floor toms, jazz, acoustic settings, players who want a distinctive tonal character.
The Mix-and-Match Concept: Building Your Dream Kit
Here's where the Momentum series gets genuinely exciting. Because every shell is available individually, you can build a kit that's tuned — literally — to your exact sonic requirements.
Consider what we did with our in-store demo kit: a 22" Beech bass drum for a full, warm low end with excellent sustain; 10" and 12" Maple rack toms for warm, musical mid-range tones that sit beautifully in a mix; and 14" and 16" Birch floor toms for punchy, focused low-mid tones that cut through without muddying the bass drum. The result is a kit where every drum is doing exactly what it needs to do — and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
This is the Sonor Momentum Mixed Wood Kit in Red Pearl (£3,599) — and it comes with a free 8" maple rack tom, giving you six drums to work with from day one.
But you don't have to follow our configuration. That's the point. You might want:
- All maple for a warm, studio-focused kit that works across every genre
- Beech bass drum + birch toms for a full, warm kick and punchy, cutting toms
- Maple rack toms + birch floor toms for warmth up top and punch down low
- All birch for maximum projection and attack in loud live settings
The combinations are yours to explore. We're happy to talk through the options and help you build the configuration that suits your music — just call us on 01507 526517 or visit us in Horncastle.
The Jazz Bop Option
Not every drummer needs a full 5-piece. The Sonor Momentum Jazz Bop 18" Kit in California Burl (£2,299) is a compact 3-piece — 18" bass drum, 12" rack tom, 14" floor tom — built entirely from beech and finished in the stunning California Burl veneer.
It's a kit for jazz drummers, acoustic performers, and anyone who wants a genuinely portable setup that doesn't compromise on tone. The 18" beech bass drum produces a warm, full sound perfectly suited to smaller venues and acoustic settings, and the compact configuration means you can load in and set up in a fraction of the time of a full kit.
Made in Germany
It's worth saying clearly: the Sonor Momentum series is made in Germany. In an era where most drum kits at this price point are manufactured in Asia, Sonor's commitment to German manufacturing is significant. It means tighter quality control, more consistent shell construction, and the kind of attention to detail that you can hear and feel in the finished instrument.
Sonor have been making drums in Germany since 1875. The Momentum series is the latest expression of that heritage — and it shows.
Sonor Momentum FAQs
Can I really mix woods across my kit?
Yes — that's the whole point of the Momentum series. Every shell is available individually, so you can choose birch, maple, or beech for each drum. We can help you build the configuration that suits your playing style and musical context.
What finishes are available?
The Momentum series is available in four finishes: Red Pearl (maple), GT Black (birch), California Burl (beech), and one additional colourway. Get in touch and we can confirm current availability across all sizes.
How long does it take to build a custom configuration?
Because the Momentum shells are available individually, we can put together your chosen configuration in weeks rather than months. Call us on 01507 526517 to discuss your build and we'll confirm lead times.
Is hardware included?
The Momentum kits are shell packs — hardware and mounting stands are not included. We stock a full range of compatible hardware in store and can advise on the right stands and pedals for your setup.
Can I try the Momentum series before buying?
Yes — we have Momentum drums in our Horncastle showroom. Come and play them, hear the difference between the woods, and talk through your ideal configuration with our team.
Build Your Momentum Kit
The Sonor Momentum series is available now at Into Music. Whether you want a pre-configured kit, a standalone snare, or a fully custom mixed-wood build, we're here to help you put it together.
- Sonor Momentum Mixed Wood Kit (Birch, Maple & Beech) — Red Pearl — £3,599 + FREE 8" Tom
- Sonor Momentum Birch Kit — GT Black — £3,399
- Sonor Momentum Jazz Bop 18" Kit — California Burl — £2,299
- Sonor Momentum Maple Snare 14x6.5" — Red Pearl — £549
- Sonor Momentum Birch Snare 14x6.5" — GT Black — £525
- Sonor Momentum Beech Snare 14x5.75" — California Burl — £499
Not sure which configuration is right for you? Visit us in our Horncastle showroom or call us on 01507 526517 for expert advice, or order online with UK next day delivery available.