Dixon Drums doesn't get the attention it deserves. In a market dominated by the same handful of household names, Dixon has been quietly building some of the most interesting and genuinely well-specified drums available at their price points — instruments that reward players who look beyond the obvious choices and are willing to judge a drum on how it sounds and plays rather than on the badge on the shell.
Founded in Taiwan in 1984, Dixon has grown into one of the most technically capable drum manufacturers in Asia, producing drums for their own brand as well as components for a number of other well-known manufacturers. That manufacturing expertise shows in the quality of their shells, their hardware, and their finishing — consistently punching above their price point in ways that more established brands often don't.
We stock a focused selection of Dixon drums at Into Music — chosen because they represent something genuinely distinctive in the market. This guide covers every Dixon product we carry, explains what makes each one worth considering, and helps you decide whether Dixon is the right choice for your playing. Call us on 01507 526517 if you want to talk through any of this, or visit our Horncastle showroom.
What Makes Dixon Different?
Dixon's approach to drum building is defined by a willingness to do things differently. Where many manufacturers at the mid-range price point use standard shell constructions and conventional hardware, Dixon regularly introduces hybrid shell materials, distinctive finishes, and hardware specifications that you'd expect to find on more expensive instruments.
The Cornerstone range is the clearest expression of this philosophy. The hybrid shell construction — combining North American Maple, Red Silkwood, and Poplar — is a genuinely unusual approach that produces a tonal character distinct from the standard all-maple or all-birch shells that dominate the mid-range market. The Purple Titanium finish on the Cornerstone snare is another example: a hammered steel shell with a finish that is visually extraordinary and that reflects a level of attention to aesthetics that goes beyond what most manufacturers offer at this price point.
Dixon also has a strong track record in compact and portable drum kit design — the Little Roomer is one of the most thoughtfully designed compact kits available, with a specification that reflects a genuine understanding of what players who need a portable kit actually need.
Dixon Little Roomer 20" 5-Piece Shell Pack — The Compact Kit Done Right
The Dixon Little Roomer 20" 5-Piece Shell Pack in Black Coal (£575) is one of the most interesting compact drum kits on the market. The name tells you exactly what it's designed for: a kit that fits in smaller spaces, travels more easily, and works in contexts where a full-size setup would be impractical — without compromising on the quality of the playing experience.
What's in the Box
The Little Roomer is a genuine 5-piece shell pack built around a 20" bass drum — smaller than the standard 22" but larger than a bop kit's 18", making it a versatile middle ground that suits a wide range of playing contexts. The configuration includes a 10" snare drum and toms scaled to match the compact bass drum, plus a 6" tambourine that adds a percussion colour option without requiring additional hardware.
The shells are 9-ply mahogany — a wood choice that produces a warm, full tone with natural low-mid emphasis. Mahogany is less common than maple or birch in this price range, and it gives the Little Roomer a tonal character that is distinctly its own: warmer and darker than a birch kit, with a natural sustain that suits acoustic and small-venue playing particularly well.
The kit includes a rack tom mounting clamp and a drummer's pouch (18cm x 13cm) — practical inclusions that reflect Dixon's attention to the real-world needs of the player who will use this kit.
Who Is the Little Roomer For?
The Little Roomer is the right kit for several distinct types of player:
- Drummers who play small venues — pubs, restaurants, acoustic sessions, small clubs. The 20" bass drum produces a full, warm sound without the volume and physical presence of a 22", making it much more manageable in tight spaces and at lower volumes.
- Drummers who need to transport their kit regularly and want something lighter and more compact than a standard setup without going all the way down to a bop kit configuration.
- Home practice players who want a real acoustic kit that fits in a bedroom, a flat, or a small studio space without dominating the room.
- Drummers who want a second kit — a compact, practical option for rehearsals, sessions, and smaller gigs alongside a full-size main kit.
The Black Coal finish is clean and professional — a matte black that looks serious on any stage and suits the kit's practical, no-nonsense character.
In stock now at £575.
Dixon Cornerstone Hybrid 22" 4-Piece Shell Pack — Hybrid Construction, Striking Aesthetics
The Dixon Cornerstone Hybrid 22" 4-Piece Shell Pack in Metallic Silver with Turquoise Blue Hoops is Dixon's flagship kit offering — and it's a genuinely distinctive instrument. The Metallic Silver shell with Turquoise Blue hoops is one of the most visually striking finish combinations available at this price point, and the hybrid shell construction gives it a tonal character that stands apart from the standard maple or birch kits that dominate the mid-range market.
The Hybrid Shell Construction
The Cornerstone Hybrid uses a 7-ply shell combining three distinct wood species: North American Maple, Red Silkwood, and Poplar. Each wood contributes a different tonal characteristic to the overall sound:
- North American Maple provides warmth, sustain, and the natural musical complexity that has made maple the most popular shell material in professional drumming.
- Red Silkwood adds brightness and attack — a harder, denser wood that gives the shell a more defined, cutting character than pure maple.
- Poplar contributes to the shell's overall resonance and helps balance the tonal characteristics of the other two woods.
The result is a shell that is warmer and more complex than a pure birch kit, brighter and more defined than a pure maple kit — a genuinely hybrid tonal character that suits players who want something between the two standard options.
The Configuration
The 4-piece configuration — 22" x 18" bass drum, 10" x 8" rack tom, 12" x 9" rack tom, 16" x 16" floor tom — is a versatile standard setup that works across rock, pop, funk, and any style where a full, powerful sound is the priority. The 22" bass drum gives it the depth and authority of a full-size kit; the two rack toms and floor tom provide a complete tonal range across the kit.
The Metallic Silver finish with Turquoise Blue hoops is genuinely extraordinary — a combination that is bold, contemporary, and completely distinctive. If you want a kit that looks as interesting as it sounds, the Cornerstone Hybrid delivers.
Available to order — call us on 01507 526517 to check lead times and availability.
Dixon Cornerstone Purple Titanium Steel Snare 14" x 6.5" — A Snare That Turns Heads
The Dixon Cornerstone Purple Titanium Steel Snare 14" x 6.5" (£339) is the most visually distinctive snare drum we stock — and it backs up its extraordinary appearance with a genuinely well-specified construction.
The Shell and Finish
The Cornerstone snare uses a 1mm steel shell with a hammered exterior and a Purple Titanium finish. The hammering process creates micro-variations in the metal's surface that add tonal complexity and warmth to the steel's natural brightness — similar to the way a hand-hammered cymbal sounds more complex than a machine-made one. The Purple Titanium finish is applied via a titanium coating process that gives the shell a deep, iridescent purple colour that shifts in the light — genuinely extraordinary, and unlike anything else in this price range.
The Specification
The construction spec is impressive for a snare at £339:
- 45° bearing edge — a clean, precise cut that allows the head to seat evenly and produce a full, open tone
- Evans Uno Coated batter head — a quality head included as standard, ready to play straight out of the box
- 2.3mm triple-flanged hoops — the standard hoop type for most playing styles, producing a balanced sound with good rimshot response
- Contemporary snare throw-off — smooth and reliable, with a clean on/off action
- Chrome hardware finish — clean and professional, complementing the Purple Titanium shell beautifully
The 14" x 6.5" dimensions make this a versatile snare — deep enough for a full, powerful sound with good sustain, but not so deep that it loses sensitivity or becomes unwieldy at lower volumes. It's a snare that works across rock, pop, and any style where a cutting, defined crack is the priority.
Available to order at £339 — call us on 01507 526517 for availability.
Dixon Tom Drum Bracket
The Dixon Tom Drum Bracket (PDTH785TBSP) (£9.99) is a practical chrome replacement mounting bracket for tom drums — designed for replacing worn or damaged hardware and restoring a kit to peak performance. If you own a Dixon kit and need a replacement tom bracket, this is the genuine Dixon part. It's also a useful spare for any drummer who wants to have replacement hardware to hand before a gig or session.
Is Dixon Right for You?
Dixon is the right choice for players who want something genuinely distinctive — instruments that stand apart from the standard options in terms of shell construction, aesthetics, and specification. The Little Roomer is one of the best compact kits available at its price point; the Cornerstone Hybrid is a genuinely interesting mid-range kit with a tonal character that the standard maple and birch options can't replicate; and the Cornerstone Purple Titanium snare is one of the most visually extraordinary snare drums available under £400.
Dixon is also the right choice for players who want to support a brand that takes drum building seriously — that invests in hybrid shell construction, distinctive finishes, and hardware specifications that reflect a genuine commitment to quality rather than a race to the lowest price point.
Dixon Drums FAQs
Where are Dixon drums made?
Dixon drums are manufactured in Taiwan, where the brand was founded in 1984. Dixon's Taiwanese manufacturing facility is one of the most technically capable drum production operations in Asia, and the brand's manufacturing expertise is reflected in the quality of their shells, hardware, and finishing across the range.
Are Dixon drums good quality?
Yes — Dixon consistently produces drums that punch above their price point in terms of shell quality, hardware specification, and finishing. The Cornerstone range in particular offers a level of construction quality and aesthetic distinctiveness that is unusual at its price point.
What is the Dixon Little Roomer?
The Dixon Little Roomer is a compact 5-piece drum kit built around a 20" bass drum with 9-ply mahogany shells. It's designed for players who need a portable, compact kit that fits in smaller spaces and travels more easily than a full-size setup — without compromising on the quality of the playing experience.
What makes the Dixon Cornerstone Hybrid shell different?
The Cornerstone Hybrid uses a 7-ply shell combining North American Maple, Red Silkwood, and Poplar — a hybrid construction that produces a tonal character distinct from standard all-maple or all-birch shells. The result is warmer and more complex than birch, brighter and more defined than pure maple.
Can I try Dixon drums before buying?
Call us on 01507 526517 to check current stock and availability, or visit our Horncastle showroom in Lincolnshire. We can also advise on lead times for available-to-order items. Order online with UK next day delivery available on in-stock items.
Shop Dixon Drums at Into Music
We stock a focused selection of Dixon drums at Into Music — chosen because they represent something genuinely distinctive in the market. Whether you're looking for the compact practicality of the Little Roomer, the hybrid construction and striking aesthetics of the Cornerstone kit, or the extraordinary Purple Titanium snare, we can help you find the right Dixon instrument for your playing.
Not sure which Dixon product 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 on in-stock items.