Compact Kits / Pack-Away Kits
Within the Jalapeno range there are now five pack-away drum kits available. The 'Bug' (Hip-Gig style kit, now no longer in production) and the 'Russian Doll' were the two original models, and the 'Punkster', 'Babushka', 'Rocker' and 'Mother Russian' are the latest additions. All are listed as standard models, but like all Jalapeno Drums, customisation options are available for discussion.
The Russian Doll Kit
The Russian Doll kit is my finest invention, and has instantly become my own personal kit of choice. Although the Hip-Gig style compact drum set concept provides storage and transportation convenience, the tonal qualities must (by default) be compromised to some degree.
The desire for "full-sized" drums in a pack-able format gave rise to the Russian Doll kit. The kit comprises of; 18x18” bass, 13x5” snare, 14x12” floor tom, and 10x10” tom, and comes with floor tom legs, 1 tom arm and 1 cymbal boom arm. The kit is delivered inside a single 18” Hardcase bass drum case, complete with wheels and towing handle.
The bass drum is Classic Series (6mm 12-ply Birch shells) – allowing for mounting on the shell – and comes apart to carry the snare and floor tom sitting on top of each other, while the floor tom also comes apart to carry the 10” tom. The snare is also Classic Series in construction, while the tom and floor tom are from the Elite series (3mm 6-ply Birch shells with support hoops), which reduces the carrying weight. Prices start from £1800.
The Babushka Kit
This is a smaller version of the Russian Doll kit, and comprises of a 16x20" bass drum, an 8x10 tom, 13x14" floor tom, and a 12x5" snare drum. All drums are from the Classic series, and the kit comes in a wheeled Hardcase, plus a tom arm, a cymbal arm and legs for the floor tom. Prices start from £1600..
The Punkster
With the rise of Skater Punk has risen the desire of young drummers to have bold looking kits, with audacious finishes and the latest hi-tech developments in drum manufacturing. The end result of this for Jalapeno is the arrival of the Punkster kit. Comprising of five Classic series drums in modern punk sizes: 20x19” bass drum, that splits to hold a 14x5” snare and a 16x13” floor tom, which in turn splits to hold 10x6” and 12x6” toms. Toms are mounted on the bass drum with two tom arms. The kit is delivered in a wheeled 20” Hardcase. Prices start at £2000
The Rocker
A big rocking version of the Russian doll kit, this kit takes no prisoners! A 22x19” bass, which holds a 14x5.5” snare and a 16x13” floor tom, which in turn holds the 12x10” tom. It gives a classic big rock 4-piece sound. The kit comes in a wheeled Hardcase, plus a tom arm, a cymbal arm and legs for the floor tom. Prices start from £1900.
The Mother Russian
What can I say about this monster!?! When Terl Bryant of the John Paul Jones Orchestra says he loves his Russian Doll Kit, but needs something bigger and more “Bonham”, what can I do but respond with the mother of all compact kits? The Mother Russian is HUGE, and not for the faint hearted! Comprising of all Elite Series drums it features; 24x19” bass drum, which splits to carry an 18x18” floor tom, which in turn splits to carry a 14x10” tom and a 14x7” snare, all delivered in a wheeled Hardcase. No drums or cymbals mount on the light-weight bass drum, but a tom arm and clamp for the 14” tom are included, as are floor tom legs. Prices start from £2000.