In development with Jojo Mayer for well over two years, Sabian finally announced the official launch of the Hoop Crasher at the Winter NAMM show 2013, in Anaheim. Sabian called it 'official launch' because the Hoop Crasher has been a fixture on Mayer’s kit for almost two years, not to mention other Sabian endorsers who have picked one up while visiting the factory. The Hoop Crasher also was one of the nominees for MIPA 2013 in the category of Most Innovative Products. The MIPA winners were announced during Musikmesse Frankfurt 2013.  “It has been without a doubt one of the most in-demand instruments by visiting endorsers,” says Sabian Marketing Manager Luis Cardoso. “Everyone from Tim Austin (Buddy Guy) to Rodney Howard (Avril Lavigne) to Mark Guiliana (Beat Music) – even band & orchestral endorsers like Tim Fairbanks (Rhythm-X) – walk away with one tucked into their cymbal bag.”
The Hoop Crasher is essentially an effects device that is placed over top of a snare drum. Drummers can then choose to play their snare with or without the effect simply by changing where they strike it. Hit your snare in the center of the head, and the snare’s sound is virtually unchanged. Hit it on or close to the Hoop Crasher, and the effect is pronounced.
“To achieve electronic production sounds on my snare, I’ve been modifying it by means of acoustic embellishments rather than electronic triggering. And so I have been experimenting over the years with broken cymbals, pieces of metal, even ashtrays. Sometimes they sound good – other times they sound like, well, like an ashtray,” comments Jojo Mayer. “After many years of research and testing, Mark Love and I have developed this device we named the Hoop Crasher.”
The Hoop Crasher is made from premium Sabian B20 Bronze Hi-Hats. The top flotation ring is punched with 32 holes for lightness and lift, while the bottom ring is designed with an Air-Wave lip like those found on Sabian’s HHX and AAX X-Celerator Hats. The Air Wave lip keeps the hoop from sitting perfectly flat on the snare, which is a key factor in the ability to preserve the snare’s original sound. The two rings are riveted together, but the rivets are easily removed, allowing drummers to play them loose, as Jojo Mayer prefers, or even playing with just a single ring.
Adding even more versatility into the mix, the Hoop Crasher includes three custom C-clamps, designed by Jojo Mayer with Reto Hirschi of the Swiss company Cympad. The clamps’ purpose is two-fold. First, they prevent the Hoop Crasher from flying off the snare drum when played hard which, depending on the snare brand and hoop style, was definitely a factor in beta testing. But second, they are equipped with three teeth on the inside so that the degree of tightness can be adjusted. The result is that the clamp can be set to press down tight on the Hoop Crasher for short sustain sounds, or it can be set loose for more sustain and effect.
As a result, the Hoop Crasher is more than just another effects cymbal – it’s an analogue effects device designed for drums, on which the amount of effect can be dialed in or out, much like electronic effects devices.
“Jojo has been playing Hoop Crasher prototypes for years, and we’re constantly asked when they will be available”, says Sabian Master Product Specialist Mark Love. “So as you can imagine, we’re thrilled to launch this device, and we’re very proud to have worked with Jojo on another ground-breaking instrument.”
The Jojo Mayer Hoop Crasher is available in a 14” model. |
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