A Detailed Exam and Diagnosis of the Canopus Yaiba Bop Kit

The doctor is in the house, with stethoscope in hand, and ready to examine the Canopus Yaiba Bop. While there is no apparent rash in the finish, some suspicions arise around the hoarse voice…   Or is that just the snare growling? Toms barking? Let’s take the temperature, attempt a diagnosis, and deduct whether a prescription will be required.

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Specifications

List Price: US $1,500

Street Price: US $1,500

Kit Configuration : Bass Drum: 18″x14″, Floor Tom: 14″x14″, Tom Tom: 12″x8″, Snare Drum:  14″x5.5″

Shells: Maple

Hardware notes: Single tom holder, Ratchet Bass Drum Spurs, Leather/Steel/Leather T-rod washers. All hardware proprietary and produced specifically for Canopus

Heads: Remo UT on Toms, Power Stroke III on Bass drum, Ambassador Coated on snare drum

Finishes: Yaiba Grey Sparkle, Dark Red Sparkle, Ebony Lacquer, Mat White Lacquer

Canopus Yaiba Bop Ebony Lacquer
Ebony Laquer

Canopus Yaiba Bop

In the Manufacturer’s Own Words:

“The New YAIBA models have inherited the great Canopus sound and have also specialized and refined the concept of the original YAIBA – but they sit in a much more affordable price range. This is a “dream come true” for those drummers who have always wanted to easily have the Canopus sound.

In producing these drums, we adopted a different approach for the shell construction, heads and hardware. In addition we switched from nitrocellulose lacquer, the use of which is particularly costly and time consuming, to a different type of lacquer – one used by many other drum makers for their high-end models. This has reduced the time of the drying process, shortened our overall production time and enabled us to significantly reduce the price.

We are also able to provide a wide variety of color choices including new sparkle lacquer finishes.
These factors all combine to give NEW YAIBA a truly unique sound quality.

The New YAIBA Groove Kit and Bop Kit are the result of our research into finding the perfect shell type to suit specific sonic and stylistic requirements. We settled upon birch for the Groove kit and maple for the Bop kit . Our commitment to producing the ideal sound led us to this decision to use different shell types within one series – in this we are confident to say that we have introduced a completely new concept to the drum industry.

With all the revolutionary ideas featured in New YAIBA, it is indeed a drum kit of unmatched price and value.”

Website: http://www.canopusdrums.com/

 

 

Introduction

The Canopus Yaiba Bop is one sibling of the “New” Yaiba line-up. The other sibling being the “New” Yaiba “Groove” kit. Canopus have drastically lowered the price on the Yaiba range. What’s “New” about it? Well, the first “new” aspect to get noticed is the drastically reduced price. Of course, a lower price must either involve lower profits or lower production costs.

Direct Mount
Direct Mount

While we have no insights into Canopus’ profit margins (and it’s none of our business), we can examine changes in production methods. The most significant decrease in production costs comes from the transition from nitro-cellulose lacquer to a new UV cured lacquer. From our own perspective this is a natural evolution and doesn’t in-itself constitute a short-cut. Nor does it necessarily equate to a lower quality finish. Indeed, in the case of the Canopus Yaiba Bop, the UV-lacquer is consistently applied with great attention and looks every bit as perfect as the preceding nitro-cellulose finish. The move to abandon the nitro process drastically cuts down on drying time, as well as exposure to harmful vapours.

Suspension Mount
Suspension Mount

New “sword” style die-cast lugs and other hardware changes are also part of the cost reduction, as well as the shell construction and included heads. “Yaiba” supposedly means “sword” in Japanese.

Notably, the new version of the Canopus Yaiba Bop was at first introduced with a directly applied tom mounting bracket. Various styles of suspension mounts have in recent years become standard even in budget level kits. The absence of a suspension mount in a mid-level kit is somewhat surprising.

Although still subject to verification, it seems that in recent months a suspension mount is included as standard.

Canopus Yaiba Bop

Design, Quality and Construction

Canopus Yaiba Bop Mat white Lacquer
Mat White Lacquer

While the “New” Canopus Yaiba Bop kit may have been subject to cost cutting measures, it does not seem that any corners have been cut to obtain a tastier price tag. The die-cast lugs are top-quality with a gleaming chrome finish. The same perfect chrome lustre carries throughout all the hardware. The Lacquer finish is flawless, sleek, deep and glassy-smooth both on the shells and the matching bass drum hoops.

Even tiny details like the tension-rod washers are impressive, in this case comprising of a triple layer leather/steel/leather assembly. This design serves both isolation and non-slip purposes.

Owner report and reviews all point towards perfect maple shells with sleek, smooth sanded interiors, perfectly round, perfectly square and true and with equally perfect bearing edges.

Canopus Yaiba Bop

Sound

Canopus Yaiba Bop Red Sparkle
Dark Red Sparkle

There is a common response from just about anyone who ever tried the new Canopus Yaiba Bop kit; “Each drum’s sweetspot spans the entire head”. Off-center hits and glances rarely even get noticed. Another universal comment for each individual drum is the wide tuning range. They all sound good from barely tight enough to pass the “sloshy” phase, and all the way up ’til they are creaking under the tension.

The bass drum has a full, deep and big enough tone to replace a 20″ or even a 22″ standard size bass. The floor tom sound big and warm with plenty of sustain while the tom tom can sing, bark and everything in between.

The snare is a snap to tune, and speaking of snap, it has plenty! Rivaling even stave or single piece snares. Each hit is rewarded with a clear, crisp attack. In addition to the wide tuning range, it also manages to sound beautiful with any string tension.

In the same manner as the tuning range, the entire kit suits a broad range of styles. Providing equally pleasant tonal qualities whether feathered or hammered. You can play smooth latin jazz, or hardcore metal and punk on this kit.

Canopus Yaiba Bop

Diagnosis

The New Canopus Yaiba Bop Kit appears to be at perfect health. The complexion is smooth and without blemishes, rashes or discolouration. All systems function flawlessly at any heart rate. From a pulmonary perspective the lungs, vocal chords and windpipes perform without glitches and pounds out plenty of volume. We give it a clean bill of health!

Canopus Yaiba Bop

Prescription for the New Canopus Yaiba Bop Kit

Set it up, Play it, Enjoy it and Show it off!

 

 

 

 

Summary
Canopus Yaiba Bop Kit
Article Name
Canopus Yaiba Bop Kit
Description
The Canopus Yaiba Bop Kit under the microscope for a detailed exam. This article includes Street price, value, quality, pros, cons and valuable insights
Author
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