The A400 is the first portable kit to feel and sound like a regular drum kit. The drums are constructed from a very high quality and durable A.B.S. and are fitted with Remo heads, steel counter hoops and are tuned with the traditional multi screw tuning system. This also allows the use of pads for silent practicing. The rack system that the drums and hardware fit to is made from substantial steel tubing which means that everything stays exactly where it's put when the kit is set up and doesn't move.
In Rhythm Magazine in 2005 Geoff Nicholls asked: "Can a shell-less kit ever stand in for the real thing?"
He concluded: "Shell-less kits are a viable alternative and Traps A400 is easily the best so far."
Rack system
The A400 rack mounting system is made from sturdy large diameter chromed steel tubing. The kit can easily be set up for either left or right handed players using the supplied tough ABS multi functional joints.
When set up, the rack is very strong and once fitted with the supplied four large rubber feet, stays where it's placed and doesn't move. This provides a noticeable improvement in playability compared to other portable drum sets in this price bracket.
Top Quality Hardware
The A400 comes fitted with quality hardware as standard. This includes hi hat and kick drum pedals which are both rugged and free moving. Also included is a snare basket, boom cymbal arms (which can be slid into the frame for easy storage,) and drummers throne.
The hardware is both reliable and distinctive with black-painted footplates and "Traps" embossed seat squab. They also feature quality chain drives, memory locks, expansion springs and clutches.
12 in. snare drum
The A400 12 in. snare drum has a very crisp sound as a result of the high quality ABS molding combined with the chrome plated steel counter hoops, Remo Ambassador heads, and 8 square headed tension screws. This all results in a snare that's easy to tune and capable of cutting rim shots and thick X-stick sounds. The drum also features a sturdy throw-off with a positive feel and a knob at the opposite side of the drum for adjusting the stretch in the snares.
This means that the A400 snare has the additional ability to produce Latin/world percussion sounds or to function as an additional tom.
10, 12, and 14 in. toms
The A400 10, 12, and 14in. toms are manufactured from a tough ABS bespoke molding which are further strengthened by a triple flange counter hoops. Then to complete the toms, they are fitted with top quality Remo Pinstripe heads. As with all the A400 drums, an industry standard multi screw tuning system is used.
All this attention to detail results in an unsurpassed sound never before heard in a portable kit.
20 in. kick drum
The A400 20 in. kick drum is an uncompromising double-headed design fitted with a UT Powerstroke 3 drumhead on the back and Remo Ebony drumhead on the front printed with the Traps logo. It is also fitted with chrome plated steel hoops.
Its shell is made from a robust high quality injection molded A.B.S. fitted with custom dual mounting points ideally suited to mounting in the A400 rack mount system. A strong metal plate is fitted to bottom of the rear counter hoop so that when the kick pedal is fitted, the beater strikes the head at the optimum position - top of the upstroke.
