Sakae

SAKAE's journey began nearly a century ago, in the year 1925, marked by humble beginnings that would eventually lead to the establishment of new standards of excellence and uncompromised quality in the art of drum making. Fast forward to 2019, and SAKAE experienced a rebirth as SAKAE OSAKA HERITAGE, while steadfastly preserving the same unwavering commitment to the highest quality standards and the fundamental philosophy that had made Sakae a revered name in the world of drum manufacturing for so many years.

At the heart of SAKAE's enduring philosophy lies a seemingly simple yet extraordinarily challenging aspiration: to create drums that produce the best possible sound. Shun Tsuji, one of the leading artisans and producers at SAKAE, has eloquently referred to the process as "sonic sculpting." What sets SAKAE apart is an understanding that the sound of a drum is not evaluated in isolation but in its synergy with other musical instruments and within diverse acoustic environments.

To achieve the elusive ideal sound, SAKAE invests painstaking efforts in testing and evaluating hundreds of design permutations encompassing shell thickness, depth, materials, and shapes. The pursuit is characterized by a level of finesse and attention to detail that only arises from profound knowledge of the instruments, years of experience, and exceptional craftsmanship.

In the relentless quest for perfection, no detail is left to chance. Even obscure factors like sound direction, overtone filtering, and the transmission of vibrations are meticulously considered in the pursuit of achieving the precise and sublime balance of tones.

Each product that bears the Sakae Osaka Heritage name undergoes rigorous road testing by esteemed artists. This invaluable feedback loop empowers SAKAE artisans to gain a profound understanding of what musicians truly require and desire. It is through this direct interaction with musicians in studio and stage settings that SAKAE can consistently deliver unmatched sound quality.

The Evolved kit stands as a testament to SAKAE OSAKA HERITAGE's commitment to continual progress. Aptly named, it represents an evolution of the beloved Almighty kit, a veritable industry standard that has garnered praise and adoration from drummers worldwide. Tsuji, the producer of Sakae, humbly reflects on the Almighty, saying, "We accomplished The Almighty in the old days, didn't we? I don't mean to brag, but that was an excellent product which many people think of when they hear the name of SAKAE Drums. So, for Evolved, we decided to surpass that great product and make it uniquely brilliant at the same time."

Like its predecessor, the Evolved kit is crafted from maple wood, emphasizing a balanced sound profile with rich harmonics. However, SAKAE OSAKA HERITAGE has fine-tuned the number of plies (thickness of the wood) and incorporated other design elements to create what can confidently be called the best sounding SAKAE kit to date.

In summary, SAKAE OSAKA HERITAGE continues to evolve and innovate, firmly anchored in guiding philosophies that harmonize elevated skills, profound experience, industry leadership, and an unwavering vision to produce the most exceptional sounding drums conceivable.