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NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE

  • £4,499.00
NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE

NOBLE & COOLEY ONE OF A KIND HORIZON CONCERT TOM DRUM KIT OWNED BY CHRIS WHITTEN, NATURAL MAPLE

  • £4,499.00

Introducing a Truly Exceptional Set of Noble & Cooley Drums – Owned and Played by Chris Whitten

We are thrilled to present a truly unique and extraordinary drum kit – a one-of-a-kind set of Noble & Cooley drums that has been owned and played by the legendary Chris Whitten. This kit boasts a fascinating story, with several distinctive features that set it apart.

The concept behind this kit began with Chris’s vision of creating a concert tom setup using his favourite contemporary shells which are Horizons from Noble & Cooley. At the time, Horizon drums were no longer in production, but Jay Jones at N&C saw the potential and offered Chris a rare opportunity: he had a stock of New Old Stock Horizon shells from the 1990s that could be used to bring this vision to life.

Although Horizon drums were no longer in production, the only kit N&C was manufacturing at that time was the CD Maple series (100% Maple drums). As a result, this kit was built with CD Maple badges, CD Maple COB lugs, and the innovative under-the-lug RIMS mounting brackets, featuring the Cool Mount quick-release system. However, the moment you see this kit, it's clear it’s not a CD Maple – the Mahogany interior plies are a striking giveaway, offering a deep, resonant tone that only these shells could deliver. In fact, Jay marked the drums with the unique code “CDH-1002,” with the “H” likely referencing the Horizon shell formula.

This custom kit, crafted in 2006, consists of the following sizes: 10 x 8, 12 x 9, 14 x 10, and 16 x 14 suspended toms. Originally, it was paired with a 24 x 18 bass drum, but in a further nod to craftsmanship and precision, Chris later worked with another industry legend, Richard Newby of Newby Drums, to enhance the bass drum’s sound. The decision was made to shorten the bass drum to a 14” depth, which significantly improved its low end tone and feel. Richard expertly re-cut the bearing edge and seamlessly filled the holes with Maple and Mahogany from the offcuts, preserving the kit's integrity while boosting its performance. (Be sure to check out the final two photos for a closer look at Richard’s meticulous work.)

What we have here is a one-of-a-kind Noble & Cooley Concert Tom Kit – finished in a gorgeous Natural Satin and built with rare 1990s Horizon shells, expertly crafted by Jay Jones. This exceptional kit was owned and played by Chris Whitten himself, making it a one-of-a-kind piece of music history. It has been featured in live performances, with Chris’s first gig using the kit being World Party’s 2006 North American Tour. Beyond the stage, the kit has also contributed to studio sessions, with these drums even making an appearance in Chris’s iconic sampling work for Toontrack’s EZdrummer “The Classic” expansion and the Roland TM-6 sessions.

Don’t miss the chance to own a piece of drumming history – a unique and meticulously crafted set that truly stands in a class of its own.

About the Horizon Series

The Horizon Series was first introduced in the 1980s and quickly became a standout in the world of drums. Though it was discontinued in the mid-90s, the Horizon remains highly revered by drummers and collectors alike. Its legendary status is largely due to the unique Maple/Mahogany hybrid shell construction, a groundbreaking design at the time. The combination of these two tonewoods delivered a rich, complex sound that was ahead of its time.

One of the key features of the Horizon drums is their horizontally-constructed shells, a design that promotes more uniform resonance—similar to Noble & Cooley’s signature steam-bent shells. The inclusion of mahogany in the inner plies across all sizes gives the drums a warmer, darker tonal character, making them ideal for both live performances and studio recording.

The Horizon Series offers a sound that is as versatile as it is distinctive—delivering exceptional depth and warmth with a unique resonance that became synonymous with the N&C brand.

About Chris Whitten

Chris Whitten is a British session drummer known for his work on hit singles like "What I Am" by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, "World Shut Your Mouth" by Julian Cope, and "The Whole of the Moon" by The Waterboys. He recorded and world toured with Paul McCartney and toured with Dire Straits during their final world tour in 1991–1992.

Chris has also worked with a wide range of artists, including Tom Jones, Johnny Cash, The Pretenders, ABC, and Jean-Jacques Goldman. A fan and owner of Noble & Cooley drums, he put both their Star series and Horizon drums on stages across the world in the later 80's and early 90's in what has been defined as a golden era for the brand.

In addition to his session work, Chris has contributed to drum libraries for both Toontrack & Roland, collaborating with producer Peter Henderson.

This kit is an incredible opportunity for fans of Chris Whitten and the Jones / Gatzen era of Noble & Cooley drums.

  • Provenance: Owned and extensively used by Chris Whitten: Both live with World Party and in the studio on numerous high profile recording & sampling sessions.
  • Tom Sizes: 10" x 8", 12" x 9", 14" x 10", and 16" x 14".
  • Bass Drum: 24" x 14" professionally cut down by Richard Newby.
  • Finish: Natural Maple Satin.
  • Shell Construction: Hybrid Maple and Mahogany Shell (Horizontally Constructed) N&C N.O.S. 1990's shells
  • Lugs: Chrome on brass single lugs (CD Maple style)
  • Hoops: Original N&C triple flanged throughout
  • Mounting System: N&C Under the Lug RIMS mounts with N&C Cool Mounting System
  • Heads: New Evans G14 coated heads fitted throughout toms, New EMAD Batter & including a new period-correct EQ3 display head.
  • Exclusivity: One of a kind, a One of One Kit.
  • Manufacturing Date: Hand-built in 2006
  • Craftsmanship: One of the finest drum kits ever made, hand-built by Jay Jones and his team at the N&C factory in Granville, Massachusetts, USA.
  • Condition: Pre-loved, rated 9/10. Incredible condition for a 19 year old kit, with only very slight and typical age-related wear on the batter bass drum hoop.

Please note: The kit is shown with N&C snare drum, Ludwig stands and Paiste cymbals for illustration purposes only. These items are not included in the listed sale price. If you require additional components, feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to create a personalised quote tailored to your needs.

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