Instruments bearing the signatures of widely known and respected musicians are an important element of the ‘arms race’ going on in the drumming community, among gear manufacturers and players alike. Tama snare drums are no exception to this rule. In case you have missed their premieres over the recent years, we are more than happy to remind you what they are, and, in two cases, we refer you to the tests done by us.
Kenny Aronoff Signature snare drums
- Model: KA145N “Trackmaster”
- Size: 14″ x 5″
- Material: Nickel plated Brass
- Hoops: Die-Cast, 10 tuning rods
- Lugs: Chrome, MSL35
- Strainer / Butt: Chrome, MLS50A / MLS50B
- Snares: MS20SN14S
- Sonic characteristics: A lot of crack, attack and warmth plus wide tuning range
- Model: KA1465 “Trackmaster”
- Size: 14″ x 6.5″
- Material: Nickel plated Brass
- Hoops: Brass Mighty, 10 tuning rods, Nickel plated
- Lugs: Nickel plated, MSL35
- Strainer / Butt: Nickel plated, MLS50A / MLS50B
- Snares: MS20SN14S
- Sonic characteristics: Bright, round brass tone
Charlie Benante Signature snare drum
- Model: CB1465
- Size: 14″ x 6.5″
- Material: 1.2mm Stainless Steel
- Hoops: Die-Cast, 10 tuning rods, Black Nickel
- Lugs: Black Nickel, MSL35BN
- Strainer / Butt: Black Nickel, MUS80ABN / MUS80BBN
- Snares: MS20SN14S
- Sonic characteristics: High volume and rich sound
Ronald Bruner Jr. Signature snare drum
- Model: RB1455
- Size: 14″ x 5.5″
- Material: Hybrid, 6mm 6-ply Walnut + 1.0mm Steel
- Hoops: Die-Cast, 10 tuning rods, Matte Black Finish
- Lugs: MSL-SCTMB
- Strainer / Butt: MLS50AMB / MLS50BMB
- Snares: MS20RL14C
- Sonic characteristics: Loud, sensitive with a clear snare response
Stewart Copeland Signature snare drum
- Model: SC145
- Size: 14″ x 5″
- Material: 1.5mm Brass
- Hoops: Die-Cast (batter side) / Steel Mighty (snare side), 10 tuning rods
- Lugs: Chrome, MSL35
- Strainer / Butt: Chrome, MLS50A / MLS50B
- Snares: MS20SN14S
- Sonic characteristics: Excellent projection
Peter Erskine Signature snare drums
- Model: PE106M
- Size: 10″ x 6″
- Material: 10mm 12pcs Stave Ash
- Hoops: Die-Cast, 6 tuning rods
- Lugs: MSL90S
- Strainer / Butt: MLS50A / MLS50B
- Snares: MS20SN10S
- Sonic characteristics: Quick, cutting attack and response
- Model: PE1445
- Size: 14″ x 4.5″
- Material: 6mm, 4ply Spruce + 2 inner ply Maple
- Hoops: 2.3mm Steel
- Lugs: MSL90S
- Strainer / Butt: Linear-Drive strainer
- Snares: Super Sensitive Hi-Carbon Snare Wire, MS20RL14C
- Sonic characteristics: Very good focus, snap, sensitivity
Simon Phillips Signature snare drums
- Model: SP125H “The Pageant”
- Size: 12″ x 5″
- Material: 7ply Figured Maple w/SFR
- Hoops: Die-Cast, 6 tuning rods, Brushed Nickel plated
- Lugs: Brushed Nickel Plated, MSL35
- Strainer / Butt: Brushed Nickel plated, MUS80AH / MUS80BH
- Snares: MS20S-12S
- Sonic characteristics: Warm, darker-sounding, universal
- Model: SP1455H “The Gladiator”
- Size: 14″ x 5.5″
- Material: 1mm Bronze
- Hoops: Brass Mighty, 6 tuning rods, Brushed Nickel plated
- Lugs: Brushed Nickel Plated, MSL35
- Strainer / Butt: Brushed Nickel plated, MUS80AH / MUS80BH
- Snares: MS20S-S
- Sonic characteristics: Dynamic, sharp sound with cutting attack
- Model: SP1465H “The Monarch”
- Size: 14″ x 6.5″
- Material: 3-ply Figured Maple / 3-ply Bubinga / 2-ply Maple w/SFR
- Hoops: Brass Mighty, 8 tuning rods, Customized Triple Flange
- Lugs: Brushed Nickel Plated, MSL-SCTH
- Strainer / Butt: Brushed Nickel plated, MUS80AH / MUS80BH
- Snares: MS20S-S
- Sonic characteristics: Warm, easily controllable, bright sound with a lot of attack
- Model: SP1465A40 40th Anniversary
- Size: 14″ x 6.5″
- Material: Maple / Walnut / Maple (6 plies, 5 mm + Maple / Walnut / Maple Sound Focus Ring)
- Finish: Bird’s Eye Maple
- Hoops: Brass Mighty, 8 tuning rods
- Lugs: STAR MSL90S
- Strainer / Butt: MLS50A / MLS50B
- Snares: MS20S-S
- Hardware: Chrome
- Sonic characteristics: Full, rich in low and high frequencies, resonant
- Only 100 pcs produced in 2019
- Watch our test HERE
Mike Portnoy Signature snare drums
- Model: MP125ST
- Size: 12″ x 5″
- Material: 1mm Steel (Hammered Flat Black)
- Hoops: Die-Cast, 6 tuning rods, Chrome
- Lugs: Chrome, MSL-SCT
- Strainer / Butt: 3-way Tension Adjustable Strainer, Chrome, MCS100A / MCS70B
- Snares: MS20SN12S
- Sonic characteristics: Round, full sound with a bright, strong “pop”
- Model: MP1455BU
- Size: 14″ x 5.5″
- Material: 9-ply Bubinga
- Hoops: Die-Cast, 8 tuning rods, Chrome
- Lugs: Chrome, MSL-SCT
- Strainer / Butt: 3-way Tension Adjustable Strainer, Chrome, MCS100A / MCS70B
- Snares: MS20SN14S
- Sonic characteristics: Slightly lower pitch, well-defined attack
- Model: MP1455ST
- Size: 14″ x 5.5″
- Material: 1mm Steel (Hammered Flat Black)
- Hoops: Die-Cast, 8 tuning rods, Chrome
- Lugs: Chrome, MSL-SCT
- Strainer / Butt: 3-way Tension Adjustable Strainer, Chrome, MCS100A / MCS70B
- Snares: MS20SN14S
- Sonic characteristics: Tight, cracking sound
John Tempesta Signature snare drum
- Model: JT147
- Size: 14″ x 7″
- Material: 2mm Brass
- Hoops: Die-Cast, 10 tuning rods, Nickel plated
- Lugs: MSL-SCT, Black Nickel plated
- Strainer / Butt: MUS80A / MUS80B, Black Nickel plated
- Snares: MS42R14S
- Sonic characteristics: Intense and powerful sound with a lot of depth
Lars Ulrich Signature snare drum
- Model: LU1465N
- Size: 14″ x 6.5″
- Material: 3mm Diamond Plate Steel
- Hoops: Die-Cast, 10 tuning rods
- Lugs: Chrome, MSL35
- Strainer / Butt: Chrome, MUS80A / MUS80B
- Snares: MS20SN14S
- Sonic characteristics: High volume, lots of attack and low end
- Watch our test HERE
