The Best Heavy Metal Snare Drums

those tamas sound pretty insane

To my ears, the Gretsch sounds the closest to the Tama out of all the snares. If today I was a young drummer with money and was specifically looking for the Tama bell brass sound, I'd get the Gretsch bell brass.

I want that noble &cooley aloy classic but cant afford yet. My favorite aluminum drum.

I seen the tama bell brass on a video drum doctors made and it will always be the best . What an amazing coveted snare drum.

Gretsch solid steel.... Fantastic!!!

One thing is for sure, there’s apparently no perfectly recreating the original bell brass sound. That being said…I’ll be getting a gretsch phosphor bronze eventually. Holy helllllll. That drum hypnotized me.

I ordered the John Tempesta snare today from dcp today because of this video; and also own the gretsch steel for the same reason. Thanks for putting these out!

That Gretsch steel is superb but the Tama original is without doubt the one. Think you had to order one shops didn't stock them.

The tempesta signature and 80's superstar sound really similar, considering both are made by tama

Gretsch and Tama Brass

I think the A&F stands out in depth and uniqueness but the Tama Bell Brass still cuts more and has a more classic sound.

USA Solid Steel reminds me of the Black Iron Keplinger

I agree the Tama Bell Brass is the best sounding of the lot. The only way to really get the secret sauce of the Tama Bell Brass is to melt down a shell and document the components of the alloy. But who would be willing sacrifice one? I have also been hearing rumors that the Tama Bell Brass is not actually brass. There is speculation it may be bronze. For some reason, they marketed it as brass. I have not been able to confirm or deny that story; so the next time you talk to your Tama representative, maybe shoot that question over to him. I disagree that the over sized shell is helping the sound at all. The physics of how drumheads work pretty much debunks that concept. If anything, the opposite design would have some merit. For some reason the Tama Bell Brass just works well despite the design flaws. I would also add that maybe the patina shell is possibly making a contribution to the tone but that may be splitting hairs. I say that because the AF drum (also patina) came the closest in sound quality to my ear.

I’ve bought the Gretsch Bell Brass and the Gretsch Solid Steel because of this video, luckily before the prices have gone up 😅 for once I’m lucky I guess but still want the Phosphorus bronze one 😂

That is precisely my experience. My second kit was a Pearl Prestige Session Select 6pc single and it came with a steel shell Sensitone snare drum. I HATED the overtones of that snare. I ended up getting a Pearl Masters Custom Extra snare and loved it but playing in my band in college the only drum we could afford to mic was my kick. I found the projection and sound of the maple to be a bit lacking for live music. I am not sure what happened but after experimenting with different heads, I learned to love the overtones and distinct ring of the cheap Sensitone snare and started using it for all our live shows. (we played rock/metal) while I moved on to a Gretsch maple kit, I still have both snares and love both to this day. I will be picking up a brass and aluminum shell at some point to round out my snare options.

Tama BB for the win.

You guys should check out a savage custom drums bell bronze! It is just like the Tama!

Could you please loan me the 1980 Tama Bell Brass for about 20 yrs?Thanks.

Can't help but notice that Shane really is into steel snare drums. I too like the high-pitched overtones of steel snare drums.

Jeff Porcaro Rosanna Groove?
Tama John Tempesta signature.

Man that Tempesta snare kicks ass. I would say it's as good as the Tama Bell Brass to my ear.

Anyone else notice that he was playing vic firth stick and not a vater keg?

All these sound great! Only problem is that the 3 I like are all over $1,000

Without looking at price, I'd have the Noble and Cooley.

Good for titinnus

All drums sound amazing. Tama bell brasss and Tempesta’s snare just kick ass

The Gretsch Solid Steel is the Bomb …. And the Phosphorus bronze is a close second. The Original Tama is awesome too .

Totally agree with Shane, the sound of the Gretsch Solid Steel is addictive! I’ve listened to it over and over again and it is the best sounding drum of this video … the mix of that clarity with a warm body is just beautiful … I’ve ordered it today and can’t wait to play it myself. Thank you so much for making this great video 🔥🥁🔥

Wow, they were all great, but the John Tempesta has the crack, the overtones and the beefiness that I need, all in one snare. All meat no filler! 😜🤘

I am a repeat happy, very happy customer of yours. Thank you for the great drum stuff you sell, thank you for the great prices, thank you for the tool box stickers you send in every order, and thank you for these videos. Cheers from Colorado USA

The Tama Bell Brass was the best, and the Tempesta got the closest to it. The Noble & Cooly was my least favorite, but it was tuned higher.

Too bad they couldn’t better some one better than Shane to demo that day

Joey jordison snare

The old Tama sounds best, but I still love my 70's 6.5 Supraphonic steel shell. I've heard they also made in aluminium, but I love my boat anchor.

Brilliant, all of them. But without any bias (couldn't care less about the legend) , I couldn't help to smile like a kid at the first stroke of that classic Tama. Man, if that's not a special snare I don't know what is.

The Gretsch USA Solid Steel was my favorite, sounds perfect for thrash metal.

I'm sorry, but Tama Bell Brass 80s Snare is the king of the snares.

Hmm no Premier HR9

The Tama Bell Brass has the punch of the Gretsch Bell Brass combined with the complex, wide tone of the Tama Tempesta. The Gretsch Bell Brass, to me, was the closest to the Tama Bell Brass when listening to both with the close mic, but the Tempesta sounded closer to the Tama Bell Brass when listening to both through the room mics. And shout out to the Solid Steel for being an honorable mention!

If I had to go with one I'd probably go with the Tempesta. Looks fantastic, sounds kinda like a next-best-thing to the old 1980 and definitely not as expensive as any Bell Brass.

Go ahead and call me crazy, but that last snare was not as impressive as others I have heard. If I blind folded you and played all similar sounding snares to that Tama, I promise, I will fool you. Lol

Need time stamps

Wish you would've picked Pearl Reference Brass 14x6.5 as well

My favorite snare of a heavy metal is Gretsch 14x6.5 USA bell brass. Why? Because I can tune really high and it is 🔊📢 loud as heck!

My favourite was the GRETSCH PHOSPHOR BRONZE…even over the Tama Bell brass..
Beautiful sound..

I'm inclined to go with the Tempesta - very fat and rich. Of course I would drill of those rivets out and dump the badge.. It would MY drum, not someone else"s !

lol im sorry but sounds the fck same...to much overlay... i really want a snare that has a dry sound...yoiu dindt show me one....

Great video and staff!!!!! I really would love a vintage Tama Bell brass!!! I ended up buying the Gregg keplinger 14x7 stainless steel!!! Best drum in the world in my opinion!!!!! Sonically.. listen to black hole sun..Matt Cameron Soundgarden.💥💥💥 Al'so you can moongel to tone it down!!! Thanks guys!!!!!!