It's only $15,000 because it's iconic and collectable, not just because of the sound. Personally I'd rather buy 15 incredible snares or 30 pretty damn good snares! So many unbelievable snares out there!
They are amazing. However, one can get a sandcastle bronze that sounds as good, or a remake for sooo much less. Check to Oriollo, mine is at least a good sounding!
The Tama's insane re-sale value is pushed up by its nostalgic presence and rarity. It's the mother of all heavy cast snares! I'm sure that if the Black Beauty wasn't mass produced today, it would command an insane price tag as well. But practically speaking, you can get a similar snare build for only 10% of the Tama Bell Brass' re-sale value. I guarantee that a large number of people won't be able to tell the difference of these snares once they're in the mix.
Regarding the comment that drummers aren’t typically subject to the same, insane prices that vintage guitar collectors are…that’s true. But I think it’s offset by the fact that drummers often spend sooooo much more for professional setups. A lot of drummers I play with on the Boston circuit have these 4-5 piece kits that, once you take the cymbals, hardware, etc. into account, it’s almost 10 grand in some cases. Sonor SQ2, vintage Gretsch this, oyster Ludwig that…Zildjian K models you’ve never heard of (yet they all somehow manage to have a beat up, 20 year old, single chain kick pedal 🧐)…it can make your head spin. The most expensive guitar rig I bring to any given gig is probably 8 grand TOPS. So while guitarists typically get the high hard one when it comes to vintage gear, drummers get it just trying to piece together the kit they’re looking for sometimes.
It's both. It's one of the greatest snares of all time but it's overvalued. It's legendary status is driving the price but the sound will never disappoint. It really does sound amazing. It's perfect. That said most drummers will never be able to afford or justify spending this much on a snare drum when there are equally great bell brass or bronze snare drums to be had for a much more attainable price. Sonor and A&F just to name a couple of manufacturers make amazing brass and bronze snare drums. But I'd be interested in hearing comparisons of Tamas different iterations of this drum through the years since. I know Drum Center of Portsmouth did a comparison between an original like this and a newer model. There was a difference btw and in my mind the original won.
I’ve owned a reissue Tama Bell Brass, an Oriollo BB and I currently have a late 80’s Tama BB (same shell but different hardware than the mastercraft shown here). The original Tama BB is hands down the best one. The warmth and bottom end was unmatched. The reissue on the other hand was an absolute dog. Tinny and very one-dimensional. They’re a complete departure from the originals in terms of how they were manufactured. If the originals continue to appreciate, even 1-2k more, than they’re worth it as investments, even if you don’t like the sound (which you absolutely will!)
BB is the way to go. I have the hammered one and I love that sound. Gretsch has a bell brass in production right now that sounds incredible and is pretty much a recreation of this drum, so no need to pay for a Tama
Sonor have a very similar (bronze) snare. I had the chance to try it in a shop when it arrived. Very impressive! Propably a matter of taste and wallet...
I have 90s Black Beauty, DW 1gen Cast Bronze, A&F Raw Brass & John Tempesta Signature...And my 83 TAMA BB is still hands down the best snare I've ever had. Of coz I got the gem far less than $15,000, but that was me being very very lucky. I don't think I will ever encounter the same deal again.
Both BB and the Bell Brass sound great. Much because Cole knows how to tune, setup and hit a snare drum. A lot of body on the Bell Brass, so imagine it’s a no for me as I guess it weighs a ton. For recording, sure for certain studios it’s probably worth it. Top dynamic microphones and channel strips are beyond 15k.
I bought one in 1984 while I was still a teenage, back then it cost me $600. I went on to play with my band for many years and almost never used it. To be more precise, whenever I used it, no matter how I tuned it and the heads I put on it, I would toss it aside and use a 5 inch solid maple snare instead, or even more bizarre, another Tama caskwood snare that back then I bought for $150, which is still today among my favorites to play. So I kept the Bell brass for 30 years never using it until I saw that someone had sold his online for 7k ten years ago, and then sold mine to a guy from Boston. Good investment if you ask me, but not a snare made to my taste. As a matter of fact, I prefer thin shells, and this piece of information I did not know back then, had I known I would not have been able to sell a snare drum at a crazy price.
Great video but I wish in drum demonstrations a few notes would be played on the centre of the drum without a rim shot. Some rolls, some quieter dynamics, some backbeats without rim shots. The heavy hitting rimshots are great and I get probably the way you would want to play this drum for Nirvana style rock etc. but a greater display of its characteristics would enrich the video so much more. Seems to be a trend across loads of demonstrations videos. Great video though and thanks for making
It's dry like Jay Weinberg's 48 ply Maple snare. The brass has a little more ring. I bet many people can get similar sounds with a wide range of snare drums using the BIG FAT SNARE drum mufflers. This particular Tama is worth even more than the Sonor Horst Link 14"x 8" signature brass snare which I have carried and played. That thing weighs like 35 lbs. It's a beast! Nice video, Cole.
Nice video Cole.... A couple things come to mind... With all due respect. I've never seen or heard of one selling for $15K. I've seen a couple listed in that ballpark but know they sold for less because they took an "offer". From what I've seen, most of the time they are listed in the $10K, maybe as high as $12K, but again, only sell after an offer. That's just my experience from what I follow when it comes to certain snare drums. That being said, it's still extremely expensive and I think that all comes from the mystic and bragging rights for someone to say "I have one ". With today's technology, you can make an Acrolite sound exactly like an 80s Tama Mastercraft Bell Brass. Matter of fact, you could take the sound from this very video and reproduce it along with any album a Tama BB has been on and reproduce that dound just as easily. And that can be done in the studio or live, as I'm sure most of the folks here know. Not worth 15K in my book. Even if I could afford one at that price, would I buy it ? Nope.... I would buy some old Zildjians, some nice vintage snares or a combination of older and newer snares. Lol Actually, if I had the money, I would buy one of the very rare, original Gladstone snares and have enough left over to buy an early 80s bronze Ludwig, which I collect ! Lol.......
I do agree with the Glasstone only because there are FAR less of those ever made. Reality is Tama BB of this era are worth ( what someone is willing to pay) about $4500 to 6500 .. 79 to 81 patina version $6500 to 8500..
I had the 1994 version of the BB (PL565) that came with BB hoops. As far as the shell, it's exactly the same. Same recipe. The only difference is the 80s models have extended wires and diecast hoops with gates on the snare side hoop. I also had a pair of modern Tama diecast hoops that are made from zinc. I tested both pairs hanging by a rope and there certainly was a difference in tone. The vintage hoops are lower in pitch -- particularly the gated hoop -- and as a pair, are slightly warmer sounding overall. I preferred them.
I have one of these, acquired with a used Yamaha Recording Custom kit back in 1990. The throwoff doesn't work anymore and parts for the Tama roller strainer system are nigh impossible to find, but it's still the most prized snare I've ever owned and I LOVE the sound it produces.
Since the release of the 50th anniversary reissue I checked Tama's website and they have the butt plate rollers and strainer listed. I'm hoping the holes line up. The last knock off I bought left a lot to be desired.
IMO the Tama John Tempesta signature snare comes really close to the sound of Tama Bell Brass. I’m sure some won’t agree but for a fraction of the cost you really can’t go wrong.
Great sounds don't come with great price tags. I have (a.o.) a pm328 (used by Grohl in Paradiso Amsterdam 1991) which is a beast and was 2nd hand affordable. But I also had a Ludwig Acrolite (Black Galaxy) which was absolutely amazingly. It's about flavour, know how to tune and be aware in what room the drum is in.
Great and iconic drum for sure. Worth $15K? No. Not in my eyes. Even if it is the actual drum that Lars used to record the Black Album with, which in turn, started the trend of it being so "legendary"! After people heard that snare, they were all like, what is he using? Then every drummer started using that snare for recording! Nirvana, Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine, and on and on! It's the same reason the LM402, Bonham snare is so legendary and sought after. Cuz it was the snare that Bonham used. Personally, I'd take $1200 and bbuy the Gretsch version of this. The sound is pretty damn close for a fraction of the cost. Drumcenter of Portsmouth has a great comparison video of all these great snares!
Many years ago I had a drum cartage client, and he had the piccolo version from this era. I got to borrow it occasionally and it was a very VERY special drum. I only got to play around with the original 6-1/2" a couple times in my life. The one big thing that always stood out was this. No matter the tuning or how hard you played, it never choked out or lost its articulation. That's a rare thing. Part of that may have been the parallel snare set up they used at that time?. Also the cast hoops(especialy the original brass ones). Those things killed my hands!. That low-mid punch was a calling card of the BellBrass, even when cranked up. A/B'ing it with a nice Black Beauty was a good choice. Yours sounds really good, and it's a classic as well. As far as is it worth that price???......I personally haven't seen them go for that much, but i haven't looked at prices for a little while. In recent years I've seen originals sell in the $4-5k range. I'm sure there's someone that would ask 15k, but I can't see them getting that.....but who knows???. Imho, it's not worth it. There's too many other things that would be much more useful and practical for $15k.....ie: several really nice new/vintage kits in excellent cond. Also I've heard a lot of cast alloy snares that give the same kind of impact and fullness. The original BellBrass is a very special instrument that lives up to the mystic and lore. And, if some baller collector/producer/player absolutely must have it, they'll pay 15k for it 💁♂
I’m thinking about getting the Gretsch bell brass I can only find the 20 lug version didn’t even know they made an 8 lug. That would be awesome to find.
You guys who make these videos : i think it would be nice to have a full drum set in front of you when you are spotlighting a snare drum , so that we who are listening would be able to make better judgment of the sound when it's incorporating toms too. Thanks
I promise you, as soon as I do that people will complain they don’t get to see the drum. Trust me, I’d love to just keep the kit set up, it’d be much easier. The problem is you wouldn’t have the same kit as me, yours would be tuned differently, people use different combinations of microphone, etc.
The TAMA BELL snare samples are great to work with in my DAW - possibly the best yet for me! I'm loving that I can get close to Dave Grohl's drum sound now
This late 1985 BB (No muffler) or one just like it , sold online in Japan for around $4k less than a month ago. I know inflation is high in the US but wow! 😂 please don’t pay these crazy prices. You can find 80s and 90s Tama BB for $4-6 k. if you know where to look.
In answer to the question no no it is not worth $15 k. Considering 1. Neil Pearl recorded Tom Sawyer with a Slimgerland Artist even though he was endorsed by Tama. 2. Alex Van Halen recorded with A Rosewood Tama 14x 6.5 at 5150 studios. 3. A Ludwig 402 sounded just fine for Led Zepplin, Boston and several other bands 4. I believe Tama is planning something special BB the 50th anniversary. 5. Paying these crazy prices for a BB May temp people to make fakes.
There’s definitely something about bronze snare drums. But head-to-head with an aluminum snare, I almost always give the edge to the latter. I was one of the first ones in the US to to get my hands on the brand new Sonor Compressor series snare which I have in the 5.7X14 aluminum and probably wouldn’t trade it for any bronze snare…well, maybe just to sell it and but three different sized Kompressor aluminum snares. Lol
I own one. Bought it on release for $350 (50% off list price). Zampinos Drum Shop North Canton Ohio back in 1983 I think. The next year it came out with the bell brass hoops which I did not buy. Anyways, the highest price I have seen for this that sold was just above $4000. I would be happy for someone to pay me that for this drum. I also have a Ludwig Black Beauty 14 by 6 1/2, and an Ayotte Keplinger 13 by 6. I like my Ayotte the best. I use Grover orchestral snare wires.
What an incredible collection! Also so cool to hear from an original owner. If yours is in good shape and all original, you're definitely sitting on gold.
No snare drum is worth $15,000.00 I have a Tama brass shell snare drum from 1980's that's pretty darn good (not the cast 'bell brass' but regular sheet brass) and that suffices for me. Gotta admit though that bell brass snare sounds really good. Plenty of great snare drums out there the selection now is incredible.
It's a great snare no doubt but the Black Beauty is awesome as well and let's not forget the Gretsch Bell Brass that imo is as good as the Tama for way less money.
I love my BB, but the Tama is PHAT! Worth the price? Subjective based on what can you afford. But does the drum live up to the hype re it's sound? Yep. Every time.
It's hard to say, does it sound like 15 grand, because money is not the way to measure the sound of an instrument. I think, every single piece of the drum kit effects sound and feel of every other instrument in it, so it's not smth descrete. Sometimes, it's not even about just the sound, some instruments may actually cause you to play them with specific technique, dynamic range and even the notes and subdivisions you play. Basically, I think Bell Brass feels and sounds much more interesting and "fresh" to me (I know it's not recently made, I mean the overall sound isn't that familiar nowadays), than the Black Beaty (which is obviously a great snare too), I would definitely like to have the bell brass. Would I spend THAT much money on a snare? If I could afford it - probably yeah, I'd give it a shot!
Shockingly fragile actually. These lugs are notorious for cracking, so there's some definite trepidation when tuning, and the actual playing experience, I'd say, was pretty average for a die cast hoop drum.
I think the Tama bell Brass drums making huge dollars will be the original versions with the 5mm thick shell. There will be very few in the world, hence the high price. 3mm shells are ten a penny, and really, there's no need to pay more than a couple of thousand for them. Better still, buy a modern roto-cast 3mm bronze shelled drum and it will be under 500 secondhand. Scarcity makes a drum worth a lot of money, and 3mm Tama drums are not scarce.. 5mm Tama drums are like hen's teeth.
Oddly the DW Truecast snare SHOULD sound closer to this Tama than the Re-issue Tama for ONE main reason. The original Tama and the DW are sand cast shells while the Tama re-issue is a roto-cast shell. The original Tama shawls are over sized though and that is a major factor in the overall sound. And Cole is right, the same era snares from Tama have a lot in common with these snares regardless of shell material.
Any drum is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. The value of TAMA BB’s, Brady’s early Black Beauty’s etc. are pretty much set by collectors.
Where did the valuation of $15,000 come from? I've heard of these selling for roughly around the £10k mark (if you can even get one), but interested to know why and how you came to the valuation?
If you buy anything that only goes up in value, then of course it’s worth it! If you bought it for $15k and can sell it in a year for $16k, you got to play an amazing drum for a year, and got paid $1k to do so.
It definitely is a great snare, but the reason behind being $15,000 is how rare it is and probably more of a collector's item. I feel like there are similar snares to that bell brass sound for much less. Most drum companies who make bell brass snares would have their own spin to it, whether it be hardware, how thick the shell is, or whatever else that makes it stand out. I'm sure most working musicians or studio owners don't have $15,000 laying around to buy that snare.
The Ludwig Black Beauty is a legendary snare no question. But that Tama Bell Brass is something else. The Ludwig sounded thinner with less low/low mids. The Tama has this big body sound that other snares don't have. The low/low mids are perfectly mixed with the top end and crack. I saw in an interview with Kenny Aronoff that Tama had a bit of copper in the shell as well. So he had a little copper added to his signature snare as well. The Gretsch Bell Brass is the closest I've heard to the Tama. But Copper and Phosphorus Bronze snares might actually by the closest I've heard yet to the outstanding low end of the Tama. Might never play a Tama Bell Brass from the 80s but at least we have samples. Close enough right? 😏
Well the snare mic is slightly closer to the edge on the bell brass which makes this comparison a bit of a miss. I still don't think any snare is worth 15 k. The mic skills and skills of the drummer are so much more important.
I'll keep my snare collection consisting of 3 starphonics by tama,and a solid shell maple craviotto,all in $2500.They sound incredible. $15000 for a single snare,i dont think so.!!!!!
@@williamperri3437 I have the maple / mapa burl, the bubinga,and the nickel over brass.all 6x14. They are probably the finest snares I've own spanning a 50 year period.the components that make up these drums are superior. ::: Freedom hoops, linear throw off , adjustable butt plate and even the stock wires and the Evans heads that come from the factory are the best in the business as far as I'm concerned.They all sound incredible.hope this helps,check one out.
I think the Ludwig sounded better than the Tama. I didn't hear anything special from this video comparison. It is a really nice drum but not worth anything near $15,000.
I had one I bought for $1200 about 25 years ago. I wont lie. I just could not get the clarity or dryness I was seeking, no matter the head selection I tried. From coated, clear, single-ply, double-ply, Remo/ Evans/ Aquarian. 16-20-24-42 strand heads 2A, 2B, 5A, 7A Sticks. Didn't matter. As soon as I put my Ludwig Supraphonic 6.5" back, I didn't end up keeping the Tama. Just too muddy for my taste. Aluminum Ludwigs just seem to be the pinacle for me.
I love and prefer the "simply" black beauty, 14x6,5. I ve 30 snares, a Gretsch bell brass, many ludwig, keplinger, ayotte, vintage snare and modern, gretsch... but the BB is the snare. Tama BB is awesome, but like the ludwig supraphonic is overrated.
Its a nice snare but never would I spend 15k on it. I wouldnt even go with the updated (Starphonic Bell Brass) version which is still 2.5k. MAYBE with the John Tempesta Signature Snare for 850. But even that is a lot of money for a snare. There are plenty of snares around 500 which sound pretty damn good to me
Id buy 15 BB. Or DW bell brass. It went viral for whatever reason. Doesnt make it great. Just makes it popular. My DW 3mm bell brass which feels like 20 lbs would stand up to tht all day long. Line up the top 10 brass snares and dont tell anyone which is which. If more the 80% choose this one, ill admit that its worth finding one but not for 15k. Can someone do this video. I cant!!!!
Sure, you're hearing a combo of 57 top and bottom, AKG 414 B-ULS overheads, Oktava 012 center overhead, and Coles 4038 rooms. These go into a UA Apollo 8p through the 1073 emulation. Hope that helps!
@@ColeParamore that's great! I really enjoyed the representation of the sound of the snare in your room instead of just the close 57 sound!. Would you be open to share those individual files, just so we could hear the tracks individually? I totally understand if you can't or just don't want to! Great video and thanks for doing this!
No it's not worth $15,000. Full stop. The only one buying it for that is some Dr. who doesn't play and will never play and just has it to have it. They made a very limited run of these. I think 100. I believe MSRP was $1,500. It may have just been $800. I have to dig that issue out and look. I remember the MD issue that featured this when it came out. I still have the issue with that review and write up. I think it weighed 15lbs. The Ludwig however is a much more useful and is a more universal drum with many genres that it can cover really well. I can hear the Nevermind sound in this drum for sure. All props to Butch, that would have been a great album with an LM400 or a Black too. All would have sounded iconic. If you have one of these drums and the finish is crapping out, I can strip., brush and recoat it to the original look. I do brass instruments for a living and have restored 20's Black Beauties for customers. See my videos on repairs on youtube.
It´s a very very good sounding snare! But not worth the 15k... next thing would be the Sonor HLD590 (you see that thing for 5000-9000 $/€ sometimes), great snare too. Would love to own one, but only buy for that price if i won big in a lottery. I bought a Tempest Handmade Drums 14x8 bronze... that´s a very damn good sounding snare too! (under 2k for mine)
From the Tama's I actually prefer the John Tempesta . This one doesn't even look cool like Sonor or that 30lb monstrosity by DW. But hey sound is subjective. I mean Dave Grohl used it on their Nirvana albums. So it must worth 15k then 🤪. For everyone else check out the Gretsch Bell Brass. I love it. BTW, to my ears the winner was your Ludwig Black Beauty buy a mile 😎
😎👍♥️ 🇯🇵 🥁 TAMA!!! 🤔It's the classic supply & demand syndrome. You can definitely mess around in the studio to achieve the sound desired. Imho NO drum is worth that much money( yes RINGO that includes your signature ludwig).
15K? No chance. I appreciate you didn't muffle the hell out of it and tune it some place that I'd never play any snare at (super loose, both batter head and snares). It sounds ok, but it's a bit overrated (to say the least).
