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.
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!)
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
😎👍♥️ 🇯🇵 🥁 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).
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.
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).
No way I would pay 15 000 for a snare. Yes, it is nice, but not 15 000 nice. I still have my Sonor snare (eight inches deep, birch) and I will never sell it. It has always worked, from heavy use in my early years to now (when I play very modestly). It was also great in studios. I guess you can find one for 3-500 bucks. If you take care of it and tune it right, it will outlive you. The only other brand I would consider is a - tadaaa - Ludwig.
The one being played is not a original. Since 1983 had The Terminator 14×6.5 only 200 made. Had rechomed so in mint condition, not a drummer so never been played. People pay silly money for all sorts of things, crazy to some peanuts to others. Would sell at right price . From UK.
No snare is worth 15 grand. It sounds great, but you can also get something that sounds as good for like $500. I really fucking hate collector culture.
I know this one is the absolute legendary rock snare of the early 90 rock, and it's the equivalent of a 1959 Les Paul. But I was wondering about the whole spectrum. Like the Gretsch Bell brass, my favorite snare, it's their most expensive one, and list goes on and on with models and brands
Bell brass is technically bronze in most cases, but the point you raise is an interesting one. Something like a Black Beauty is brass but definitely not cheap.
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
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.
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 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’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.
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!
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!!!!
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.
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...
The black beauty sounds just as nice for a lot cheaper the tama is nice but a complete rip off they are not worth 15k it’s an artificial price just like California real estate totally inflated and artificial
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 sounds like a snare drum. A $400 brass snare would sound the same, and anyone who'd pay $15K for that is someone with more money than brains. It's only going to sound as good as who's playing it. Put a great drummer behind it and it will sound great....put a bad drummer behind it and it will sound bad..
I think it's absurd that it's 15k when you can get a better sound out of a $300 drum? I don't even care if you're rich.. it's stupid to pay that much for a snare. In my opinion.
IMO defnitely not worth $15k. No way. Not with the snares that are out there that record just as well and have such a similar sound. I might pay a few grand but not 15k.
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?
I will say, every time I hear one of these, it sounds good but not spectacular. However, whenever I hear other snares played after listening to the bell brass, they all sound a little disappointing.
My short answer is no! No snare is worth that much money when you can make a snare sound good in context! I guess if you’re a collector who has a lot of money?
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.
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
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!
Best to put 14 grand on cymbals and the rest on the snare and 10 sets of good Remo heads
Brave of y’all to assume I have that kind of money
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!
Sonor SQ2, Tama Star Series, DW Collectors drum sets and top of the line snares will do for that money.
this is a law that works for any boutique product by any famous brand
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.
The father of all heavy cast snares being the Sonor HLD-590.
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!)
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.
Interesting, would love to check that one out too.
Tempesta is going to look different, but if you're not a doctor it's going to sound close enough.
100% brother. Especially with a diecast batter
I bought his mint condition Bell Brass!!
@@sody2000 Hello doctor.
I bought a WorldMax black brass snare for $300, with diecast hoops. Killer drum and a fraction of the cost.
the sweatshop children thankyou for your purchase.
@@krusher74 I guess buyers of Pearl, Mapex, etc... and nearly all drum-hardware users should also thank those Tai kids.
I've heard cheap snares sound incredible, just like incredible snares after the mixer!
Bro can u do a tuning tutorial for your black beauty pls? Sounds so niceee! I just got one.
If you're recording, this snare is king!!!
Not even close to 15k but a great snare for sure your audience won't be able to tell. Plenty of great snare drums out there.
We all know how it sounds. That speaks for itself. How did it FEEL? Were your hands as happy as your face?
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.
If money wasn't an object, it would be the first snare I'd buy. It's legendary.
Would you mind sharing the signal chain for the audio? All mics, pres, etc? Both snares sounded amazing by the way!
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 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.
For $15k it should come with a free Sonor 590. 😅
Under rated comment
Value is tied to the marketing and "taste of the season".
It's a matter of taste... there are so many gorgeous snare made in last 10-15 years that payed for this one so much money is idiotic at least.
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.
What is that model of crash closest to your hi-hats?
That is a Meinl Byzance Traditional Medium Thin 19"
ua-cam.com/video/7n3OHR87K5I/v-deo.html
Thank you!!@@ColeParamore
Apart from this snare, what is the best and favourite snare you’ve played…?
A Ludwig Black Beauty that was owned by Rick Allen and borrowed by Lars Ulrich to record Master of Puppets. That video will hopefully be up soon.
There are drum samples all over Nevermind. To pay so much money for this snare is really not a good decision.
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.
It does sound good though
😎👍♥️ 🇯🇵 🥁 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).
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.
Coll
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).
No way I would pay 15 000 for a snare. Yes, it is nice, but not 15 000 nice. I still have my Sonor snare (eight inches deep, birch) and I will never sell it. It has always worked, from heavy use in my early years to now (when I play very modestly). It was also great in studios. I guess you can find one for 3-500 bucks. If you take care of it and tune it right, it will outlive you. The only other brand I would consider is a - tadaaa - Ludwig.
The one being played is not a original. Since 1983 had The Terminator 14×6.5 only 200 made. Had rechomed so in mint condition, not a drummer so never been played. People pay silly money for all sorts of things, crazy to some peanuts to others. Would sell at right price . From UK.
Black Beauty sounds better.
my one word answer, "no"
the original and the recent reissue don't really sound all that special to me personally
BLACK BEAUT SOUNDED BETTER
On Tama drum you dont have original hoop so its not original sound...
They are - not sure where you're getting that.
No snare is worth 15 grand. It sounds great, but you can also get something that sounds as good for like $500. I really fucking hate collector culture.
Why are brass cymbals stupid cheap and brass snares crazy expensive if it is the same alloy?
I know this one is the absolute legendary rock snare of the early 90 rock, and it's the equivalent of a 1959 Les Paul. But I was wondering about the whole spectrum. Like the Gretsch Bell brass, my favorite snare, it's their most expensive one, and list goes on and on with models and brands
Bell brass is technically bronze in most cases, but the point you raise is an interesting one. Something like a Black Beauty is brass but definitely not cheap.
Great sounding snare, but the more the “legend” around it grows the more the unjustified price goes up. I’ll stick with the affordable BB lol
BB is the way to go. I have the hammered one and I love that sound. Gretsch has a bell brass in production right now that sounds incredible and is pretty much a recreation of this drum, so no need to pay for a Tama
Yep
I have a pearl sensitone....pearls version of black beauty and its 300$ less and sounds as good as a BLACK BEAUTY I also own...
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.
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 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.
Value is what the market is willing to pay for it. If it has a hitory of sales at the price, then that is the value.
Sounds amazing but not even close to 15 grand.
The Gretsch Bell Brass is the closest match to this in my opinion
yes, I agree, I have the 8 lug version which is fantastic
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.
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!
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!!!!
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.
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...
Best snare… of all time!! 😊
Opinion! I mean, I love Ludwig Acrolites almost as much and totally different sound.
@@williamperri3437 no it's the best - I've been playing and engineering for 30 years and nothing has come close.
The black beauty sounds just as nice for a lot cheaper the tama is nice but a complete rip off they are not worth 15k it’s an artificial price just like California real estate totally inflated and artificial
I wonder What is the sound difference between this and the cheap swingstar steel snare drum
Unpopular opinion but i honestly like the black beauty more. I would never pay $15k for that tama lol
The first snare WAYYYY better sounding In MHO. so no, not worth $15,000.
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.
My friend, you kind of left me with the impression that you could make a cookie tin sound iconic. Fantastic playing! Thank you for the showcase.
Thanks so much for the kind words Ted!
In my early teen years, I made a cookie tin sound incredibly! Well, I’m my mind anyway. I’ve always been banging on things.
@@timm1139 Imagine if it had been a $15k tin!
I happen to have one but only paid $800 for it new in 1987. Should I sell it and profit? Not a chance. 😊
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 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.
I personally would go for the 1980's Sonor HLD 590 cast Bronze 14x8 snares instead
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.
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.
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.
And your absolutely right. These are out there for far less money.
For me, Ludwig first, Tama second.
Would we talk about the Sonor HLD 590…?
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.
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.
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.
In this video, the BB has more articulation.
I think the low end in this drum really shines when in a full mix with the room mics. Snare mics don't capture it as well as the room mics I guess.
Bulls on parade by rage against the machine being a solid example
Great video Cole, what’s crazy is that just a few years ago I thought they were pricy at 3k…
Same and the real first Gen coffin lug ones were something like 8k which was mind blowing to me.
like basically anything used nowadays. hahaha cars, guitars, records, shoes, ANYTHING
sounds like every stock snare ive heard.
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.
There’s an entire set of Tama Roller hardware on Reverb right now!
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.
I mean, it's got serious mojo, bite and body. But 15 grand? Meh.
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 sounds like a snare drum. A $400 brass snare would sound the same, and anyone who'd pay $15K for that is someone with more money than brains. It's only going to sound as good as who's playing it. Put a great drummer behind it and it will sound great....put a bad drummer behind it and it will sound bad..
I think it's absurd that it's 15k when you can get a better sound out of a $300 drum? I don't even care if you're rich.. it's stupid to pay that much for a snare. In my opinion.
your playing would sound great on any janky ol' drum. but, gotta say i prefer the black beauty. of course, opinions are like assholes, we all got 'em!
IMO defnitely not worth $15k. No way. Not with the snares that are out there that record just as well and have such a similar sound. I might pay a few grand but not 15k.
Where did the valuation of $15,000 come from? I've heard of these selling for roughly around the £10k mark (if you can even get one), but interested to know why and how you came to the valuation?
Because that’s the exact price that drum sold for. Fun fact, since this video I know of another BB that sold for 16.5k. 🤯
It’s not worth 15k. My sonor cast bronze is imo a better sounding drum for significantly less. Love the Tama but nope.
What's 99% more valuable than the drum is your taste and skill.
I will say, every time I hear one of these, it sounds good but not spectacular. However, whenever I hear other snares played after listening to the bell brass, they all sound a little disappointing.
only to a wealthy collector. it does not sound better than a brand new Ludwig LM402 that you can have for 700 dollars.
My short answer is no! No snare is worth that much money when you can make a snare sound good in context! I guess if you’re a collector who has a lot of money?
Sounds NOT 15 times better than the Luddy BB. 🤷♂️
I think it sounds better though.
@@williamperri3437 not 15.000$ better...
Agree. It sounds 17 times better than the Ludwig Black Beauty
bronze is expensive
also keep in mind: its from the 80s and every drummer back then wanted one so theyre relatively rare
Sounds like crap. The only good brass snare is the collectible Tama. vintage superstar.
Absolutely NOT! 💯
try s.l.p.dynamic bronze 14 x 5.5 and john tempesta signature snare :0
My Gretsch USA custom bell brass is way cheaper and it does not sound that different!
That Tama completely blows away the Black Beauty in this instance.
DW’s black nickel over brass sounds 10 times better than that for 600 bucks
It really sounds amazingly great but for more like 1500 bucks.
Sounds amazing but not worth $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.
TAMA ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ludwig 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮
You will have to buy the reissue now, 4k a lot better than supposed 15k.
I wouldn't give 15 cents for it or anything else Tama makes.
I owned one. Sold it with my tama kit for a total of 800. Now I want to cry. Yikes!
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
what you really need is a HLD-590.
My CB700 snare drum gives this Tama a run for the money!!!
I’m a Tama guy and I don’t believe any snare is worth 15k. Great snare though. (My 2¢)
Video starts 3:15 black beauty is better
Hey Greg, I think there may be an issue with your player. The video starts at 0:00. Cheers!
@@ColeParamore I got a little anxious and couldn’t wait to hear the sound of the bell brass snare but your black beauty is much better
I buy drums for cheap and the money goes into cymbals
if it’s 15k , it should come with a free car 👍🏼
Lol