Tama Duo Birch and Dynamic Kapur Snare Drums

88
| JUNE 2018 WWW.MUSICRADAR.COM/RHYTHM
GEAR REVIEW
T
his year Tama has committed to
expanding its Sound Lab Project
(S.L.P.) range, developing four full
kits in addition to a new pair of
wooden snares. This brings the already diverse
snare range to a total of 14. The all-new
Dynamic Kapur snare is the companion to a full
kit of the same name, while the Duo Birch is a
standalone snare, in more ways than one…
Build
As the name might suggest, the Duo Birch
snare is designed to serve two functions. Its
14"x10" dimensions mean it can either be used
as a shallow fl oor tom or a monstrously deep
snare. With the exception of Tama’s Superstar
Hyperdrive Duo kit, which includes a very
similar drum, this is not something you see
every day. Equipped with fl oor tom brackets
and legs, the 7-ply (7mm) birch shell is
completed with Starclassic lugs, 20-strand
carbon steel snare wires, Sound Arc hoops and
a Quick Touch strainer, all fi nished in chrome.
Like the rest of the S.L.P. range, this drum is
available in just one confi guration and fi nish.
The Transparent Mocha lacquer fi nish shows
off the natural birch woodgrain beautifully,
although there is a rather distracting diagonal
join which could be more subtle.
The more traditionally-sized 14"x6½"
Dynamic Kapur snare is constructed from six
plies (5mm) of Kapur wood and fi nished in the
beautifully rich Black Kapur Burst fi nish. Like
the Duo Birch, it also sports chrome Sound
Arc hoops and 20-strand carbon steel snare
wires. Rather than chunky single Starclassic
lugs, the Dynamic Kapur features eight brass
tube lugs (also fi nished in chrome) which lend
a more classic aesthetic to the drum. This
drum trumps the Duo Birch in the throw-off
department as it has been treated to Tama’s
Linear-Drive model with matching butt-plate
complete with secondary strainer. It’s an
upgrade that not only looks smarter, but it
also makes it a more versatile instrument.
From £249 Tama continues to expand its Sound Lab Project series
TAMA DUO BIRCH
& DYNAMIC KAPUR
SNARE DRUMS
WORDS: TOM BRADLEY
WITH MORE TENSION ON THE BOTTOM,
THE DUO STARTS TO FEEL MORE LIKE A
SNARE DRUM AND, WITH THE BATTER
HEAD STILL LOW, CREATES A
SERIOUSLY WIDE AND FAT TONE
HOOPS
Both snares feature
stick-saver style
Sound Arc hoops
TUBE LUGS
The Dynamic Kapur features
classic-style brass tube lugs,
finished in chrome
Both drums are supplied with Tama/Evans
coated G1 batters and Snare Side 300 heads,
and branded with the brushed brass Tama
S.L.P. badge.
Hands On
I choose to start testing by positioning the
Duo Birch in place of my usual 14" fl oor tom.
Considering the drum’s meaty size, it makes
sense to see how it fares when played in the
lower registers. With both heads tuned down,
the Duo Birch manages a pretty good
impression of a fl oor tom but lacks the
familiar rumble, likely due to its shallower
dimensions. The silver lining though is that
the 10" depth makes it respond much faster
– working nicely for speedy gospel-style
chops. At this tension, turning the snares on
does it no favours as the wires have a hard
time reacting with the loose resonant head.
With considerably more tension on the
bottom, the Duo starts to feel more like a
Also try…
2
TAMA
SOUNDWORKS
We say: “An outstanding
amount of drum for the
money. A great choice in
sizes and each one
sounds fantastic.
Suitable for the aspiring
and professional
drummer alike. ”
1
MAPEX BLACK
PANTHER
VELVETONE
We say: “A n
elegantly-named snare
with a distinct build and
equally-elegant musical
tones. Bright, deep
projection. Happy tuned
high or low.”
RHY281.gear_tama.indd 88 11/04/2018 13:23