TAMA SLP METAL SNARE DRUMS
| JUNE 2012 WWW.RHYTHMMAGAZINE.CO.UK
116
VERDICT: This set of snares covers just
about every musical genre. It would be
impossible to choose one drum over
another in the review set – they are all
good drums in their own right and the
choice would largely come down to the
particular style(s) I was playing.
BUILD QUALITY
PLAYABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
RATING
GEAR REVIEW
T
his review is the fi rst of a two-part
appraisal of Tama’s spanking new
SLP snare drums. Altogether there
are eight snares in the SLP or ‘Sound
Lab Project’ series, this month it’s the four
metal models under the microscope – a review
of the wood shelled snares will follow in a later
edition of
Rhythm
.
Build
The design methodology for the Sound Lab
Project was to create a line of snare drums
which would easily be identifi able with a
particular genre or drumming style. During
much experimentation, Tama’s R&D people
considered shell composition and thickness,
rim style and type, strainer etc. The end result,
for what Tama describes as “the keystone of
any drummer’s sound”, is a set of snares with
their own unique sonic and visual identity.
While there are distinct differences between
each model, there are also many common
elements too. These include the snare
throw-off, non-adjustable butt-end, ‘hold-tight’
tension rod washers and the excellent Evans
single-ply batters and snare heads. Tama
needed some sort of datum line which using
the same heads ably provides.
Of all the snares up for review, the two
which seem to be the closest in terms of build
and appearance, are the Vintage Steel and
Super Aluminium. Both boast retro-style
brass tube lugs and include the newly
designed triple-fl anged ‘Sound Arc’ steel
hoops. These were specially developed for
the SLP series and feature a small inward-
facing top fl ange. Tama says this design aspect
will enhance the natural tone, while allowing
better control over tuning.
Peering inside the 1.6mm-thick aluminium-
shelled model shows a much larger pair of
fl anges which also protrude inwards by around
15mm, but these are part of the actual shell,
forming the upper and lower bearing edges.
Apart from the slight depth defi ciency, the only
way to tell each of these apart at a single
glance is by the slightly smoky yellow hue of the
nickel-plated Vintage shell.
The brutish Black Brass and comparatively
cute Sonic Steel look so dissimilar it is hard to
imagine these models are from the same
series. The brass is the only model not to
feature a centre ridge which, coupled with the
relatively small Starclassic streamline nut
boxes, creates an illusion that this drum is
much deeper than the Sonic Steel. Upturning
the bold as brass model shows off the
larger-than-life 42-strand snare strainer – this
time however, it is big and that is no illusion!
I particularly like the contrast of the brushed
nickel of the Sonic Steel’s shell against the
chrome plating on each of the other metal
components. These include the hi-tension lugs
which form a bridge over the centre ridge and
the triple fl anged Mighty Hoops. With the
exception of the plating and the 1" diameter
reduction, the hoop design is one of the few
similarities with the Black Brass model.
Hands On
Fresh from the factory, the tension is fairly tight
and most of the snares only require the
GEAR REVIEW
From £199 Could it be love at fi rst strike with Tama’s new Sound
Lab Project series of metal snares?
TAMA
SLP METAL
SNARE DRUMS
WORDS: DAVE HOLMES
THE BLACK BRASS IS DEEP AND
DARK AND DEMANDS TO BE STRUCK
LOUDLY AND WITH LITTLE FINESSE
2
PEARL
SENSITONE
SERIES
We say: “A n
agreeably affordable
pro-level proposition.”
1
NATAL
STEEL SHELL
We say: “Sheer
bravado of the design
and attention to detail
bode well.”
Also try…
slightest tweak to get the pitch the same at
each lug point. Once cranked up as near pitch-
perfect, it’s the 5"-deep aluminium drum that is
the fi rst to be awarded with a fi rm wallop.
Instantly this gives a powerful and authoritative
crack with little or no overtone from the head
itself but, just for a split second, a satisfying ring
emanates from the shell. I instantly warm to
this drum as it is full of character which belies
its depth – time for some funk, I think!
The Vintage Steel has a much fatter and a
more open sound than its aluminium cousin,
evoking a truly authentic vintage vibe. Its ready
acceptance of a wide range of tuning makes
this a surprisingly versatile drum but it’s great
for those ‘loose’ songs which require subtle feel
where ghost notes effortlessly fl ow to gently
blend in the gaps and not just some on-the-
beat strict quantise.
The Sonic Steel cries out for reggae off-beats
where a sharp tuck into the groove can give a
track an amazing lilt. It would be great as a
second snare beside something of contrast.
Enter the brass beast... this model sits at the
opposite end of the music spectrum where the
dreadlocks give way to tattoos and sweat. This
drum rocks, it is deep and dark and demands to
be struck loudly with little fi nesse and where
the double pedals go into overdrive.
RHY203.gear_tama.indd 116 4/18/12 11:14:43 AM