Tama SLP Wooden Snare Drums

| AUGUST 2012 WWW.RHYTHMMAGAZINE.CO.UK
116
GEAR REVIEW
B
ack in May’s Rhythm , we checked
out the four metal-shelled snares
from Tama’s eight-drum Sound
Lab Project. Each of the metal
SLPs were suitably impressive and though
respectably priced, would grace centre-stage
alongside snares with a much heftier price
tag. Now, though, it’s time for a close-up
inspection of the four wood-shelled models.
With such a wide and varied selection of
snares available today, choosing just the right
one for the job can be a daunting task – even
for a seasoned pro. In search of what Tama
describes as the “right snare drum”, they
have spent a great deal of time researching
and experimenting with various types of
shell, shell thickness and drum hardware.
From these ‘Lab’ experiments Tama has
produced eight sonically different drums and,
as a guide, categorised them into suggested
genres and playing styles.
Build
With its natural maple fi nish and subtle grain,
the Classic Maple is perhaps the most
understated of all the drums out of the four.
This and the Power Maple both feature
Tama’s triple-fl anged 2.3mm steel Sound Arc
hoops, specially designed for the SLP series.
The hoops have a slight inward-facing top
fl ange which, being wide and rounded,
should help avoid any nasty stick shredding.
Though the G-Maple has the smallest
diameter here, this is more than
compensated for by its plump shell and
wholesome 7" depth. Like the other two
maple models, this also features the
retro-styled brass tube lugs, but is fi tted with
From £259 The evaluation of Tama’s Sound Lab Project
drums concludes with some tasty wooden snares
TAMA
SLP WOODEN
SNARE DRUMS
WORDS: DAVE HOLMES
VERDICT: The build quality of these
snares is superb and the sound produced
highly commendable. Tama has done a
fi ne job of narrowing down the choice of
snare drums and in amongst these eight
SLP snares, I am convinced there will be
at least one of these drums which would
be just the right snare drum for you.
BUILD QUALITY
PLAYABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
RATING
Also try…
1
HIGHWOOD
HERITAGE SNARE
We say: “…will stand
comparison with
anything on the
market.”
2
WORLDMAX
TRADITIONAL
BLACK WOOD
HOOP SNARE
We say: “Their
performance compares
well with drums costing
twice the amount.”
a Starcast die-cast hoop. I particularly like the
tamo ash outer ply, which is reminiscent of a
pattern left in the sand by an ebbing tide – it is
a beautifully grained wood.
Certainly the odd-one-out of the bunch is
the G-Bubinga which is the only drum to have
the gun-turret style Starclassic lugs. With its
bubinga burl outer and black nickel metal
work, the G-Bubinga is absolute eye candy
only to be enhanced by the deep nickel
plating. The plating and the snare throw-off is
the only common element, shared between
the Power Maple. The Midnight burl fi nish of
the Power Maple is also quite beautiful, but
this is almost too dark to get the full benefi t of
that wonderful grain with any clarity.
All the wood models here feature Tama’s
liner-drive snare throw-off and butt-end which
is adjustable at both ends of the strainer – not
just the lever end, as on the metal snares. This
adjustment has a ratchet system which avoids
the snare strainer slackening off mid-
performance. Each drum has the benefi t of
Tama’s Patented ‘Hold Tight’ washers – this is
a combination of a steel cupped washer
housing a rubber ring which butts-up and
grips against the drum rim avoiding potential
de-tensioning.
Hands On
The fi rst of the four to be played is the 13"
G-Maple which, out of the box, sounds
surprisingly good. Aiming for the sweet-spot
centre produces a dry woody crack, then by
hitting slightly off-centre, provides only the
slightest overtone which is immediately
snapped shut, thanks largely to the natural
gating effect of the die-cast hoop and smaller
diameter. This drum is at home with tight funk
or any song which requires precision strikes
– like ‘Superstition’ by Stevie Wonder.
There is certainly nothing dry about the
G-Bubinga, this is as open as a barn door with
lushes of sweet overtone which will help
project this to the back of any venue. Having
played around with the tensioning, raising it
and then dropping it slightly from its
previously table-tight factory pitch, I have
settled with a pitch where the drum now
produces a tantalisingly powerful and rich
snare sound.
After a few whacks upon the Power Maple, I
quickly realise this isn’t going to sit back in
some dark corner. Combining its fundamental
power with a well-placed rim-shot across the
Sound Arc hoop is akin to fi ring a double-
barrelled shotgun early on a Sunday morning
– it will wake everyone! Playing blisteringly
fast is not its bag (think ’80s massive
snare sounds), perhaps due to the
dampness caused by strainer wires,
but it is rather forceful and does rock.
Lastly, up in the basket sits the light,
subtle-grained Classic Maple which at fi rst
appears far more laid-back than its Power
Maple mate. The Classic is a truly ‘classic’
sounding wooden snare which seems to
respond to all levels of tuning – it’s capable of
rocking it up or simply taking a laid-back
approach and playing some tasty jazz.
THE CLASSIC IS A TRULY ‘CLASSIC’
SOUNDING WOODEN SNARE, CAPABLE
OF ROCKING IT UP OR PLAYING SOME
TASTY, LAID-BACK JAZZ
RHY205.gear_tama.indd 116 6/11/12 2:19 PM