TAMA Introduces Warlord Series Snare Drums

Four distinctly different looking and aggressive sounding and named snare drums were the centerpiece of the TAMA booth at the Austin Summer NAMM musical instrument convention. Unlike TAMA's more typically modern "form and function" look, the members of the new "Warlord Collection" were all fitted with elaborate, almost gothic hardware complete with crystals. "These new drums aren't just different than anything we've ever done before," said Tomo Yoshinaga of TAMA. "They're also completely different from one another."

The Valkyrie (KGM146NDWC) features a thick 15ply/13mm 100% maple snare with a figured maple outer ply. The Masai (KGB146AFTC) utilizes a 12ply/10mm 100% African bubinga shell with an outer-ply of quilted Bubinga. The Spartan (KSS146C) features a 1.0mm stainless steel shell with a special resonant sound edge and bright, penetrating tones. All three list for $899.99.

At the top of the line in both power and price is the Praetorian (KBB146C), with a 3mm shell fashioned of TAMA's famous bell brass with a hefty $2,599.99 list price. "Of course, bell brass is incredibly expensive and, naturally enough, we don't sell a huge number of them," said Tomo Yoshinaga. "But nothing else is as powerful and sensitive as bell brass and for its loyal adherents no other drum shell will do."