Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
More
  • NAMM 2026: as it happened
  • Best NAMM tech gear
  • Joni's Woodstock
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Drums
  2. Snare Drums

NAMM 2014: Tama reveals new configurations, finishes and snares

News
By Rhythm published 23 January 2014

And a cool cocktail kit

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Metalworks Black Chrome snare drums

Metalworks Black Chrome snare drums

NAMM 2014: Some new finishes, some new configurations and a brace of snares are on the menu for Tama this year. Plus a funky little cocktail kit!

First things first - snares. If you like your drums black on black with an extra helping of black then the Metalworks Black Chrome snare drums are for you.

The steel drums feature 1.2mm shells with triple flanged hoops and a black nickel finish that creates a unique, industrial look that's topped off with Evans Black Chrome Heads.

Snares are available in 14"x4", 14"x5.5" and 14"x6.5" sizes.

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
New finishes and configurations for Starclassic Bubinga and Maple

New finishes and configurations for Starclassic Bubinga and Maple

The trusty Starclassic Bubinga and Maple series' have been treated to new finishes and a new configuration called 'Natural Classics’ featuring a particularly shallow bass drum. The sizes of the shell packs will be 22"x16", 12"x8" and 16"x16".

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
The Cocktail-JAM kit

The Cocktail-JAM kit

We love a cocktail kit here at Rhythm and this is a brilliant addition from Tama, and something of a break from the norm. The compact kit comprises bass drum, snare drum, a couple of toms and space for a handful of cymbals. There are also plenty of places to clamp other voices like cowbells, wood blocks and more.

From the press release"

The "Cocktail-JAM" Kit™ is a TAMA original, in both appearance and sound. Ideal for hip-hop, jazz, intimate acoustic settings, or tight rehearsal rooms. Completely compact, this kit can easily be set up and played using a throne in much less space than a typical drum set. The "Cocktail-JAM" kit™ and its hardware can be completely packed easily in just two bags, which are included with the kit, making it super portable and easy to transport to any gig.

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
The Mini-Tymp

The Mini-Tymp

Another move away from tradition for Tama, the Mini-Tymp snare drum is a unique single headed drum, featuring a half set of snare wires that rest against the batter head. Latin Percussion produced a similar thing a couple of years back and it had a surprising and exciting amount of crack. We're looking forward to giving this a shot.

From the press release:

You can adjust the snare sound by tuning the round knob, which acts as a strainer. If you completely loosen the snares from the head of the drum, you can play it like a mini timbale. Included with every Mini-Tymp Snare drum is an MC69 single tom adapter, for easy mounting on any kit.

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Silverstar Tamo Ash kit

Silverstar Tamo Ash kit

Finally, Tama's Silverstar line now includes a Tamo Ash shell pack.

Two finishes are available: Matte Tamo Ash and Satin Mahogany Tamo Ash; and in two configurations: 18"x14", 14"x5", 12"x8", 14"x14"; and22"x18", 14"x5", 10"x7", 12"x8", 16"x14".

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
Rhythm
Latest in Snare Drums
PDP Concept Clear Acrylic Kit and Snare with acrylic hoops
"Cutting rimshots and controlled overtones": PDP brings a "world-first" to the acrylic drum market with its latest Concept Acrylic Kit and Snare
 
 
Limited Edition DW MFG True-Cast 14x4" sand-cast snare drum
DW’s Limited Edition MFG True-Cast 14x4” snare brings a piccolo to its sand-cast, machined bell bronze range, but if you want one you’re going to need to be quick
 
 
Drumcraft Bell Brass Snare
“An excellent entry point into the world of cast-shell drums”: DrumCraft Bell Brass Snare review
 
 
DrumCraft Bell Brass 14"x6.5" snare
DrumCraft reintroduces its Bell Brass snare drum, offering you the snare sound of Metallica, Nirvana, RATM and more for under £800!
 
 
Paramore
YouTuber recreates Paramore’s iconic Misery Business snare drum sound from scratch without using samples, "Drum production was not the same post-Misery Business"
 
 
DrumCraft Vanguard
"The aluminium model is, frankly, a stone-cold bargain": DrumCraft Vanguard snare drums review
 
 
Latest in News
Lily Allen physical release
A dish best served cold: Lily Allen releases a version of her latest album as a novelty butt plug USB stick
 
 
Swedish singer Zara Larsson performs at the main stage of the Rock in Rio music festival at the Rio 2016 Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on September 14, 2024. (Photo by Mauro PIMENTEL / AFP) (Photo by MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
The making of Zara Larsson's 2015 hit, Lush Life, and the original version you might never have heard
 
 
Napster 26 mock-up cassette tape
“We don’t think that the future of music involves the labels anymore”: Napster is back – with a new AI app
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: PinkPantheress attends The Fashion Awards 2025 presented by Pandora at the Royal Albert Hall on December 01, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
PinkPantheress is so Sincere as she joins MJ Cole on a new version of a UK Garage classic
 
 
Sir Brian May attends the Cirque du Soleil OVO VIP premiere
“Everyone is thinking twice about going there at the moment”: Brian May on why Queen won’t tour the US
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $220 off a stunning Gretsch, $150 off a unique Les Paul Custom Widow, as well as hundreds off pianos, interfaces, and headphones
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...