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
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Bridge Over Troubled Water
  • World in Motion
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The genius of Clive Davis
  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
Read more
Roland TD-716 e-kit in a rehearsal room with a Marshall cab in the background
Electronic Drums Best Roland electronic drum sets 2026: my top Roland V-Drums for beginner to pro drummers
 
 
DW Drums 9000X detail
Drum Gear “More drummer-friendly than ever”: Drum Workshop launch updated version of their 9000 series of stands and hardware
 
 
Man wearing black hat playing the Roland TD716 electronic drum set
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets in 2026: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
 
 
Rear view Donner Groove Ultra kit in a warehouse
Electronic Drums “Despite this minimalist footprint, it’s one of the sturdiest racks I’ve tested in this price bracket”: Donner Groove Ultra electronic drum set review
 
 
Drummer wearing headphones shot from behind an electronic drum set
Drummers Best headphones for drummers 2026: sound isolation for the studio, rehearsal room and stage
 
 
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Drum Machines Best drum machines 2026: Top beat boxes for all budgets and skill levels
 
 
Latest in Snare Drums
PDP Concept Clear Acrylic Kit and Snare with acrylic hoops
Drums "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
Drums 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
Snare Drums “An excellent entry point into the world of cast-shell drums”: DrumCraft Bell Brass Snare review
 
 
DrumCraft Bell Brass 14"x6.5" snare
Drums DrumCraft reintroduces its Bell Brass snare drum, offering you the snare sound of Metallica, Nirvana, RATM and more for under £800!
 
 
Paramore
Snare Drums 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
Snare Drums "The aluminium model is, frankly, a stone-cold bargain": DrumCraft Vanguard snare drums review
 
 
Latest in News
The Beatles posing together. From left to right: musicians George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, circa 1965.
Guitarists Paul McCartney's favourite song he's ever written is possibly the only one John Lennon complimented him on directly
 
 
British rock band Blur's drummer Dave Rowntree poses during a photo session in Paris on June 19, 2025
Music Industry Blur drummer loses legal action against PRS against over distribution of royalties
 
 
 Sean Lennon of The Claypool Lennon Delirium performs at TD Amp Ballantyne on June 16, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina
Singers & Songwriters “It’s shocking, unprecedented and inexplicable”: Sean Lennon is still amazed at the Beatles’ work rate
 
 
Five Finger Death Punch
Artists “Nikki Sixx said to us, ‘You guys need to step on the brakes!’”: 20 years of Five Finger Death Punch
 
 
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 4: Madonna performs at TSX Stage in Times Square on June 4, 2026 in New York City.  (Photo by XNY/Star Max/GC Images)
Artists Producer Stuart Price discusses his working relationship with Madonna
 
 
Fred Schneider of The B-52s performs at The O2 Arena on June 20, 2026
Gigs & Festivals “He knew a dangerous storm was brewing”: B-52s claim French promoter put band and crew at risk
 
 

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 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...