Tama Snare Drums For The Money - Woodworks vs. SLP vs. STAR Reserve

[@scotttaylor7211]

I think the SLP gives you the most for the money. I have a Maple SLP I bought from you and I think it’s great!

[@drumcenternh]

Awesome, I hope you are still loving it! Thanks for the support

[@pendrag2k]

Same. I got a 7.5" deep, and she can do about anything.

[@anotherDnightmare]

I think the manufacturing and development processes have been so streamlined and updated that they really can’t help but make even a cheap drum sound pretty damn decent.

[@jasonmckinney2705]

High end Tama is world class. Nothing wrong with the mid to low range. SLP is surprisingly good. Got a 2004 Artwood that I use to take on Classic Rock gigs, never let me down. Thanks for the video, always appreciate the humor.

[@jamesdennett196]

I like the way TAMA with the SLP have prioritised quality of build and sound. It sounds as good as one could expect a snare to sound. Truly top drawer. And of course the STAR sounds great, but no better, just different. It's just if you want that particular character and luxury of build. But the quality of the sound of both the SLP and STAR are completely equal to my ears.

[@drumcenternh]

Couldn't agree more!

[@CornerStoreDrums]

The SLP line is one of my absolute favorites. DCP = Top Notch 💯 🥁

[@drumcenternh]

👊🤘

[@WhirlwindDrums]

The S.L.P. line of snares is amazing. I specifically love the spotted gum 14 x 6.5 and g-maple 13 x 7 Fantastic video production as well. One of my favorite drum showcase channels on youtube

[@footnotedrummer]

The high tuning on that SLP is pure freakin magic! It has that great woody tonality under mic. Amazing sounding.

[@MisterDelicious]

This is an awesome concept for a video! Working drummers like myself love to see DCP'S high end inventory, while also seeing what's available at a more accessible price. Thanks guys!

[@drumcenternh]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the feedback!

[@buckjohnson2836]

Yes, agree with Adam on this. More of these low/upper mid/high end comparisons would be great, especially for a working/gigging drummer.

[@dancalabrese3523]

This was a great idea for a video. Highlighting all aspects of the drum from interior to lugs, rims and throw offs and where it was manufactured really helps to explain the extremes in cost differences. It would be interesting to see this done on other manufacturers as well like Ludwig, Sonor, etc.

[@alkingborn]

SLP is definitely the best choice in the TAMA world: excellent sound, excellent craftsmanship, excellent price. Star reserve I'm sure is a fantastic product but pricewise enters a roster where the choice range is by far favourable to other brands. A car example: at a similar price would you buy a Nissan GTR Nismo or a Jaguar F type, a Porsche 911 or a Mercedes GT?

[@munton5150]

Great concept for a snare video. Especially for beginning players with limited budget. You can get a lot out of the more affordable options.

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks Chris and totally agree!

[@jamiecammish2968]

I love your videos guys, keep em coming. Maybe a video on the differences with different hoops but demonstrated on the same drum might be a good idea if you haven't don't it already. I've been playing 30 plus years but apart from wood v metal hoops I've never really considered the sound too much. A bit like the head comparison videos (Evans V Remo etc) you see online quite a bit would be good. 👍 thanks, great stuff from Yorkshire in the UK.

[@mickgentry8128]

Great snares and Great explanation of the differences and price points.

[@drumcenternh]

Glad you liked it!

[@drumfanatik316]

Would love to see you do a comparison video of Tama’s brass snare drums. Like the Kenny Arnoff signature, VS. The SLP Black Brass, VS. The John Tempesta signature model!!! Or just a comparison of ALL of Tama’s metal snare drums. That would be great!!!

[@nickdenardo6479]

you guys nailed it, like you usually do. I don't really have anything to add. I also appreciate the humor. it's great to be able to laugh a bit along with the top notch content. I have quite a few drums, including some slp snares. i love that they offer so many different shell materials.

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks so much Nick!

[@ngilbert100]

I am returning to drumming as an adult. I bought this exact SLP drum. I do really like it. I don’t have a big collection of snare drums. When I played as a kid most of the drums I saw were 4-6” deep. Now I see lots of 7-8” drums. This 7” drum is pretty loud. It can be overpowering. I changed the 42 strand wires out for 24 strand puresound wires and I like how that sounds. I felt that the 42 strand wires were choking the drum sound especially when I tuned the resonant up too high. This drum doesn’t like to have the reso cranked high. It is a really beautiful drum.

[@jasonrobelia8829]

There's definitely something about the body that an 8 lug drum has. I'd love to hear what the woodworks sounds like with different heads and wires. You should do a pimp my snare video by changing different heads, wires and maybe even hoops.

[@jjdente7666]

the SLP sounded the best to my ears. But im a sucker for diecast hoops.

[@AdrianBlackburnDesteni]

so cool how you guys got Eric Wareheim featured in this video.

[@gregmgm06]

Great video! It's the SLP for me. I like the bright snappy crack to it, and the price is surprisingly affordable. I have two Tama Star snares I bought from you, they're amazing drums!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks for sharing! Yeah, hard to argue with that SLP!

[@derekohlarik1198]

So far I’ve only listened to the Woodworks. So before listening to the others I will say, sounds damn good! Especially med and high tuning. Impressed.

[@jimsilveroli4046]

I love this (for the money) concept. Would you please do more of these videos with other brands of snares?

[@l1nk987]

Love this video! I have Woodworks, a lot of SLPs and a few Starclassics, I find the SLPs has the best quality for their snare range.

[@AlbertMoyerJr]

High end drums are like a better brew or wine. Smooth! 🤣

[@drummingdog5706]

I have 2 slp drums, bold gum and hammered steel. Both are versatile and sound great. I played an outdoor venue and brought a ludwig bb and the gum as a back up. The tama sounded so good, i never used the bb.

[@DrummerGrrrl]

The S.L.P. for me! Wow! All that beauty, bang, and beefiness for not too many bucks.

[@matthewsherman9765]

SLP is a fantastic value but man that Star drum you can feel it in your stomach and it’s through a phone!!!

[@tobiaswinter1358]

Excellent video! Want to see more technical videos!

[@robertsala8031]

I like that the subject of nuance and specific sound characteristics in very high-end instruments was brought up. Players at the very peak of abilities (often in the classical music realm) will have instruments crafted for a particular type of music and sometimes for a certain piece of music. These instruments fit perfectly into what they are designed for but are not necessarily great all around instruments. The SLP would fit into just about any niche for me.

[@scottculver5728]

I have an SLP spotted gum and it’s awesome. I also have an SLP spruce. Love that one too. SLP snares are great. !!!

[@drumcenternh]

Great drums, tons of value!

[@sogent56]

I have the SLP Big Brass snare…. Absolutely love it.

[@jaymeramirez7435]

My favorite snares from Tama are the SLP maple 13” and the Starphonic Maple

[@zimch011]

Thanks a lot for this video. That helped me a lot as I was asking myself a long time already how a drum with a poplar shell does sound as there are not so much drums in poplar on the market made by the bigger companies like Tama, Pearl etc. Your comparison helped me a lot and I must say, that the sound of poplar is something that I´m realy missing in my collections of Snaredrums. So maybe buying the woodworks and adding some new hoops, heads and throw off will bring a poplar shell to my collection. Thanks a lot for the tremendous work you have put into this video! It was great and helped me a lot!

[@drumcenternh]

So glad to hear it was helpful!

[@jloiben12]

What a great idea for a video series

[@drumcenternh]

Glad you think so!

[@dugjay]

Definitely a toss up between the SLP and the Star Reserve. I guess I expected one of the drums to sound like a Stewart Copeland snare (Driven To Tears) and maybe the Star Reserve came close. For the money, the SLP would be on my table.

[@mermerserkan]

Please make a video about all Starphonic series.🙏🏻🤞🏻😁

[@miguelruiz8183]

I have a Starphonic Brass PBR 146 snare and it is by far one of the best snares you can get at a amazing price!!!

[@Signalsdrone]

I have a SLP Fat Spruce and I love it. Great sound and quality. Out of those three, I liked the SLP the best, most likely because it was 7" deep.

[@andyham6094]

That slp g maple sounds so damn good. I own mostly metal snare drums but I might really get this g maple

[@drumcenternh]

DO IT!

[@toddneilmacintyre]

They all sound great! That’s Yama for ya. I have a warlord Valkyrie snare that sounds awesome. Would you consider the Valkyrie a mid or high end snare?

[@weschilton]

I have to say, for a $500 Chinese made drum, the SLP looks and sounds great. But yeah, that Star Reserve is really something special. Its very much what you said, a unique voice for someone with a lot of snares (like me!)

[@Assimilator702]

You can’t put the Tama China factory drums in the “Chinese drum” category. Tama owns and operates the factory in China. The SLPs is an excellent drum. There’s nothing about it that suggests it’s made with any less care than the Star. It doesn’t have a wooden air hole like the MIJ drums, but other than that nothing that can be truly criticized. The metal hardware is exactly the same.

[@weschilton]

@@Assimilator702 Its made in China, its a Chinese made drum. It wasn't derogatory, its factual. And for the price its a great sounding drum.

[@Assimilator702]

@@weschilton Yes but it’s a drum made by Tama in their own factory and not by an OEM factory that makes drums for 20 different companies. So it doesn’t matter where it’s made. The fact that it’s made by Tama is the most important thing.

[@robertsala8031]

Chinese craftsmen have just as much ability and dedication as craftsmen anywhere. A high-end instrument can be made anywhere as can a low-end one.

[@Assimilator702]

@@robertsala8031 While EPA regulations make it more cost prohibitive to perform plating on metal shells in the US, I do notice the Taiwan and Chinese plated shells looks better than the two fully US made metal snares I own.

[@balintcsoma4321]

I own the S.L.P. Stainless Steel one. Unbelievable for the price too!

[@JustinHubbard84]

Crazy, I actually prefer the SLP.. I think it maybe the best line in the business for Value.. I have the G-Walnut and its insane the kinda quality and hardware it has for under 500 bucks

[@klauth_Yksyn]

Great presentation on the tiers of quality guys... a very helpful video 👍

[@josefelix7313]

Would be nice if you can fit good quality heads and wires on the woodworks to hear a more "fair", comparison, obviously, putting cost, aside, love your videos and your awesome customer service!!!

[@tinterlande]

It’s not supposed to be fair, it’s supposed to show you what you get for the money, warts and all!

[@funkybassguy68]

I just bought an slp kapua snare. Still trying to figure out the tuning for the sound I’m looking for but its a beautiful snare

[@jimmackraz2734]

Wonderful video, wonderful drums; thanks. As far as comparing the sounds, couldn't you also retitle this: "Poplar, Maple, Stave - a Comparison?"

[@NinthDensity]

Man that Star Reserve 🤩

[@drumcenternh]

It's a beautiful drum!

[@michaeleuefueno3517]

The S.L.P. is my favorite. Great Sound, and Look. !🎉🥁👍

[@fl00d69]

The jump from Woodworks to SLP is HUGE! (presumably in price tag also) SLP to Star Reserve, not so much. Diminishing returns and all that.

[@adamfrost3722]

The slp is only 499, so not bad!

[@robertsala8031]

@@adamfrost3722 $499 is a great price for such a well rounded and beautiful snare drum. That price range usually gets you an excellent instrument.

[@okisuprayogi6928]

SLP sounds amazing....How about SLP or Straclassic performer, which one is better?

[@boristomakic5995]

Hi guys, what was the bottom head tuning and snare wire tightness you preferred here? All snares sound great

[@bgnPrinceton]

Does TAMA actually have their own factory in Taiwan or are their drums made there by some other OEM? Surprised to learn that the Woodworks was MIT ROC.

[@anklem]

Woodcraft is fine for beginners, wouldn’t recommend to tune it high. The Star is in my opinion in it’s best in high tuning. But I would go for the S.L.P. , just overall so good! What a machine!

[@eastbaymauiboy]

TAMA...so...so...soooo good. SLP or Starclasic, Japanese or Chinese built, such good quality for a relatively low price. Just finished recording with my band today on my Starclasic bb kit and got so many head turns that I'm still soakin up some endorphins. I dunno, if you doubt , just try, bc holy s**t

[@davidsuprenant893]

Gotta say,I've never played anything finer than the Tama starphonic line,made in japan.these are wonderful drums.

[@roomdog40]

Shane's been practicing!

[@trafalgerdavis7839]

Buyer beware: Unless you have stock, ordering special items from Tama could cost you a year to 2 years of wait time. Especially with the way the world has gone. I am 20 months now into waiting for StarClassic Performer 8" and 18" drums to finish the rest of the kit I did get after 15 months of waiting. This is a known Tama thing, but what is surprising is that it I'd expect that on the Star line, but not the Performer. Kind of disappointed if I'm being honest.

[@Assimilator702]

I waited 14 months for 8” and 14” Starclassic B/B toms I ordered in 2020 that were actually made in Japan. I still have one more 8” to order in a different finish and I’m scared to know how long the wait will be. My Bubinga Elite hoop only took four months to get to me in mid 2020.

[@drumcenternh]

This is an across the board issue right now. Everything is delayed unfortunately.

[@roybeckerman9253]

How would these higher end drums, stack up again the good vintage snares, like Ludwig Supras, Slingerland, Rogers Dynasonic..

[@TheRealDoctorRobert]

Considring that very SLP (Zebrawood), so great to hear some sounds. Many thanks! Any idea what kind of music styles it is meant for?

[@justinreynolds3935]

Def hear the presence as price goes up. Almost like the frequency range fills more on each end with the more $ drum. Experience ears can def tell

[@pfunnk14]

Awww thought you were gonna demo the 6.5 single ply maple. I wanna hear!!

[@drumcenternh]

Came in the day after we shot this video!

[@pfunnk14]

@@drumcenternh should make a good quality vid for that one. Bet they sound killer

[@BlackIce437]

Great video! Personally I liked the SLP the most but I think the Star Reserve has a unique beautyfull sound. I wanted to watch the mapex Saturn and Saturn Evolution comparison video again but I can't find it anymore... did you take it offline or do I have a Problem at finding it?

[@earlhayes2969]

could you do a comparison on Drumsticks between ahead and regular wood sticks im having trouble with Vic Firth extreme 5b with the tips splitting

[@DJIncendration]

9:57 is the best part for me.

[@derekohlarik1198]

I want to know in a comparison video why I tend to prefer steel snare drums over wood snare drums. I cannot pinpoint it from my view exactly - like to hear it from someone else’s perspective

[@davesiringo7147]

Why do wood snare drums still have that "tinny" overtone after each strike? And what can be done about it?

[@roybeckerman7843]

I prefer the TAMA SLP G MAPLE 13x7” the best, in the SLP line. It has a killer sound..

[@cszetela1]

Pretty good video, even though I’m not a Tama fan.

[@Assimilator702]

That Star Stave Ash snare sounds amazing. The SLP sounds just as goodxand has a SLIGHTLY different character. Its mostly nuance that differentiates between mid to upper echelon drums.

[@rschw76409]

I’d like to see a video dedicated to 15” diameter snare drums. …It’ll probably be very short.

[@drumcenternh]

Good idea, we have to do that!

[@mohanlakhan509]

The slp is beautiful, I have a 13 inch myself

[@drumfanatik316]

Also wanted to comment, that although these are all beautiful drums and sound great, I’ve never been a fan of wooden snares. I’ve owned many and have always gotten rid of them to purchase another metal snare!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@gastonjabaly]

I got an alp black brass its pretty godamn good

[@dwightlewis3876]

SLP Doc, all day... the Stave still excellent

[@1122stardust]

I agree overall but don't believe differences are worth hundreds of dollars more. Especially when you can modify the drum by getting hardware you want from aftermarket China on Ebay. Tension rods and washers from hardware stores. Then heads make a huge difference. That Tama Woodworks has major body. Stands out against maple $$$

[@philphilison1623]

Promptly answering your request for an upcoming video: Tama Star Maple in Emerald Sea Curly Maple Burst

[@ethanharris8000]

Getting a root canal by an endodontist vs a general dentist is a good idea because they are experts at this procedure and you will likely only need this tooth treated one time in your life since you are having an expert do it. By the way the Tama people are experts too and I love my rosewood star bubinga snare I got from you guys. -Dr Ethan Harris Rock ‘N’ Roll Dental

[@MarkieC1990]

Still think the SLP sounded better than the stave 🤷🏻‍♂️ personal preference I guess.

[@drummer42050]

TAMA/Gladstone is an amazing drum.

[@NIKKO500]

Slp and starphonic are the best for the price 😊

[@footnotedrummer]

It seems odd to me that you wouldn't have included a Starphonic (ply shell) in this mix. The stave shell is amazing, but nothing sounds like a stave shell. So the comparison in quaility is somewhat lost.

[@drumcenternh]

We picked representative drums at each price point, it was not meant to be an apples to apples comparison.

[@footnotedrummer]

@@drumcenternh ... Thanks for the reply. I get it. I guess you were targeting the lowest and highest end drums with respect to what each contains for the money. However... you played them as a way to show the viewer what money can buy, and a stave drum (even a cheaper one) doesn't sound like a ply shell (even an expensive one). That's kinda what I meant by my comment. I hope you understand that I wasn't trying to be snarky.

[@frankieray2873]

I don't like any Ash snares. It might look nice but you have to hit it harder to get a good sound out of it

[@JCordoba1001]

I wish they made the metal star reserve snares with 10 lugs🤞🏻

[@Assimilator702]

Yes I hate 8 lug 14” snares. Sorry Shane.

[@kennyh558]

Wheres the chrome snare?

[@TTPDrums]

That budget drum does sound cheap. A bit choked, unpleasant overtones and the tone is thin. You do notice more on the cheaper drums, but I think after a point it’s about personal preference once you’re looking at decent shell material, construction and quality control. Great video though 👍🏻

[@scotttucker8127]

The SLP was in my opinion the best sounding

[@RoccoSoundTube]

I absolutely agree. It was the best sounding in the three different tunings.

[@TheRealBKSchyster]

...... 😂 ....... "The "COMM"-PONENTS!!! 👍🏼 😁 Just kiddin' Tony!!!

[@tinterlande]

Yeah… Crushed it.

[@anthonyn1312]

I think Tama slp snare drum is 🆒😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@miniwy01wyatt70]

1:20 we cant let him get away with that😂

[@miniwy01wyatt70]

And 2:20💀

[@tinterlande]

Come at me

[@yurik2809]

all drums made of plywood are very similar....of course type of wood makes difference BUT.....stave drums are at the top! more pure wood - better overall sound!

[@matrixmodulator]

3:03 / 8:20 / 13:08

[@TheJohnnyMustang]

SLP, Hands down...

[@memopadilla5931]

SLP also has solid brass lugs. Not even the Star has that .

[@toddneilmacintyre]

Com-ponents?

[@NEALBABBITT]

I have no need or desire for something more expensive than the SLP snare.

[@MeshuggahFan-iy6tb]

0:24

[@I.Milanov]

8:05 OMG, lol

[@memphissommers4171]

SLP stood out... to me.

[@ragrapios]

Huh, my ear takes slp sounds best.

[@jcdrums2798]

i prefer the woodworks