Yamaha Recording Custom Snare Drums - Drummer's Review

Here's our review of a selection of metal-shelled, Yamaha Recording Custom snare drums. **BE SURE TO KEEP AN EYE OUT IN THE COMING DAYS FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF THESE STUNNING SNARE DRUMS!!!** Filmed at Middle Farm Studios, May 2018. For full specs, more reviews and the latest drum news, head to: www.drummersreview.com

[@ronaldzeoli7528]

Theses are all great sounding and well built snare drums. My choice is the 6.5x14 alumium

[@user-of3xw3zd7w]

That did stand out as dry and punchy.

[@declancampion3051]

Holy Moly, Nice Snare Drums. I Went For The Aluminium 14×5.5 Model. Dry, Woody, Lovely Rimshot, Versatile Tuning. High Pitch Ring Is There Too. Man It's The Best Snare Drum I've Ever Played. 485 Spondookies. Yamaha All Day. Peace To You Declan Campion Drums

[@trevordavis3829]

I watched this review when y’all posted this a while back.. First off, the videos are all fantastic, and the quality and details of your recordings and playing are so helpful to determine the true quality and sound of the drums. I had been interested in the Yamaha snares ever since they put them out but I live where there’s not any quality music stores to visit unless I want to take a trip to Austin or Dallas. Then your review arrives and it was just what I needed to give me the faith to buy one of these drums. I purchased the 6.5x14 Brass and I couldn’t be happier with the product. It’s just what I expected. Powerful and clean.. And it’s a huge help to compare my tuning in the video to yours to find the sweet spot. Thank you Nolly and your homie for the best drum channel on the Tube! Cheers and all the best of luck from Texas

[@millie179]

Quite simply one of the best reviews I have seen.The seemless switch from drum to drum is an inspired way to review drums👍🏻👍🏻

[@bruser365]

All great snares. My favorite: The Aluminum 14"x5.5"

[@AzzaDutt]

The 14x5.5 Brass sounds awesome!

[@stevonh]

I have one, it's a beast. One of the two that are my favorites

[@Assimilator702]

Absolutely one of the best snare comparisons available. Well done guys. When will we get more comparisons and reviews?

[@KirillKonyaev]

14x6.5 brass is the best!

[@kevinfrost7982]

Got the 13x6.5 Brass. Absolutely love it :)

[@af7119]

I can't even imagine a video comparison more well done and thorough than this. Cheers!

[@FamilyGuy12693]

Great video! Very helpful for me, trying to figure out which new snare drum I should get. Recordings of the drums and the video are all very well done.

[@SockerConny80]

This is a great review. Very seldom do we get a review made well enough that I would consider buying something without playing it first. My hat is off to you gentlemen!

[@thumperpaul]

I picked up a steel 1970’s era RC snare at a garage sale for $5. After a thorough cleaning, new snares and Aquarian heads, I have the best sounding snare I have ever owned....

[@richardpenman5910]

I never played Yamaha drums until this past year when I bought a stage Custom kit as well as the stage custom six and a half by 14 steel snare. Certainly not the same price point as what you're reviewing but all play very well just the same and have great resonance and tone. Yamaha makes an excellent product

[@davidpomella6786]

I really like the punch and clarity of the 5.5 Brass shell snare drum. it has a great crack and presence and with a big bold snare sound with limitless projection and sustain, brass is always what I choose

[@robertberrydrums7402]

This is actually possibly one of the best snare comparisons I’ve heard. Actually took the time and effort to match the tuning of the drums etc. I’ve just bought the aluminium myself love it, has the fattest sound overall

[@CP-mt1st]

Are you reviewing the review haha

[@Assimilator702]

I have both Aluminum models and I’ll have the 14 x 6.5 Brass when it’s back in stock. I’ll play around with the hoops and find out which drums sound best with those beautiful Yamaha Aluminum diecast hoops which cost around $300 per pair.

[@MrAlanimal80]

Very fine review guys. Thank you. I bought the 13 x 6 1/2 brass. I love it.

[@SimoneMorettin]

Please keep up with those reviews, by far the best you can find on youtube qualitywise and opinionwise, that's a pity you got so small views. Just one small note, pan your mix as the camera view!

[@Bluem00n7]

Any of them sounds awesome i love all the different tones makes me think outside the box and also makes me think about how i could incorporate them :)

[@bbfoto7248]

+Drummer's Review You gents seem to raise the bar on each new review that you do! Bravo! That was perhaps the best snare drum comparison & review I've EVER seen and heard. Very well thought out and executed, with excellent sound quality. Thanks for that! 👍 And once again, Nick is fantastic at demonstrating the full dynamics and subtleties of each drum. Perhaps the only thing that I would have liked to have heard was a side-by-side Cross Stick/Side Stick comparison, which I feel would really highlight the resonant properties and harmonics of each shell material and hoop combination. I've probably got all of the snare drums that I'll ever need (it's a disease, mate!), but this demo & review makes me want a few more! ...especially as I just realized that I don't yet own any Yammy snares. :-O And that 13"x6.5" brass snare is certainly calling my name! You're doing fine work, gentlemen. Thanks again for this fantastic review. Yamaha owes you Big Time for doing a better job at demonstrating & advertising their product than they could ever do themselves! I hope that you are each able to keep at least one snare of your choice out of this group for your efforts! Good on 'ya!

[@ChrisBakerDrummer]

Diggin' that 7x14" steel drum for rock. Sounds fantastic! Thanks for another fantastic review video

[@tomasshannon6537]

been using the 14x6.5 brass for the past year and it's been the go-to for about 95% of what I've recording. feels like this thing can do it all

[@TrackDrums]

Once again, another fantastic review, thanks a lot!

[@martinhedberg3514]

Wonderful review. I got the aluminium, brass, steel, ( Steve Gadd),and Wood in 5,5 deepth. Just love them with a Evans Coated G14 on them. Tune up the aluminium and it speaks. And keeping the brass fatter, and it gives a bit more warmth. But I changed all the hoops to die cast. A 7 inch Deep drum with a fat drumhead or a blackspot gives you a heavy drum though. Thanx guys.😊

[@countxerox504]

Great Video. Great Presentation and wonderful sounds. The 5 1/2"s sound very harmonic, both Aluminiums are precise and almost sweet and clear. But for me as a simple rock drummer not cutting and loud enough against Keys, 2 Guitars and Bass. The 13" Brass is my favorite, it sings and rings in a very nice way. It promises to cut through and get heard and be not like everybody else without being too sharp. I have a 12 x 7" Mapex Black Panther Fastback Maple Snare, that is very bright and too high for most rock tunes and a Gretsch 14 x 6 1/2 " USA Bronze Snare thats perfect in tune for Rock, but sometimes lacks the high ringing for a kind of Police Sound. We will see what happens...

[@GeorgeFalconer]

An excellent video - cheers! Brass 14x6.5 does it for me!

[@joonaskinnunen5518]

I would go for the 14x5,5 brass. Such a lovely snare.

[@stuartcarswell2815]

Impossible to choose! Fantastic demo btw

[@Hoprgras]

Ive owned the Brass 14x6.5, now, for 2 yrs. And I have totally stopped using my Live Oak 14x5.5 snare. I love it that much!

[@elijahbyers5960]

It was a hard choice, not between metals but the size for me.. I liked the aluminum the most out of all but what was hard was choosing between the 14x6.5 and 14x5.5. After watching this video and many others quite a few times I went with the 14x5.5 aluminum! Thanks for the video, this one was the most helpful!

[@Assimilator702]

I wanted the 14 x 6.5 Aluminum model. When I decided to order one in 2019 I ended up with the 14 x 5.5 for some reason. But that 14 x 6.5 was calling my name. So I ended up getting it earlier this year. Having both sizes is great.

[@CampSwampy18]

Excellent review guys.

[@livewireification]

I really like the 14x6.5 Brass & the 14x6.5 aluminum

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

Adam Hagerman Same. I like the 5.5 steel too, cause it has that Jimmy Chamberlin pop to it.

[@chavieification]

I think it would have to be the 14 by 5.5 Aluminium for me. Lovely!

[@drskaff]

I own all seven and love them all! It would be hard to say which is my favorite. That would all depend on what current situation I’m playing in.

[@AMx39]

drskaff I’m burning with envy brother 😂 I just picked up a an absolute maple hybrid. I now need to work hard an save for the snare. For all around, aluminum or brass?

[@juicewithphil4403]

loving the steel 14x7 in particular

[@1life2pono]

This could also be a tutorial video on "How to smack a snare drum to get it's ideal sound". Well done gents!

[@dannylugojr3428]

These Yamaha snares sound great !!

[@peterjsmcleod3341]

The Aluminium 14x5.5 sounds insane!!

[@MarkHysteria]

Either the 14"x6.5" Brass or the 14"x7" Steel sound amazingly good.

[@TheKingaSwing]

MarkStudios my choices as well, I was surprised by the 7” deep steel snare, I usually stick with brass.

[@telsonalves8060]

Todas são excelentes, mas a de Alumínio na medida 14 x 6,5 é perfeita !!

[@SarekGMusic]

They all sound great!

[@deaterk]

Ill take all 3 of the brass drums... Tuned beautifully gents!

[@livewireification]

I also like the 14x5.5 brass!

[@ChadAnthonyTheReaper]

Usually with brass, I noticed a certain frequency drop when you hit a rimshot. It seems as though the drum is canceling itself out. I'm not sure what this phenomenon is but this is always what turns me off about brass drums. Though these brass drums in particular don't share those characteristics as much.

[@Blasian-Couple]

you wanna know what I think?? like seriously?? daimn, oh boy, your drums are just perfect, your drummer super fabulous, I mean all these babies are lit man. good stuff lads

[@owencurtiswilliams9763]

I’d go for the Alu 14x5.5” Crispy!

[@dendeanda]

Here, here!

[@Assimilator702]

Owen Curtis Williams I own one. It’s great.

[@jefflyon2020]

I agree the aluminum sounds most Crispy and cracks hard. If I can’t afford one of These is go for an Pearl sensitone aluminum drum and put some used die cast hoops and pure sound wires on it. Head choice would be maybe a Aquarian high energy or a reverse dot coated one

[@Assimilator702]

Jeff Lyon The Pearl Sensitone Aluminum 14 X 5 is $390. The 14 X 5.5 Yamaha Recording Custom Aluminum is $500 with aluminum diecast hoops. They ARE different from Zinc diecast hoops and I don’t believe the hoops can be purchased separately. That’s a bonus right there. If you buy the Pearl you need to spend and extra $120 on hoops and $20 on wires and another $30 on heads. You would be spending MORE $$$on the Pearl. The Yamaha comes with Remo heads so no need to change them and it sounds amazing with the provided heads which is a Ambassador Hazy and Coated Ambassador. The throwoff on the Yamaha is also better than the Pearl. If you call up the right retailers you should be able get a 15% discount with no issues. If you wait until the end of November I would bet $$$ on that. The Yamaha is a professional quality drum while the Pearl is an intermediate level drum. With the 14 X 5.5 Recording Custom there’s also a second set of snare wires in the box which I believe Yamaha charges $30 for on its own. I had to edit this response since I thought the Pearl sold for $200 but seeing the $390 price tag makes the Yamaha the choice by a LONG SHOT.

[@levijessegonzalez3629]

​@@Assimilator702 exactly those hoops are worth it alone. Yamaha high end quality is the best period.

[@JFNolet]

In the beginning of the video you said the snares have all the same tuning but later in the video you said you searched for a sweet spot for the 14x7 steel. As I hearded in this video the snares are tuned with differents fundamentals, so its more like you've tuned all these snares to a sweet spot right ? Maybe when you talked about same tuning, you meant tension of the heads ? Thank you for your precisions.

[@TrueBlueYou]

I would love to see a Ludwig Acrolite vs Yamaha video😳😯

[@jobelewis6416]

Those e22s’ actually sound great on snare!

[@daveylong3089]

Nice review!

[@underpressureman]

Any thoughts on steel vs aluminum snares? What are the differences typically? Is one usually brighter or warmer, fatter, more/less sustain etc? Looking at getting a Yamaha or Ludwig Aluminum or Steel Snare but looking for some insight!

[@Twotontessie]

I’ve had /do have the incredible 1980s series versions - 296, 493, 496. Would be fun if someone could do a comparison on some of those with the new ones.

[@219Dave]

Between the RC brass 6.5x 14 and a pearl brass sensitone, which would you go with?

[@tylerland4421]

Impeccable methodology.

[@user-js8fk3ko6t]

Excelente vídeo.

[@do8671]

Why the aluminum shell has die cast hoops? I assume that the shell was create to much resonance but is that the real reason?

[@GrigoHigoWitch]

Hands down the Aluminium 14x5,5

[@johneastwood1162]

I’m thinking about getting the brass 13” snare. Anyone have one ? Any recommendations ? Can you tune down ok with it ? Thanks 👍

[@jamesnortonofficial1566]

I want them all

[@isaacisback8786]

Damn ! Am I the only one who wouldn't be able to pick just one ?

[@matthewwilson1700]

Isaac Is Back I can definitely understand that, I would play any of them and be happy. Lol

[@DanMarcelino]

I have a snare drum problem lol I have around 12 right now and I'm always looking for more sounds and flavours.. brass is by far my fav, but the dw edge finds its way onto a ton of recordings.. the steel has plenty of focus which suits some tunes, I need some aluminum snares!! so light n dry!!

[@ramencurry6672]

The 6.5 aluminum. If you want to be a little more unique the 7 inch steel. If you already have a bunch of aluminum snares than a 6.5 brass

[@roybeckerman9253]

With bronze being so expensive, steel has become my favourite , affordable metal snare..

[@Rizun101]

I’ll take the whole lineup haha!! 🥁

[@roybeckerman9253]

Would like to see you review the new DIXON drums.

[@Mikebumpful]

Dixon has come a long way since the 90's

[@danielvibe7139]

What could be interesting to hear is if you swapped around the die cast and flanged hoops

[@Beetle5325]

Just picked up the 14x7 steel and this thing will take your head off

[@fecatellus1337]

Perfection

[@roybeckerman9253]

The high cracking sound on videos, is a lot harder to achieve in real. Is there a special way you guys do things. I’m a real fan of steel. 7min 15 sec mark.( 5-5” )

[@219Dave]

Nice review. I know it’s “apples to oranges,” but did you check out their birch model snare in this line?

[@larrytate1657]

The birch one is great too. A lil warmer than all these will blend in more with the music. If you want the snare to fit into the mix use the birch, if you want the snare sit on top of the mix and cut go metal. Unless you dampen metal with moongel to take away some of its liveliness.

[@OtisAvalon]

I really thought they all sounded great, all for different reasons. Currently I am in the market for an aluminum snare though. Aluminum 5.5 for me

[@Assimilator702]

The only thing missed in this review was the comment that the Diecast hoops on the Aluminum models were heavier than the steel triple flanged hoops in the other models. The diecast hoops on the Aluminum models are actually made of aluminum and are lighter than the triple flanged hoops. Sonically they fall right in the middle of triple flanged and zinc diecast hoops. My only criticisms of these drums is Yamaha should have added nylon washers along with the metal washers and the throwoff is very stiff and should have metal sliding parts and not plastic. When I applied some light synthetic lube it became even more stiff and gritty. The tension rods should also have some assembly lube applied as Tama does on all their drums.

[@scottlowell493]

I like all kinds of snare drums. When in doubt? Al-you-min-e-um.

[@samjimenez4573]

What type of mics are those?

[@matthewwilson1700]

Brass: 14x6.5

[@MrMonolith22]

Alu 14 x 5.5

[@carlocorona7821]

Love aluminum sound

[@silviopimentel7247]

Steel my fav's 5 1/2

[@tedtedsen269]

the 13x6.5 for me

[@METALDESP]

Alu 14"x6.5 all the way!

[@mateuszgrabowski3686]

Aluminium 14x6.5 is killer!

[@Eltargrimm]

Good sir, you are, as always spot on! I actually own the 6.5x14 Alu and Brass snares as well as the 5.5x14 steel. All similar yet different, each have their own spots to shine. Best money I'v ever spent on snares, especially considering I somehow managed to find them on some sort of clearance sales on 3 separate occasions.

[@TimWilson666]

14x6.5 aluminium but they are all amazing.

[@impulseproman]

I with you on that one too

[@thejamman555]

14x5.5 Aluminium would be my choice!

[@dendeanda]

I’d love to know which drum(s) you all THOUGHT you would like BEFORE the comparisons versus which ones you actually DID like AFTER. BEFORE: 13” Brass AFTER : 14x5.5 Aluminum, 14x5.5 Brass

[@kevinblythe2192]

BEFORE: Brass: 14X6.5 AFTER: Aluminium 14x5.5

[@larrytate1657]

I thought I’d like the 6.5 alum but I prefer the 5.5 alum. I feel like it has more articulation and tone while still maintaining enough body.

[@DanMarcelino]

well done. liked and subscribed.

[@testabeatdrums]

I really loved the Brass and Aluminum for sure. I have a Ludwig Supraphonic and Acrolite and the Yamaha ones really gave a solid comparison for sure. Love what you guys are doing and if you are ok with it check out my review of my Supraphonic and let me know what you guys think. Cheers, really love what your guys are doing 🤗🤗👌👌🥁🥁

[@AdrianBlackburnDesteni]

who is that old peppersnap?

[@danieldacosta8092]

Being a recording snare are these not suitable for live applications?

[@larrytate1657]

No they’re very good live. Metal snares are always great live. Sometimes they can be too much recording if music is soft as they’re usually more lively than wood snares.

[@robsco1249]

Aluminium 6,5 and steel 5,5.

[@MatthiasKnorrMusic]

I love my 14x5.5 Aluminium Drum

[@jonasstone1520]

Complements for your testing method!

[@lucianisidro]

I'm a Pearl man, but that doesn't mean that I don't ignore other brands - especially when it comes to snare drums. The fact is, I need a brass 14 x 6½" snare and the Yamaha would seem to be it. The Pearl 3mm Reference Brass would be the obvious choice, but at nearly £1200 it is out of my league at the moment. And I find the DW 3mm offering a bit boring, and for only a little less cash than the gorgeous, perfect-sounding, but hugely expensive Pearl. The Pearl Sensitone 14 x 6½" is similar to the Yamaha on paper, but the black-finished brass shell is only 1mm thick and it has light tubular lugs, both of which combine to make it a bit thin-sounding and overly resonant. In other words, it is horrible. IMHO, the Yamaha RC Brass 14 x 6½" sounds superb and it will do the job admirably. To top it off, the Yamaha is actually nearly £100 cheaper than the Pearl Sensitone, which I don't like at all. P.S. The aluminium 6½" also sounds very nice indeed and, depending on how the brassy goes, it may well end up in my arsenal as well. If it was up to me, I would put a cast top hoop on that monstrous steel 7", and a thicker head, which should settle it down a bit. Then it would be a cracking heavy rock drum! Thank you for an outstanding review. As another viewer stated, your methodology is excellent!

[@hannibalcorps6384]

what mics used for recording these snares?

[@hannibalcorps6384]

it is raw sound, or comp/eq'ed?

[@adamnollygetgood5545]

SM57 for the kick/snare/hat examples, Josephson E22S for the snare-only setup, with C414 overheads and AEA R88 room mics. There is a bit of EQ on the close mics to reduce the proximity effect muddiness build-up, but no compression. The EQ is the kept identical between all our reviews.

[@danieldelac6264]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@871632]

Brass 6.5

[@WeAreBeggarsAll83]

When would "flabby" sound good? JK great review and I love my Aluminum 6.5. definitely a must and sounds great out of the box

[@roybeckerman9253]

Pity my favourite metal, BRONZE, wasn’t covered. I always find that steel is underrated ..

[@HR2635]

the only one I would even consider paying that kind of money for is the 14x7 steel.. the rest sound generic.. not better than drums half the price. So unless you are thinking brand over value/sound, then they simply dont make sense to me.. well.. to each his own.. these are not for me at that price... if they were seamless( steel and brass) i might consider the price to be fair.

[@adrianbadillo8606]

14"x6.5" Aluminum it's my choice, man, the die cast hoops!

[@louislawmusic]

6:13 7:26

[@johncollins5552]

All good but have to add they are not sounding twice as good as stage custom snares. You have to spend 100% more bucks to get about a 5% better sound in my opinion!

[@johncollins5552]

I thought before I heard the video the big brass would be my fave but after watching it would fancy the small aluminium one, then again it might not blend great with my maple rock kit.