TAMA‘s Bell Brass: The Timeless Sound of a Legend
The snare drum. An essential instrument that adds both punch and subtlety to a wide range of musical genres. Few snare drums have achieved the iconic status of the TAMA Mastercraft Bell Brass. This year, TAMA celebrated the drum’s 50th anniversary with a faithful reissue embracing originality.
Launched in the mid-1970s, the Bell Brass was designed to embody the explosiveness of a new decade in music. Crafted to deliver the purest snare sound ever achieved, it began life as a 12-millimeter (mm) cast, meticulously hand-turned down to 3 mm. This resulted in an instrument that wasn’t just loud but possessed a timbre with remarkable richness and depth. Then, as now, it captured the essence of powerful presence.
This drum wasn’t just about looks.
applying the same sand-cast techniques utilized for high-end cymbals and bells. Carefully burnished to achieve a natural brass patina, each drum evolves, growing sweeter, warmer, and richer with every passing year. This handcrafted approach, coupled with the unique sonic signature, positions the Bell Brass as the most coveted snare drum of the past five decades.
Wear and tear only adds to its character
* What makes the TAMA Mastercraft Bell Brass snare drum relevant to contemporary musicians in a music landscape increasingly defined by technology and synthesized sounds?[[1](https://www.tama.com/usa/news/detail/20231121105339.html)]
**[Host]:** We’re joined today by Alex Reed, a renowned drummer and vintage instrument expert, to discuss the legendary TAMA Mastercraft Bell Brass snare drum. TAMA recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of this iconic drum with a faithful reissue. Alex Reed, what are your thoughts on the enduring legacy of the Bell Brass and its return to the market?
**[Alex Reed]:** Well, the Bell Brass is more than just a drum; it’s a sonic artifact of a powerful era in music. Its raw power and unique timbre have inspired generations of drummers. To see TAMA staying true to the original design speaks volumes about their commitment to craftsmanship and preserving musical history. But, in a world dominated by modern technology and synthetic sounds, do you think a traditionally crafted drum like the Bell Brass still holds relevance for today’s musicians?
