Yamaha Recording Custom Snare Drum Review

Yamaha Recording Custom Snare Drum

The Yamaha Recording Custom snare drums are Yamaha’s best. Two features are obvious at a glance. First, Yamaha metal snare drums boast movie star good looks. Secondly, their price tag is eye-catching too, an MSRP that starts north of 9 but is south 6 from most sellers. Still, that’s a pricey snare.

The question is, do Yamaha Recording metal custom snares have the sound quality that really counts in the recording studio? Two words offer a pretty good clue: Steve Gadd. The Hall of Fame drummer with credits ranging broadly from Frank Sinatra to Steely Dan to Paul Simon was paid by the manufacturer for “repeated evaluations of our design,” until he could enthusiastically endorse the Recording Custom snare drums, which he has done.

Decent Range of Sizes

The Yamaha Recording Custom metal snare drums are produced in a fair range of sizes:

6.5”x13” with a tight, piercing sound that can be toned down too – Available in Brass
5.5”x14” with a very versatile sound spectrum backed by plenty of punch when you want it – Available in Aluminum, Stainless Steel and Brass
6.5”x14” with a little more bass in the range – Available in Aluminum and Brass
7”x14 with a low, beefy sound texture – Available in Stainless Steel

Important Specs

Here’s an overview of other important specs that give you an idea of the investment Yamaha has made in the metal Recording Custom snare series:

1.2mm shells
2.4mm snare bed
2.3mm Dyna hoop
Newly designed one-piece lugs
Head – Bottom: Remo Snare Ambassador
Head – Batter: Remo Coated Ambassador
DC3 butt-side strainers
Q-type release-side strainers

These instruments have the pedigree. What about Yamaha Recording Custom snare drums pros and cons?

Likes

There’s no skimping here. The details demonstrate that the quality of the components is befitting a snare drum line that is the best Yamaha offers.

Steve Gadd’s involvement in the project is a major plus because of his reputation and the fact he’s not going to put it on the line for inferior equipment.

The sound is what matters, and these deliver. The outward-directed center bead creates a drier, more open sound that is uniquely rich. These Yamaha custom metal snare drums are ideal for session playing but more than adequate for live playing too.

Dislikes

$500+ for a snare drum? We’re not saying the drums aren’t worth the money, but that’s not in most players’ cost range. If you’re a pro, however, and so-so snares aren’t going to make the music you’re capable of, then the money isn’t really an object.

Getting picky, but the size range offers nothing smaller than 13” diameter and deeper than 7” depth. While that range covers the sweet spot for versatility, some wish there were greater size options.

Overall – 5 Stars

If you’re on a budget, you might want to look elsewhere. We’ve reviewed many good-quality snare drums in the $175 to $350 range like the PDP by DW Concept Series and more. But professional drummers refuse to sell their talent short. They demand equipment that allows them to optimize their sound and style. The Yamaha Recording Custom aluminum, brass and stainless steel snare drums will prove to be an asset to your career. For these reasons, we’ve given the Yamaha Recording Custom snare 5 Stars.