Drum enthusiasts, particularly those who crave the distinctive sound of heavy cast snare drums, have reason to celebrate. DrumCraft, the drum brand revived by Thomann, has just introduced its new 14″x6.5″ Bell Brass snare drum, making this sought-after sound accessible for under £800.
For those familiar with the Bell Brass name, it’s worth noting that the term stems from Tama’s renowned ’80s Mastercraft Bell Brass model. This iconic drum delivered powerful backbeats on albums by Nirvana, Metallica, and Rage Against The Machine. While Tama reissued this model in 2023, its price tag of over £3000 left many drummers dreaming but unable to afford it.
DrumCraft’s new Bell Brass model aims to bring that signature cast-shell, bronze alloy sound within reach. Known for its heavy weight, loud projection, and rich, full-bodied tone, the DrumCraft Bell Brass seeks to capture these characteristics. This isn’t DrumCraft’s first venture into heavy cast snares; the brand previously offered similar models under its earlier iteration.
The latest DrumCraft Bell Brass features several updates. The shell thickness has been reduced from the previous 6mm to 3mm, aligning it more closely with the classic Bell Brass design. However, this comes with a change in the hoops: the original model had a die-cast batter-side rim and a triple-flanged snare-side rim, whereas the new version includes triple-flanged rims on both sides. It also features DrumCraft’s Nickelworks throw-off, with all hardware finished in satin chrome.
Included with the snare are a DrumCraft-branded Remo CS Coated batter head, a Remo snare-side head, and DrumCraft’s 20-strand snare wires, contributing to a total weight of 12KG.
The DrumCraft Bell Brass snare is now available, with Thomann listing it at £766/€903/$1004.
