Tama S.L.P. Snare Drums | The full range (2026)

The Tama S.L.P. snare drums have become a staple for many modern drummers. The Tama S.L.P. range has a diverse selection of different types of snare drums that sound great and won’t break your bank.

We first wrote this guide in 2021, when Tama had just added three new drums to the range. Five years on, those three have sold out, and the range has moved on in the way S.L.P. always does. So what is in the Sound Lab in 2026? Let’s find out.

What has changed since 2021?

If you read the original version of this guide, here is the short version of what is different now.

• The three 2021 drums are gone. The Dynamic Bronze 14”x4.5”, the Satin Figured Maple 14”x4.5” and the white oak G-Maple 14”x7” have all been discontinued or sold out. Two of them were limited runs anyway. You will now find them used.
• 2024 brought the Expressive Hammered Steel, a 14”x6” steel drum at around $480 in the US.
• 2025 brought the S.L.P. Mod Bubinga, a 12”x7” bubinga snare, plus two limited artist versions.
• 2026 brings a G-Maple 14”x7” with a Mappa Burl outer ply, another limited run.
• The core range is still here. Long-running models like the Black Brass, Big Black Steel, Classic Dry Aluminum and G-Maple are still widely stocked.

What are Tama S.L.P. snare drums?

The Tama Sound Lab Project (S.L.P.) snares have been designed to give drummers a wide range of snare drums with professional-grade features at an affordable price. Much like the Tama Starclassic Performer drum kits.

These snares aren’t your average snares though. They feature exotic materials not always found on snare drums and come in a range of different sizes. 

These snares stand out and there is bound to be something that will pique your interest.

The other thing to know about S.L.P. is that it rotates. Tama uses it to try ideas, and the limited models really are limited. If one catches your eye, do not wait a year to think about it.

The 2021 additions (now discontinued)

Every year Tama mixes up the options in the S.L.P. line, and 2021 was no different. These were the three new drums when we first wrote this guide. None of them are in production now, but they turn up on the used market, so here is what to look for.

Tama S.L.P. Dynamic Bronze 14”x4.5”

Let’s start with this eye-catcher. The aged patina finish made this snare stand out from its bronze counterparts, and because of that finish, each snare is unique.

Status in 2026: discontinued. Look for one used.

The combination of a shallow drum (4.5”) and a thick shell (1.2 mm) gives you a snare that has a strong attack with a firm crack yet a lot of sensitivity. This makes the snare very dynamic and great for a range of musical applications. 

Features:

• Size - 14” x 4.5”
• Shell - 1.2mm bronze with an aged patina finish
• Hoops - Die-Cast Hoop (8 holes)
• Snare wires - 20 strands Starclassic Hi-Carbon Steel Snare Wires

Have a listen to what Tama had to say when it launched.

Tama S.L.P. Maple Snare, Satin Figured Maple 14” x 4.5” 

This is a beautiful maple snare that features a satin figured maple finish, allowing the natural grain of the wood to shine through. 

This features everything that drummers love about maple snares combined with Super Sensitive Hi-Carbon Steel Snare Wires. This gives you a full-bodied sound with a crisp and fast response.

Features:

• Size - 14” x 4.5”
• Shell - 7mm / 7ply Maple + 1 outer ply Figured Maple
• Hoops - Die-Cast Hoop (8 holes)
• Snare wires - 20 strands Super Sensitive Hi-Carbon Steel Snare Wires

The last thing to mention is that this was a limited run, and as we warned in 2021, when they were gone they were gone. It is no longer in production, so the used market is your only option now.

Tama S.L.P. G-Maple Snare Drum w/ White oak outer ply 14” x 7”

With the S.L.P. G-Maple snare you are getting a thick and deep drum with a classic snare look. This drum features an outer ply of white oak that looks stunning.

A deep maple snare like this one rewards a careful tuning more than a shallow steel drum does — there is far more room to get it wrong. Our free drum tuner will get the batter and snare-side heads talking to each other.

This drum features plenty of attack with plenty of power when hitting rimshots. 

Features:

• Size - 14” x 7”
• Shell - 10mm, 11ply Maple + 1 outer ply White Oak
• Hoops - 3.0mm Ultimate Steel Mighty Hoop (10 holes)
• Snare wires - 20 strands Starclassic Hi-Carbon Steel Snare Wires

This snare was also a limited run, and it has now sold out. If you like the idea of a deep G-Maple with a striking outer ply, the 2026 Mappa Burl version below is the one to look at.

What has Tama added since?

The range has kept moving. These are the S.L.P. additions since 2021 that we could confirm.

Tama S.L.P. Expressive Hammered Steel 14”x6” (2024)

A 1.2mm hammered steel shell with 2.3mm triple-flange hoops and Starclassic carbon steel wires. Hammered steel gives you the bite of a steel drum with a bit more complexity and a darker edge.

It sells for around $480 in the US. It is part of the regular range rather than a limited run.

Tama S.L.P. Mod Bubinga 12”x7” (2025)

A 12”x7” snare with a 6mm, 9-ply bubinga shell. A 12” snare is a different animal to a 14”. It is higher, tighter and snappier, which makes it a great second snare or a main snare for hip hop, trap and pop.

The standard version comes in Satin Bubinga at around $380 in the US. Tama also made two limited artist versions: Clay Aeschliman’s Galactic Purple and Philo Tsoungui’s Electro Turquoise.

Tama S.L.P. G-Maple 14”x7” Mappa Burl (2026)

The newest S.L.P. at the time of writing. It is a thick 11mm maple shell with a single outer ply of mappa burl, in a finish Tama calls Twilight Mappa Burl. It is a limited run and comes in at around £480 in the UK.

That thick shell makes it a loud, bright, cutting drum rather than a warm one. We covered it in more detail in our Tama 2026 news round-up.

How much do Tama S.L.P. snares cost in 2026?

It depends on the drum. As a rough guide, the 12” Mod Bubinga is around $380 in the US, the Expressive Hammered Steel is around $480, and the Black Brass 14”x6.5” is around £475 to £540 in the UK.

That is a step up from where prices were in 2021, but it is still far less than Tama’s STAR snares.

If you are unsure which shell material is right for you, our snare drum buying guide walks you through it. And for a discontinued drum like the Dynamic Bronze, check used Tama S.L.P. snares on Reverb and the Reverb price guide.

Final thoughts

We are still huge fans of these Tama snare drums. The S.L.P. Dynamic Bronze was the real standout in 2021, and it is a shame it has gone. If you see a good one used, grab it.

If you are looking for a new snare in 2026, the S.L.P. range is still a great option. Interesting shells without the massive price tag. Our honest caveat is that the range never sits still, so the exact drum you read about may not be around next year.

If you want something more personal from Tama, have a look at the Erskine and Nilles signature snares. And if you want a whole kit with the same mid-price, pro-feature thinking, read our guide to the Tama Starclassic Performer.