Tama Introduces More Affordable Air-Ride Snare Stand

HL70M14 Air-Ride System Snare Stand (Click for a close-up)

January 21, 2002

Many drummers have desired the increase in snare drum sound afforded by Tama's Air-Ride System. The problem was price. Tama has the solution with a new line of Air-Rides for significantly less than the original. Is it worth the investment? According to Kenny Aronoff it is: "When you compare the sound of the same snare drum on Tama's system and a standard snare stand, the difference is immediately apparent," says the session master. "Since the Air-Ride doesn't clamp the bottom of the snare drum, the sound of the bottom head completely opens up. Also, the Air-Ride absorbs more of the impact of rim shots. That's a big improvement on having most of the impact absorbed by your arms, hands, and wrists. With the new more affordable 2002 Air-Ride, it's like flying first class for the price of coach."

The Air-Ride system uses Tama's Star-Cast free suspension tom mounting system and can be adapted to nearly any snare whether the drum uses die-cast or triple flanged hoops.