Simon Phillips celebrates 40 with Tama and he is getting another snare from the Japanese drum company. This time the snare features a Maple / Walnut / Maple shell construction with sound focus rings and of course the special 40th Anniversary Badge that you see above. So, let's have a look at all Simon's Tama snare drums so far, including the details of them.
In 1979, Simon Phillips began playing Tama drums, starting on a Fibrestar before changing to the Superstar series. Simon mentions on his website he is playing the "Monarch" Starclassic Bubinga / Maple shell. In recent years he has been playing a Tama Star Maple kit with a Satin Dark Mocha finish and the Star inlay on the outside.
But let us look at all his signature snare drums. We start off with Simon's newest addition, the 40th Anniversary Model. There are five videos featured here, including one of Simon on his 30th Anniversary drum kit plus two more that will blow your mind!
The 40th Anniversary Model Limited to 100 pieces worldwide. The price at Guitar Centre is $1,199.99. Details on the snare below the image and special 40th video with Simon.
Simon Phillips on his 40th Anniversary with Tama
The 40th Anniversary snare measures 6.5" x 14" and has an S-Grade Bird's Eye Maple Outer Ply.
Shell 5mm 6ply Maple/Walnut/Maple with a same sound focus ring
The Hoops are customized Brass Mighty Hoop (8 holes) in chrome finish.
It has a special 40th Anniversary Badge
The drumhead is a Remo Coated Ambassador on the Snare Side
A serialized inside sticker that includes Simon's autograph makes this snare drum even more exclusive, which is impossible because only 100 pieces will be produced for the worldwide market.
The 40th Anniversary Model will be available in December 2019 and the suggested retail price is $1,099.
The model number is SP1465A40, the drum has Star bearing edges and also features the Star MSL90S Lug, the Liner-Drive strainer & butt and a MS20S-S snare wire.
"40 Years of using Tama drum on every record, every tour, every video. It is quite an amazing thing to look back to. It's pretty incredible."
- Simon Phillips
The Gladiator A 5.5"×14" 1mm Bronze snare drum.
The hoops are Brass Mighty (10 Hole Brushed Nickel Plated). The strainer/butt and lugs are all Brushed Nickel Plated.
The Monarch This one was considered to be Simon's main snare drum for years. A 6.5"×14" 3ply Figured Maple / 3ply Bubinga / 2ply Maple with sound focus ring.
The hoops are Brass Mighty (8 Hole Customized Triple Flange).
The Pageant 5"×12" snare drum with 7ply Figured Maple with sound focus ring.
Die-Cast hoops (6 Hole Brushed Nickel Plated) and again the strainer/butt and lugs are Brushed Nickel Plated.
The 30th Anniversary drum kit + snare drum (2009) The 14x6,5" Simon Phillips 30th Anniversary Signature snare has 2 plies of Maple, 3 plies of Bubinga + 2 more Maple plies and has also a sound focus ring.
Picture from our Drummerszone Vault from the 2009 NAMM Show.
Simon Phillips 30th Anniversary limited kit and snare drum The official Tama video for his 30th Anniversary drum kit. Only 50 were made!
Simon Phillips demoing his signature snare drums (2009 video) When he only had four signature snares...
Simon Phillips plays his Warm-up Drum Exercises - Part I
Simon Phillips plays Stevie Wonder - Remo Drummer Night
Simon Phillips' official endorsements
Gator Cases
Promark drumsticks
Model 707, Hickory
Remo drumheads
Ambassador Clear, Ambassador Coated (snare drums) and Timpani Clear on the Gong drum
