A Thick Maple Shell With Something to Say
There's a certain kind of snare drum that just feels right the moment you sit down behind it — where the attack is immediate, the sensitivity follows your dynamics, and the shell itself seems to want to resonate. The Tama S.L.P. G-Maple in Kona Mappa Burl is that drum. It comes from Tama's Sound Lab Project (S.L.P.) line, which puts specific woods, specific construction approaches, and specific hardware together to produce specific sounds — not a one-size-fits-all instrument, but a deliberate voice.
The G-Maple's character starts with an 11mm, 12-ply maple shell with one outer ply of Mappa Burl — a thick, stiff shell that pushes volume and brightness while the flanged hoops and low-mass lugs let it breathe and ring naturally. It's a loud drum, but a responsive one. The Kona Mappa Burl finish brings serious visual character, pairing the figured wood grain with black nickel hardware for a look that's as striking as the sound.
Whether you're tracking in a studio or playing a large room, the G-Maple has the projection to cut through and the sensitivity to reward a light touch. It's a versatile choice for drummers who want a real maple snare with personality.
Built Thick, Built to Resonate
The heart of the G-Maple is its shell construction: an 11mm-thick, 12-ply maple shell with a single outer ply of Mappa Burl. That's a notably thick shell for a snare drum, and the "G" in G-Maple stands for exactly that — the thicker-than-average build that gives this drum its louder, brighter character compared to thinner maple snares.
Tama pairs the shell with separate low-mass Starclassic lugs — a design choice that keeps the shell free to vibrate rather than being pinned down by heavy hardware. The result is a drum that resonates more openly, with a sustain and warmth that heavy lugs tend to choke off. If you've ever played a snare that felt a little dead or muffled despite good heads and tuning, low-mass lugs are a significant part of why this one feels different.
Hoops, Wires, and Hardware That Do Their Job
The G-Maple uses 2.3mm triple-flanged Steel Mighty Hoops — 10-hole configuration — which Tama notes produce a wetter, warmer sound compared to die-cast zinc hoops. If you want a crisper, drier rimshot sound, die-cast is the traditional route; if you want a fuller, more musical rimshot that blends better in a mix, flanged steel hoops like these are a strong option.
The 20-strand Super Sensitive Hi-Carbon snare wires are designed to sit closer to the snare-side head, which tightens the relationship between your stroke and the snare response. The result is faster articulation and a crisper, more detailed snare sound, especially at lower dynamic levels. Evans G1 Coated heads round out the package on both batter and snare sides. The Linear-Drive strainer and butt plate handle snare engagement and adjustment cleanly, with the kind of reliability you want on a drum you're going to depend on night after night.
Product Features:
- Shell: 11mm, 12-ply Maple with 1 outer ply Kona Mappa Burl
- Size: 14" x 6"
- Hoops: 2.3mm triple-flanged Steel Mighty Hoops, 10-hole configuration
- Lugs: Low-mass Starclassic lugs for natural shell resonance
- Snare wires: 20-strand Super Sensitive Hi-Carbon Steel snare wires
- Strainer: Linear-Drive strainer and butt plate
- Heads: Evans G1 Coated batter and snare-side heads
- Finish: Kona Mappa Burl Gloss Lacquer
- Hardware: Black nickel
- Series: Tama S.L.P. (Sound Lab Project)
Brand: Tama
Model: S.L.P. G-Maple LGM146KMB
SKU: LGM146KMB
Condition: New
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
