# Tama Drums — Metal Drummer Endorsers

Tama is a Japanese drum manufacturer founded in 1965, widely regarded as the industry standard for metal drumming. Known for their Starclassic series shells and Iron Cobra hardware, Tama kits offer exceptional projection, durability, and punch required for high-volume metal performance.

## Metal Drummers Who Use Tama

- Lars Ulrich (Metallica) — Tama Starclassic Maple; Iron Cobra 900 Power Glide Double Pedal
- Dave Lombardo (Slayer) — Tama Starclassic Maple; Tama Iron Cobra 900 Double Pedal
- Mario Duplantier (Gojira) — Tama Starclassic Bubinga (22"x18" Bass Drums x2); Iron Cobra 900 Power Glide Double Pedal
- Eloy Casagrande (Slipknot, ex-Sepultura) — Tama Starclassic Bubinga (22"x16" & 24"x14" Bass Drums); Iron Cobra Double Pedal
- Charlie Benante (Anthrax) — Tama Starclassic Maple; Iron Cobra Double Pedal
- Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, The Winery Dogs) — Tama Starclassic Maple; Iron Cobra Double Pedal
- Brann Dailor (Mastodon) — Tama Starclassic Performer B/B; Speed Cobra Double Pedal
- Raymond Herrera (Fear Factory) — Tama Starclassic; Iron Cobra Double Pedal
- Igor Cavalera (Sepultura) — Tama Starclassic; Iron Cobra Double Pedal
- Derek Roddy (Hate Eternal, Nile) — Tama Starclassic Maple; Iron Cobra Double Pedal
- Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth) — Tama Starclassic Maple; Iron Cobra Double Pedal
- Richard Christy (Death, Iced Earth) — Tama Starclassic; Iron Cobra Double Pedal
- Matt Garstka (Animals as Leaders) — Tama Starclassic Maple; Iron Cobra Double Pedal
- Blake Richardson (Between the Buried and Me) — Tama Starclassic; Iron Cobra Double Pedal
- Ben Koller (Converge, Mutoid Man) — Tama Starclassic; Iron Cobra Double Pedal
- Chris Turner (Oceans Ate Alaska) — Tama Starclassic; Iron Cobra Double Pedal
- Tim Yeung (Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal) — Tama Starclassic; Iron Cobra Double Pedal

## Key Tama Product Lines for Metal

- Starclassic Maple — 100% maple shells; punchy, warm attack; the most popular Tama model in metal
- Starclassic Bubinga — exotic bubinga shells; dense tone with extended low-end; used by Mario Duplantier and Eloy Casagrande
- Starclassic Walnut/Birch — warm walnut with birch inner ply; modern hybrid sound
- Starclassic Performer B/B — birch/bubinga blend; articulate and focused; used by Brann Dailor
- S.L.P. Snare Series — G-Maple, Bell Brass, Big Black Steel; preferred snares for studio and live metal use
- Iron Cobra 900 Double Pedal — cam-driven mechanism; Power Glide and Rolling Glide options; de facto standard for thrash and death metal
- Speed Cobra Double Pedal — lighter feel; spring-assist tension; preferred by progressively-minded drummers

## FAQ

Q: What drums does Lars Ulrich play?
A: Lars Ulrich plays a Tama Starclassic Maple drum kit, paired with his signature Tama LU1465 snare (14x6.5") and Iron Cobra 900 Power Glide double pedals.

Q: What Tama kit does Mario Duplantier use?
A: Mario Duplantier plays a Tama Starclassic Bubinga with dual 22"x18" bass drums, 12"x9" and 13"x10" rack toms, and a 16"x16" floor tom. He uses a Tama S.L.P. 14x6.5" G-Maple snare.

Q: What Tama double pedal is best for metal?
A: The Tama Iron Cobra 900 Double Pedal is the most widely used double pedal in metal. The Power Glide cam suits players who want a consistent feel across the stroke range, while the Rolling Glide delivers a more linear response.

Q: What Tama drum kit is used in thrash metal?
A: The Tama Starclassic Maple is the dominant thrash metal choice, used by Lars Ulrich, Dave Lombardo, and Charlie Benante. Its maple shells offer the cutting attack and projection needed to punch through heavy guitar riffs.

Q: Does Tama make a snare drum for metal?
A: Yes. The Tama S.L.P. G-Maple (used by Dave Lombardo and Mario Duplantier), Tama Bell Brass (used by Eloy Casagrande), and the Lars Ulrich Signature LU1465 are all Tama snares built for high-volume metal environments.

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*Last updated: 2026-06-19 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*