# Best Bass Drums for Power Metal: 2026 Ultimate Guide > Best bass drums for power metal's balanced, punchy low end. What Scott Travis (Tama Starclassic Maple), Aquiles Priester (Trick Drums Custom Maple), Nicko McBrain (Sonor SQ1/SQ2), and Mikkey Dee (Pearl Reference Series) actually play — from budget to pro. **Guide URL:** [https://metalforge.io/guides/best-bass-drums-for-power-metal](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-bass-drums-for-power-metal) **Last Updated:** 2026-07-08 --- ## What Bass Drum Setup Do Power Metal Drummers Actually Use? Power metal's bass drum has a different job than the low-end-first approach of death or doom metal: it needs to deliver a balanced, punchy thud that drives galloping, triplet-based rhythms forward without ever burying the soaring clean vocals and keyboard-orchestrated arrangements riding above it. The kick has to be felt as much as heard — present in the mix, but never dominant. Scott Travis returned to Tama for Judas Priest's "Firepower" (2018), and his Tama Starclassic Maple bass drums are driven by two independent Speed Cobra pedals rather than a double pedal, preserving the foot independence that carries "Painkiller" (1990)'s galloping blueprint into the present. Aquiles Priester runs a fully custom Trick Drums maple bass drum for Angra, chosen for the projection and tuning consistency his sustained 180-220+ BPM neoclassical double-bass technique demands. Nicko McBrain's single 22"x17" Sonor bass drum, driven by one pedal for every Iron Maiden gallop, proves the genre's most influential rhythmic vocabulary doesn't require twin kicks or even a double pedal. Mikkey Dee's Pearl Reference Series bass drum has carried him from Motörhead's all-out attack into Scorpions' wider dynamic range, built for the touring stamina power metal's festival-circuit bands depend on. This guide breaks down exactly what makes a bass drum work for power metal — shell tuning, sizing, and pedal configuration — and which specific shells these four influential drummers actually play. **Key Points:** - Power metal wants a balanced, punchy low end that supports the mix rather than overpowering melodic, keyboard-orchestrated arrangements - Scott Travis's Tama Starclassic Maple runs on two independent Speed Cobra pedals, not a double pedal, preserving foot independence - Nicko McBrain's single 22"x17" Sonor bass drum proves galloping rhythms don't require twin kicks or double bass - Aquiles Priester's custom Trick Drums maple shell is tuned for sustained neoclassical double-bass consistency at 180-220+ BPM --- ## What Makes a Great Power Metal Bass Drum? ### ⚖️ Balanced, Punchy Low End Power metal's soaring clean vocals and layered keyboard orchestration need a kick that supports rather than overwhelms. Scott Travis's Tama Starclassic Maple and Mikkey Dee's Pearl Reference Series both prioritize a punchy, controlled thud over the cavernous sub-bass weight doom or death metal favors. **Recommendation:** A punchy, well-controlled maple shell tuned for balance rather than maximum low-end weight ### ⭕ Shell Diameter and Depth 22"x17"-18" is the power metal standard — Nicko McBrain's single kick runs 17" depth for a slightly quicker, more articulate response that keeps pace with the genre's galloping tempo without losing punch. **Recommendation:** 22"x17"-18" for a fast, articulate response that stays punchy at gallop tempo ### 🐎 Galloping Rhythm Foundation Power metal's signature galloping, triplet-based feel doesn't strictly require double bass — Nicko McBrain has built Iron Maiden's entire rhythmic vocabulary on a single pedal, while Aquiles Priester's sustained neoclassical style depends on fast, reliable double bass. Match your bass drum's tuning and head choice to your rhythmic tradition. **Recommendation:** Tune for quick, articulate response whether you run a single pedal or sustained double bass ### 🪵 Shell Material Maple (Scott Travis's Tama Starclassic, Aquiles Priester's Trick Drums custom build) delivers the bright, articulate tone power metal needs to cut through theatrical, layered arrangements — warmer and more controlled than the birch/bubinga hybrids favored by heavier subgenres. **Recommendation:** Maple for bright, articulate cut-through against dense, melodic arrangements ### 🎯 Head Selection A single-ply coated batter head with light muffling keeps the attack quick and articulate for galloping patterns, while a moderately reinforced head like the Remo Powerstroke 3 adds durability for sustained double-bass tours without sacrificing punch. **Recommendation:** Single-ply coated or lightly reinforced batter head for a quick, articulate gallop attack ### 🦵 Pedal Configuration Twin 22"x18" kicks (Priester) suit sustained neoclassical double bass, while a single 22"x17" kick (McBrain, Travis) keeps the gallop tradition's foot independence intact — Travis drives his single shell with two independent Speed Cobra pedals rather than a double pedal. **Recommendation:** Match your kick configuration to your rhythmic tradition — twin kicks or independent pedals for double-bass speed, a single pedal for classic gallop foot independence --- ## Top Bass Drums Used by Power Metal Legends ### 1. Tama Starclassic Maple Bass Drum — Tama **Model:** Starclassic Maple 22"x18" **Price range:** €700-950 **Tier:** pro **Material:** Maple, 22"x18" **Rating:** 4.9/5 Scott Travis returned to Tama for Judas Priest's "Firepower" (2018) after roughly a decade and a half on Pearl, and his Starclassic Maple bass drum carries "Painkiller" (1990)'s foundational speed-and-precision blueprint into the present. Rather than run a double pedal, Travis drives twin shells with two independent Tama Speed Cobra pedals — preserving the foot independence he's played with since the 1980s. The maple shell's bright, articulate projection cuts cleanly through Judas Priest's layered, melodic arrangements, delivering the punchy but controlled low end power metal's galloping riffs demand without ever overpowering the vocals riding above it. **Pros:** - Scott Travis's exact Judas Priest bass drum — power metal's foundational blueprint - Bright, articulate maple shell for controlled projection - Driven by two independent Speed Cobra pedals, preserving foot independence - Excellent balance between punch and melodic cut-through - Proven touring durability across decades of arena shows **Cons:** - Premium pricing - Maple's brightness is less aggressive than a birch/bubinga hybrid - Twin-pedal setup requires more practice than a standard double pedal **Who uses it:** - Scott Travis (Judas Priest) — Tama Starclassic Maple driven by two independent Speed Cobra pedals **Verdict:** The power metal foundational standard — Scott Travis's blueprint for galloping speed and precision. ### 2. Trick Drums Custom Maple Bass Drum — Trick Drums **Model:** Custom Maple 22"x18" **Price range:** €900-1300 **Tier:** premium **Material:** Maple (Custom), 22"x18" **Rating:** 4.8/5 Aquiles Priester switched to a fully custom Trick Drums maple bass drum for his 2023 Angra return, chosen for the projection and consistency his relaxation-based, sustained 180-220+ BPM neoclassical double-bass technique demands. Twin shells give him the reliable, tuning-consistent low end his technically demanding patterns require night after night. The custom-built maple shell projects cleanly at extreme tempo without losing definition — critical when Priester's double-bass patterns need to stay articulate beneath Angra's dense, orchestrated neoclassical arrangements. **Pros:** - Aquiles Priester's exact Angra bass drum — sustained neoclassical speed - Fully custom build tuned for projection and consistency - Handles sustained 180-220+ BPM double bass without losing definition - Twin-shell configuration built for technical reliability - Excellent tuning consistency night after night **Cons:** - Very high price point - Custom, made-to-order build with longer lead times - Twin-shell setup adds transport and setup complexity **Who uses it:** - Aquiles Priester (Angra) — Custom Trick Drums maple twin bass drums for sustained neoclassical double bass **Verdict:** The premium neoclassical speed pick — Aquiles Priester's choice for sustained technical consistency. ### 3. Sonor SQ1 Bass Drum — Sonor **Model:** SQ1 22"x17" **Price range:** €650-900 **Tier:** pro **Material:** Maple, 22"x17" **Rating:** 4.7/5 Nicko McBrain has never used a double bass pedal with Iron Maiden — his entire galloping, triplet-based rhythmic vocabulary is built on a single 22"x17" Sonor bass drum and a single pedal, proving foot independence rather than raw double-bass speed can anchor a genre-defining sound. The slightly shallower 17" depth keeps the attack quick and articulate, matching the fast single-pedal footwork McBrain uses to drive Iron Maiden's most iconic gallops without ever needing a second kick. **Pros:** - Nicko McBrain's exact Iron Maiden bass drum sizing and philosophy - Proves a single pedal can anchor an entire genre's rhythmic foundation - Slightly shallower 17" depth for a quick, articulate gallop attack - Sonor build quality and tuning stability - Simpler setup and transport than a twin-kick rig **Cons:** - Less low-end weight than an 18"-deep shell - Not suited to sustained double-bass technical patterns **Who uses it:** - Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden) — 22"x17" single bass drum, single pedal, never a double pedal **Verdict:** Best for drummers who want to build genre-defining gallop rhythms on a single pedal. --- ## Best Budget Bass Drums for Power Metal You don't need a custom Trick Drums or Tama Starclassic shell to build a real power metal low end. These bass drums deliver genuine punch and balance at an accessible price. ### Tama Imperialstar Bass Drum — Tama **Model:** Imperialstar 22"x18" **Price range:** €230-300 **Tier:** budget **Material:** Poplar shell, 22"x18" **Rating:** 4.1/5 Same Tama family DNA as Scott Travis's professional Starclassic setup, at a fraction of the price — a genuinely accessible foundation for a balanced, punchy power metal low end. **Pros:** - Standard 22"x18" power metal sizing - Tama hardware quality at a budget price - Good value step up from entry-level shells **Cons:** - Poplar shell lacks the bright projection of maple - Stock heads benefit from an upgrade for gallop articulation **Verdict:** Best budget pick for building a real power metal low end. ### Sonor AQ2 Bass Drum — Sonor **Model:** AQ2 22"x17" **Price range:** €240-320 **Tier:** budget **Material:** Poplar/Beech shell, 22"x17" **Rating:** 4.2/5 Sonor's entry-level AQ2 line echoes Nicko McBrain's 22"x17" sizing philosophy at an accessible price — a solid, articulate budget bass drum for gallop-focused power metal drumming. **Pros:** - Matches Nicko McBrain's 22"x17" sizing - Quick, articulate response for the price - Reliable entry point into a serious kit **Cons:** - Poplar/beech shell lacks the full projection of pure maple **Verdict:** Best budget pick for drummers chasing McBrain's gallop-focused sizing. --- ## Single Pedal vs Double Bass Bass Drums for Power Metal Power metal drummers split their bass drum approach across two proven philosophies: **Single Pedal (Nicko McBrain, Scott Travis's independent-pedal approach):** - Quick, articulate gallop attack built on foot independence - Simpler shell configuration and easier touring logistics - Slightly less raw low-end volume than a twin-kick setup **Double Bass (Aquiles Priester):** - Sustained neoclassical speed and consistent tuning across twin shells - More low-end presence for dense, orchestrated arrangements - Requires more setup, transport, and tuning maintenance **Verdict:** Start with a single 22"x17"-18" maple shell and a quality pedal — it's the proven foundation behind Iron Maiden's entire rhythmic catalog. Move to twin shells or independent pedals only if your material demands sustained, technical double-bass speed. | feature | birch | maple | | --- | --- | --- | | Gallop Articulation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Sustained Speed | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Touring Simplicity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | | Low-End Presence | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Price (entry) | €230+ | €650+ | --- ## Our Top Picks for Power Metal Bass Drums - **Best Overall:** Tama Starclassic Maple Bass Drum — Scott Travis's Judas Priest blueprint — bright, punchy, and driven by independent pedals for total foot control. - **Best for Neoclassical Speed:** Trick Drums Custom Maple Bass Drum — Aquiles Priester's Angra pick — fully custom projection for sustained extreme double-bass tempos. - **Best for Galloping Rhythms:** Sonor SQ1 Bass Drum — Nicko McBrain's setup — proof a single pedal can anchor an entire genre's rhythmic foundation. - **Best Budget:** Tama Imperialstar Bass Drum — Same Tama family DNA as Scott Travis's professional setup, at a fraction of the price. --- ## FAQ **What bass drums do power metal drummers use?** Scott Travis of Judas Priest plays a Tama Starclassic Maple bass drum driven by two independent Speed Cobra pedals, Aquiles Priester of Angra runs a fully custom Trick Drums maple twin-shell setup, and Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden plays a single 22"x17" Sonor bass drum on a single pedal — never a double pedal. **What size bass drum is best for power metal?** 22"x17"-18" is the power metal standard. Nicko McBrain runs the shallower 17" depth for a quick, articulate gallop attack, while Scott Travis and Aquiles Priester use 18" for slightly more low-end weight and projection. **Do power metal drummers need a double bass pedal?** No — Nicko McBrain has never used a double bass pedal with Iron Maiden, building the genre's entire galloping rhythmic vocabulary on a single 22"x17" bass drum and a single pedal. Double bass matters more for sustained neoclassical technique, like Aquiles Priester's playing in Angra. **Why do power metal drummers need a different bass drum than blast-beat genres?** Power metal's galloping rhythms and soaring, keyboard-orchestrated arrangements need a bass drum voiced for balance and articulation rather than the low-end weight blast-beat genres favor. The kick has to punch through theatrical, melodic arrangements without ever burying the vocals. **Maple or birch/bubinga bass drum for power metal?** Maple is the power metal standard — both Scott Travis's Tama Starclassic and Aquiles Priester's Trick Drums custom shell are maple, chosen for bright, articulate projection that cuts through melodic, layered arrangements without the heavier, more aggressive punch a birch/bubinga hybrid produces. --- ## Build the Balanced, Punchy Low End Power Metal Demands Power metal's bass drum requirements come down to balance: a shell that punches through galloping rhythms and theatrical arrangements without ever overpowering the soaring vocals and keyboards riding above it. Scott Travis proves a bright maple shell driven by independent pedals can carry an entire genre's foundational blueprint, while Nicko McBrain shows the same galloping vocabulary can be built on nothing more than a single 22"x17" shell and one pedal. If your material demands sustained neoclassical double-bass speed, follow Aquiles Priester's example with a fully custom twin-shell maple setup tuned for consistency at extreme tempo. Start with a 22"x17"-18" maple shell and a quality single or double pedal — it's the proven foundation across power metal's most influential, galloping-rhythm-driven drummers. 🤘 **Ride the gallop. Never bury the melody.** --- ## Related Guides - [Best Drum Kits for Power Metal: 2026 Ultimate Guide](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-drum-kits-for-power-metal) - [Best Cymbals for Power Metal: 2026 Expert Guide](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-cymbals-for-power-metal) - [Best Snare Drums for Power Metal: 2026 Ultimate Guide](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-snare-drums-for-power-metal) - [Best Drum Pedals for Power Metal: 2026 Ultimate Guide](https://metalforge.io/guides/best-drum-pedals-for-power-metal) ## Related Drummers - [Scott Travis](https://metalforge.io/drummer/scott-travis) — Tama Starclassic Maple — Judas Priest power metal blueprint - [Aquiles Priester](https://metalforge.io/drummer/aquiles-priester) — Trick Drums Custom Maple — Angra neoclassical double-bass precision - [Nicko McBrain](https://metalforge.io/drummer/nicko-mcbrain) — Sonor SQ1 — Iron Maiden galloping foundation on a single pedal - [Mikkey Dee](https://metalforge.io/drummer/mikkey-dee) — Pearl Reference Series — Motörhead/Scorpions touring stamina --- **More LLM resources:** [Guides Hub](https://metalforge.io/llms/guides.md) · [Site index](https://metalforge.io/llms.txt) · [Full database](https://metalforge.io/llms-full.txt)