It’s that time of year in Anaheim, California, where drum and cymbal makers are rolling out their newest innovations and much-anticipated reissues at NAMM 2025. Here, you can get the scoop on the hottest new gear from Gretsch, Ludwig, MEINL, TAMA, SABIAN, Slingerland, SONOR and Yamaha. We’re traversing the floor at the Anaheim Convention Center this week, and will be updating you with the latest news on all the hard-hitting drums and percussion releases from Winter NAMM 2025.
New Drum Gear at NAMM 2025
DW
For the drummer who has (almost) everything, the limited-edition, $3,999 DW MFG True Cast Bronze 14x7" snare represents a rare treasure—especially as only 100 handcrafted pieces will be made available. This breathtaking snare looks like a cross between a sculptured museum piece and a masterwork you’d find showcased in the Wizard of Oz’s great hall. With a shell fashioned from sand-cast and machined bell bronze in DW’s California Custom Shop, the True Case Bronze also features True Cast hoops, Mini Turret Lugs, a Mini MAG throw-off, and True-Pitch tension rods crafted from raw brass.
DW also unveiled a tribute to the Grammy-winning “Queen of Percussion” with its Sheila E. Collector's Series ICON snare. This limited edition features a handcrafted North American hard-rock maple shell, birdseye maple veneer, laser-cut butterfly inlays (as well as Sheila E.'s signature) and gold hardware.
Gretsch
An institution in the drum world since 1883, Gretsch knows a thing or two about evolution. Advancements in the iconic brand’s hardware and drum series are giving drummers of all skill levels some tantalizing incentives to chase “That Great Gretsch Sound.” Let’s start with new Gretsch hardware. Gretsch’s selection of entry-level Explorer and road-worthy Concert hardware—including cymbal, snare and hi-hat stands, as well as kick pedals—has been joined by two all-new lines: the Vintage Series and Arena Series. Vintage Series hardware imparts an old-school flair with modern tech, while the Arena Series encompasses Gretsch’s new top-of-the-line offerings for the professional touring drummer.
Shop Now: Gretsch Drums Concert Series 5-Piece Hardware Pack
A bevy of new snare drums with differing tonal characteristics joined the Gretsch lineup this year. The Gretsch 14 x 6.5" Birch snare produces excellent attack, stout lows and shimmering highs with outstanding projection. On the other hand, the Gretsch 14 x 6.5" Mahogany/Maple snare tends to be focused on resonance, warmth and sustain, but also delivers a smooth attack. Producing a snare tone that is often described as sounding like if it has already been recorded, mixed and released, the Gretsch 14 x 6.5" Maple/Walnut snare combines the lush warmth of walnut with the silky low end and balanced mids and highs of maple. Walking a bit closer to the wild side, the Gretsch 14 x 6.5" Maple Stave snare generates a rather boisterous personality. It’s loud, beefy and articulate with dazzling overtones.
Shop Now: Gretsch Drums 14x6.5" Maple Walnut Snare Drum
Ludwig
Another longtime juggernaut, Ludwig is also releasing some long-awaited gems this year. Its 50th Anniversary Stainless Steel drum sets, a throwback to the cult-classic kits that packed unmatched tone, punch and presence, are available in multiple configurations during 2025 only.
The top-shelf Classic Maple series is also getting a few new special treatments—the first being a new wood type: exotic ambrosia maple. Offered in black gold, nocturne and amethyst finishes, these drums are every bit as visually vivacious as they are sonically stunning. Classic Maple kits are also getting a Tri-Band wrap option, flaunting sparkle finishes in an alternating-color design. These Tri-Band Classic Maple Kits are offered with 20", 22" and 24" bass drums. And, made in the USA, the just-announced Ludwig Tone Kraft will be entering Ludwig’s galaxy of the high-end drum stars as well.
Shop Now: Ludwig Classic Maple 3-Piece Pro Beat Shell Pack with 24" Bass Drum in Red/Gold Tri-Burst
Now, let’s talk new Ludwig snares. Another reissue, the Ludwig Slotted Coliseum snare pays homage to the original ’80s design renowned for its mega sound heard the world over. Limited to 80 drums worldwide, it’s obtainable in steel and maple for a fleeting moment. Fans of the Mars Volta and Queens of the Stone Age will appreciate the new Jon Theodore signature snare.
MEINL
Having journeyed from the state of Bavaria, Germany, MEINL has forged a name for itself since 1951. And while most of their offerings are crafted domestically, MEINL’s Byzance line is not only a tribute to the storied influence of Turkish cymbals—it’s made and hand hammered at MEINL’s foundry in Turkey. For 2025, MEINL is unveiling a swath of new Byzance cymbals, which shimmer with a complex, articulate voice. Among these are the Byzance Brilliant Thomas Lang Signature Flex 21" ride—which will be included in the Austrian progressive drummer’s Artist’s Choice Cymbal Set—Byzance Traditional Extra Hammered ride, Extra Thin Hammered hi-hat and Extra Thin Hammered crash. Other distinctive Byzance releases are the Polyphonic Ride, which features a raw bell in contrast to its polished bow, and the “pre-aged” Vintage Quick Sand Ride brandishes a sandblasted surface and unique sound notch that impart a controlled wash with unrivaled stick definition.
Shop Now: MEINL Thomas Lang Artist's Choice Cymbal Set
MEINL’s Pure Alloy series is also getting a freshening up. The expanded, German-made Pure Alloy line now includes a splash, China and generously perforated trash crash, peppering in some expressive pizazz to the vast tonal color palette of the smooth and balanced cymbal series. MEINL’s also introducing the 14" Benny Greb Signature Quick Sand hi-hat, to add to the groove meister’s articulate, silky signature MEINL collection.
Shop Now: MEINL Pure Alloy Benny Greb Signature Quick Sand Hi-Hat
And if a strikingly opaque vibe is more your groove, the MEINL Classics Custom Dark ride delivers all the warmth, aggression and darkness you’d expect to match its eye-catching finish.
Slingerland
The legendary drum brand, recently revived and rejuvenated by DW Drums, introduced two limited editions at NAMM 2025. The Slingerland 14x5" and 14x7" Limited-Edition Radio King Finish Ply Maple Snare Drum and the 14x5" and 14x7" Limited-Edition Radio King Specialty Lacquer Maple snare are authentic recreations of the flagship drum that debuted in 1936. Only 50 snares of each model—all signed by DW founder Don Lombardi—will be manufactured.
TAMA
Synonymous with innovative kits made for heavy hitters, TAMA tends to turn heads at NAMM—2025 is no exception. Among TAMA’s NAMM launches are an array of high-end Starclassic Maple kits and snares in a breathtaking Marine Shoreline Movingui Fade finish, in addition to Starclassic Walnut/Birch kit and snare offerings in Vermillion Bosse Fade. On the more affordable side, it’s launching the Imperialstar in Electric Yellow for beginners and intermediate drummers looking for a little flash to accompany their thunder. And on-the-go drummers will be tempted by the compact Club-JAM and ultraportable Club-JAM Pancake 4-piece kits in cool new colorways.
Shop Now: TAMA Starclassic Walnut/Birch 5-Piece Drum Kit in Vermillion Bosse Fade
One of TAMA’s first major endorsees critical in kickstarting its popularity in the late ’70s, Simon Phillips is getting an 8-ply African mahogany signature snare in a gorgeous green finish. On the subject of snares, TAMA is also releasing S.L.P. (Sound Lab Project) Mod Bubinga in various sizes and colorways—including Philo Tsoungui and Clay Aeschliman artist models—combining rich, exotic tonewoods with budget-friendly values. The made-in-Japan Starphonic snare series is getting a 14x6" spruce shell option with an eye-catching center stripe, as well.
The brand known as the “strongest name in drums” has a reputation that carries over to its forward-thinking hardware. TAMA is revealing a trio of double kick pedals this year, including the Speed Cobra 910, Dyna-Sync and Iron Cobra 900 Power Glide pedals, all featuring the ultrasmooth, state-of-the-art Mirror Rod double pedal connecting rod. You can also get the Mirror Rod separately if you’re serious about upgrading your current double kick pedal.
SONOR
To celebrate 150 years of SONOR, one of the longest-running percussion brands in the world, it’s launching a very special line of limited-run kits and snares, featuring the cream of the crop in terms of tonewood and hardware. If you don’t mind swinging the cost of a $5,399 made-in-Germany, signed and numbered snare, or a shell pack that ranges from $14,499–$16,699, depending on your configuration of choice, this is a once-in-a-lifetime release that SONOR connoisseurs and collectors won’t want to miss.
Shop Now: SONOR 150th Anniversary Signature Heritage Shell Pack
Yamaha
Yamaha has a long history of success in countless musical instrument categories—drums and e-drums being prime examples. This NAMM, Yamaha is releasing the DTX6K5-M e-kit, boasting the app-compatible DTX-PRO module, 12" mesh snare, three 10" mesh toms, 15" ride, two 12" crashes, double bass-friendly 7.5" kick pad with tower, and a 13" hi-hat with stand. It’s perfect for anyone looking to stealthily hone their chops with a small footprint.
Shop Now: Yamaha DTX6K5-M Electronic Drum Set