Every marching band is incomplete without a bass drum. This type of drum can be either traditional or marching. A traditional bass drum can deliver the best sound quality, but it is not good enough for marching in many cases. Hence, not every bass drum out there is suitable for marching. Look at these 10 products and see which model can be the best bass drum for your troop.
1) Best Quality Marching Bass Drum: Evans MX1
Editor’s Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EEQ186
- Good Tone Production – the MX1 tries to outperform its competitors by producing a bright quality tone. The unit has a patented tone damping mechanism designed to improve the articulation. It focuses on the low-end. You can manipulate a set of felt checking arcs to make this marching bass drum suitable for either outdoor or indoor use.
- Tone Damping Mechanism – this marching bass drum has this feature that allows you to manipulate the unit by putting separate felt arcs to boost articulation.
- Good Quality – EVANS has been around for more than 40 years. Recognized for advanced designs like EC2S, EMAD, and Hydraulic Series, Evans drum heads came from the US and crafted from the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
Pros:
- Excellent sound production
- Good product quality
- Durable
Cons:
- Expensive
2) Best in Design: Pearl MJB1608/CXN33
Editor’s Rating: 4.8 out of 5
Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ERX5MTY
- Ideal for Young Users – this marching bass drum from Pearl is good for younger players. Pearl recommends it to middle school-age kids and even to those in their elementary grades.
- Satisfaction Guaranteed – Pearl is a famous name within the Japanese school musical instrument market. It entered the market in the United States, giving people high-quality instruments.
- Poplar Shell – this marching bass drum comes with the poplar shell that shines in durability. Plus, the unit even comes in different sizes to fit the youngest users as well. The product is field-ready. It comes wrapped with the #33 plain white cover that involves the matching white powder-covered and pre-assembled MCH20B carrier.
Pros:
- Ready-to-play out of the box
- The carrier has been pre-assembled
- Available in different sizes to suit every child
Cons:
- Limited to young players
3) Best Popular: Yamaha Field Corps
Editor’s Rating: 4.8 out of 5
Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KWD7KJE
- Durable and Solid Construction – created using the high-caliber materials, this bass drum set from Yamaha promises to produce a rich and buttery tone together with the Yamaha’s proprietary terse attack.
- Made of Maple – Yamaha Field Corps Drums are made with maple. The bass drums in this set also feature airhole sizing & placement that has been specifically matched for every drum size.
- Slimmer Drum Barrels – though the maple construction gives exceptional durability, the drum barrels of Yamaha Field Corps are intended slimmer than the usual to decrease the weight. In the outdoor settings, this bass drum set form outstanding projection and volume.
Pros:
- Solid construction
- Crafted with maple
- Thinner drum barrels
Cons:
- Expensive
4) Best Value: Yamaha MBMH-2
Editor’s Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000T4MXQG
- Comes with 4 Mallets – with this marching bass drum, you will get not just 2 but 4 mallets. Hence, you have spare mallets in case you lost or wrecked the old ones.
- Comes with a Mounting Tape – this marching bass from Yamaha also offers a mounting tape that will help you keep this bass drum steady and in place.
- Easy to Install – the installation will stay fast and easy. Get it ready to use in a matter of minutes.
Pros:
- Goes with two pair of mallets
- The mounting tape is in the package
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Tends to be heavier than other models
5) Best in Style: Dynasty
Editor’s Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0064ROCJS
- 8-ply Maple Shell – this bass drum comes with the 8-ply shell made of maple. It also comes with sturdy hardware plated with chrome and specifically designed claws, which let you higher-pitched tuning and increased sturdiness. Multiple finishes are also available.
- Trusted Quality – Dynasty is among the major players within the wide music industry since its inception in 1999. They are crafting their marching bass drums with high-quality materials, such as the enduring aluminum case and heavy-duty maple shells.
- Converse Threaded Fit – like other drums made by Dynasty, this marching bass drum also comes with the opposite threaded fit construction and rough claw hooks that let you adjust the drum heads to the higher and better tension level. The product ensures you can do it without getting the claw either underperforming or failing.
Pros:
- Good tone
- Well-made
- Simple head adjustment
- Work well in the percussion ensembles
Cons:
- Tend to be pricey
6) Best-Budget Marching Bass Drum: TAMA Starlight
Editor’s Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B01LXP3WUS
- Birch Shell – this marching bass drum comes with a 7-ply pure birch shell with low-mass hardware made of cast aluminum.
- Reputable Brand – Tama has been a well-known brand within the entire music industry. Although they do not focus more on the bass drum market, this marching bass drum is made with the combination of Bubinga and birch to make a strong drum, which is lightweight as well.
- Height-Adjustable – this marching bass drum is also height-adjustable. It also goes with a safety lock system coupled with the cushioned shoulder pieces and a 2-way support bar. All these features are making this marching bass drum easy to adjust.
- Good Design – TAMA has been known for its advanced design work. It features the TAMA Noiseless Carrier, the joint-locking system designed to help in bridging the gap between this marching bass drum and the carrier – you. This design will also allow this marching bass drum to sit up in contrast to your body, making it steady and playable. TAMA Starlight can be good even if you have to put more tension on your drum head.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Highly adjustable
- Comfortable and easy to use
Cons:
- Nothing
7) Best in Durability: Pearl Championship
Editor’s Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0153V3RSM
- Durable – Pearl claims this marching bass drum as among the sturdiest bass drums in the market. It features a solid shell made with pure maple and six plies designed to provide a strong and robust sound. The bass drum is available in multiple colors and finishes. You can even customize the unit to match the outdoor ensemble.
- Well-Known Standard – the manufacturer, is also claiming the best in this product when it comes to standard. By using the signature seismic air hollows, Pearl Championship can keep the air volumes moving to produce a great and loud tone.
- Good Resonance and Sub-Frequency Projection – this marching bass drum can also offer the best in terms of sub-frequency projection and resonance.
- Maple Hoops – the unit also features maple loops that measure 2 inches. These hoops are designed to improve the maple shells. Pearl Championship also comes with a wider claw intended for giving even dispersion together with the hoops’ circumference.
- Aluminum Case – this unit is also lightweight. The tension bolts of this bass drum are all case-hardened to provide the strength you need without adding extra weight on the unit.
Pros:
- Durable and strong
- Multiple finish and color options
- Great sound and resonance production
Cons:
- A bit expensive
8) Best Classic Look: Sound Percussion Labs Marching Bass Drum
Editor’s Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Awesome Structure and Construction – featuring a 7-ply shell made of birch ad lugs made with die-cast, this marching bass drum is surprisingly versatile. It can be ideal to use in parades, halftime shows, and school performances. The 7-ply birch shell has air holes that will provide you with the optimum projection that is responsible for creating good tones and the ideal articulation.
- Great Features – this marching bass drums feature a T-style carrier, and Remo Powermax heads. The die-cast lugs have resonance isolation that will provide you with more strength. The metal is not touching the shell.
- Complete Package – this bass drum comes as a complete package. The bundle includes a series of mallets and the T-style lightweight carrier that you will get for free.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Goes with mallets and a sturdy carrier
- Good to use in various situations
Cons:
- Might be heavy for some users
9) Easy to Use: Groove Percussion MBD1222W
Editor’s Rating: 4.3 out of 5
- Stylish – Groove Percussion is giving this bass drum for marching. This product comes in a glossy white construction. The bass drum itself measures 12×22 inches.
- High-Tension Constant Lugs – this bass drum comes with up to 8 high-tension lugs. All these lugs are easy to tighten or loosen, allowing you to get the best tone for your drum.
- Adaptable Vest-Style Carrier – users will not get tired of carrying this marching bass drum. The package includes an adaptable vest-style carrier. Adjustable bands are also included and with a thick foam pad to keep your shoulders free from pain and strain in case you carry the bass drum for a long time.
- Adjustable – this marching bass drum is also adjustable, making it suitable for players of various heights and ages.
- With Mallets – no need to buy your mallets. The package already includes a pair of mallets.
Pros:
- The unique sound and tone production
- Stylish look and good build quality
- With accessories for free in the package
Cons:
- Can be heavy for some users
10) Best Affordable: CB Drums IS3650W
Editor’s Rating: 4.2 out of 5
- Solid Construction – while it seems more affordable than its competitors, this marching bass drum from CB Drums are guaranteed durable and long-lasting. CB Drums wants to give you the best value for money by giving a quality product like this.
- Good Tone and Resonance – you can also hope for the best when it comes to tone and resonance production in this product.
- Lightweight – CB Drums claims you will not be tired even if you carry this marching bass drum for two hours or even so. While it feels sturdy, the bass drum itself is lightweight.
Pros:
- Easy tuning
- Versatile and good for various purposes and situations
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Some complaint about the quality
Choosing Your Marching Drums
The market seems to offer more when it comes to bass drums, so it’s easy for anyone to get overwhelmed. While you can get too many options that bring confusion to your mind, choosing the best marching bass drum for your needs does not need to be daunting.
Drum Shell
When you strike or hit the bass drum, its shell will resonate at the low frequencies, giving you a big and loud booming sound that you always deserve. Additionally, it will allow your drum to sound good enough against other musical instruments used in a marching band.
Likewise, you need to consider the wood type used. It contributes a lot in giving a marching bass drum a stunning, unique, and awesome sound quality. Here are the common types of woods used in the construction of bass drum shells:
Maple
It’s the most typical type of wood used in making drums. Maple is a good choice because it provides drums with a warm and balanced sound.
Birch
The birch is also a good material used in making bass drum shells. It allows the bass drums to produce a loud and bright tone, allowing the instrument to clear cut over any other musical instruments played in the marching bands.
Design
A marching bass drum should be as lightweight as possible. Or else, it will be difficult for one to carry this thing all around during the march. When the bass drum is awfully heavy, then the player may not be able to produce a good sound that complements the rest of the musical instruments being played.
Therefore, when you look for a marching bass drum, be sure you check how lightweight the instrument is before you buy it. Compare it with other marching bass drums in the market. If you can test them out, that will be better.
Mallet Holder
A mallet holder is one of the standard features that come together with a marching bass drum. However, you can buy one if your bass drum does not come with even one. A mallet is designed with a low tone. Sometimes, it creates a low-end accompaniment. In other cases, it produces an explosive tone that works well on a march.
The holder will allow you to switch out the mallet while you play. Therefore, you will have much better control over the sound and tone as you play.
Buyer’s Guide
You can’t just buy any bass drum for marching. What you need is the bass drum that lasts long and will offer the best value for your hard-earned money. One of the things you need to consider when searching for the best marching bass drum is the material used.
Aside from maple and birch, a drum shell can also be made with:
- Mahogany
- Poplar
- Oak
Mahogany is a bit hotter than the maple shell. Mahogany provides you boosted low-end and reduced highs on the midrange. Mahogany is usually characterized as sounding more vintage compared to other shells.
Poplar is the low-cost substitute to maple and birch. It goes with the same sound is the poplar wood shell. Oak comes with the same sound to maple. It’s a powerful and bright sound but a more absorbent composition.
Drum shells are made with various sheets of wood. The more layers of wood the bass drum has, the more likely it will produce a brighter sound. The fewer layers, warmer the sound will be.
Furthermore, you should also consider how portable a marching bass drum is before you buy it. Since you will use it for marching, it needs to be the marching kind. The traditional bass drum is way heavier than the one made for marching.
Designed to be lightweight and portable, you can play a marching bass drum with ease while you walk. The conventional type is quite heavy since it is not intended for marching.
FAQ’s to Cover
What kind of drums are in a marching band?
The drumline is known as the battery generally consists of the marching tenor drums (known as quints, quads, or quint/quad toms), and bass drums. Cymbals are sometimes included, depending on the squad leader’s preferences.
How do you keep a beat on drums?
Learning how to play and keep your beat on your drum at the right timing may seem difficult to understand. For as long as you are willing to learn, nothing is impossible.
Check out this video to learn.
Conclusion
With many sizes, textures, and construction woods to pick from, finding the best marching bass drum for your needs requires both your patience and willingness to research. Your selection should include a complete understanding of your preferred or desired sounds. Likewise, you need to consider how durable and lightweight a marching bass drum is. If you have decided to buy a bass drum today, be sure you talk about it with other members in the group – the director, music arranger, and performer. You have to do your homework to find out which model will match the specifications and needs you have set. Hopefully, this review roundup helps you make a well-informed choice.
