Tama Aw526 6.5x14 1991 - Piano black

Up for sale is a legendary, early-1990s Tama Artwood AW526 14" x 6.5" All-Maple snare drum. Made in Japan during Hoshino Gakki’s golden era of manufacturing, these heavy-duty Artwood snares are renowned for their incredible projection, tuning range, and explosive rimshots.

I am the original owner of this drum, having purchased it brand new in the early 1990s.

I am currently digging through my archives and may even be able to locate the original factory purchase receipt to include with the sale for the ultimate collector's provenance.

Shell & Finish:Shell Construction: 7mm, 100% select premium Canadian Maple shell.Current Finish: The drum is currently outfitted in a custom, premium removable wrap from Bum Wrap Drum Co. It looks fantastic under the stage lights and fits a great custom aesthetic.Original Finish Underneath: Underneath the Bum Wrap is the factory-original Piano Black lacquer finish. The original finish is in honest "player's condition" (showing some typical cosmetic wear from my years of gigging), which is why I chose to apply the wrap. Because Bum Wrap systems use a temporary seam tape rather than full-shell glue, this wrap can be easily peeled off to return the drum to its factory-original look with zero sticky residue or damage to the underlying lacquer.

The last photo is from a gig around 1994 showing the factory-original wrap.

Hardware & Features:

Hoops: Original, heavy-duty 10-lug zinc die-cast hoops that give the drum massive rimshots, cross-sticks, and flawless tuning stability.Strainer: Factory-original Cam-Lever strainer and matching butt-plate—both smooth, fully functional, and intact.Lugs: Vintage high-tension, one-piece long lugs.Badge: Original oval brass "Tama Artwood / The Quality Drum" Made in Japan badge.Upgrades & Condition:The hardware shows some light, expected cosmetic pitting/wear typical of a 30+ year-old player's drum that has been gigged, but everything is structurally 100% solid, perfectly round, and fully functional. The drum has been professionally upgraded with a crisp set of PureSound snare wires. It comes equipped with a Remo Weatherking Ambassador Snare Side resonant head and a Drum Center of Portsmouth branded Remo batter head with plenty of life left in it.This is a phenomenal, professional-grade studio or touring workhorse with a single-owner history that cuts through any mix.Drum will be packed securely and shipped promptly. Please feel free to ask any questions before purchasing!