The German drummer tested more than 50 snares before settling on a model built for low-end depth, snare-wire clarity, and a deliberately vintage look.
TAMA has introduced the AN1465, a signature snare developed with drummer Anika Nilles over roughly two years. The design brief focused on three priorities: a deep low end, clear snare-wire definition, and a visual nod to vintage drums. The finished model pairs a 14” aluminium shell with a 6.5” depth, a choice aimed at added resonance and low-end body. A large internal muffler is toggleable for heavier dampening.
Nilles explained the working process in a YouTube video, saying she tested more than 50 snares in TAMA’s distribution centre to isolate the qualities she wanted. “It was very important to me to have a bigger range of tuning options so the snare works in different music styles,” she said, “not just in my personal one.” The look draws from a vintage Imperial Star snare she owns, with lugs chosen for that older appearance and a badge she designed herself.
The AN1465 is priced at $849.99 and available through Reverb. Nilles is currently on the road with Rush for the band’s 50 Something reunion dates, following the late Neil Peart’s legacy. The tour runs into next April, with recently confirmed shows in Houston, Cincinnati, St Louis and Pittsburgh.
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ROMBO Editorial Staff
The collective voice behind ROMBO Magazine’s news, reviews, features, and cultural coverage.
