What is the diameter of this Meinl Tar?

The drum features a 16-inch diameter, providing a large enough surface area for diverse tonal zones from the centre to the edge.

How does moisture affect the True Feel head?

True Feel heads are designed to be non-reactive to moisture. This ensures the drum stays in tune and maintains consistent tension even in humid conditions.

What are the primary tonal characteristics of this drum?

The instrument produces tones that are both warm and bright, offering a balanced sound profile suitable for various musical genres.

What is the finish of the drum frame?

The frame is finished in a professional African Brown colour, giving it a classic and understated appearance.

Is this an electronic drum or an acoustic drum?

Despite its placement in some electronic categories, this is a purely acoustic frame drum designed for traditional hand percussion techniques.

What makes the True Feel head different from natural skin?

It provides the tactile response and warmth of natural skin while being synthetic, making it more durable and resistant to environmental changes.

Can this drum handle delicate playing styles?

Yes, the head is highly sensitive, which allows for refined and subtle play including light finger techniques.

How much does the Meinl 16" Synthetic Head Tar typically cost?

The typical price for this specific model is approximately £167 in the United Kingdom.

Does the drum require frequent retuning?

Because the synthetic head does not expand or contract with humidity, it offers much better tuning stability than drums with natural heads.

How does this compare to the Remo Lollipop Frame Drum?

The Meinl Tar is a larger, professional-grade 16-inch instrument focused on tonal warmth, whereas the Remo 10" Lollipop is a smaller, simplified percussion tool.

Is this instrument suitable for professional touring?

Yes, its consistent tuning and robust synthetic head make it an excellent choice for percussionists who travel through varying climates.

Does this drum feature a snare mechanism like a British Drum Co. Maverick?

No, this is a traditional-style frame drum (Tar) and does not contain the snare wires or mechanical components found in snare drums.

Gear article

Meinl 16" Synthetic Head Tar - African Brown

The Meinl 16" Synthetic Head Tar is a professional-grade frame drum featuring the proprietary True Feel synthetic head technology. Designed to resist atmospheric changes, it provides a consistent warm and bright tonal profile for percussionists across all environments.

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Overview

The Meinl 16" Synthetic Head Tar represents a modern evolution of the traditional Middle Eastern frame drum. While categorised alongside electronic kits in some retail systems, it is a purely acoustic instrument crafted for high-fidelity percussion performance. The African Brown finish provides a professional aesthetic, while the 16-inch diameter offers a balanced surface for both deep bass tones and sharp finger-snaps.

True Feel Technology

The defining characteristic of this instrument is the Meinl True Feel head. These heads are engineered to simulate the tactile response of natural animal skin without the inherent maintenance drawbacks. Because they are synthetic, the heads are entirely non-reactive to moisture and humidity. This ensures that the drum maintains its specific tuning and tension regardless of whether it is played in a dry studio or a humid outdoor setting.

Sound and Playability

The tonal character of the African Brown Tar is described as both warm and bright, allowing for a broad expressive range. The sensitivity of the True Feel head supports refined playing techniques, responding to light finger strikes as effectively as full palm strokes. This high level of sensitivity makes it suitable for complex rhythmic patterns that require clear articulation between different zones of the drum head.

Comparison and Suitability

Compared to smaller percussion items like the Remo 10" Lollipop Frame Drum or the Sela Melody Tongue Drum, the 16" Tar offers a much deeper resonance and a more traditional frame drum experience. While it lacks the mechanical snare response of instruments like the British Drum Co. Maverick or the Natal Originals Walnut snare, it provides a distinct organic texture essential for world music and meditative percussion. It is ideally suited for professional percussionists who require a consistent, weather-resistant instrument for touring.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the diameter of this Meinl Tar?: The drum features a 16-inch diameter, providing a large enough surface area for diverse tonal zones from the centre to the edge.
How does moisture affect the True Feel head?: True Feel heads are designed to be non-reactive to moisture. This ensures the drum stays in tune and maintains consistent tension even in humid conditions.
What are the primary tonal characteristics of this drum?: The instrument produces tones that are both warm and bright, offering a balanced sound profile suitable for various musical genres.
What is the finish of the drum frame?: The frame is finished in a professional African Brown colour, giving it a classic and understated appearance.
Is this an electronic drum or an acoustic drum?: Despite its placement in some electronic categories, this is a purely acoustic frame drum designed for traditional hand percussion techniques.
What makes the True Feel head different from natural skin?: It provides the tactile response and warmth of natural skin while being synthetic, making it more durable and resistant to environmental changes.
Can this drum handle delicate playing styles?: Yes, the head is highly sensitive, which allows for refined and subtle play including light finger techniques.
How much does the Meinl 16" Synthetic Head Tar typically cost?: The typical price for this specific model is approximately £167 in the United Kingdom.
Does the drum require frequent retuning?: Because the synthetic head does not expand or contract with humidity, it offers much better tuning stability than drums with natural heads.
How does this compare to the Remo Lollipop Frame Drum?: The Meinl Tar is a larger, professional-grade 16-inch instrument focused on tonal warmth, whereas the Remo 10" Lollipop is a smaller, simplified percussion tool.
Is this instrument suitable for professional touring?: Yes, its consistent tuning and robust synthetic head make it an excellent choice for percussionists who travel through varying climates.
Does this drum feature a snare mechanism like a British Drum Co. Maverick?: No, this is a traditional-style frame drum (Tar) and does not contain the snare wires or mechanical components found in snare drums.