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Marching Bass Drums

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Photo of Yamaha 8300 Field-Corps Series 18 inch Marching Bass Drum - Black Forest

Yamaha 8300 Field-Corps Series 18 inch Marching Bass Drum - Black Forest

18" x 14" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Maple Hoops - Black Forest
$654.95
Or $110.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
In Stock
Photo of Yamaha 8300 Field-Corps Series 28 inch Marching Bass Drum - Black Forest

Yamaha 8300 Field-Corps Series 28 inch Marching Bass Drum - Black Forest

28" x 14" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Maple Hoops - Black Forest
$859.95
Or $144.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
In Stock
Photo of Yamaha 8300 Field-Corps Series 24-inch Marching Bass Drum - Black Forest

Yamaha 8300 Field-Corps Series 24-inch Marching Bass Drum - Black Forest

24" x 14" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Maple Hoops - Black Forest
$779.95
Or $130.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Photo of Pearl Finalist Marching Bass Drum - 22 x 14 inch - Midnight Black

Pearl Finalist Marching Bass Drum - 22 x 14 inch - Midnight Black

14" x 22" Birch Marching Bass Drum with Maple Hoops and Aluminum Hardware - Midnight Black
$704.95
Or $15.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
Bundles Available!
In Stock
Photo of Bergerault Symphonic Series Concert Bass Drum, 36x22-inch

Bergerault Symphonic Series Concert Bass Drum, 36x22-inch

22" x 36" Maple/Mahogany Concert Bass Drum with Remo Fiberskyn Heads and Field Frame - Natural Wood Finish
$4,099.95
Or $684.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Photo of Pearl Finalist Marching Bass Drum - 20 x 14 inch - Midnight Black

Pearl Finalist Marching Bass Drum - 20 x 14 inch - Midnight Black

14" x 20" Birch Marching Bass Drum with Maple Hoops and Aluminum Hardware - Midnight Black
$689.95
Or $15.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
Bundles Available! Certified Open Box available for $633.99
In Stock
Photo of Yamaha 8300 Field-Corps Series 20 inch Marching Bass Drum - Black Forest

Yamaha 8300 Field-Corps Series 20 inch Marching Bass Drum - Black Forest

20" x 14" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Maple Hoops - Black Forest
$699.95
Or $117.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Photo of Pearl Finalist Marching Bass Drum - 26 x 14 inch - Midnight Black

Pearl Finalist Marching Bass Drum - 26 x 14 inch - Midnight Black

14" x 26" Birch Marching Bass Drum with Maple Hoops and Aluminum Hardware - Midnight Black
$822.95
Or $18.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
Bundles Available!
Photo of Pearl Finalist Marching Bass Drum - 18 x 14 inch - Midnight Black

Pearl Finalist Marching Bass Drum - 18 x 14 inch - Midnight Black

14" x 18" Birch Marching Bass Drum with Maple Hoops and Aluminum Hardware - Midnight Black
$642.95
Or $14.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
Bundles Available! Certified Open Box available for $574.99
In Stock
Photo of Pearl Competitor Marching Bass Drum - 14 inches x 16 inches, Pure White

Pearl Competitor Marching Bass Drum - 14 inches x 16 inches, Pure White

14" x 16" Poplar/Kapur Marching Bass Drum - Pure White
$432.95
Or $13.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Photo of Yamaha 8300 Field-Corps Series 22 inch Marching Bass Drum - Black Forest

Yamaha 8300 Field-Corps Series 22 inch Marching Bass Drum - Black Forest

22" x 14" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Maple Hoops - Black Forest
$739.95
Or $124.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
In Stock
Photo of Pearl Jr. Marching Series Bass Drum - 8 inches x 18 inches, Pure White

Pearl Jr. Marching Series Bass Drum - 8 inches x 18 inches, Pure White

8" x 18" Poplar Bass Drum - Pure White
$399.95
Or $12.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
In Stock
Only 6 Left
Photo of Pearl Jr. Marching Series Bass Drum - 8 inches x 16 inches

Pearl Jr. Marching Series Bass Drum - 8 inches x 16 inches

8" x 16" Poplar Bass Drum - Pure White
$379.95
Or $64.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
In Stock
Only 5 Left
Photo of Pearl Jr. Marching Series Bass Drum - 8 inches x 20 inches

Pearl Jr. Marching Series Bass Drum - 8 inches x 20 inches

8" x 20" Poplar Bass Drum - Pure White
$412.95
Or $12.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
In Stock
Only 3 Left
Photo of Yamaha 8300 Field-Corps Series 26 inch Marching Bass Drum - Black Forest

Yamaha 8300 Field-Corps Series 26 inch Marching Bass Drum - Black Forest

26" x 14" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Maple Hoops - Black Forest
$819.95
Or $137.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Photo of Pearl Finalist Marching Bass Drum - 24 x 14 inch - Midnight Black

Pearl Finalist Marching Bass Drum - 24 x 14 inch - Midnight Black

14" x 24" Birch Bass Drum - Midnight Black
$729.95
Or $16.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
Bundles Available! Certified Open Box available for $652.99
In Stock
Photo of Ludwig Ultimate 2 Marching Bass Drum - 14 inches x 26 inches, White

Ludwig Ultimate 2 Marching Bass Drum - 14 inches x 26 inches, White

14" x 26" Maple Marching Bass Drum - White
$865.99
Or $145.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Photo of Mapex Quantum Mark II Marching Bass Drum - 14 x 24 inch, Gloss Black

Mapex Quantum Mark II Marching Bass Drum - 14 x 24 inch, Gloss Black

14" x 24" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Reinforcement Ring and Eyebolt Adjustment System - Gloss Black
$634.95
Or $14.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
In Stock
Photo of Pearl PBDM2614/A Championship Maple Marching Bass Drum - 26 inch x 14 inch, Midnight Black

Pearl PBDM2614/A Championship Maple Marching Bass Drum - 26 inch x 14 inch, Midnight Black

26" x 14" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Maple Hoops and Aluminum Hardware - Midnight Black
$984.95
Or $21.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
Photo of Mapex Quantum Mark II Marching Bass Drum - 14 x 22 inch, Gloss Black

Mapex Quantum Mark II Marching Bass Drum - 14 x 22 inch, Gloss Black

14" x 22" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Reinforcement Ring and Eyebolt Adjustment System - Gloss Black
$607.95
Or $13.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
In Stock
Photo of Yamaha 6300 Series Power-Lite 20-inch x 13-inch Marching Bass Drum - White

Yamaha 6300 Series Power-Lite 20-inch x 13-inch Marching Bass Drum - White

20" x 13" Birch Marching Bass Drum with Birch and Mahogany Hoops - White
$465.99
Or $78.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
In Stock
Photo of Mapex Quantum Mark II Marching Bass Drum - 14-inch x 20-inch, Gloss Black

Mapex Quantum Mark II Marching Bass Drum - 14-inch x 20-inch, Gloss Black

14" x 20" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Reinforcement Ring and Eyebolt Adjustment System - Gloss Black
$595.95
Or $13.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
In Stock
Photo of Yamaha 6300 Series Power-Lite 24-inch x 13-inch Marching Bass Drum - White

Yamaha 6300 Series Power-Lite 24-inch x 13-inch Marching Bass Drum - White

24" x 13" Birch Marching Bass Drum with Birch and Mahogany Hoops - White
$556.95
Or $93.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
In Stock
Photo of Yamaha 6300 Series Power-Lite 16-inch x 13-inch Marching Bass Drum - White

Yamaha 6300 Series Power-Lite 16-inch x 13-inch Marching Bass Drum - White

16" x 13" Birch Marching Bass Drum with Birch and Mahogany Hoops - White
$409.99
Or $69.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
In Stock
Photo of Pearl Finalist Marching Bass Drum - 28 x 14 inch - Midnight Black

Pearl Finalist Marching Bass Drum - 28 x 14 inch - Midnight Black

14" x 28" Birch Marching Bass Drum with Maple Hoops and Aluminum Hardware - Midnight Black
$839.95
Or $18.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
In Stock
Photo of Mapex Quantum Mark II Marching Bass Drum 14 inches x 28 inches, Gloss Black

Mapex Quantum Mark II Marching Bass Drum 14 inches x 28 inches, Gloss Black

14" x 28" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Reinforcement Ring and Eyebolt Adjustment System - Gloss Black
$763.95
Or $16.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
Photo of Pearl Championship Maple Marching Bass Drum - 18 inches x 14 inch, Midnight Black

Pearl Championship Maple Marching Bass Drum - 18 inches x 14 inch, Midnight Black

18" x 14" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Aluminum Hardware - Midnight Black
$779.95
Or $17.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
In Stock
Photo of Yamaha 8300 Field-Corps Series 16 inch Marching Bass Drum - Black Forest

Yamaha 8300 Field-Corps Series 16 inch Marching Bass Drum - Black Forest

16" x 14" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Maple Hoops - Black Forest
$614.95
Or $103.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Photo of Tama Fieldstar Marching Bass Drum - 14 x 28 inch - Satin Black

Tama Fieldstar Marching Bass Drum - 14 x 28 inch - Satin Black

28" x 14" Marching Bass Drum with 8-ply 6mm Maple Shell, Aluminum Hardware, and Noiseless Carrier Attachment
$806.95
Or $23.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Photo of Ludwig Ultimate 2 Scotch Bass Drum - 10 inches x 28 inches, Black

Ludwig Ultimate 2 Scotch Bass Drum - 10 inches x 28 inches, Black

10" x 28" Maple Scotch Bass Drum - Black
$944.99
Or $158.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Photo of Pearl Jr. Marching Series Bass Drum - 8 inches x 14 inches, Pure White

Pearl Jr. Marching Series Bass Drum - 8 inches x 14 inches, Pure White

8" x 14" Poplar Bass Drum - Pure White
$362.95
Or $61.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
In Stock
Photo of Tama Fieldstar Marching Bass Drum - 24-inch x 14-inch, Satin Black

Tama Fieldstar Marching Bass Drum - 24-inch x 14-inch, Satin Black

24" x 14" Marching Bass Drum with 8-ply 6mm Maple Shell, Aluminum Hardware, Locking Stand Attachment and Noiseless Carrier Attachment
$708.95
Or $20.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
In Stock
Photo of Tama Fieldstar Marching Bass Drum - 20-inch x 14-inch, Satin Black

Tama Fieldstar Marching Bass Drum - 20-inch x 14-inch, Satin Black

20" x 14" Marching Bass Drum with 8-ply 6mm Maple Shell, Aluminum Hardware, Locking Stand Attachment and Noiseless Carrier Attachment
$623.95
Or $18.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Photo of Yamaha MB-6300 Power-Lite Series 22-inch Marching Bass Drum - White

Yamaha MB-6300 Power-Lite Series 22-inch Marching Bass Drum - White

22" x 13" Birch Marching Bass Drum with Birch and Mahogany Hoops - White
$529.99
Or $89.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
In Stock
Photo of Mapex Qualifier Marching Bass Drum - 18-inch x 14-inch, Gloss White

Mapex Qualifier Marching Bass Drum - 18-inch x 14-inch, Gloss White

18" x 14" Marching Bass Drum - Gloss White
$413.95
Or $12.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Photo of Dynasty Custom Elite Marching Bass Drum - 28 inches x 14 inches, Black

Dynasty Custom Elite Marching Bass Drum - 28 inches x 14 inches, Black

28" x 14" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Maple Hoops - Black
$1,012.95
Or $169.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Photo of Mapex Quantum Mark II Marching Bass Drum - 14 x 22 inch - Red Ripple

Mapex Quantum Mark II Marching Bass Drum - 14 x 22 inch - Red Ripple

14" x 22" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Reinforcement Ring and Eyebolt Adjustment System - Red Ripple
$809.99
Or $17.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
In Stock
Photo of Tama Fieldstar Marching Bass Drum - 18-inch x 14-inch, Satin Black

Tama Fieldstar Marching Bass Drum - 18-inch x 14-inch, Satin Black

18" x 14" Marching Bass Drum with 8-ply 6mm Maple Shell, Aluminum Hardware, Locking Stand Attachment and Noiseless Carrier Attachment
$581.95
Or $17.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
In Stock
Photo of Mapex Quantum Mark II Marching Bass Drum - 14 inches x 26 inches, Silver Diamond Dazzle

Mapex Quantum Mark II Marching Bass Drum - 14 inches x 26 inches, Silver Diamond Dazzle

14" x 26" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Reinforcement Ring and Eyebolt Adjustment System - Silver Diamond Dazzle
$707.95
Or $15.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
Photo of Yamaha 8300 Series Field-Corps 14-inch x 14-inch Marching Bass Drum - Red Forest

Yamaha 8300 Series Field-Corps 14-inch x 14-inch Marching Bass Drum - Red Forest

14" x 14" Maple Marching Bass Drum with Maple Hoops - Red Forest
$569.95
Or $95.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Photo of Pearl Finalist Marching Bass Drum - 20 x 14 inch - Pure White

Pearl Finalist Marching Bass Drum - 20 x 14 inch - Pure White

14" x 20" Birch Marching Bass Drum with Maple Hoops and Aluminum Hardware - Pure White
$689.95
Or $15.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
Photo of Mapex Qualifier Marching Bass Drum - 16-inch x 14-inch, Gloss White

Mapex Qualifier Marching Bass Drum - 16-inch x 14-inch, Gloss White

16" x 14" Marching Bass Drum - Gloss White
$363.95
Or $61.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
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Marching Bass Drum: The Backbone of Your Ensemble


Do you want to give your drumline a competitive edge this season? Discover how an elite set of marching bass drums from Sweetwater can take your show from drab to fab!


Sweetwater’s high-performance marching bass drums have the style, projection, and durability to take your battery to the next level in competition or exhibition. Available in sizes ranging from 14 inches to 32 inches in diameter, our all-weather marching bass drums are primed to give your squad a competitive advantage every time you take the field.


Ready to elevate your marching line with a set of next-level bass drums? Whether you’re shopping for singles or sets, here are the key factors to consider when upgrading your marching percussion gear.


What to Look for in a Marching Band Bass Drum


Wondering which features to look for in your next marching bass drums? This quick primer will make your gear-buying excursion as smooth as possible.


Marching bass dimensions


When choosing bass drums, shell size is crucial. The diameter of the shell determines both the pitch and the overall weight of each drum. Smaller drums are easier to carry and balance within the line, while larger drums can impact everything from tonal depth to visual flair. Bear in mind that bass drum sizes may be regulated in your division — it’s something you’ll want to verify in your handbook before you take the field in competition.


Shell materials


Maple and birch are the two most common woods used in marching bass drum shells, typically in 6- or 8-ply configurations. Both wood types have similar Janka hardness ratings and, when treated, offer excellent weather resistance indoors and out.


Maple is legendary for its balanced, broadband resonance, while birch is said to produce a brighter, punchier tone. Our field tests show that both wood types have what it takes to deliver exceptional musicality on and off the field.


Other materials, such as lightweight aluminum and reinforced composite materials, are also used in shells and hoops today. No matter the material, most marching bass drum shells are outfitted with weather-resistant coatings for added durability.


Bass drum carrier attachments


You’ll want to verify that your new bass drums are compatible with your existing carriers. While most bass drum models come fitted with universal eyebolts, others may require proprietary systems.


Marching head options


Choosing the right head is essential to achieving your desired sound. Sweetwater offers marching bass drumheads that are either pre-muffled or wide-open in single-ply, multi-ply, and reinforced options. These options allow you to tailor the projection and sustain for any performance environment, from an indoor winter drumline to outdoor arenas.


Marching Bass Drum FAQs


Is the marching bass drum hard to play?


Marching bass should come naturally to anyone with a percussion background. But even if you’re new to the battery, most folks can pick up the core techniques within a few months of rehearsals. As with many percussion instruments, the marching bass is relatively easy to pick up but offers a lifetime of musical enjoyment and growth.


What are some essential skills for a marching bass drummer?


Wondering if the marching bass drum is your calling? Here are some foundational strengths that all great marching bass drummers have in common:


  • Timing accuracy: Bass drummers often share parts spread across three to five other members. Nailing unisons and split-bass 16ths requires razor-sharp timing and a willingness to “listen in” — not just to one’s own parts, but to how other bass drummers interpret groove, swing, and pocket.
  • Physical endurance: We won’t sugarcoat it: wearing a bass drum for hours a day can take a temporary toll on your back and shoulders. Fortunately, your carrier muscles and core strength should adapt within the first few months. Just be prepared for some initial discomfort.
  • Dynamic mastery: A sensitivity to soft and loud dynamics is central to creating an exciting show. This skill comes in clutch when a piece calls for everything from whisper-quiet flourishes to stadium-filling cannonades at the drop of a hat.

What sizes are the bass drums in a marching band?


Younger groups and high schoolers typically use bass drums sized 16 to 24 inches in diameter. For Drum Corps International (DCI) groups, you may be looking at 18 to 32 inches.


What’s the difference between concert bass drums and marching bass drums?


Large, stand-mounted concert bass drums are usually reserved for concert halls and percussion pits. Marching bass drums, on the other hand, are most often worn by the performer and are marched in formation — whether on the field or through parade routes.


Sweetwater’s Your Go-to Source for Marching Bass Drums and Accessories


We hope this information gives you the tools and confidence to load up on percussion gear this marching season. Are you looking for more tips to elevate your drumline? Call Sweetwater today. Our seasoned drummers and directors have the tools and expertise to help your line shine.


What are the most popular brands for Marching Bass Drums on Sweetwater.com?


Why shop Marching Bass Drums at Sweetwater.com?


With a massive selection of Marching Bass Drums, free shipping, a free 2-year warranty, 24/7 access to award-winning support - and more - Sweetwater gives you more than any other retailer! If you have any questions about Marching Bass Drums, make sure to give your personal Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700.