AudioFu

Best 13" Toms for Recording 2025

Professional 13" toms for recording use - perfect sound and reliability

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $500
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Rock For Jazz For Recording For Alternative Setup For Unique Sound For Custom
BRANDS: Yamaha DrumCraft
Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple SOP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple SOP

by Gretsch Drums
Alternative Setup Unique Sound Rock
Key Feature:
• Professional recording applications
✓ PROS
  • • Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
  • • Great for custom drum configurations
✗ CONS
  • • Higher cost for specialty size
  • • Not included in most standard configurations

Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple SOPTom TomSize: 13" x 09"Renown Maple SeriesFoiled...

⭐ 4.9/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 575183
$428
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple GN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple GN

by Gretsch Drums
Jazz Custom Alternative Setup
Key Feature:
• Adds tonal variety to standard setups
✓ PROS
  • • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
  • • Professional recording applications
✗ CONS
  • • Higher cost for specialty size
  • • Not included in most standard configurations

Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple GNGretsch Drums Renown Maple 13" x 09" Tom TomLacquered...

⭐ 4.7/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 474745
$461
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha 13"x09" Recording Custom SOB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Yamaha 13"x09" Recording Custom SOB

by Yamaha
Alternative Setup Custom Rock
Key Feature:
• Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for custom drum configurations
  • • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
✗ CONS
  • • Higher cost for specialty size
  • • May be difficult to find replacement parts

Yamaha 13"x09" Recording Custom SOBRecording Tom TomFinish: Solid Black (SOB)Shell material: 100% birchHigh...

⭐ 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 517733
$725
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple PB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple PB

by Gretsch Drums
Custom Rock Alternative Setup
Key Feature:
• Professional recording applications
✓ PROS
  • • Adds tonal variety to standard setups
  • • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
✗ CONS
  • • Not included in most standard configurations
  • • Non-standard size limits head options

Gretsch Drums 13" x 09" TT Renown Maple PBGretsch Drums Renown Maple 13"x09" Tom TomLacquered...

⭐ 4.6/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 455156
$461
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple VP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple VP

by Gretsch Drums
Unique Sound Alternative Setup Rock
Key Feature:
• Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
✓ PROS
  • • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
  • • Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
✗ CONS
  • • Higher cost for specialty size
  • • May be difficult to find replacement parts

Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple VPGretsch Drums Renown Maple 13"x09" Tom TomFoiled...

⭐ 4.9/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 463672
$461
Buy at Thomann View Details
DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SBB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SBB

by DrumCraft
Recording Custom Rock
Key Feature:
• Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
✓ PROS
  • • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
  • • Professional recording applications
✗ CONS
  • • Limited mounting hardware options
  • • Not included in most standard configurations

DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SBBTom TomSeries 6Size: 13" x 09"Shell material:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 543479
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT - DUS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT - DUS

by Yamaha
Recording Unique Sound Alternative Setup
Key Feature:
• Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
✓ PROS
  • • Great for custom drum configurations
  • • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
✗ CONS
  • • Not included in most standard configurations
  • • Limited mounting hardware options

Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT - DUSTom TomSize: 13" x 09"Stage Custom Birch Series6-Ply birch...

⭐ 4.8/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 568163
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SB

by DrumCraft
Jazz Rock Unique Sound
Key Feature:
• Adds tonal variety to standard setups
✓ PROS
  • • Adds tonal variety to standard setups
  • • Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
✗ CONS
  • • May be difficult to find replacement parts
  • • Higher cost for specialty size

DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SBTom Tom6 SeriesSize: 13" x 09"Shell material: Maple /...

⭐ 4.5/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 523887
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sonor SQ1 13"x09" Tom Tom SCB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sonor SQ1 13"x09" Tom Tom SCB

by Sonor
Recording Custom Alternative Setup
Key Feature:
• Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
✓ PROS
  • • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
  • • Great for custom drum configurations
✗ CONS
  • • Not included in most standard configurations
  • • Non-standard size limits head options

Sonor SQ1 13"x09" Tom Tom SCBTom Tom100% European birchBearing edge: 45°CLTF "Cross Laminated Tension...

⭐ 4.9/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 536523
$637
Buy at Thomann View Details
Pearl Crystal Beat 13"x09" Tom #730 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Pearl Crystal Beat 13"x09" Tom #730

by Pearl
Rock Custom Alternative Setup
Key Feature:
• Adds tonal variety to standard setups
✓ PROS
  • • Professional recording applications
  • • Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
✗ CONS
  • • May be difficult to find replacement parts
  • • Not included in most standard configurations

Pearl Crystal Beat 13"x09" Tom #730Tom TomSize: 13" x 09"Crystal beat seriesModern remake of the...

⭐ 4.8/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 387273
$459
Buy at Thomann View Details
DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SN

by DrumCraft
Recording Custom Jazz
Key Feature:
• Professional recording applications
✓ PROS
  • • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
  • • Great for custom drum configurations
✗ CONS
  • • Limited mounting hardware options
  • • Non-standard size limits head options

DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SNTom TomSeries 6Size: 13" x 09"Shell material: Maple -...

⭐ 4.8/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 523886
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SWB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SWB

by DrumCraft
Recording Custom Alternative Setup
Key Feature:
• Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
✓ PROS
  • • Professional recording applications
  • • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
✗ CONS
  • • May be difficult to find replacement parts
  • • Higher cost for specialty size

DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SWBTom Tom6 SeriesSize: 13" x 09"Shell material: Maple /...

⭐ 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 523888
$171
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT -RBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT -RBL

by Yamaha
Jazz Recording Custom
Key Feature:
• Professional recording applications
✓ PROS
  • • Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
  • • Great for custom drum configurations
✗ CONS
  • • Limited mounting hardware options
  • • Non-standard size limits head options

Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT -RBLTom TomSize: 13" x 09"Stage Custom Birch seriesSBT1309-RBL6-Ply...

⭐ 4.6/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 410100
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT -NW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT -NW

by Yamaha
Jazz Rock Custom
Key Feature:
• Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
✓ PROS
  • • Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
  • • Professional recording applications
✗ CONS
  • • Higher cost for specialty size
  • • Not included in most standard configurations

Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT -NWTom TomStage custom birch seriesSize: 13" x 09"SBT1309-NW6-Ply...

⭐ 5.0/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 375800
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT - CLW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT - CLW

by Yamaha
Rock Alternative Setup Recording
Key Feature:
• Professional recording applications
✓ PROS
  • • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
  • • Great for custom drum configurations
✗ CONS
  • • Limited mounting hardware options
  • • May be difficult to find replacement parts

Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT - CLWTom TomSize: 13" x 09"Stage Custom Birch Series6-Ply birch...

⭐ 4.9/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 568167
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 13" Toms

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 13" toms typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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