Best 20" Bass Drums for Jazz 2025

Perfect 20" bass drums for jazz - easy to play and learn on

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

Gretsch Drums 20"x16" Renown Maple BD -VP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Gretsch Drums 20"x16" Renown Maple BD -VP

Versatile Recording Rock
Key Feature:
• Suitable for most musical applications
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
  • • Good projection for medium to large venues
✗ CONS
  • • May lack extreme low-end for some styles
  • • May need porting for optimal performance

Gretsch Drums 20"x16" Renown Maple BD -VPBass DrumShell Material: MapleColour: Vintage PearlShell with wrap...

4.8/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBB-WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBB-WM

Live Performance Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Popular 20-inch size for many genres
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
✗ CONS
  • • Still limited compared to 22-inch options
  • • Compromise size may not excel in any area

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBB-WMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Shell material: Maple /...

4.7/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SB-NM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SB-NM

Live Performance Versatile Jazz
Key Feature:
• Suitable for most musical applications
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
  • • Popular 20-inch size for many genres
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response
  • • May lack extreme low-end for some styles

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SB-NMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Undrilled kick drumShell...

4.9/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SB -WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SB -WM

Recording Jazz Versatile
Key Feature:
• Wide range of tuning possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response
  • • May need porting for optimal performance

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SB -WMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Shell material: Maple /...

5.0/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Sonor 20"x14" Vintage Series VP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sonor 20"x14" Vintage Series VP

Live Performance Versatile Jazz
Key Feature:
• Popular 20-inch size for many genres
✓ PROS
  • • Popular 20-inch size for many genres
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
✗ CONS
  • • Compromise size may not excel in any area
  • • May need porting for optimal performance

Sonor 20"x14" Vintage Series VPBass DrumVintage SeriesColour: Vintage PearlDrumshell material: BeechHardware:...

4.5/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha Stage Custom 20"x17" BD -CR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Yamaha Stage Custom 20"x17" BD -CR

Versatile Jazz Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Suitable for most musical applications
✓ PROS
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
  • • Good projection for medium to large venues
✗ CONS
  • • Still limited compared to 22-inch options
  • • Compromise size may not excel in any area

Yamaha Stage Custom 20"x17" BD -CRBass DrumSize: 20" x 17"Stage Custom Birch SeriesSBB2017-CRDrum...

4.5/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BP-NM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BP-NM

Rock Pop Recording
Key Feature:
• Wide range of tuning possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Good projection for medium to large venues
  • • Wide range of tuning possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Compromise size may not excel in any area
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BP-NMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Undrilled kick drumShell...

4.5/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Pearl 20"x16" Export BD Mid. Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Pearl 20"x16" Export BD Mid. Blue

Versatile Live Performance Rock
Key Feature:
• Good projection for medium to large venues
✓ PROS
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
  • • Wide range of tuning possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response
  • • Compromise size may not excel in any area

Pearl 20"x16" Export BD Midnight Blue; Bass Drum; Export Series; Size: 20”x16”; 6-ply poplar shells,...

4.7/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBR-WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBR-WM

Rock Pop Jazz
Key Feature:
• Wide range of tuning possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
  • • Wide range of tuning possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Still limited compared to 22-inch options
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBR-WMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Shell material: Maple /...

4.6/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SN-NM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SN-NM

Versatile Rock Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Wide range of tuning possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
  • • Popular 20-inch size for many genres
✗ CONS
  • • May lack extreme low-end for some styles
  • • Still limited compared to 22-inch options

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SN-NMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Undrilled kick drumShell...

5.0/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SN -WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SN -WM

Jazz Live Performance Rock
Key Feature:
• Good projection for medium to large venues
✓ PROS
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
  • • Wide range of tuning possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response
  • • May lack extreme low-end for some styles

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SN -WMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Shell material: Maple /...

4.9/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
DW Design 20" Pancake Bass Drum - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

DW Design 20" Pancake Bass Drum

by DW
Versatile Recording Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Suitable for most musical applications
✓ PROS
  • • Good projection for medium to large venues
  • • Wide range of tuning possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response
  • • May lack extreme low-end for some styles

DW Design 20" Pancake Bass DrumPancake Bass DrumSize: 20"Design seriesShell material: 100% North American...

4.6/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BRF-NM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BRF-NM

Versatile Live Performance Jazz
Key Feature:
• Good balance of attack and low-end
✓ PROS
  • • Good projection for medium to large venues
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response
  • • Still limited compared to 22-inch options

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BRF-NMKick Drum6 SeriesSize: 20" x 16"Undrilled kick drumShell...

4.5/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBR-NM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBR-NM

Live Performance Pop Versatile
Key Feature:
• Good balance of attack and low-end
✓ PROS
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
  • • Wide range of tuning possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • May need porting for optimal performance
  • • Still limited compared to 22-inch options

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBR-NMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Shell material:...

4.7/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
DW Design 20" Pancake Gong Drum - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

DW Design 20" Pancake Gong Drum

by DW
Live Performance Rock Versatile
Key Feature:
• Popular 20-inch size for many genres
✓ PROS
  • • Good projection for medium to large venues
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response
  • • May lack extreme low-end for some styles

DW Design 20" Pancake Gong DrumGong DrumSize: 20"Shell material: 100% North American mapleTB12 Tom holderMini...

4.8/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10

How to Choose the Best 20" Bass Drums

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 20" bass drums 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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