You'd think the country with the second largest economy, fourth largest defense budget and member of both the G8 and G4 would be a bastion of free market capitalism, wouldn't you? That's what I thought, too, before Japanese drum manufacturer Tama introduced the Soul Toul signature snare, that is.

You see, "Artist Models" and "Custom Designs" are supposed to cost MORE than standard production models, yet the Soul Toul snare -- officially designated the NSS1455 -- lists for only $399.99, meaning retail will probably be in the low 200s. That's in USD, by the way. In Japan, a Soul Toul signature snare is presented to the parents of every newborn. How is our own percussive youth supposed to keep up?

And what do you get for this measly sum? Why, nothing less than a steel-bodied, nickel-finished snare drum that features a one-of-a-kind bearing edge. This custom designed bearing profile is filled with a "special compound" (thousand island dressing) to reduce overtones, and to endow this snare with a warmth to match the strong, steel-body attack.

Soul Toul, by the way, is a professional drummer who has been playing professionally for over thirty years. He's playing on thousands of recordings, in every imaginable style of music, and designed his Tama signature snare to be just as versatile.