Gavin Harrison’s Signed Yamaha Snares at Auction

Following An Evening with Gavin Harrison, held at Thornden Hall on 30 July 2026, Graham and Gavin got to know one another. Gavin subsequently asked Graham Russell Drums to sell two signed Yamaha snare drums on his behalf, both from his considerable personal collection of used drum gear.

The result is a rare opportunity to bid on two very different Yamaha snares with direct provenance: a compact chrome-over-steel SD-550MD and an all-birch SD016 in Solid Black. Both drums were formerly owned by Gavin Harrison and have been signed by him.

Yamaha SD-550MD 14" x 5" Chrome-Over-Steel Snare Drum

The SD-550MD is a compact Yamaha metal snare built around a seamless chrome-over-steel shell. Its 14" x 5" dimensions, eight-lug layout, triple-flanged steel hoops and distinctive one-piece Yamaha lugs give it the classic appearance of a vintage Japanese Yamaha snare.

• Size: 14" x 5"
• Shell: Seamless chrome-over-steel
• Hardware: Eight lugs, triple-flanged steel hoops and chrome hardware
• Provenance: Formerly owned and signed by Gavin Harrison

Yamaha SD016 14" x 6.5" Birch Snare Drum in Solid Black

The deeper SD016 is an all-birch Yamaha snare in Solid Black, fitted with 10 high-tension lugs and die-cast hoops. Its most unusual feature is the extended concert-style strainer system with eight individually adjustable cable snares, making this a particularly distinctive drum for Yamaha collectors as well as Gavin Harrison fans.

• Size: 14" x 6.5"
• Shell: All-birch in Solid Black
• Hardware: 10 high-tension lugs, die-cast hoops and chrome hardware
• Snare system: Eight individually adjustable cable snares with an extended concert-style strainer
• Provenance: Formerly owned and signed by Gavin Harrison

The SD016's all-birch shell, Solid Black finish and high-tension lug design will also be of particular interest to admirers of Yamaha's classic professional drums. For more background on that period, read our Yamaha 9000 Recording Custom history and buyer's guide.

More About Gavin Harrison at Graham Russell Drums

Gavin Harrison is best known for his work with Porcupine Tree, King Crimson and The Pineapple Thief. You can explore his career, playing and equipment in our Gavin Harrison feature, or revisit the original An Evening with Gavin Harrison event page.

These are not signature-model replicas: they are two individual used Yamaha snare drums from Gavin Harrison's own collection, signed by Gavin and offered for sale on his behalf. You can also explore the latest additions to our used snare drum collection.