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Having a drum set cowbell can lead to many interesting groove opportunities. It adds a unique dynamic to your drum setup that many drummers love.
Cowbells have a distinctive sound that adds punch to any song or recording. Furthermore, their size and shape make them easy to add to your drum set!
We’re going to look through some of the best cowbells that are suited for drum sets. Hopefully, you can choose one of these to buy for yourself. You never know when you’re going to need more cowbell!
What are the Best Cowbells for Drum Sets?
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How I Tested and Selected the Best Cowbells
I developed a bit of an obsession with cowbells when I got deep into Latin drumming. I wanted to find the best-sounding cowbell to add to my kit, so I did plenty of research to find the best option.
When testing cowbells for this list, I pulled from my original experience and then I threw a few more options into the mix.
When playing each cowbell, I checked for volume, sound quality, and versatility, and I compared the value against other options.
Tone and projection were key in my assessment. The cowbells I selected are all able to cut through the mix, delivering a clear and resonant sound when providing accents and rhythmic textures.
I also judged each cowbell’s durability and design. Especially since cowbells often take a beating, they need to be able to withstand playing without denting or losing their tone. Sturdy construction and materials are a must.
Cowbells for Drum Sets Reviews
Meinl Percussion Mike Johnston Groove Bell
Meinl Percussion Mike Johnston Groove Bell Review
The Mike Johnston Groove Bell is the most versatile cowbell on this list when it comes to how it sounds. It’s a cowbell that has been designed specifically for drummers to use in their setups.
I’ve tried out most of Mike Johnston’s signature products. All of them have been good, so I was excited to test this cowbell out.
It’s an 8” bell that has two dampening magnets. The magnets allow you to alter the tone, meaning you can control how much sustain and how many overtones you can get from the cowbell. Putting one magnet will soften the sound while putting two will kill the overtones completely.
I find that this cowbell has a fairly mellow sound which I like a lot, especially when I put the magnets on it.
It wasn’t too harsh, yet it was strong enough to drive through a mix of drums and cymbals.
If you’re one for aesthetics, you’ll love the finish on the Groove Bell. It has a slightly worn-out appearance, giving it a rustic vibe that makes it look great when set up on a drum set.
Pros
- Offers a range of different sound options
- Doesn’t sound too aggressive and can suit a range of musical styles
- Sonically and visually impressive
Cons
- Magnets can move around when riding the cowbell
LP Chad Smith Signature Ridge Rider
LP Chad Smith Signature Ridge Rider Review
The Ridge Rider is the signature cowbell from Chad Smith. He’s been the drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers for as long as the band has been around.
Chad Smith is known to be a loud and aggressive funk rock drummer, and this cowbell is a good representation of that style.
This is one of the loudest cowbells I’ve tried. It just has so much personality, which I love, and the ridge makes it super durable as well.
The ridge on the surface controls the overtones and prevents the cowbell from getting dented. This gives you a loud cowbell that will sound very powerful when you’re playing in a band.
It’s arguably the best cowbell for rock drummers to use, but you could use it in Latin drumming as well if you wanted to.
The clamp that you use to attach the cowbell has a memory lock. Not many cowbells have that, so it’s a great touch that gives this bell a bit of an edge over the others.
Pros
- Loud and deep tone
- Mounting clamp has a memory lock
- Great for rock music
Cons
- Most expensive cowbell on this list
LP Black Beauty
LP Black Beauty Review
This LP Black Beauty is slightly smaller than most drum set cowbells, coming in at 5”. You can get larger ones with deeper tones, but I’ve put this one on the list to have a bit of variety from all the 8-inch cowbells.
This cowbell feels really comfortable to play thanks to its rounded surface. This design also does a good job of stopping your sticks from chipping.
The tone of the cowbell is a lot higher than most drum set cowbells, giving you a bit of variation if you’re looking for a higher-pitched sound. Since the sound is higher, it cuts easier through mixes of loud instruments. You don’t need to play it as hard to have it easily heard.
Since the cowbell is smaller, it’s also easier to mount without getting in the way of your drums.
Pros
- Easy to mount comfortably
- Doesn’t chew up your drum sticks quickly
- Great for drummers wanting a high-pitched tone
Cons
- Some drummers may not like the high tone
Pearl Primero Rock
Pearl Primero Rock Review
The Primero Rock cowbell is another popular option from Pearl. It’s not quite as popular as the Chad Smith bell, but it’s a lot more affordable. You also get a PPS30 mount with it, saving you from buying a cowbell mount separately.
The cowbell is 10”, making it the largest option on this list. It’s great for when you want a deeper sound that has a larger presence than the smaller cowbells.
Even though it’s big, I found that it still had a relatively high-pitched sound when I played near the back of it.
As you can see in the name, it’s mainly intended to be used in rock music. The aggressive nature of it is perfect for high-energy drumming. It’s also extremely durable, so you can hit it hard and fast without worrying about damaging it.
Pros
- Affordable
- Great for high-energy playing
- Durable
Cons
- None
Meinl Percussion Headliner Series 8-inch
Meinl Percussion Headliner Series 8-inch Review
Meinl’s Headliner Series Cowbell is a highly sought-after line of percussion instruments. You’re not going to find a high-quality cowbell that is cheaper than this 8” Headliner, so it’s the budget option on this list.
It’s an 8” cowbell that has enough body to power through live gigs, yet also has enough tonal character to work well in studio settings.
I thought the sound was surprisingly good for the low price you pay for it. I’ve personally not heard of a better-sounding cowbell at a lower cost.
The mounting bracket isn’t as high-quality as the other Meinl cowbells. It tends to loosen quite often after busy playing. That’s the most obvious reason for the price being lower.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Good for live gigs and studio sessions
- High value-for-money
Cons
- Mounting bracket isn’t that well designed
Cowbells for Drum Sets Buyer's Guide
Having a cowbell on your drum set unlocks a whole new world of drumming concepts to play. You need to have one if you ever plan on playing Latin music, and every drummer can benefit from learning some Latin grooves.
Thankfully, cowbells aren’t too expensive. Even the higher-priced ones aren’t going to break your bank.
Cowbells are available in several different tones and pitches, so it’s easy to find one that will match the sound you want your drum set to produce.
In this buyer’s guide, I’ll share lots of helpful information regarding cowbells and let you know everything you need to know before buying one. So read on for more cowbell!
How to Mount a Cowbell
If you want to add a cowbell to your drum set, you’ll need to buy a mounting rod to be able to clamp the cowbell onto your drum set.
Cowbells are small and can be set up in a wide range of positions on a drum set. You’ll need a mounting rod, but a cowbell is most commonly positioned above the kick drum for easy access.
All drum set cowbells, including the Meinl Percussion Mike Johnston Groove Bell, the LP Black Beauty, and the Pearl Primero Rock come with a built-in mounting bracket.
You need to attach the cowbell to a piece of hardware using that bracket and that hardware piece needs to be a rod that comfortably fits through the clamp.
Most cowbells don’t come with mounting hardware, so you need to purchase it separately. You can typically place the mount anywhere on the kit. Some drummers like to place it on the bass drum hoop while others prefer to have it on one of the other drum hoops.
If you don’t have a rod to mount the cowbell onto, you could put it on the rod of your hi-hat stand. This is just an easy fix to have while you wait to get a proper mounting rod as it’s not the most comfortable place to have a cowbell.
What Look For When Buying a Cowbell
Size
The biggest thing to consider is size. That will be the biggest determining factor of how a cowbell sounds. The bigger it is, the deeper the tone will be.
While deep tones are often great, the sound will get lost through a mix if it’s too deep. So, it’s recommended to find a good balance.
Material
When shopping for a new cowbell, you’ll need to consider both sound and durability. A bell’s material and construction will also be responsible for both of these factors.
You’ll want a bell that produces the type of tone you’re looking for, and one that will stand up to regular use without cracking or breaking.
Cowbells are constructed from different types of materials, including steel, brass, bronze, wood, and plastic. Each type of cowbell has its own unique characteristics.
Brass and steel are the most common materials used for cowbells due to their durability and sound quality. With both of these metal constructions, you can expect a bright, crisp sound that is louder and more resonant than those made from other materials.
Price
Another thing to consider is the price of a cowbell and how much you’re going to use it. If you’re just getting a cowbell to have an extra voice to play every now and then, you should get a cheaper one like the Meinl Percussion Headliner Series 8-inch.
If you play cowbells all the time, you’ll most probably prefer the higher-quality and more expensive ones such as the LP Chad Smith Signature Ridge Rider.
If you want more than one sound, you could get different cowbells and set them up around your kit. However, that could be stepping on the percussionist of a band’s feet, so be careful!
Styles of Music That Benefit from Cowbells
Cowbells have always been utilized in percussion and drum set setups. A solid cowbell can drive a song forward when being played loudly and confidently.
However, their popularity was boosted by a certain Saturday Night Live skit back in the 2000s where Will Ferrel and Christopher Walken highlighted the importance of the cowbell in a studio session. That’s where the phrase “needs more cowbell” originated.
The biggest styles that have drummers playing cowbells are rock, funk, and Latin. Rock and funk drummers will typically use the cowbell as a driving force. It’s a stronger sound than a hi-hat, so it’s often used in powerful verses and choruses.
Latin drumming makes more use of cowbells and other percussion instruments. They’re heavily integrated within popular Latin grooves like the Samba and the Mambo. A Latin drummer is typically recreating multiple percussion sounds on one drum set, so the cowbell is a vital aspect of it.
Cowbells FAQs
What Type of Instrument is a Cowbell?
A cowbell is a percussion instrument that is a part of the idiophone family. This means it produces sound from the vibration of the entire body of the musical instrument. It offers a distinctive, bright sound and cowbells can be easily integrated into a drum kit setup.
Where Does the Cowbell Go on a Drum Set?
The cowbell is usually placed on a mounting rod above the bass drum. This is a convenient location that allows the drummer to easily play the cowbell in a natural position without having to move their hands too far from other drum set components.
A cowbell can also be mounted directly on the rod of a hi-hat stand, or on a cymbal stand. It’s a good idea to experiment with different positions when mounting a cowbell to find what works best for you.
