Which is better for jazz?

The Stage Custom Bop. Its 18-inch kick, 12-inch rack tom and 14-inch floor tom are a standard jazz configuration, and the deeper shells give a warmer, rounder tone.

Which is easier to carry to gigs?

The Stage Custom Hip. All its shells are 8 inches deep or less, and the 20 x 8 kick fits in small spaces that a full-depth 18 x 15 kick will not.

Is the Hip worth the extra money?

Only if portability or the snare-equipped floor tom matters to you. The Bop costs $599.99 at Musician's Friend versus $879.99 at Drum Supply as of November 7, 2026, and both use the same birch shell construction.

Do both kits include cymbals and stands?

No. Both are shell packs. The Bop includes a double tom arm and the Hip includes a CL-940LB tom holder; cymbals, stands, pedals and throne are extra on both.

Which has the better snare?

The Bop's 14 x 5.5 snare is a more standard size with more head and wire options. The Hip's 13 x 5 snare is smaller and brighter, but its floor tom adds 20-strand snares as a second option.

Do they sound different if the shells are the same?

Yes. Shell depth and diameter drive the tone. The Bop's deeper, smaller-diameter drums sound warmer and more focused; the Hip's shallow 20-inch kick and 10-inch tom sound punchier and more compact.

Yamaha Stage Custom Bop vs Yamaha Stage Custom Hip

Buy the Stage Custom Bop if you want a compact 18-inch kick jazz kit with full-depth toms and a lower price. Buy the Stage Custom Hip if you need a shallow, easy-to-carry kit with a 20-inch kick and a floor tom that doubles as a snare. The Bop is $599.99 at Musician's Friend as of November 7, 2026; the Hip is $879.99 at Drum Supply as of the same date.

Today the Yamaha Stage Custom Bop costs $280.00 less at its best price.

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