Snare drums of choice!

Russ · #1 (**permalink**) 07-24-2006, 04:16 PM

In my opinion, the snare drum is the sound that defines a drummer and what he or she is capable of doing on the drum set. Of course there are many aspects of drumming that can't be neglected but this is just how I feel.

With so many snare drums models and types out there to choose from, I think it's possible to really set urself away from other players and create your own unique sound.

Different snare drum sizes, materials, brands, types, drum heads, tuning, technique, etc. With an infinite amount of cominations, I guarantee that no two drummers have the exact same sound. This in my opinion is what makes drumming and music in general so unique and beautiful.

AvengedDrummer · #2 (**permalink**) 07-24-2006, 04:20 PM

Agreed. And that applies to the entire set as well. But the Snare drum is really the defining piece of a entire set.
As for my snare drum of choice (I dont actually have this...maybe someday) The black Panther Hammered lines are excellent. I played one, and I just love the sound you can get out of em'.

**skinslapper** · #3 (**permalink**) 07-25-2006, 01:28 AM

I am very happy with my current snare. Pearl brass free floating, 14"x6.5". I tune it nice and low, let the skins give me the punch and the shell gives me the ping.

I love going to my drum shop and messing around with all the different drums. My favs are the Joey Jordison signature (13"x6.5"), the new pearl cast aluminium snares, the maple popcorn I don't know who makes it, but it's 10"x6.5", and a nice 14"x4" gives a great cracking sound.

I'd also love to try out this new maple snare that yamaha have made with the adjustable air holes on the side.

full metal · #4 (**permalink**) 07-25-2006, 02:06 AM

Ive got this great pearl master seires birch snare drum and it was one of those drums that just sound great right out of the box, you can tune it any way you want and it sounds perfect.

me I like to keep kinda high with a nice crack to it so that it stands out over the other things going on around the kit.

I really want to get 2 more snares, a DW maple with the skull paint job on the side and a nice deep snare kinda like the joey jordeson one but maby like a inch deeper.

sorry and one more a premier free flaoting marching snare with K falam heads top and bottom, I have so many ideas for a marching snare in some music

malletjazz · #5 (**permalink**) 07-25-2006, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinslapper

I'd also love to try out this new maple snare that yamaha have made with the adjustable air holes on the side.

Was that Yamaha, or DW?

FWIW, my favorite variation on this is still the one by Odery, in Brazil:

http://www.odery.com.br/english/caixas.asp?cod=29

...done prior to the DW version, FWIW. IMHO, it just looks far more elegant than what DW is offering.

As to the original topic...I agree that the snare drum defines the sound of a drum kit as much as any single component (with the possible exception of the ride cymbal in straight-ahead jazz). I don't think that non-drummers listen with anywhere near the critical ear that we drummers do, but I do know that I place a great deal of importance on which snare drum(s) I bring to a gig.

Anyway...if we're going to share our favorite snare drums, I'm game.

I'm one of those "hobbyist" drum builders ("assemblers," many folks call us), picking up undrilled shells from a supplier, buying hardware, and putting my own drums together. With that in mind...

My favorite "mass-produced, big-name" snare drum:

- 6.5x14 copper Yamaha

My favorite home-builts:

- 6x14 Tempus fibreglass (the "mothership" snare)
- 5x14 Tempus fibreglass
- 4.5x14 bubinga stave (shell from Exotic Drums)
- 6x13 walnut segment (shell from Global Drum Company)

gyutae · #6 (**permalink**) 07-25-2006, 11:24 AM

Unfortunately for me, I've only played steel snares so I guess that's really what defines my playing. But I want to expand into other types of drums and experiment with different sizes and materials. The only problem is that they're really expensive and I don't have those kinds of resources. If I could, I'd switch to a wood snare. I love the slap sound that they give off.

**skinslapper** · #7 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malletjazz

Was that Yamaha, or DW?

My bad, yes it was DW. Here's the link for those who haven't seen it.

http://www.dwdrums.com/may/acousticeq.htm

Chicagoed · #8 (**permalink**) 02-01-2007, 09:39 PM

Have several snares. Old Camco maple, Tama deep chrome, and an old Slingerland. Just bought an Acrolite off eBay. Man that thing is great. Have been hearing a lot about the cheap little Acrolite...and its al true. Great all purpose snare. $46 on eBay....

Ed

mouse · #9 (**permalink**) 02-24-2007, 05:33 AM

Great stuff Russ, well said..
My main snare and the one i'll take to my grave is a Tama Gibraltar 14" x 8" deep. It has a black gloss finish with metal flakes. A heavy drum to cart about but worth it. I use an Aquarian coated head with power dot on underside and FatCat snares. I like the versatility of this drum and it's warm tone. It speaks from quietly to loud, quite fat and warm but still cuts through with nice cross stick and rim shot sounds ( due to the cast hoops i guess).
My other drum , a bit more cutting but still has a warm tone, fitted with same head and snare, and lug locks. It is a Tama 6 1/2 bronze, a great all purpose drum too.

givemethebeat · #10 (**permalink**) 02-26-2007, 09:40 AM

That's a hard one, I am sucker for a all over tunable min 10 ply maple snare, it gives me warm fuzzies. Though in live metal and hard rock aluminium is very loud with a rimshot that will crack your head.
For me it really depends on what it is I am playing at the time.

I am interested in these at the moment...

http://www.music123.com/Yamaha-SD-64...-i227817.music