Snare Stand Questions

TommyB · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2011, 04:09 PM

Hi everyone.

I just purchased my first drumset in many, many years. I'm trying to get back into playing after decades of being away, and I see that drums and hardware have changed a lot. Anyway, my drums, a GMS shell pack, is on its way. While I still have my circa-1970s hardware (Ludwig Spur-Lock hihat, Ghost pedal) and cymbals, I need to buy a snare stand.

At this point in my life, I don't need anything fancy or even road-worthy. I won't be gigging; just practicing in the garage. I see a number of decent-looking used stands on ebay by reputable makers like Pearl, Yamaha, Ludwig. I'd like to spend about $50. My questions are:

1. Will any decent stand do the trick for casual playing?

2. I see there are stands designed for low placement. What constitutes low? I'm a short guy (5'6"), but I think of my setup as being pretty conventional.

3. Is double-bracing that important? Some of the single-braced stands look pretty sturdy.

Thanks for any and all advice. -- Tom

Andy B · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyB

Hi everyone.

I just purchased my first drumset in many, many years. I'm trying to get back into playing after decades of being away, and I see that drums and hardware have changed a lot. Anyway, my drums, a GMS shell pack, is on its way. While I still have my circa-1970s hardware (Ludwig Spur-Lock hihat, Ghost pedal) and cymbals, I need to buy a snare stand.

At this point in my life, I don't need anything fancy or even road-worthy. I won't be gigging; just practicing in the garage. I see a number of decent-looking used stands on ebay by reputable makers like Pearl, Yamaha, Ludwig. I'd like to spend about $50. My questions are:

1. Will any decent stand do the trick for casual playing?

2. I see there are stands designed for low placement. What constitutes low? I'm a short guy (5'6"), but I think of my setup as being pretty conventional.

3. Is double-bracing that important? Some of the single-braced stands look pretty sturdy.

Thanks for any and all advice. -- Tom

Tommy i hope you have not been "smoking in the boys room" by any chance £45 should get you a new Tama HS70WN Road pro snare stand there ace. i got one to replace an old pearl masters stand i had...Tom its light weight so they don't way ya hard ware box down its fully adjustable neat and the legs adjust for double pedals to slip behind with the connecting bar un-restricted...and it packs away small...and snare feel very secure with no movement...

http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/pub...OY_oiud32Zx-bA

TommyB · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 01:34 AM

Hi Andy B. Thanks so much for the advice about the Tama. I see a few used ones on eBay (and the new ones don't cost much more). I'll check 'em out. Cheers - Tom

Andy B · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011, 04:00 AM

Any time Tom, no problem dude...I got mine from a rehearsal room in Kingswinford England not far from Dudley called Katz I paid £70 for a boxed Hi-Hat and a boxed Snare stand "brand new" Pro series...so look out for the bargains its a buyers market at the moment...second hand pay no more than £15 £20 for snare stand 3 Years old in top class condition.....cheers andy

Andy B · #5 (**permalink**) 03-14-2011, 12:08 PM

Hey dude hope ya got sorted with ya stand.............

TommyB · #6 (**permalink**) 03-14-2011, 12:28 PM

Hi Andy, thanks for asking. Yes, I ordered a stand online, and it should arrived tomorrow. I was looking at the used/bargain stands on eBay and craigslist, thinking that anything reasonably sturdy would suit me at my skill level. But then I got to thinking that this was no time to be cheap, since I'll likely keep this stand for years. I'm just a beginning hobbyist with no plans to gig, so the stand really will see light duty.

Anyway, I ended up looking at the Tama with the Uni-Ball, and the Pearl S1000. Pricewise, they were almost the same. I ended up buying the Pearl based on reviews, height and adjustability, but this was one of those situations where I really felt I couldn't go wrong either way.

My shells arrive tonight. I can't wait! Thanks again.

Andy B · #7 (**permalink**) 03-14-2011, 01:00 PM

either way dude you made a good choice...so what shells you got coming

TommyB · #8 (**permalink**) 03-14-2011, 03:09 PM

It's a GMS "Subway" kit. Birch shells. It's a bit of a gamble on my part, as I don't know anything about the brand. But the price was right, and I really liked the sizes. What little I've read online about GMS seems really positive.

Andy B · #9 (**permalink**) 03-15-2011, 05:13 AM

The Sl is and looks a nice kit you cant go wrong with birch dude so you have chosen a good shell. nice sizes ideal for funk jazz or light rock and for live or studio.
The price and quality look evenly matched at £869 and looks as good as a dw kit.
have you had the midnight or the natural or the acrylic. I like the look of the maple walnut kit looks beautiful..good customer service and after care. the square silver logo looks classy and the hard ware looks nice and user friendly i like it myself man Happy days i bet ya can't wait...saver the smell of the drum and lacquer emulating from the boxes its a treasure dude.....Happy days

TommyB · #10 (**permalink**) 03-15-2011, 09:27 AM

Thanks, Andy. I received the shells last night, and I must say I'm blown away by the quality of these drums. I realize they're considered an entry level kit, but they feel a lot higher end. I bought mine used, but mint, and the seller included a matching 16-inch floor tom and new heads. All for about half the price of a new Subway. The finish is natural, and it's beautiful. I know these are GMS's imported (read: cheaper) line, but for less than what I would have paid for a Taye Go-Kit or a Yamaha Manu Katche (the other compact sets I was considering), I feel like I stole one.