Help choosing snare drum

santiman12 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 08:52 PM

Well guys, it's been 8 months since I've been playing the drums, changed my heads and now I've thought about changing the snare. I have thought of three posibilities:

-Mapex Black Panther 14x6.5 stainless steel or 14x5.5
-Tama Starclassic Brass 14x5.5
-Pearl Ian Paice signature

The music I play is mainly, Alternative Rock.
The sound I want should have controlled armonics, nice sustain, should have a lot of volume the snare should be sensible and have a lot of attack. With those characteristics I just told you, I'm on the right track with the snare I listed?. Thanks a lot.

**Der Trommler** · #2 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 10:48 PM

The brass will be a little less pingy than the stainless steels you have listed there. You will get a higher pitched crack from the shallower shells, and the sustain of the ring will tend to be longer. You will get a deeper pitched crack and a little less sustain on the ring from a deeper shell.

The ring can be control with a dampening pad or heads so I wouldn't worry to much about that, the main thing here is depth of the sound you want. Make sure, if you have the opportunity, to go hit these snares at your local drum shop before making a decision on which to purchase.

I would say that you are on the right track for the genre of music you are playing.

Over time you might come to realize (I know I have) that you will want to have a variety of snares of different sizes and materials to get the particular sound you are looking for, for a particular song or set.

santiman12 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Der Trommler

The brass will be a little less pingy than the stainless steels you have listed there. You will get a higher pitched crack from the shallower shells, and the sustain of the ring will tend to be longer. You will get a deeper pitched crack and a little less sustain on the ring from a deeper shell.

The ring can be control with a dampening pad or heads so I wouldn't worry to much about that, the main thing here is depth of the sound you want. Make sure, if you have the opportunity, to go hit these snares at your local drum shop before making a decision on which to purchase.

I would say that you are on the right track for the genre of music you are playing.

Over time you might come to realize (I know I have) that you will want to have a variety of snares of different sizes and materials to get the particular sound you are looking for, for a particular song or set.

Unfortunately, in my city, there aren't any dedicated drum shops, just regular music shops and they don't have those kind of snares. And for this kind of music, Do you think that both will work, or the difference between brass and steel is too big to choose any of the two?

**Tainojim** · #4 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 11:52 PM

I agree with Mr. Der, for your taste in music you will need a steel or brass snare.

santiman12 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-13-2009, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tainojim

I agree with Mr. Der, for your taste in music you will need a steel or brass snare.

Thanks. And which one's darker, brass or stainless steel?. Thanks.

PS.: Would you recommend me the BP or the tama SC? or any of those?. What lines of brass or stainless can you recommend me in the grestch and pearl snares¿

**Der Trommler** · #6 (**permalink**) 07-13-2009, 06:42 AM

Brass will no doubt be the darker of the two. In the Pearl line the Jimmy Degrasso brass snare is very nice and sounds great (listen to any of the Megadeath stuff to hear what it sounds like recorded).

I would have to defer to Tainojim, who knows Gretsch far better than I do for any advice on their snares.

**Tainojim** · #7 (**permalink**) 07-13-2009, 07:44 AM

I concurred with Der for as to go any brighter than the steel snare, then a piccolo snare line would be in order. Darker than brass or any metal, then it would be a wooden 14x5 thin snare way to go and so on.

As far as the the Gretsch line you can check out their catalog (Click Below). Your going all over the place with this and we can only help in recommendations. As for what exactly your looking for, go to the stores and try them until your ears tell you which to pick.

We can only suggest. You need to do the research and the footwork. If I where to pick one particular snare drum for you, then you would be either really grateful or really disappointed. Gretsch has 17 different metal snares. The G-4000 Metal Series also have the bronze, copper and aluminum snares.

Perhaps the Dunnett snare would be another avenue for your search.

Gretsch Snares

Good luck to you on your quest.

santiman12 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-13-2009, 12:55 PM

I've seen some grestch on the net, THEY ARE EXPENSIVE!!! haha, so I think I'm gonna go with Tama, Pearl or Mapex. Guys, what do you think about Ian Paice Sig snare?. thanks

**Tainojim** · #9 (**permalink**) 07-13-2009, 03:37 PM

14x6.5 steel snare, Model IP1465

If that's the one your talking about, it sounds real sweet. It's a real pretty one too. It's got a snap yet deep combined sound. I thought you were looking for a higher crack sound out of a snare.

Remember to try before you buy. It may not the same as it does on the video.

Pearl Drums - Ian Paice SD

santiman12 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-13-2009, 04:32 PM

I can't listen to either of them because In my city there aren't any importante drum shops, but I'll still try to find some of those snares if I can haha. I think I'm gonna go with the Tama, if not with the Pearl