[Bo Eder]

Hey all,

Here's a controversial topic for you to start off the week, and this after I came to an odd conclusion today:

Went out to test a few "pro level" snares today, hoping to buy. Just for kicks I brought along my Sonor Force 3007 Mystery Maple snare drum. I put it on a stand next to a Sonor Phil Rudd snare I was really interested in, and in just about every instance, I was able to make my cheap Sonor sound like the "pro" Sonor. I've been playing this drum for three weeks now, and it amazes me it sounds as good as it does.

Of course, I didn't bring any new snare home today. Not sure if I will.

My background is that I was a professional player in my early adult life. I've owned all kinds of pro kits and snare drums. They've all entered and exited my house over the years (but my cymbals stay with me, isn't that weird?). I've noticed over the years that whatever kit I've had, it always sounds like me playing. And now I'm doing it with a Sonor Force 3007 entire kit (which I love). I keep thinking I may want to upgrade that snare because, you know, everybody does. We gotta have the 10 plies of rock maple grown on a special American farm, or the brass from melted down church bells....I know, I'm not making fun of anyone, but I do remember how I used to think when I was in my 20s.

So here's a question, please watch the video below and close your eyes after a while. I think this drum sounds wonderful. Listen to it and ask if it can't do 90% of the gigs we non-famous folks would ever get a call for. It may not hold up to constant pounding in a punk band, and you may argue that you will "buy what I want regardless of what some old jazzer says", but that's not what I'm asking.

I'm not asking you to not strive for what you want, I'm saying listen to this drum and tell me if you couldn't do a gig with it. If you can, then you probably aren't succumbing to the marketing of the drum industry and can make a smart decision. I just think we are all guilty of "playing with our eyes". Let me know what you think!

YouTube - Bo Eder Force 3007 Snare - improv...

[dtxtremeiiispecial]

It's not the sound I'm used to, but I could do a gig with it.

Interesting, they used to say about John Bonham that whatever kit he played, even a borrowed one, it sounded like him playing.

[Bo Eder]

Originally Posted by dtxtremeiiispecial

It's not the sound I'm used to, but I could do a gig with it.

Interesting, they used to say about John Bonham that whatever kit he played, even a borrowed one, it sounded like him playing.

Thanks for watching!

I'm curious though, how do you play buzz rolls? I've tried all manner of tunings, tight, loose, and I have found that I need to make the drum work with me in order to get good buzz rolls, no point in me muscling my way through the drum to make it play legato. So I can't have the snares super tight against the bottom head, nor too loose. What is your sound, if I may ask?

[dtxtremeiiispecial]

My sound is Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute usually, unless I choose a different snare ( I play electronic drums.) I just press the stick tips into the head for buzz rolls -- nothing at all sophisticated.

	Yamaha Drums Shop for Yamaha Drums at Musician's Friend

[Der Trommler]

Well in my mind that is a great sounding 5 x 14 snare drum. I would gig with that in a heart beat.

In your quest for a new high end snare drum perhaps you are being to narrow in your focus. I say this because when I add another snare drum to my collection I look to evolve or completely change my snare sound and it seems you are trying to improve a sound you already know to be exactly what you want. Maybe you should look into something stave or spun that is 6" or more to expand your jazz sound with a deeper tone. Just food for thought.

Moral of the story....that Sonor snare is a keeper.

	Sonor Drums Shop for Sonor Drums at Musician's Friend

[Bo Eder]

Originally Posted by Der Trommler

Well in my mind that is a great sounding 5 x 14 snare drum. I would gig with that in a heart beat.

In your quest for a new high end snare drum perhaps you are being to narrow in your focus. I say this because when I add another snare drum to my collection I look to evolve or completely change my snare sound and it seems you are trying to improve a sound you already know to be exactly what you want. Maybe you should look into something stave or spun that is 6" or more to expand your jazz sound with a deeper tone. Just food for thought.

Moral of the story....that Sonor snare is a keeper.

Thanks Der, totally food for thought!

I read this online article about Phil Rudd - they were commenting on how his drums are these huge deep things, yet he played a standard 5" deep snare. He said he didn't like anything else. Nothing spoke like a 5" shell did for him. Perhaps I'm becoming another 5" deep poster child?

I remember borrowing a friends 7" deep Noble & Cooley, and another time a 6.5" deep Supra, then a 3.5" deep piccolo (like Weckl back in the day). I didn't hate them, I just couldn't use them for everything. I tried an 8" deep snare once and loved it tuned down for those Eagles tunes, but that's where it stopped. Then when I tried the Steve Gadd snare, or the Bill Bruford snare, or the Stewart Copeland snare, loved all of those - those are all 5"!

I am considering one of those Ahead brass drums at 6x14. Maybe that would be a good compromise. I also feel I need at least one metal shelled, and one wood, just to have two different sounds, eh?

	Ahead Drumsticks Shop for Ahead Drumsticks at Musician's Friend

	Sonor Drums Shop for Sonor Drums at Musician's Friend

[Der Trommler]

Originally Posted by Bo Eder

I also feel I need at least one metal shelled, and one wood, just to have two different sounds, eh?

I Completely agree with this statement. You are also correct in the 5" x 14" being the most versatile snare on the planet. I think that is the reason that they are the snare most commonly found when buying a drumset.

I am a snareoholic myself and collect them not only for a variety of sound from my set, but also because of their history or rarety.