YOU OWN SERVERAL SNARE DRUMS?

[DRUMBOO]

Hey .. Happy new year :O)

Do any of you guys own serveral snare drums and have the problem that you like a few things about each drum but have no drum that includes everything you want from a great snare ....

Like having a snare that looks great but sound &$/%

or the other way around having a ****ty looking snare but it sound like the ultimate snare etc...

let me know

[DRUMBOO]

oh and if possible list Snare drums and what you like and don´t like about em ... maybe you´ve found YOUR ULTIMATE SNARE yet

[JonathanAKAgod]

i've used so many snares. . .and the best sounding snare i had ever heard to date was the 5.5x13 bronze ocheltree spirit of 2002. The only thing i disliked about this snare was it is so freaking heavy. The thing must weigh close to 30 pounds. Which means a new dw. . .yes dw. . .snare stand has to be purchased. only because those stands have the memory locks, and are more heavy duty than pearl's eliminator stand. i have both snare stands because, i do like pearl's better. but thats the only thing i don't like. also they are way too expensive. but a few months ago, i found a dunnett dealer in the bay area that had some new snares in. Two of which, a bronze and a titanium snare. . .blew the ocheltree away. The titanium snare was light as a feather compared to the ocheltree also. If anyone gets a chance to check out a dunnett titanium classic snare. . .please try and play around with it a bit. they're amazing drums. not too badly priced either. list price was $700 i believe. nice price compared to the ocheltree's $2500.

[TLD]

I played a dunnetr titanium at West LA music about a few months back. It ranks in my top 5 of snares too! It was great!

[Gese]

Hi,

I own some different snares in order to obtain from each one the sound I need time after time.

I use:

Mapex 14 x 6,5 maple snare. One of the top Mapex snares built in 1995. A powerful and warm drum.

Pearl Brass Sensitone 14 x 5,5. Full and rich, but also bright.

Pearl Marvin Smith Signature: Versatile (warm and bright at the same time)

High Percussion (an old Italian brand - this snare is made of Walnut of Tanganijka) 14 x 5. Cutting, throathy and very very very pleasant. A true gem.

Hollywood President (another old Italian brand no more existent). Hollywood was endorsed by Max Roach. A birch snare drum built no less than 40 years ago, featuring two snare wires. Useful when playing very soft acoustic jazz music.

[stavis]

Since I began playin I've owned the following snares:
3x14 Yamaha Copper Piccolo
4x14 Ayotte Custom in Transparent Aqua finish with wood hoops
5.5x14 Mapex Limted Edition in Ice Blue Fade
6x14 Pearl Masters Custom MMX in Wine Red
6.5x15 Pearl Export chrome snare that came with my first kit
5.5x14 Keplinger (weighs about 20 pounds)
5x10 Pearl Popcorn Snare
6x12 Keplinger Auxiliary snare to match my new kit (with 10-o-6 shell)


Out of all of them my favorites would have to be the Keplinger and the Pearl MMX. The Mapex snare would have to be my least favorite.

[TomS]

JonathanAKAgod!
are you thinking of selling/giving away ;) your Ocheltree snare anytime soon?! those babies make me drool. they sound so nice on recordings and argh theyre beautiful.
would you or anyone by chance know if i can get an Ocheltree or a Dunnett around Ottawa somewhere?
ive never actually heard of a Dunnett before but damn they sound good. (titanium? who wouldve thought... sounds interesting)

thanks!

[JonathanAKAgod]

if i'm not mistaken, the only place you can get dunnett drums in canada is in Vancouver. . .there aren't very many dunnett dealers i'm sorry to say, and i believe all of them at this point are on the west coast, from LA up to vancouver.

[TomS]

thanks anyways... aw. is there a way to order one? like have it mailed to me?

[JonathanAKAgod]

maybe. . .check out dunnett.com (http://www.dunnett.com)
hope that helps
jonathan

[keld]

First off I got a crappy snare with my original budget kit that I still have. Looks crap, sounds crap. Waste of space. Might be ok witha decent head on I guess. Nah forget it!

Then I replaced that with a Premier snare I bought off my cousin. I think it's steel, about 6" x 14 I think. Not too bad. Bit of a ring to it that I don't like. But with a decent head on it does the job.

Then I replaced my old kit with a Premier Cabria kit that came with a matching colour wood 14" snare. Not sure what the depth is ... about 5", maybe 5.5". IT's an ok snare. Gave me a change when I got bored of the steel one. Used to swap between the two now and then.

And then this last xmas I got a Pearl Chad Smith Signiture snare ... 14"x5", steel. Looks great, sounds great and at an affordable price. It has a ring to it but I kinda like it with the ring. And I normally hate a ring. Great snare drum. Haven't had chance to use it with my band yet as our next practice is only the 5th Jan. Can't wait!

[mrbeaver]

the standard size that coems with kits is 14x5.5 so thats probly what those old snares were

[MikeB]

All of the snares that I have played are as follows (well, that I can cleary remember enough details of to clearly give you an idea)

Ayotte 14x8 24-ply in Vintage Ebony Satin w/ Steel Hoops
Ayotte 14x6 16-ply in Natural Maple Gloss w/ Steel Hoops
Ayotte 14x6 20-ply in Natural Maple Satin w/ A1 WoodHoops
Ayotte 14x6 6-ply in Blue Gloss w/ Steel Hoops
Ayotte-Keplinger 14x5.5 w/ K1 WoodHoops
CB 14x5.5 Chrome Steel
Drum Workshop 14x6 Edge in Black Gloss w/ Brass Hardware
Dixon 13x4 Maple Piccolo
Ludwig 14x5 Rocker Elite
Mapex Precious Metal 14x6.5 Hammered Phosphor Bronze
Pearl 14x6.5 Jupiter Snare (From 1979, Chrome, 4814L)
Pearl 14x6 Export Snare
Pearl 14x5.5 Chrome Snare (From 1979, the B4514)
Pearl 14x4 Maple Piccolo
Trak Percussion 14x5.5 Black Wrap
Westburry 14x5.5 Chrome Snare
WFL 14x6.5 Snare (Vintage, very old with a sound that would make Buddy Rich jealous)
Yamaha 14x6.5 Steel Snare Drum
Yamaha 14x5.5 Dave Weckl Signature Aluminum Shell

Thats all from the top of my head for the moment. Anyway, just remember I have played more snares, but these are the only ones I remember the specs of.

[TomS]

thanks jonathan
i checked out the site, and (once i scrape up enough cash) i have my eye on one of those titanium ones! looks good!
thanks

[Lee Thompson]

Snares that I use currently.
5.5 x14 sensitone (tube lug nickel over brass) main snare. Again I ask, Why don't you guys at Pearl market this drum more? IT'S AMAZING!!!!
3x14 pearl maple pic.
6.5x13 Fibes maple SFT (custom, my last drum made by Fibes)...this is a great friggin' drum!!!

Other snare drums are sitting in my studio waiting to be polished
For a listen to my snares go to
www.OneMoreMile.com

Lee

[drummers_4_life]

San-Ho-zays intro has kind of a rage against the machine feel.... Thats cool. Well actuallly listening to it for a second time it really doesnt very much.... this is a worthless post

[barfly]

I have the following:

Pearl Sensitone 14x5.5 (brass)
Pearl Free Floater 14.6.5 (steel)
Pearl Piccolo 13x3 (steel)
Ludwig Supraphonic 400 (Chrome over Brass) 1969 model

The sensitone is my workhorse. It has a wide tuning range, very good sensitivity, can be played at very low volumes or high volumes. It's also been the most reliable snare drum I've owned to date. Record extremly well. It does it all!

The Free Floater is a good drum to play in a loud band. ( It's REAL loud, however I find it lacks sensitivity at low volume.) I use it on some metal gigs. It also records suprisingly well.

The pearl piccolo is extremly sensitive. Great for buzz rolls. I used it as my main snare with a pop rock outfit. They love how it blended with the music. Doesn't record very well. i currently use it as an auxillairy snare on my kit. Gives a decent "timbale" sound with the snares off.

The Supraphonic is beautiful to look at. I just can't seem to fit it in with any of my kits. I could probably tweek it with a change of heads, snare strainer and a little work, however, it might kill the character of the drum. I'll leave it as is for now.

My next snare drum will probably be a brass 14x8. I'm looking for something to give me a throatier sound.

Still haven't met a wood snare I like.

[MusicMan]

Hi -

I use all of the following Pearl snare drums:

4x10 effects (piano black)
6x10 popcorn (piano black)
4x12 effects (piano black)
4x14 piccolo (piano black)
3x13 piccolo (piano black)
7x12 effects (piano black)
6.5x14 Masters (piano black)

5x12 steel Sensitone
6.5x14 steel Sensitone
6.5x14 brass Sensitone
6.5x14 copper Sensitone

My personal favorites are the 7x12 effects and the 6.5x14 copper Sensitone, but I find some use for all of them at one time or another.

[Richard Winfield]

The guitar player in my band asked: "why do you have more than one snare?"

My reply: "Why do you have more than one guitar?"

(Off topic: A keyboard player looked at my 6 piece and said: do you actually need all those drums?" I replied: Do you actually need all those white keys?")

My Snares

12"x7" Conaway Custom(Maple) w/ Puresound snares and Russ Miller Wedge (Whitew/black hardware) My band loves this snare!
12"x5" Donoho Maple (blond/black burst)
13"x6" DW Craviotto w/Puresound Snares(Natural)
14"x5" DW Collectors 10+6 (Champaigne Sparkle)
14"x6.5 Pearl MRX (Platinum Mist) THIS SNARE ROCKS!
14"x6.5 Mapex Black Panther Birdseye Maple (Transparent Violet)

[Lee Thompson]

New addition to my stable,

After opening for Annie Sampsons band last week I was in the club when her drummer unveiled his new custom Thumper Drums kit.
WOW !!
I spoke to the owner and drumsmith at Thumper (John Jones) at length and I am now awaiting the birth of my latest snare.

Picture this.

20 ply Maple (Keller), 10 lug, 6.5x14 Hand rubbed black satin stain,Nickel drum works strainer, Black tube lugs,Black cast rims, with a little silver skull on the side...
Price unbelivable for a drum of this quality.

If anyone here has never heard of Thumper Drums, you need to check out the website.
www.Thumpercustomdrums.com

Gene, I'm sure you remember John from Drum World (Deep in your sordid past.)

Lee

[DED]

I have:

6.5x14 Pearl Sensitone Classic Bronze (2 of 'em)
6.5x14 Ludwig hammered bronze (1984 or so)
6.5x14 Pearl Brass Free Floating
7x12 Pearl Maple
6.5x14 Dunnett Bronze

Two things I prefer on snare drums, thin bronze shells and that they be 6.5 deep. Shallow drums just feel too stiff to me.

The Sensitones are my workhorse drums. There's not much they won't do. These are the two I carry to 90% of my gigs.

The Ludwig is a bit dryer and a good drum for bright rooms.

The free floater comes out if I'm doing battle againt Marshall stacks and need lots of crack and volume.

The 7x12 used to be my primary snare but these days it only comes out if I need a piccolo type sound.

The Dunnett was recently sold and I'll be shipping it as soon as I get back from NAMM. I have nothing bad to say about the Dunnett. It is a great drum, maybe too great for my style. It's a very dry and controlled drum and I need a little more 'clang'. I'll be keeping my eye out for a used Ferrone model or maybe I'll see something at the show that will interest me.

And when my wife asks me how many snare drums do I need, I always answer, "One more."

[mmxstudioguy]

ive just recently , like yestrerday ppurchased a 5x14 pearl ultracast it is by far the best sounding snare out there, i used to play a ludwig black beauty, this is by far the best i have owned

[Pyrotechnic]

I have:

Tama Imperialstar 6.5x14

Good snare, nice depth and volume, best tuned lower pitched to get the ring out of that, with higher tunings the ring goes away.

Ludwig Acrolite 5x14

Yup, you've run across YET ANOTHER acrolite owner :D
It's VERY versatile, you can go from bonham to a funky crack sound.

I havent really found the perfect snare for me yet, while the Imperialstar is a great rock snare, the Acrolite is a good all around choice, i still havent found what i like. I think what I want is a 13" snare, with a 14" i gotta crank the crap out of it to get that pitch i like, but then all i the ring is gone !! With a 13", i could tune it looser, with pitch i want, and still get the ring i want.

So, i'll be searching around for a 13" that catches my ears.

[MBJ]

I used to have quite a collection, but I've sold most of my snares. Currently I have:

Tama 6-1/2 x 14 Pro-Custom copper shell (black HW, diecast rims)
Pearl 4 x 14 John Robinson maple shell (diecast rims)
Yamaha 4 x 14 Peter Erskine birch shell (diecast rims)

Here are the other snares I've owned at one time or another:

Ludwig 6-1/2 x 14 Rocker (came with my first set)
Ludwig 6-1/2 x 14 Supraphonic bronze shell
Ludwig 6-1/2 x 14 Super-sensitive Black Beauty
Tama 3-1/4 x 14 brass piccolo
Tama 6-1/2 x 14 Artwood maple shell (diecast rims)
Tama 9 x 14 Artwood bird's eye maple (diecast rims)
Tama 5 x 14 Fibrestar fiberglas shell (diecast rims)
Pearl 6-1/2 x 14 steel free-floater
Trick 6 x 14 aluminum shell
Premier 9 x 14 brass shell
Remo 3-1/2 x 14 Acousticon piccolo
Gretsch 5 x 14 maple (diecast rims)

MBJ

[MikeB]

Right now I only have four.

Ayotte 14x6 6-ply in Blue Gloss w/ steel hoops

Dixon 13x4 Maple Piccolo

Mapex Precious Metal 14x6.5 Hammered Phosphor Bronze

Yamaha 14x5.5 Dave Weckl Signature Aluminum Shell

[Lost At... SRX]

2001 Pearl Session Custom SRX 14"X5.5" Vintage Fade
1999/2000 Pearl Sensitone Custom Alloy Brass 14"x5.5"
Yamaha Maple Snare Drum Anton Fig Signature Model 14"x6"

[Alex Hellner]

i only have 2 snares:

5x14 Maple Free Floater (die-cast hoops)

5.5x14 Tama Steel snare (1.6mm triple flanged hoops)
(this snare came with my rockstar kit)

both of my snares are kinda loud, but the maple FF is probably a little louder. My FF has decent sensitivity, and a great crack to it. The rimshots are very focused and not as twangy as the steel snare, but still sound quite delicious. I LOVE the rimshots i get out of the tama, but the overall sound quality of my Pearl snare is easily twice that of the tama.

when i was deciding on a new snare, i liked the idea of the freefloaters so i thougt i'd give'em a chance. 5x14 being my preferred dimensions, i set up the maple, the brass and the copper side by side by side. After about an hour i decided i liked the warmth of the maple, but the rimshots from the brass were really tempting. I decided to go with the maple because i enjoyed the incredible attack i got from it, plus it was slightly lower in volume than the brass and i don't need to be ear-piercing.

[Patrik_CZX]

I got three snares. two really ****ty ones (in my opinion) and one that i really like..
one blue Pearl Maxwin 14x5"
one Yamaha Steel snare

and the one i like, a Tama 14"/6,5" with 3mm shell on the picture..

but no, i do not have the problem this thread was about, cause i don't like my two cheaper snares one single bit in compare to the tama. ;)

The Maxwin is old, probably not really round and doens't sound so nice, anyway not in my taste.. the yahama is a really cheaps steel snare that follows the power V series..
The Tama is a lot more expensive than the to others and i would say it pays off.. i unfortunally doens't know the whole story of that drum cause i bought it as 2nd or third owner..
anyway it weighs very much and have got a really heavy bottom in the sound..it's loud as hell and the rimshots make your ears scream for mercy..anyway i currently have it tuned very high and the snare side slightly tighter then the batter side.. i put down very much time tuning it looking for somekind of ringing, still tuned, sound.. there is one mayor minus if i have to grade this snare.. it weighs to much! it's like going to the gym moving that bastard from the rehersal place to the studio..

[Alex Hellner]

oh yeah, i forgot about the other snare i have, i never use it because it's super crappy.

5.5x14" Royce steel snare (1996?)

it's got internal dampening and no ring whatsoever, the overall sound is pretty much comparable to the business end of an elephant. Oh yeah, and it's got 6-lugs.

[TomS]

oh man guys, i have the best snare drum in the world. it sounds so ****ty i wanna throw it across the room when i play and its deader than a baby elephant thats been through food processing twice. oh god i wish i could scrape up some cash to get rid of it, i would pay someone to take it away. its a Pearl Forum and although ive heard worst (actually its tuned nice, but it sounds so weird) its not that great. and yeah, i was joking about that first line.

[Peepdrmr]

I currently own over twenty snares. Of these drums, I'd say that a third of them are or will soon be collectors pieces. Of the rest there are two that I use religiously as far as live playing is concerned. My current favorite is a 4 7/8 x 14 Noble & Cooley Alloy classic. The shell is some kind of aluminium alloy that N & C develloped with Zildjian. My stand-by is a 3.5 x 14 stave construction Jarrah shell Brady. I love this drum as well but it's not as versatile as the N & C. Both drums are really similar in sound, yes the Brady has a metal like sound. But anyway, I would have to say that the closest thing I've ever found to a perfect snare is the Alloy Classic. I'm even thinking of getting a 6.5 x 14 Alloy Classic, we'll have to see how kind the tax return is this year.

[jokerjkny]

Quick question!!

since lots of y'all use tons of snares, any ideas on a lightweight, yet versatile snare gig bag??? lots of pockets, shoulder strap or backpack straps, and good padding. anyone know of a good one??

Am i allowed one more question???

i own a 6 ply Ayotte 14x5.5 woodhoop in natural that i'm getting the triple flanged hoops. should i just go with Ayotte's or can i get hoops from another manufacturer that might be better or cheaper?

thanks!

you may return to your regularly scheduled thread... :D

[MikeB]

Get the steel hoop conversion kit from Ayotte since it comes with all the hardware you need. Contact them at ayotte@ayottedrums.com to find out the price.

[zflynn]

I have a
tama Artwood 12x5
and a pearl maple 10x4 w/ iss mount

[Peepdrmr]

joker, get yourself a protech bag. Protec is the company's name and their bags are the best I've seen.

[Dunnett Classic D]

Dunnett Classic snare drums are available in Canada through

Tom Lee Music [Vancouver]

Steve's Music [As of March 2003, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto]

Song Bird [limited inventory]

If you live in these regions you HAVE to go through one of these dealers.

[MikeB]

Ron, Tom Lee is a huge rip-off! And they are a bunch of *** holes there. Go with Long & McQuade at 2301 Granville. Tim & Shane there are the best!

[mikeym]

my ultimate snare is found!!!!!


found it with a used kit for 25 dollars!!!!

Tama Imperialstar 6.5 x 14 Powerline Snare, with coated ambassador batter (with a bit of duct tape and tissue to keep it crackin) and a clear ambassador reso....


sounds sooo nice

~mikeym

[pearldrummer8]

Originally posted by MusicMan
Hi -

I use all of the following Pearl snare drums:

4x10 effects (piano black)
6x10 popcorn (piano black)
4x12 effects (piano black)
4x14 piccolo (piano black)
3x13 piccolo (piano black)
7x12 effects (piano black)
6.5x14 Masters (piano black)

5x12 steel Sensitone
6.5x14 steel Sensitone
6.5x14 brass Sensitone
6.5x14 copper Sensitone



You like Black?! Can you post a picture of your set and your snares for me please?

[madman]

well, I own 6 snares, and I all like them... I'm a bit of a snare-lover... They all have different heads and tunings so I have a wide diversity of sounds.

Which snare I use depends on the style I play, the setup I take to the gig, and even the mood that I'm in... My stuff-list is in my signature. Hoping to get a Dunnet 13" titanium shell and a Slingerland Studio king 14" one day

[trickledown]

hmmmmm my list

Yamaha Oak Musashi 13x6.5
Gretch Steel Aux Snare 10x5.5
Apollo (by pearl) sparkle blue 14x5.5 snare drum from the 60's
Ludwig Acrolite 14x6 steel.

My favorite is the Yamaha by far.. just for its funkyness and its ring.
It has a ton of ring, but its good ring.. not bad ring..

[russb66]

Originally posted by russb66
Snares I have owned since 1983 TAMA IMPERIALSTAR chrome 5x14 and 6.5x14. TAMA ROCKSTAR CUSTOM 5x14. PREMIER CABRIA 5x14. MAPEX PHOSPHOROUS 5x14 BRONZE.PEARL 5x14 SENSITONE. PEARL BRX 5x14. TAMA STARCLASSIC PERFORMER 5x14. PEARL MMX 6.5 x14 [currently] and a PEARL MAPLE POPCORN 6x10[currently.] Well,I just bought a PORK PIE 12x5 maple black laquer snare today - the deal was too good too pass up!:)