Free Floating Snares

[Mavman]

I have a question about the snares on the Pearl free floating snare drums. I've had a 6.5" X 14" steel shell FF for about 10 years and never paid much attention to the snares on the bottom since setting them up in my basement. Recently, I purchased a used 3.5" X 14" FF in brass and the snares on it had worn a hole in the bottom head. When I was replacing the head I noticed the snares were not the original snares and much shorter (approx 13" long) from the snares on my 6.5" which are about 15 3/4" long and extend beyond the rim/bearing edge.

I saw a response in the FF summary thread that mentioned that the snares for the FF are longer than normal snares. Why are FF snares longer and what is the advantage/disadvantage of the longer snares that extend beyond the rim/bearing edge? I would think that the longer snares extending beyond the edge would put more pressure on the head at the bearing edge. Are the longer FF snares prone to wearing a hole in the bottom head along the bearing edge? What issues do you run into with putting shorter snares on FFs? I am planning to order the recommended Pearl snares for the FF, but was interested in understanding why FF snares are different and what other options I have. Thanks.

[barjack]

Your one FF snare is likely a 1st generation which had "floating" snarewire on a parallel action strainer. The snarewire extends beyond the beds of the shell for maximum covered surface area. The extended snares are possible because the strainer has two roller mechanisms that are spring-loaded and allow the wire to sit in a perfectly even fashion on the reso head. It's a more complex design than regular strainers, but the result is a snare that is more delicate and the system itself is probably better on the resohead than a standard-length snarewire. The newer versions of the Free Floater have a regular strainer and snarewire.

If your snare has a parallel-action strainer, you should probably use the correct length 15" snarewire. I know I would. As for wearing through your reso head, I've never heard of that happenening. Do you mean to say that the wire, through friction, wore holes in the head directly under the wire?

[Mavman]

Thank you for the information. I took a closer look at the 6.5" snare and it does have the parallel action strainer with rollers connected by 2 springs. Although, I have had this one for 10 years, I did buy it used so I guess it is older than I thought. And no, there has not been any wear on the head due to the snares extending beyond the rim on this one. I can now see how this set up is fine for the longer snares.

On the 3.5" brass FF, it is a different type of strainer which does not have the roller with springs attached - just fixed rollers. It looks like the shorter snare had worn a hole in the bottom head, however this could have been the result of setting the drum down on a surface that pushed the metal bracket holding the snare through the head.

So for the more current 3.5" FF which does not have a parallel action stainer, do these use the longer FF snares like the older parallel action strainers without any issues or are the standard Pearl snares for these FFs a different size now for the newer strainer (e.g. the Pearl SN-1420I snares)? Thanks.

[barjack]

The first generation of Free Floating snare, made during the 80's and early 90's. You can tell these are 1st gen by the rudimentary hexaganol lugs that resemble (and probably are) a few bolts stacked on top of each other and welded. They have the full parallel-action system and are best used wtih longer snarewire, though regular wire will fit and work.





The second generation snare with the SR-010 extended strainer. These are more modern looking drums and have the current-style round tubular lugs and the updated, thicker aluminum free floating tub. The SR-010 was also made to accept long snarewire, but because it is fixed, you can use it with either longer or shorter wires. I have seen 2nd gen FF's with factory reso hoops that will not accept extended snarewire.





The third and current generation of the FF, updated to match the Reference line. It has a newer badge and the Reference SR-1000 strainer. The aluminum tub and lugs remain the same as the second gen. These drums will only work with regular 14" snarewire.

[Mavman]

Excellent. Thank you. This is great information for those buying used FF snares and don't know the history. From your pictures, my 6.5" FF snare is a 1st generation FF snare and the 3.5" brass FF is a second generation snare. Thanks again.

[drumdoc10]

tuning free floater

what heads do you use on your free floater

[TalonTsi90]

Pinstripe/Diplomat.

[barjack]

Remo Coated CS Dot / Ambassador, Evans PCRD / Hazy

[PDeGroff]

My 80s FF had a short snare and I replaced it with the Puresound aftermarket model specially for it in their vintage range.(model PF1416).

Sounds great, no buzz!

[thejamman]

Stumbled upon this thread as im looking into getting a pearl free floating aluminium 1st generation one and this has been super helpful!

I was slightly worried about the longer wires but it sounds like its no problem and actually better

Could someone link me to the Free Floating Summary thread that the OP mentioned?

Thanks

[TalonTsi90]

Not sure where it is, but what do you want to know?

[LDdrummer]

Not sure where it is, but what do you want to know?

Agree, there are enough people around here experienced with free floaters, I am sure we could answer any questions you have. I currently have 3 free floaters from various generations and have had others, and I know a lot of guys on here that have a lot if not more experience with them as well. Ask away whatever you need to know, I am sure someone will have some good answers!

[thejamman]

Brilliant thanks guys, ive never owned anything like a free floater before!

The one im looking at is a 14x6.5 aluminium any idea what the shell thickness would be?

Never bought a drum thats this old either but ive seen lots of pictures and it looks in great nick, ive been told its the first run of free floaters.

Guessing it has to be worth the £120 hes asking for it?

[andrew brooks]

Do the full length ones have snare beds?

[LDdrummer]

All the Free Floaters have snare beds. I have one of the first and two of the second generation models, and they both have snare beds. I also had a first gen steel shell at one point that had snare beds as well. I know the current ones also have them, since they no longer have the extended snares.

thejamman...any pics of the aluminum snare you are looking at buying? Just curious. And that price seems good, especially if it is an aluminum shell. Free Floaters are worth a lot, especially since you can get more shells later without having to spend a fortune.