Dynasty wedge snare drum

[jdtdrums]

I am looking to buy a snare drum for pipe band. The rest of the drummers had drums custom made by cameron drum supply in ontario. The price tag was around 1000 for drum, carrier and hard case. My price point won't allow this for right now and I was checking these out as an alternative. I've heard a few clips on YouTube and it sounds great. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[nik12]

Marching drums (and by extension, pipe drums) are stupid expensive here in Canada. L&M wanted $700 for a severely beat-up 14x12 Yamaha sFz. Just the drum. I told 'em where to stick it.

If you're set on shopping within Canada, the case/carrier/drum package for $1G isn't too bad at all. Plus you'll get a drum that matches the band, if that is something that is important to them.

Alternatively, if you live closer to the US border have a look at drum stores and used ads in the US city (or cities) near you and you'll find some pretty good deals on marching/pipe gear. Every once in a green moon a pipe drum will come up on a Southern Ontario Kijiji or Craigslist. Usually a Premier HTS of sorts (good drums though).

The wedge might be alright for practice or if everyone on the line was using them, but I don't imagine you'll be heard over a battery of actual pipe drums. Not to mention you'll look like the odd man out.

[jdtdrums]

Yes L and M are crazy expensive when it comes to marching snares! I have yet to see the drums themselves but from what I'm told, they are a custom cutaway (like the wedge). Maybe ill hold off and wait until I see the drum and equipment before I even think of ordering the wedge. Like you said, it would match the band better and I wouldn't be the odd man out. Thanks for the reply.

[nik12]

Well, if the entire line is using wedge-esque drums, that makes the price more Canadian. I thought they'd be using full pipe drums and thus the price (in Canada) wasn't too bad then.

Either way, I'd hold out to check out their gear. If you're vying for a spot in the band I would think they'd want you to match as that is sort of a marching corps/pipe band thing (then you get into stick heights, sticking patterns, etc. ugh). If the band provides the gear, then you won't have to worry.

[medicdrummer]

Pipe band snares & marching snares are different. Even though the Yamaha SFZ uses a top snare mechanism, it's not the same as a pipe snare. Pipe snares use wire strands for the top & bottom whereas marching (even the SFZ) uses gut strands. Pearl FFXP, Premier HTS 200, 700 & 800 & Andante are the makers of pipe band snares. If the drum is not one of those then it's a extremely high probability that it's not a true pipe band snare. Even the batter heads are different. The best prices in the US are from drumsplus.com & the owner Michael is a fantastic guy & extremely knowledgeable.

[medicdrummer]

Oh! Even the sticks are different. Also, I'm not familiar with your knowledge in the area of pipe band drumming so I hope that I'm not being insulting.

[medicdrummer]

You can also PM Gene Okamato on the forums, he is also very knowledgeable with pipe band snares & can help you out.

[jdtdrums]

Oh! Even the sticks are different. Also, I'm not familiar with your knowledge in the area of pipe band drumming so I hope that I'm not being insulting.

No, not at all! Thanks for the help. I'm in the process of seeing the drums that the other players have. I'm not going to jump on anything as I want the sound to be comparable to the other snare drummers. I am getting some kp2 sticks (Jim Kilpatrick) as I have some 15yr old Cameron Slim pros that need some rest lol. I will also check out that drum shop you posted. Thanks again!

[medicdrummer]

No, not at all! Thanks for the help. I'm in the process of seeing the drums that the other players have. I'm not going to jump on anything as I want the sound to be comparable to the other snare drummers. I am getting some kp2 sticks (Jim Kilpatrick) as I have some 15yr old Cameron Slim pros that need some rest lol. I will also check out that drum shop you posted. Thanks again!

You can't go wrong with the KP2's. Michael from drumsplus.com is an awesome guy. His prices are probably the best in the states & he is extremely knowledgeable. The City of Pittsburgh Paramedic Pipes & Drum Band that I'm in did a fairly large order off of him last year & he was fantastic. I'll keep an eye on this post if you have anymore questions & good luck!

[jdtdrums]

Check down below.....

[jdtdrums]

Im from Canada but state side i have found cheaper deals on most stuff with great shipping. I do have a question.....looking to revamp my technique and I was wondering if you can recommend any pipe band snare excercises or charts to play....that would be great! Nice to meet a fellow pipe band snare drummer.

[medicdrummer]

Im from Canada but state side i have found cheaper deals on most stuff with great shipping. I do have a question.....looking to revamp my technique and I was wondering if you can recommend any pipe band snare excercises or charts to play....that would be great! Nice to meet a fellow pipe band snare drummer.

You can look at euspba.org & they have all of the massed band scores plus mp3's of it being played. Also, YouTube is a great resource for visual technique & rudiments.