7 replies to this topic

[Cowbell Cowboy]

Hi all,
I'm in the market for a metal snare for playing live.
Although I am a wooden snare lover at heart and prefer the depth and warmth of wood for recording, it has occurred to me at recent gigs that my Tama Artwood Maple (14"x6.5"), although sounding great, is not cutting through with as much punch as I'm after. So I was thinking possibly a metal snare might be the thing for gigging with my current rock band.
The sound I'm aiming for is the enhanced attack and cutting power of a metal shell with plenty of impact, however I'd prefer to keep away from ringy snares as I'm really not a lover of twangy, cold metallic ringiness. Is it possible to get warm-sounding metal snares?
Budget is £200-£250. I could probably stretch a little further towards £300 but would prefer to spend closer to £230 as a target.
What are your suggestions?
Note that if there are any wooden snares that might give me what I'm after as a live snare, feel free to suggest those as well as I'm open to alternatives.

Cheers,

CC

[YELLOW_TOAD]

I've used metal snares for a lot of unmic'd gigs (as well as mic'd) with good success over the years .... I've used a cheap Pearl Export metal snare (6x14), a Ludwig Acrolite (5x14), My favorite metal snare ever....the Yamaha Recording Custom (6x14), an 80's Stage Custom Yamaha (6x14) and recently a Pearl Sensitone Steel (5x14) . I also have an 80's Tama King Beat Snare - which is a beast and a stick breaker.

I also have two piccolos - a 14 inch Tama brass and a cheap 13 chrome that I picked up used somewhere. (don't use these as main snares though).

But don't think for a minute that you have to sacrifice warm tone.....you can still get that tone with a little dampening like a remo ring or even some moongel.

I've had plenty of soundmen - (and other drummers) compliment me on my steel snare tones....just experiment with the heads, and your tuning....you CAN get a nice warm tone out of them.

[Cowbell Cowboy]

Cheers Toad, that's great.
Anyone else?

[israbatista]

Chad smith snare sounds great

The snare from the guy from sevendust morgan something

Tico torres = no words

Tricks are pretty good too

Black magics

Black beauties

Any Dw snare

[Raf]

I don't know if they can be had in the UK for your price range, but I love the Black Beauties, 5.5 or 6.5.

Also, the DW Edge snare is a blend of maple and metal that is possibly the loudest, snappiest wood snare out there. Again, not sure if they can be had where you live for 300 pounds or less.

Good luck.

R

[drummingbulldog]

I just came across an OCDP 6.5x14 20 ply maple shell with round vents. I put new lugs, snares, bottom head, and tension rods on it. Since it is vented it cracks like crazy. I used it the other day for a loud hard rock rehearsal. I didn't like it much on its own. When I tried it with the band it had super crack and the guys were surprised by the volume. It has the feel and warmth of a wood snare but the crack like a metal snare. I am selling it though as I currently have 25 plus snare drums and cannot fit any more in my house. It matches my Mapex Mars kit which is yellow.

[melteddrummer]

I was looking at the new Mapex Black Panther series the other day in this shop.

Firstly 'The Machette' sounds lovely and very loud. It's closer to the amount you want to spend.
http://www.drumshop....-snare-drum.htm

Secondly The 'Sledge Hammer' This thing is even louder but has a warmer tone, I love it, this one is definitely getting added to my ever growing list lol.
http://www.drumshop....-snare-drum.htm

Apart from these, if your lucky you can sometimes pick up a Ludwig 400/402 for around the £300 mark on ebay, they sound amazing too.

[xymbalreborn]

Brass snare with the Remo Black Suede heads. Brass will cut through ANYTHING and the suede heads add some warmth to your snare sound.