Yamaha Snare experts/enthusiasts!

[punkuzz900]

Lazies and Jellybeans

At the moment all my drums are Premier. I have a 14"x5.5" Premier Cabria snare (maple), which doesn't sound too bad to me. I also bought a Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x5" (also maple) snare last year and when I first got it, it sounded amazing. But over the past 6 months I've started to dislike it's sound. I now think it's too shallow for my taste and sounds kinda flat and lifeless (and it's nothing to do with the heads or tuning). I've decided to try a deeper snare (13"x6.5") and I was wondering if anyone could help. What I have in mind is a Yamaha 13"x6.5" Musashi (oak) snare, anyone got any sound clips, descriptions? Got one yourself? Any info you guys could give me would be great! Cheers!

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/8648/nsd1365m4a12c0624baf65fit9.jpg

Punkuzz900

[jayp]

MFB(mediocrefunkybeat) Has this snare maybe he can chime in on it, but from what I hear its a nice snare.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I had one, bought it barely used, loved it but sold it to buy a 14 inch maple snare. I would highly recommend that snare. You won't be disappointed. Only problem was the throw was a bit stubborn but a wee dab of vaseline on the baby and problem solved.

[punkuzz900]

Ok cool guys! Any chance of getting MFB to get over here? PM him for me XD or w/e. Thanks so far =]

[Colonel Bat Guano]

I have the 6.5x13 Musashi. I think it's pretty great.

IMO, the pros & cons:

Pros:
- loud!
- very little sympathetic snare buzz from other drums (deep/wide snare beds)
- suprisingly wide tuning range
- solid Yamaha build
- great value for price
- nice to look at

Cons:
- tendency to detune during heavy, rimshot-oriented play (I keep a magnetic Evans key sitting on the drum during gigs so I can "freshen it up" a little during the set)
- strainer not as robust as most designs, but still adjusts snare sensitivity just fine

...

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Bat Guano has it down here.

I have the Musashi, and I'm making my heroic appearance on this thread! I played it at a gig last night and here's the run-down. Basically, the Musashi is best tuned high-pitched but can be tuned lower if that's your preference. It's quite dry but is very, VERY loud; especially the way I play it with my band; although it's high-pitched, it does have a good depth of sound, so there's plenty of power and bite there as well. It's all exceptionally well made, as with everything Yamaha it seems and is a quality drum at what is a relatively affordable price. The downsides? Well, again Bat Guano is right. There is a tendency to detune during heavy-rimshot playing, so either some lug locks or a drum key is essential and the throw-off isn't great. It's functional, but nothing particularly good.

That all said, the Musashi is a great snare, a completely professional sound with very good value; although the price you paid for it becomes irrelevant. I would choose mine over dozens of more expensive snares anyway. It's become my 'signature sound' at gigs.

[ghuyuiq]

I have the 6.5x13 Musashi. I think it's pretty great.

Cons:
- tendency to detune during heavy, rimshot-oriented play (I keep a magnetic Evans key sitting on the drum during gigs so I can "freshen it up" a little during the set)

...

Couldn't that be solved by using die-cast hoops?

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

That would probably make it worse if anything. The stiffer the hoops are, the more likely they are to detune. The 2.3mm hoops on the Musashi are already quite stiff and die-cast might well choke the drum.

[Chonson]

I also have the 13" Musashi. No way in the world would I put die cast hoops on it. The drum really sounds great when it's cranked a bit so it's got a sharp (but somewhat deep) attack. However, it's pretty focused and anything more than triple flanged would fairly choke the life out of the drum. If you're concerned about detuning, go for lug locks (which I've done on mine) or some other means.

And yes, the drum will get your attention. Plenty loud. Solid tone, focused as you'd expect from a 13. Mechanically, the strainer is underhwelming and flimsy, but I'm not about to run out and put an R2 on this. It's functional.

[punkuzz900]

Bat Guano has it down here.

I have the Musashi, ... It's become my 'signature sound' at gigs.

Thanks for the info dude.

From what I've gathered over other reviews (and you guys) i might need to invest in some hoops and maybe another snare throw/strainer w/e! And some lug thingys. Any recommendations?