Jazz snare drum? Help me out.

[the gayge]

I need some help.

I'm about ready for a new snare drum. I need a new workhorse. I play a lot of jazz and do some piano rock stuff as well. I'm looking for something thats not excessively loud, very warm and woody, dark, sensitive at all dynamic levels, and has a pretty wide tonal range. Price isn't really a concern.

I really just don't know where to start. My options are limited as far as trying gear out in the area I live, but I'm going to New York for a few days this Winter. I'd like to kind of narrow my scope so I have time to try as much as possible without wasting time on drums that are just too loud or boxy.

My collection right now includes:
-5x14 mid 70's Ludwig Rocker that I cut new snare beds into. It sounds spectacular, but just way too loud. The past two shows I played, medium to medium loud stuff, I was told the snare was taken out of the pa mix because it was cutting through too much. This in large rooms, with Regal Tip 8A's and not hitting too hard.
-5.5x14 Mapex Saturn. Great for rock, a little to bright despite its walnut interior. It'll sound great in ten years
-5x14 Homemade Mahogany/Maple with re-rings. Another great drum tonally, but just sounds too boxy. No sensitivity at low dynamic levels.
6.5x14 Mapex Black Panther Steel. An unexpectedly versatile drum, just waaaaay too loud.

Sorry for the crazy long-winded post, but can anyone help? Steamer? Jazzgreg? HarryConway?

[Steamer]

Well i'm not up on what's best from current makers gayge but i've always been fond of the sound of maple shell snares for jazz. I have 2 one is a custom made cut down Camco maple shell tom into a 5 1/2" x13" snare drum with all stainless steel over brass 1958 Gretsch hardware with very old Ludwig snares. Amazing responsive dynamic snare for jazz. Canadian jazz legend Claude Ranger's personal snare drum during the 90's. The best snare he ever made and put together in his opinion which he sold me that i'll always treasure.

The other is a Canwood 7"x14" rock maple snare with NO sound hole and very sharp bearing edges. Very responsive and warm sounding drum again for jazz. My all time favorite jazz snare drum.

Last year I came across another nice maple shell snare owned by a studio that was used for a recording session for a jazz CD. It was a natural maple finish 5 1/2"x14" Taye snare drum. Excellent jazz snare too IMO.

Hope this helps a bit and good luck with the hunt.

[joeybeats]

[QUOTE=the gayge;373491]
I'm about ready for a new snare drum. I need a new workhorse. I play a lot of jazz and do some piano rock stuff as well. I'm looking for something thats not excessively loud, very warm and woody, dark, sensitive at all dynamic levels, and has a pretty wide tonal range. Price isn't really a concern.
QUOTE]

What about Ebay? Look for an old Gretsch Roundbadge, they are one of the snares that many of the old jazz classics were recorded with. I've been looking for a complete four piece set, so not many to chose from. But, the snares are there pretty regularly. Also, you could call any of the better drum shops and tell them what you are looking for. Good luck. Joey

[RobertM]

There are some other conversation threads on the topic of jazz snare drums. The advice I've received about jazz snares from this forum that fit your sound palette of dark, woody, wide tonal range includes the following snares:

- Tama Bill Bruford sig. snare, 14x6, maple/birch shell
- Ludwig Black Beauty with supraphonic snares, 14x6.5
- Tama Starclassic Maple snare--has more crack, but still nice
- Yamaha Elvin Jones sig. snare 14x7 with wood hoops
- Yamaha Anton Fig sig. snare 14x6 with wood hoops
- Beni Black Russian snares (http://web.mac.com/benidrumcompany/iWeb/beni%20site/Welcome.html)
- Dunnett snares, either Titanium 14x6.5 or Milkwood 14x5.5/14x6.5 (go to indoorstorm.com to check out sound files of Dunnett snares)

Tomtom, a member of this forum, has great advice to share about jazz snares, by the way. If you do a search on this site for "Tama Monarch Snare - Simon Phillips," you'll find some of the advice I received about jazz snares.

Good luck!

[the gayge]

Thanks so much for the advice guys.

I had forgotten completely about the Bruford snare. I don't normally care for the Tama drums, but thats a great snare drum.

I would love to find a legit old Camco snare. There is one on ebay right now with a buy it now of 399. Thats one of my top contenders.

As far as the Round Badges go, I'm completely in love with the sound and idea of the Gretsch drums, but they are so hit or miss that I'm not really willing to take a chance without hearing one at the prices they have been selling for.

You guys are really helping, keep the advice coming!

[Pete Stoltman]

I play mostly jazz and while I can't say that any particular drum is the right "jazz snare". My favorite has been a Noble & Cooley SS. Lots of range, great sensitivity, beautiful tone and a pleasure to play. I find Ludwig Supraphonics to be a great versatile drum but sure wouldn't characterize it as "woody".

[KCDrummer]

I agree with Joeybeats, see what Ebay has to offer. You could also build your own. Whatever you get, I recommend fitting it with some maple hoops. The sound characteristics you mentioned are exactly what maple hoops do for the drum--warm, dark, sensitive, etc.

[tomtom]

OK shoot me but: the Pearl 8x14" Vinnie Paul sig snare is a great jazz snare, very warm, articulate and is pure fun to play with brushes. A bit remininscent of the Yamaha Elvin Jones snare (similar shells).

And it has that jazzy look! ;=)

[tkillian]

I have two snares

a 14x 5.5 Mapex pro-M

a 14x 8 (yes 8") Mapex pro-m

Both are ALL MAPLE, no reinforcement rings, 45 degree bearing edges.

With remo ambassador heads and canopus snare wires these are both beautiful jazz snares.

You can tune them high, medium, or low....

Im still testing the waters but I FEEL more comfortable with the 14" x 8" snare. And if I need to it of course can be used for rock. Because its a thin maple shell it is soft and sensitive and also can be used to play LOUD and rockish...

I got it for only $150!!....a rock drummer bought a whole set but didnt want the snare so I got lucky..it retails for like $650 or something.....

PM me...I "MIGHT" part with the 14 x 5.5 for CHEAP...its probably only worth $75 plus shipping right?