George Way Snare Drums

[crlujan]

Has anyone picked up one of the snare drums from the George Way Drum Company? They look pretty nice to me and I'm afraid to say there might be one in my future. Anyone?
Have a look at www.waydrums.com

[bermuda]

I have a 4-ply, and a steam-bent, both 6.5x14".

They're very sweet drums, with a real '60s vintage sound. Woody but with some bite, and a nice warm crack (no pun intended.)

And, they're not priced too high for the average drummer. The street price on the 6.5" 4-ply (the "Studio" model) is probably $400-450, and the 6.5" solid shell ("Advance" model) is probably $500-550, which definitely gives the competitors a run for their money.

Anyway, very nice drums. I took both on a classic blues/country/rock gig last week and they fit the vibe perfectly. Hard to say which is better, they both have something. The solid shell has a bit more bite, but my stick settles into the 4-ply really well too.

It's always hard to pick just one... :(

Bermuda

[Andy@MIT]

I have the four-ply drum in silver sparkle (the studio). I absolutely love it, I've only had it about a week but I think it just might be my new main snares. Bermuda is pretty close on the street prices. If you need help obtaining one, let me know, I've got connections ;)

[the gayge]

Just recently acquired one of these. I was totally blown away by how light it is.
Are the inside of you guys' snares white?

Beautiful sounding drum either way.

[gutenberg]

my 6.5x14 Way Studio
with white interior

[caddywumpus]

I've played on one at my local drum shop. It sounds pretty good! Classic sound and very crisp!

[JoeLackey]

George Way produces amazing snares. Vinnie Colaiuta plays them every once in a while. There are some YouTube videos of him playing with one, check it out. The snares are very crisp, clean, poppy, and put out a great sound.

[RobertM]

It seems like the most likeable, popular models are the 4-ply maple shells. What do folks think about the Elkhart (copper) and Indy (bronze) models? Would either of those offer a crisper, drier tone than the maple models?

[niacin]

I was totally fascinanted by the sound of the Aero Alluminum one. You can hear quality samples here:

http://www.maxwelldrums.com/aero-aluminum-65x14-snare-drum-p-1234.html

Unfortunately I don't own it yet...

[wy yung]

Very interesting. How is the quality of the hardware, e.g inserts tension rods lugs etc?

[RobertM]

Very interesting. How is the quality of the hardware, e.g inserts tension rods lugs etc?

Yeah, I've looked at these snares in person before several times, and the simple throw has always looked rather cheap and bollocksy to me. But if it's good enough for Vinnie, then it should be good enough for all of us, right? Would Vinnie C. use crap??

[wy yung]

The strainer is of poor quality? That to me is a serious issue. I could always ask for a better strainer to be fitted. But if the strainer is bad it leads me to wonder at the other fittings. How is thje quality of the hoops from the factory? Must I fit high quality hoops myself?

A reason I no longer buy Brady drums is the poor quality hardware fitted to the shells. So hardware quality is uppermost in my mind.

[Ian]

Woah!

The strainer is NOT bad. It is small and simple. The strainer works wonderfully.

The hardware on these drums are fantastic and the ones I've played, the Studio and the Aero, sound incredible. DO NOT have reservations toward Ronn's drums based on quality.

[wy yung]

Great! So you have experience wirth these drums? I ask because I am not wasting Your time. If the drum is good, I will buy it.

[Shedboyxx]

my 6.5x14 Way Studio
with white interior

OK this WMP baby just screams old Slingy to me. Very nice.

I played a George Way maple over at Todd Trent's now defunct Ontario Drums. Don't remember whether it was solid or multiple ply but it sounded just like Bermuda describes it. One of the best sounding snares they had there. Similar experience at Sam Ash in Hollywood.

I didn't inspect the strainer. However, I'd buy the drum if it sounds good and the strainer is basically OK. You can always soup up any drum with something like a Trick strainer. IMO,a mediocre sounding drum won't be of much value no matter what strainer or lugs are on it.

On another thread Bill Detamore from Pork Pie defends appropriately the use of simple inexpensive strainers. It helps keep the cost of the drum down and in the case of Pork Pie drums, you can always request different hardware (like a strainer/butt combo) for a drum he makes for you. You just have to be willing to pay for it. He also states the obvious to most that it's tough to get a drum sold in today's uber competitive market. Manufacturers should (have to) give buyers a price point that is attractive. Either the drum manufacturer or the customer can customize to a higher spec easily enough.


My .02

Jim

[bermuda]

+1 on the throw-off, it's simple, with one moving part (like Noble & Cooley's classic throw.) No 'mechanism' to bind and get sticky over time, it does only what it's supposed to do: hold the wires against the bottom head.

Bermuda

[wy yung]

I am doing some online snare shopping and have tentatively chosen the 6 1/2x 14" 8 lug George Way copper snare. Anyone own one and have an opinion?

[braincramp]

I am doing some online snare shopping and have tentatively chosen the 6 1/2x 14" 8 lug George Way copper snare. Anyone own one and have an opinion?

It says there Dunnett shells...sounds like a good deal for under 500

[wy yung]

Yes it does look like a very good deal. I don't own any Dunnet shells but I take it they are high quality?

[GrooveSuperfly]

When it comes to Georege Way snares--- Why not buye " a original" from 50:s???

"New" GW is a copy of "old" GW.
George Way , that become Camco in earlys 60:s, and Camco what become DW ( Collectors Serie ) in late 70:s?

I have a GW snare from , I guess 57 or 58 , Duco, 6 luggs, Student modell. Normal shape for it´s age.
I bought it as " fun old jazz snare to hang on the wall,"
One, under recording session, snare wire on my Ludwig Supraphonnic handhammred bronze get off. Ok - lets "try" with the old jazzy snare... It cant work, but lets try...


Since that day I ONLY RECORD om my 60+ year old Georgeway. I I do not thing I will even concider to try use some other of my snares, as long this one is alive.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YwEZV_uHFcA/Tsfiu0cXmEI/AAAAAAAAAaM/y97lyCACEjQ/s500/geoway1.JPG

Biggest (only) problem with this snare is that you have to thing where to hit rimshotts - otherwise it will chew-upp your sticks in 2 seconds. :-)