Extremely Articulate Snare For Low-volume Jazz

[Nick S.]

Hello Forum Members,

I'd like to acquire a snare for playing low volume jazz. I'm looking for a drum that has good articulation without excessive volume. I do a lot of brush work and find the switch from brushes to sticks on my current snare (a Tama Superstar 6ply, 6mm birch/basswood 5 1/2"x14") is a little jarring, even when using light jazz sticks like the Vic Firth AJ3 or Joe Porcaro 8A. Because I do use brushes for most of the material my quartet plays, I'm reluctant to move to a smaller 13" drum size. Any recommendations for a new snare are welcome. Also, because cost is a concern, I may decide to build my own snare. Would forum members with experience please list their preferred drum part suppliers and recommendations on shell thickness and material, drum dimensions, bearing edge angles, snare bed dimensions, type and number of snare wires, etc. to achieve the characteristics I mentioned above?

Thanks,
Nick

[oops]

Hm...

This may not be anything at all what you're looking for, but check out the Ludwig Acrolite series.


One of my mates has one, and he swears by it. I've played it a couple of times and I really dig it. You can spank it and it cracks, but playing lightly it's pretty clear and articulate.

Regards to brushes, head-choice is a big big thing, never tried brushes on this snare. They're pretty common and cheap on eBay.

[Garvin]

I would go with a metal drum.

[rmandelbaum]

Supraphonic is a great choice. but I will say you are going to get a boatload of opinions here. Mt suggestion is to take your brushes to the largest music store you can find and play them

[caddywumpus]

Supraphonic is a great choice. but I will say you are going to get a boatload of opinions here. Mt suggestion is to take your brushes to the largest music store you can find and play them

There's something about the supraphonics that make them ultra-sensitive at low volumes. A higher jazz tuning helps most other drums achieve this, too. I would suggest using a supraphonic as a standard, and compare its sensitivity and crispness to other drums to find one in your price range.

[Nick S.]

I've noticed that Supra-Phonic snare drums are consistently mentioned on Drummerworld forums as excellent instruments for all applications. My high school symphonic band had one back in the late 70's that was great, as I recall. There are a number of models to choose from, and there's the matter of new vs. used. Do you folks have opinions about which one would best meet my needs, and do you believe that the new drums, currently in production, match the quality of older Supra-Phonics?

Thanks again,
Nick

[caddywumpus]

...do you believe that the new drums, currently in production, match the quality of older Supra-Phonics?


It's the exact same formula, but some people (including myself) swear that the old ones sound better. Must be all the marketing hype...

Oh, and personally I like the 6.5" deep model (402) more than the 5" deep model (400). There's just something about that extra depth that brings a fullness to the higher-pitched ringyness of the aluminum alloy. Just my $0.02.

[jayp]

I agree with the metal snare suggestion and the supra is probably one of your best choices..

If your looking to build a drum its a must you check out ghostnote.net ASAP its a drum building community any questions you have will gladly be answered to a T

[RobertM]

I've been on exactly the same search, and I would recommend a Ludwig Bronze Supra-phonic 6.5x14 hammered shell, or a Canopus Bronze 5.5x14 hammered, or Yamaha Roy Haynes Signature snare 5.5x14 hammered Copper shell.

Tama Starclassic Maple snares are also great general snares (6 ply maple shells with die-cast hoops).

Note: the Yamaha Roy Haynes snare is an exact copy of the supra-phonic he used to use when he played Ludwig in the early 1990s. The shell design is similar and the snare contains an internal mute for optional use, like the old supra-phonics had. A great drum.

[Byrneondrums]

not sure why you need a specific snare drum to play jazz? - i haven't played a drum yet that couldn't be tuned and adjusted to sound good for jazz playing.

that being said - try a Sonor 4" snare from any of their top of the line series.

[Shedboyxx]

There have been some good suggestions for inexpensive snares, the used Acrolite being my fav choice.

One thing I would invest in is some Puresound snare wires. I'm a big fan of these and believe they make a difference in sound, especially when it comes to articulation. They have different strand count models and some different series.

My suggestion would be:

- an Acrolite or Supraphonic snare

- NEW coated batter head. Aquarian Satin Texture Coated is my fav, but Remo Ambassador or Evans G1 are fine.

- NEW snare side head. Again Aquarian Classic Clear Snare Side, Evans Hazy 200 or 300, Remo Diplomat Snare Side (Ludwig maybe?)

- Puresound Custom 16 or 20 Strand Wires (not Blasters or Equalizers, not Metrix), possibly 30 strand if you want more snare than shell body sound....but I wouldn't go this high unless I was using a 6.5 x 14 drum.

I think you'd have one smokin' articulate snare that all the kids on the block will want to play. Including me. :)

HTH

Jim

[MusiQmaN]

Try the new Sensative line from Yamaha:



http://www.yamaha-europe.com/picture_archiv/products/10_Musical_instruments/drums/drums_snares/wood/MSD1465_medium_jpg.jpg

We developed the Sensitive Series snare drums from the very beginning to offer drummers a drum that would excel in any musical environment. From soft jazz, pop, or rock, this drum can do it all, and do it well. The shell, based on the Maple Custom, is a 7-ply shell made of North American maple.

The top bearing edge cut is 60° for more shell-to-head contact, adding warmth and body to the drum. The snare-side bearing edge cut at 45° for sensitivity and articulation. The snare beds are 2.7mm deep allowing great snare response at loose tension, yet a crisp sound without having to over-tighten the snares and choke the snare head.

The Sensitive Series drums are fitted with chrome Maple Custom style lugs and aluminum die-cast hoops. The small, one-bolt lugs allow the shell to vibrate, and the hoops are light for resonance and rigid for accurate tuning.

Sensitive Series snare drums are available in eight, hand rubbed high-gloss finishes:
Antique Sunburst, Amber Sunburst, Black Maple, Cherry Wood, Red Pearl Natural, Sea Blue, Turquoise Maple, and Vintage Natural.


A 7-ply maple snare drum that offers extreme sensitivity and versatility.
Yamaha developed the Sensitive Series snare drums from the very beginning to offer drummers a drum that would excel in any musical environment. From soft jazz, pop, or rock, this drum can do it all, and do it well. The shell, based on the Maple Custom, is a 7-ply shell made of North American maple.

The top bearing edge cut is 60° for more shell-to-head contact, adding warmth and body to the drum. The snare-side bearing edge cut at 45° for sensitivity and articulation. The snare beds are 2.7mm deep allowing great snare response at loose tension, yet a crisp sound without having to over-tighten the snares and choke the snare head.

The Sensitive Series drums are fitted with chrome Maple Custom style lugs and aluminum die-cast hoops. The small, one-bolt lugs allow the shell to vibrate, and the hoops are light for resonance and rigid for accurate tuning.
Yamaha Sensitive Series Snare Drum Features:
Shell: 7-ply maple
Bearing Edges: 60°, 45° bottom
Snare Beds: 2.7mm
Lugs: Single-bolt, chrome-plated Maple Custom style
Hoops: 10-lug, chrome-plated aluminum die-cast
Strainer: H-type (Absolute)
Snares: 20-strand hi-carbon


Very responsive and clear sound

[Polymetrix1618]

I'd go with either a Supraphonic, any piccolo snare or, dare I say, a vented snare. Although I can't stand them, vents add a ton of sensitivity.

[shepfu1]

I think the 70's and early 80's supraphonics is your best bet for what you described. I had heard all the story's about how great the these supra's are but until I got one and played it I didn't realize the magic in these drums. You can tune them any way want and they are going to sound great. I prefer the 5" model but that is just personal preference. I actually have a early 80's supra I am looking to sell. It has some pits in the chrome but that is quite common with the supras of that era. PM me anyone is intersted. I will suplly pics and more info upon request.

[Mendozart]

Any one of these would do the trick, take your pick. Well, not literally. Actually, I think the Bronze would be the ideal Supra for what you're looking for.

[Deathmetalconga]

The best articulation will come from a shallow drum. I used to play a Pearl 3 by 13 maple ply snare. It had great sound for the kind of application you're talking about - very crisp, dry sound. I got mine for around $150 as I recall.

[mfp1016]

The best articulation will come from a shallow drum. I used to play a Pearl 3 by 13 maple ply snare. It had great sound for the kind of application you're talking about - very crisp, dry sound. I got mine for around $150 as I recall.

Agreed, materials aside, a shallower snare will always be crisper, more articulate so to speak.

[crazyhorse]

Ah... but shallow is also louder... so it's a bit of a trade off finding that happy middle. The Supras are great because aluminum tends to have a dry crisp sound to it. That's where you get your articulation.

If you're going to build one... Pick up an aluminum shell... You can get them from drumfoundry pretty inexpensively and you'll be blown away with the sound the rolled aluminum shells have. I've built a few from my own shells (I build a lot of metal drums) and they're incredibly sensitive and crisp. Heck I just did a carbon steel snare that I'm thinking about using at my next jazz gig.

[Andrew_H]

I know you mentioned cost is a factor but I played a 14x4.5 DW Collectors Brass Snare and it was incredibly articulate, in fact I used it in an orchestral setting, as well as a small jazz combo. You can probably find a used one for $200-400. Throw a new coated batter and thin resonant head on there and you'll be set.

[Steamer]

Agreed, materials aside, a shallower snare will always be crisper, more articulate so to speak.


That's not a wriiten rule by my experience. Symphonic snares and such are usually deeper than your average traditional 5 1/2" deep jazz type snare drum and these deeper drums cover an amazing spectrum of dynamics as put into use on a regular bases in a orchestra setting.

One of my most crisp and articulate snare drums ever in my collection is a 1981 Canwood 7"x14" rock maple snare drum. From a whisper to a roar you can't hide any clams on this baby. Everything is "there" from very quiet to loud played strokes and no choking up either at both end of the dynamic range.

The way the drum is tuned, selection of heads, how tight you have the snares and most importantly the way it is played by the individual holding the sticks can make any decent snare drum a great articulate snare for low volume jazz. Alot of times without having to spend a gazillion bucks either :}

[mfp1016]

Apologies, allow me to amend my statement, with the exception of orchestral and marching snares, shallower is usually crisper.