New Snare or New Kit??? That is the question

[mikei]

Well,

I sold my Craviotto and have a bit of extra cash. So, I have about 600 to play with.

Currently I own a 6 piece Mapex M Birch, 6 piece (now snareless) DW kit and a Spaun 14 x 5.5 maple snare.

I originally sold the Craviotto to buy a new snare. Probably a BB 14 x 6.5 inch. That will take up almost all of my 600.

Now, I was in GC today and found a Yamaha Moto-X Tour Custom 24 x 20, 16 x 16, 12 x 10 wih 14 x 6 snare. I can get it for around 700 out the door.

Or, I found shell pack Gretsch Catalina Jazz kit used for 400.

I do like the sound of my Spaun snare, but I will admit, it isn't a BB.

What would you do? I am telling myself that Christmas is coming soon, and I can get a BB then.

What do you think??? I am going crazy here.

Thanks

Mike

[Ironcobra]

When I first read the title, I thought for sure the snare, because you already have a DW home kit, and a Mapex gigging kit. I changed my mind, that Yamaha will be extremely fun to play. Big juicy kick with plenty of room to move around, you'll feel like you're young again playing powerful grooves on it :P

Actually, If I were in your position, I would get a custom Unix snare that says "I love my wife" written into the finish, then you'll have a great snare, and your wife will have more reasons to tolerate the noise!

Or just a regular finish...

[bojangleman]

well...ill give my input...

i have the Yamaha Tour Custom Moto X, and it is amazing!
the sizes you got are wrong tho...its 24x17, 12x9,16x16.

the kick booms and the toms sing. i have Evans G2's on them and they sound good...but i will soon have Remo Black Seude on them...then they'll really sing!!

Alex

[Chonson]

Unquestionably the Black Beauty. The 6.5 is a must-own. You've got two kits already, the catalina jazz and tour customs are nice but don't really give you anything you need.

Or, keep an eye out for a 1920s Ludwig brass drum, they blow the doors off of most modern drums (save for the extremely pricey reproductions) and can be had for less than your budget.

But seriously, a Black Beauty is a must own. You may not be impressed by them from behind the kit but they record so well and kill it out front. The ringing is just glue and it brings everything together so wonderfully.

[Mendozart]

Unquestionably the Black Beauty. The 6.5 is a must-own. You've got two kits already, the catalina jazz and tour customs are nice but don't really give you anything you need.

Or, keep an eye out for a 1920s Ludwig brass drum, they blow the doors off of most modern drums (save for the extremely pricey reproductions) and can be had for less than your budget.

But seriously, a Black Beauty is a must own. You may not be impressed by them from behind the kit but they record so well and kill it out front. The ringing is just glue and it brings everything together so wonderfully.

I'm with Chonson on this one. Get the BB, it really is a must own for it's looks, sound, and versatility. Ludwig just knows how to make great snares!

[caddywumpus]

I was wondering when the bug would bite you again...

Do you have a small gigging kit (18" kick)? The Catalina Jazz, although made of entry-level kit wood, is a pretty sweet little kit. If you can get that one used, that might be a good option. It would be fun to have a different-sized kit to go back and forth with your DWs. It will inspire you to play differently.

Other than that, I would definitely go with a snare. If you want a BB, then save up and go for it! Then post pictures for the rest of us to drool over...

[rmandelbaum]

just my 2 cents worth. You have two kits, one for gigging and a DW. You really don't need a kit, you want a kit, or a snare.

It seems to me you are getting into collecting at this point, collect objects that will be more desirable as time goes on.

That being said I personally would but something, kit or snare that will retain or go up in value. an American made kit or snare. If you pick up a vintage Ludwig kit or snare for example it will retain or go up in value.

The YAMAHA kit is great I am sure but 5 years from now it will just be a 5 year old YAMAHA kit.

[Unix]

I would defenetly go with the BB snare rather then the kit. The BB cost as most as the kit, so what is the most high end piece between the two.

You are looking for a snare, well you should get this first. But you can have exactly like a BB for half it's price.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I think this is Rob Richards in disguise with the monthly drum set changes. 8+)

[Latin Groover]

I think this is Rob Richards in disguise with the monthly drum set changes. 8+)

Don't say that around Frank, you'll give him a heart attack.

[hawk9290]

I would say to go with the new snare. Little kits can be fun, but a if you already have a 6 piece M-Birch and a 6 piece DW, then you can take pieces off and give yourself 1 small kit and keep the other a 6 piece. The snare, however, is what really seems to make the sound of a drum set. In most live or studio situations, the sound tech can get any desired warmth or resonance out of the toms, and can EQ any kick to sound great, but I've noticed that a crappy snare, even with the best mics and all the effects in the world, will sound mediocre at best. Now your Spaun snare is without a doubt a great snare, but if you had to great snares, then you could take the M-birch out to a gig and have a great snare, and then if you don't feel like setting up that whole kit again immediately, you would still have a nice snare on the DW. And BB's are absolutely incredible drums, you will never be disappointed in one of those.

[Unix]

Wonder one thing tho, you didn't like the ring attach to the Craviottio, You will have the same problem with the BB.

[mikei]

Wonder one thing tho, you didn't like the ring attach to the Craviottio, You will have the same problem with the BB.
Well,

I was actually able to get it tuned well thanks to steady freddy!

This is the first time I had ever had a 13 inch snare. The tuning range for the snare is very small. It definitely prefers high tuning.

Once I followed freddy's directions, I got it to sound really good if that is the sort of sound you are after.

The ring, after tuning it the right way, was a nice compliment to the drum.

I prefer a lower tuned, fat sound. So, this 13 just wasn't going to work for my style. Wasn't the sound I wanted.

So now, I am looking for a 14 x 6 or greater. Something I can tune low and fat, and with a bit of complimentary ring.

Mike

[mikei]

I just emailed Frank at Unix to get a quote on a snare. I went and researched all the posts out here with his work. I need to take the opportunity and just do it!!!!

Probably going Unix. Looking at a 14 x 7 Bubinga. I will probably end up getting the BB during the Christmas Holiday.

Mike

[Mendozart]

I just emailed Frank at Unix to get a quote on a snare. I went and researched all the posts out here with his work. I need to take the opportunity and just do it!!!!

Probably going Unix. Looking at a 14 x 7 Bubinga. I will probably end up getting the BB during the Christmas Holiday.

Mike

That is a very wise decision Mike. The Unix snare will be amazing. You can find a great used BB later down the line. Is Frank going to try and match your green DW's? If not, it's no biggie. A natural bubinga colored snare will look great with the dubs.

[mikei]

That is a very wise decision Mike. The Unix snare will be amazing. You can find a great used BB later down the line. Is Frank going to try and match your green DW's? If not, it's no biggie. A natural bubinga colored snare will look great with the dubs.
Just going to be the dark fade to bubinga in the middle.

Not going to try to match the dub.

But, I am hoping I will slowly be able to buy other pieces to eventually have a Unix kit.

That will be really cool.

Yes, I figured I could always get a BB. The Unix stuff just looks incredible and all the drummers out here that have purchased his stuff have done nothing but raved about it.

I am really excited.

[zambizzi]

Well Mike, not only do we get the bug nearly as often as each other...but we have similar tastes.

I bought a BB (14x6.5 w/ tube lugs) in December and it has been my favorite snare since...and I love it even more as time goes on. I found it very hard to tune, at first, but then I found the SWEET SPOT. When tuned right, it cracks like a mighty redwood splitting in the forest. Not only that, the tone is so fat...it's hard to believe it's a "metal" snare. It's incredibly sensitive as well, even the slightest ghost notes are very clear and articulate.

As for a Unix bubinga snare...good choice, brother. I may surprise you there, too, however. ;)

I'll say no more...I like surprises!

[mikei]

You bought a Unix kit, didn't you???!!!!

I will have one soon enough.

I am hoping this one will have a wide tuning range. At 7 deep, I hope it is a bit more broad than a 6 or 6.5.

I am so excited.

But, you really did buy a Unix. You just didn't tell anyone yet.

What brand snare is your Bubinga???

Talk soon.

Mike

[zambizzi]

You bought a Unix kit, didn't you???!!!!

I will have one soon enough.

I am hoping this one will have a wide tuning range. At 7 deep, I hope it is a bit more broad than a 6 or 6.5.

I am so excited.

But, you really did buy a Unix. You just didn't tell anyone yet.

What brand snare is your Bubinga???

Talk soon.

Mike

Whaaa?? That's just crazy talk dude. :)