N&C SS or Ludwig BB?

[Axu]

Hello all my fellow drummers. I've got a lot of thinking to do, and I decided to ask some of your opinions.

See, I've got a bit of a dilemma sort of thing going on. I've been looking for a new snare for some four years. During these years I've tried out a bunch of snares, some nice, some not so nice... I've narrowed my search down to these two: (ironically I've never played either one of them, Finland aint the best place for a drummer)

Noble & Cooley SS Maple 14 x 7
Ludwig 14 x 6.5 Black Beauty W/Tube lugs and a smooth shell.

This is where the dilemma comes into play. I've heard so much good about both of these snares, (mostly the BB, the N&C's seem quite rare...) and I also have listened to soundclips from both. I know that if I end up buying either one, I'm gonna love it. But what I don't know is that which one I'm gonna love more. (a question you can't answer...)

Generally speaking I love the amount of crack and sometimes even ring I can get out of a brass/ any type of metal, but the warmth of wood, especially maple is beautiful. I play in a amplified envieronment (my drums aren't miced) so cutting through is very important.

Gosh I ended up writing a bunch... Anyways thanks for any replies you might leave, and most importantly state your opinions about the two. I think this thread might get flooded with Ludwig lovers and that is fine. Please keep the biases (if that's how you write it) to a minimum level

Have a nice day, and keep on drummin'!

[steverok]

You can't try any ? Buying blind is exactly that. You'll win some, but you'll lose some as well.

[mikeyhanson]

I've seen the Noble & Cooley, but never tried it or used it in a live environment, so I can't really comment on it.
I have, however, used the Black Beauty and found it to be fantastic. It will cut through anything. It's one of the best snare drums I've ever played or heard.

This dilemna sounds like mine recently: metal or wood. I went with wood because I already have a metal snare. I'll eventually own a Black Beauty, however. I'm sure of it.

[Jeremy Bender]

I own the 7x14 N&C classic SS snare drum and it is a great snare drum for both recording and live performance, however it may not cut the mustard when it comes to driving a band that's amplified while the drums aren't. I played that drum with a large band of 30 people and it did not cut through the acoustic instruments around me.
The brass snare that I own did. So maybe you should consider the Ludwig 61/2x14 Bronze snare drum. This drum has a little more "woodier" sound than brass does but it still cuts nicely. That was the go-to snare when I played some combined US Navy and US Marine Corps band concerts (no amplification) but loud just the same.

I know that you mentioned the maple vs. brass, but the bronze would be a great answer to your dilemma without making any sacrifices in sound/build quality. Good Luck!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muOFEAcVKHo

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Two great snares. What I'd do is make this easy on myself. I'd forget brands...take 'em right out of the equation.

First figure out, wood or metal?

Two different drums that will produce two different sounds. Figure out which one is more appealing first, a wood snare or a metal snare. Then you can start saving your money for the other.

[markdrum]

Jeremy has a great idea there. Bronze or copper offer some elements of both wood and metal. I believe that the BB comes in a bronze model so you could have a good choice with that. I've never played a N&C stainless steel but I have played a lot of different brass, copper and bronze snares and the bronze definitely came closest to bridging the gap between wood and metal. Good luck with whatever choice you make. It's really hard to go wrong with any choice of name brand snares but try to play them yourself before you buy. Sound clips posted on the web won't tell you everything that you need to know about a musical instrument.

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Originally Posted by markdrum

I believe that the BB comes in a bronze model so you could have a good choice with that.

FWIW, no longer in production. But scouring the used market may well reveal one or two.

[KarlCrafton]

I don't have anything but praise for my 2 Brass BB's. They perform fantastically for me in any situation I use them in. NEVER have to worry.

Having said that....

I LOVE my Bronze snare, which is also a BB, with a smooth shell.

It's more like wood because of it's slightly fatter overall tone. It has great projection without harsh overtones, and is "warmer" sounding than Brass as well.
My Bronze has been "ready" with NO fuss every time I've used it to record with.

If you end up not being able to "decide", a Bronze shell is a GREAT choice.

BTW, tube lugs are great on a BB.

If you decide on Brass--
If you don't mind a slight blemish (somewhere on the shell), a B stock is a GREAT money saving option on a BB if one doesn't pop up in a price you like.
I have a B Stock Brass Edition, and to my eye, the reason it was a B Stock is so insignificant, and it's mainly a blemish on the inside(!). Sounds as fantastic as my other Brass BB snares, but it's chrome (which I also like), and it was only $365 for a drum that has a perfect outside.

I've seen a few B- BB's pop up here and there too at decent prices.

Good luck!