Pearl 5x14 free floating maple snare questions

[donv]

I've had this snare about 7 or 8 years and I've never done much with it because of troubles I've had getting a sound I like out of it. I've tried a number of head combinations and tunings with no luck. If you have, or have used this snare what heads do you use? If you have any recordings--videos would also be great--of yourself using this snare, I would appreciate links so I can hear what you've done with it. Thanks.

[Les Ismore]

Originally Posted by donv

I've had this snare about 7 or 8 years and I've never done much with it because of troubles I've had getting a sound I like out of it. I've tried a number of head combinations and tunings with no luck. If you have, or have used this snare what heads do you use? If you have any recordings--videos would also be great--of yourself using this snare, I would appreciate links so I can hear what you've done with it. Thanks.

Depends on what sound you're looking for. You could drop-in a deeper shell (5.5-6-6.5 etc.), all you need is longer tension rods up top. Shell could be any material, any thickness. All you have is options.

[drumhammerer]

these drums don't have an air vent, right? That's what I've heard anyway. That'll certainly make the drum sound different from your typical maple snare. You could try drilling an air vent, and I bet that would change the sound more to what you want. You can get air vent grommets at places like drummaker for real cheap.

[donv]

Originally Posted by Les Ismore

Depends on what sound you're looking for. You could drop-in a deeper shell (5.5-6-6.5 etc.), all you need is longer tension rods up top. Shell could be any material, any thickness. All you have is options.

I know that all the Pearl, 14" free floating shells are interchangeable, but I wasn't considering going that far. With Diplomat's, I can get a snappy marching sounding snare with this drum the way it is and that's what I was after when I got it. I just haven't had any luck getting anything else out of it that I like. I think I'm going to try a clear Diplomat batter on the snare side today. For years I've wondered what a batter head on the snare side would sound like, but I've never done it. I'll find out today. Thanks for the response.

[donv]

Originally Posted by drumhammerer

these drums don't have an air vent, right? That's what I've heard anyway. That'll certainly make the drum sound different from your typical maple snare. You could try drilling an air vent, and I bet that would change the sound more to what you want. You can get air vent grommets at places like drummaker for real cheap.

DUH! You're right, and this never entered my mind as the potential problem. The excessive "ring" is the primary problem I have with the drum and this could solve it. Thank you very much.