deeeeeeep snares

[PeniScott]

So, what's the deal with custom manufacturers like Truth, SJC and Shine making snares that, generally, are super deep. I'm talking 6.5 and up. I saw a Truth snare a while ago that was 9 deep...

Obviously, with all the extra room you can have an even more elaborate finish/graphic but what does it do to the sound. Does all the extra air inside give it more of a ring since there's more for the sound to bounce off, does it deaden the sound since there's "too much" space (if you will) for it too bounce around and so on. I'm not entirely sure what would happen. Excluding, for now, the material it's made of.

Also, if you have got any pictures of deep snares that you own or have seen anywhere feel free to upload them :)

mines 6.5" deep btw and i'd consider that to be quite large.

xoxo

[Les Ismore]

Originally Posted by PeniScott

So, what's the deal with custom manufacturers like Truth, SJC and Shine making snares that, generally, are super deep. I'm talking 6.5 and up. I saw a Truth snare a while ago that was 9 deep...

Obviously, with all the extra room you can have an even more elaborate finish/graphic but what does it do to the sound. Does all the extra air inside give it more of a ring since there's more for the sound to bounce off, does it deaden the sound since there's "too much" space (if you will) for it too bounce around and so on. I'm not entirely sure what would happen. Excluding, for now, the material it's made of.

Also, if you have got any pictures of deep snares that you own or have seen anywhere feel free to upload them :)

mines 6.5" deep btw and i'd consider that to be quite large.

xoxo

Forget those custom guys... find a decent 14x14 floor tom w/legs, file some snare beds on the bottom, slap on a rim, strainer and wires, yer good to go! Don't even need a stand.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

What a great idea.........

[caddywumpus]

I have an old Leedy & Ludwig marching snare (early 50s). The thing is a beast! I like it because it's extra woody. My take on it is that the more body the snare has, the more body the sound will have. Deeper snares sound more "woody" or overtone-laden. Shallower snares have more snap to them.

[MikeM]

Caddywumpus has the right idea there: Marching snares have always been deep. There's always been rock drummers playing 14x8 snares (Dave Grohl used one on every Nirvana record). You have have to hit them harder to excite the snares so they're a little less sensitive.

The other extreme is a a piccolo snare, which are extremely sensitive and really don't breath much at all.

Anything between a 5 and a 6.5 is "normal" in my book. But there's nothing new about the really deep guys, either.

[conchrandy]

haha, I had an old WFL that looked about like that. I prefer the 6.5, even on the bop kit. just more airy than the 5.5..

[caddywumpus]

Originally Posted by MikeM

You have have to hit them harder to excite the snares so they're a little less sensitive.

The other extreme is a a piccolo snare, which are extremely sensitive and really don't breath much at all.

I disagree. The snare in the picture is VERY sensitive. Sensitivity has more to do with heads, tuning, and bearing edge cuts than it does deepness of the shell. I used to think the same thing as you until I got my hands on this snare and played around with it. Man, if you even just breathe on the batter head, the snares on the reso head activate. (I couldn't believe it when I tried it! You're only a few hours to Portland! Come down, I'll show you...)

What this 14x10 snare drum lacks is focus of sound. It has so much body that you can't get that crisp snap that makes a tight backbeat. It's rock or nothing for this bad boy. It has the almighty CRACK!!!

Originally Posted by MikeM

Anything between a 5 and a 6.5 is "normal" in my book. But there's nothing new about the really deep guys, either.

Truedat!

[Nodiggie]

Originally Posted by Les Ismore

Forget those custom guys... find a decent 14x14 floor tom w/legs, file some snare beds on the bottom, slap on a rim, strainer and wires, yer good to go! Don't even need a stand.

haha...friend of mine did this exact thing back in the day. We took an old bop 14 floor and transformed it into a beast. We called it "shock wave". Cut down an old snare stand to mount it. It was crazy fun !

Caddy has a great point about beds, wires and edges. You can plug the vent hole also to help with snare excitement or just run with bigger clubs! haha ...Rock On!

[DrumEatDrum]

Originally Posted by PeniScott

So, what's the deal with custom manufacturers like Truth, SJC and Shine making snares that, generally, are super deep. I'm talking 6.5 and up. I saw a Truth snare a while ago that was 9 deep...

Obviously, with all the extra room you can have an even more elaborate finish/graphic but what does it do to the sound. Does all the extra air inside give it more of a ring since there's more for the sound to bounce off, does it deaden the sound since there's "too much" space (if you will) for it too bounce around and so on. I'm not entirely sure what would happen. Excluding, for now, the material it's made of.

Also, if you have got any pictures of deep snares that you own or have seen anywhere feel free to upload them :)

mines 6.5" deep btw and i'd consider that to be quite large.

xoxo

What do youmean what's the deal?

8" deep snare drums have been a commonly available depth for years and years.
8" deep snares were very common in the 70's and 80's for that big ballad sound.
Steve Smith used an 8" deep for most of his time with Journey.

I believe Ludwig used to offer a 10" deep in 80's.

As as mention, marching snares have always been deep, since the day the snare drum was invented.

Deep snares were even common in the early days of jazz:

[jodgey4]

I heard that Ludwig is going to start making a 8" X 14" Black Magic, any truth to the rumor? Also, for deep snare fans who don't want to buy one, what I some times do is put my Ludwig Centennial 8" X 12" rack tom on top of my 6.5" X 14" Supraphonic SS. It's really astounding to hear how well the snare still retains is sensitivity and, heck, you can kinda rim shot it, and at like 15" deep it's pretty cool. Try it and tell me what you guys think, does anybody else do this?

[SAINTDRUMS]

I own a early 80's Ludwig 14x8 chrome over wood snare that has 12/24 lugs. My use of it depends on the room I'm playing, but it has great tone and nice projection and crack. I tune it "medium" - not too tight and not too loose, but I can tell you that it really excels at being "fat" when you want it. I currently retrofitted this drum with a 32 strand snare because it's not as sensitive as my smaller depth snares. In fact, this snare came so you could individually adjust each snare wire which sounded great once you dialed it in. I removed it to reduce the wear and tear on them and added a Dunnett throwoff and 32 strand snares. I didn't however, drill any new holes in it so I can put it back to original condition if I ever part with it. I love deep snares, but it's not for everyone or for every type of music genre.

[Garvin]

13X9 Pearl Masters Mahagony. The second photo is the stock photo, the first photo shows it with the stellar wood hoops (which sound incredible).

[Stewed]

I'm refinishing my beast... a late 80s Premier HEAVY ROCK NINE \m/

This one isn't mine. Mine is currently torn down, getting the brass snare spa treatment and having the 20+year old lacquer and various oxidized spots removed.





14X9.

Been my favorite rock snare for about 20 years. Usually tuned somewhat low, maybe not quite medium tight. Fat snare sound without being wet or slappy. My best description of what can be pulled out of this drum is "that mic'ed up snare with just a touch of reverb of delay - except you don't need the mic or effects.



The refinish has been interesting. I thought about tube lugging that shell up... still possible, but I dont want to drill 20 holes. As is the shell only has 14 holes, those long Premier lugs are held to the shell with one screw.

[GCG199]

Originally Posted by jodgey4

I heard that Ludwig is going to start making a 8" X 14" Black Magic, any truth to the rumor? Also, for deep snare fans who don't want to buy one, what I some times do is put my Ludwig Centennial 8" X 12" rack tom on top of my 6.5" X 14" Supraphonic SS. It's really astounding to hear how well the snare still retains is sensitivity and, heck, you can kinda rim shot it, and at like 15" deep it's pretty cool. Try it and tell me what you guys think, does anybody else do this?

Yes, they have a new 8" x 14" Black Magic snare drum shown in the 2010 Ludwig catalog. Go to the downloads section of the Ludwig website to get it. I have only seen it listed at one online dealer though (Interstate Music).

Personally, I love 6" and 6 1/2" snares. Especially ones in steel. They have so much power but, at the same time, there's so much control (providing you have a decent head). You can make them crack like a gunshot, and then instantly, with no change in tuning, make them ring like a bell.

[bilkay]

7X14 steambent cherry-



My favorite snare drum right now (but I'm fickle).

13x7x1/2 Unix maple/bubinga stave

[Moldy]

I just sold an 8x14 Tama Metalworks Steel snare. The extra depth makes it louder.

[Deathmetalconga]

Deep snares are in style nowadays, along with deep bass drums and shallow toms.

[PeniScott]

This is all well and good but, MAYBE it's just me, i've noticed that generally modern custom manufacturers have very deep snares or deeper than more 'mainstream' manufacturers, if you like. Maybe to fit more of a design on there, not sure, considering most of their drums are about looks. Don't quote me on this :S

But tbh, i'd love a nice 14 or 15" by 7.5 - 8" Bubinga main snare and a 13" by 6.5 as a secondary one.
xoxo

[max77]

Deep snare rock.
13X6.5
14X8
14X6.5

Yeah

[zarrdoss]

Originally Posted by Garvin

13X9 Pearl Masters Mahagony. The second photo is the stock photo, the first photo shows it with the stellar wood hoops (which sound incredible).

I wanted to get one of those so bad but the 14 x 9 and missed out three times, so I decided to build my 14 x 10, I now have the Birch version of this with die cast hoops and a dunnett throw off. I love deep snares!

[BabyBob]

Since many of you guys are into deeeeep snares...I've got a question.

Don't you need to sit higher as the snare is deeper? I mean snare stands could only go until that low.

[Winston_Wolf]

I played a 14x8 for quite some time, and never had an issue with height. On both of my snare stands I could put it right where I wanted it and still had room to go lower if I wanted.

I like that sound, and I'm kinda thinking about getting back into the deep snare drum club. I miss the length of note you can get out of those deeper snares.

[Skulmoski]

AK Drums makes some tall snares:

Brass Orchestral Model 14"x16”

http://www.ak-drums.com/

GJS

p.s. Personally, I prefer his Black Beauty line.

[digibird]

I have an 8 x 14 Ludwig Classic Maple snare from 1999 that matches my 14-16-18-26 Ludwig kit in Natural Maple (like Bonham from 1969). It's a great option to contrast with the usual 6.5 x 14 LM402 Supra.

I also have an 8 x 14 DW Classic Series snare to match my 13-16-24 DW Classic kit in Vintage Marine Pearl (from 2012). I really like the DW snare tuned low and ringy like old-school jazz, woody, thumpy and warm.

Both 8 x 14 will do the deep, ballad thing with moon gel. Both will tune up high to do a loud rockin' crack with body, or tune up anywhere in between. Lots of options with an 8 x 14, with different head choices and tunings. Love those drums. And I really love the way they look, too!

[Nickropolis]

Originally Posted by BabyBob

Since many of you guys are into deeeeep snares...I've got a question.

Don't you need to sit higher as the snare is deeper? I mean snare stands could only go until that low.

Not I...my deepest is 7 and my Gibraltar (don't know what model, middle of the road) stand goes lower than I need. My throne height is around 24 inches.

[gaz farrimond]

6½" isn't really deep for a snare; but I will say I've never got a sound I've been happy with out of my 14"x 8" snares.

Currently using a 14"x 6½" with the Surf band, and a 13"x 7" with a new project.

[zarrdoss]

Originally Posted by BabyBob

Since many of you guys are into deeeeep snares...I've got a question.

Don't you need to sit higher as the snare is deeper? I mean snare stands could only go until that low.

No I have a stand that goes lower than most snare stands and they still make stands that go low to accommodate deep snares.

[Xero Talent]

I'll just leave this here......

[Bo Eder]

Regarding the 6.5 depth, after having played mostly 5 inch depth all my life, going to a 6.5 was a true breath of fresh air. All of a sudden I could tune the drum up, and still get this incredible amount of body. I tried it on a 13" drum and that sounded even better. I can make a 5-inch snare work, I just think I won't nowadays.

I had the Ludwig 7x14 brick and although good, it didn't gel with me for some reason. But I've gotten good tone and control from marching drums (10 inches deeo and longer) - so you can get it.

I think the drummer from the Baby's is one of the first guys to take a 14x14 tom and turn it into a snare. I recall that on a video I saw in the late 70s.....

[Drumolator]

I used to have a Corder 14x8 snare. I tuned it quite high, but it still had a lot of body. But alas, it is gone...water under the bridge. Peace and goodwill.

[Terrence R]

I too find myself leaning more towards the deeper snares now. I've always played with 5" or shallower snares. I picked up a Sonor birch 14x6 and I love the full body tone I'm getting out of it. Also picked up a DW 14x5, it's a great snappy snare and all, but it could never have the full body sound of a deeper drum. I'm actually trading the DW snare for a Premier Signia 14x6.5 snare on Monday.

[zarrdoss]

This is the deepest one I have, I modified a Pearl free floating marching drum shell into this, 14 x 10 maple. I put black nickel die cast hoops and trick throw. I love the sound.



This is my fav 13" snare

[Axe]

This thread makes me miss my Noble & Cooley 8x14 I bought in 92.

Remind me again why I got rid of that??

[oldrockdrummer]

'79' 8x14 coliseum, restored

[Terrence R]

Originally Posted by oldrockdrummer

'79' 8x14 coliseum, restored

Wow, very nice! Is that a 12 lug model?

[oldrockdrummer]

yep 12 lug beast, maple shell, very deep woody sound. Tricky to tune though

[Florian]

Originally Posted by Big_Philly

13x7x1/2 Unix maple/bubinga stave

That is a beauty, must be one of Francois' newer ones as the logo is newer than mine. I have 2 Unix snares, one 13 x 7 maple and a 14 x 7 birch and they are HAMMERS, just fantastic snares. Would highly recommend. My Brady 14 x 8 Jarrah is a lovely instrument as well.


F

[T.Underhill]

I just sold my 80's Tama 14x9 snare last month (deepest they offered that year). I could get it to sound much like a 6 to 7 inch snare but it was a hassle to keep tuned and with my shortest snare stand it sat up too high.