The must have Snare thread

[gokarter14]

So I was looking around today in the "Good Snare Thread" for Snare suggestions but I thought about us younger drummers who wan't to start growing their collection of drum equipment (Snares, Cymbals, Kits etc...) in general. This is where i'm starting to get to now is purchasing snares and cymbals for a collection over my years to come of drumming. But I really don't know what to start at but I think I have a good idea of the snares I wan't to get:

Ludwig Supra-Phonic 6.5X14
Ludwig Black Beauty 6.5X14
Gretsch New Classic 6.5X14
Yamaha Oak Custom 6.5X14
Tama Starclassic Bubinga 8X14
DW Collectors Series Bronze (Knurled) 6.5X14

Do you guys have any suggestions for snares that I should pick up over the years of drumming? What does your snare collection consist of?

[Jeremy Bender]

Well I would probably add a couple of shallower drums to have more versatility.
e.g. a Ludwig LM400 (5x14) also a nice maple snare in the same depth. Either a Ludwig, a Yamaha or a Tama. But a Noble &Cooley or a Craviotto would be a fine choice too.

Maybe a bell brass or a hammered bronze to round out the choices of sound.

My humble collection... http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/a...1&d=1236807895

[gokarter14]

I was also looking at the Tama Artwood Custom, Ludwig Vistalite and DW Eco-X snares. Maybe get them all in a 5.5X14. Now that you suggest the Hammered Brass maybe i'll get the 5.5X14 Ludwig Hammered Bronze.

Thanks

[RocketSauce]

Porkpie Big Black Brass.


I love that snare

[brady]

Originally Posted by gokarter14

So I was looking around today in the "Good Snare Thread" for Snare suggestions but I thought about us younger drummers who wan't to start growing their collection of drum equipment (Snares, Cymbals, Kits etc...) in general. This is where i'm starting to get to now is purchasing snares and cymbals for a collection over my years to come of drumming. But I really don't know what to start at but I think I have a good idea of the snares I wan't to get:

Ludwig Supra-Phonic 6.5X14
Ludwig Black Beauty 6.5X14
Gretsch New Classic 6.5X14
Yamaha Oak Custom 6.5X14
Tama Starclassic Bubinga 8X14
DW Collectors Series Bronze (Knurled) 6.5X14

Do you guys have any suggestions for snares that I should pick up over the years of drumming? What does your snare collection consist of?

I agree with Bender's suggestion of the LM400. Great snare.

At the risk of committing 'Ludwig sacrilege', what is the major difference in sound between a 6.5x14 Supra and a 6.5x14 Black Beauty. I'm looking to add a 6.5'' snare to my collection. Why would you choose one over the other?

[Bo Eder]

I have no collection. I use this drum for everything now. Although I must admit I can take any snare drum and make it work...

This is a vintage 1982 Tama Mastercraft Stainless Steel (6.5x14), with bridge snares and die cast hoops. Dang thing weighs in at 13 pounds. Sounds amazing!

[Zickosdrummer]

I have become less enamored with my Ludwig 1920's sd after last night's gig. For some reason it didn't sound crisp. I also have a Zickos (1975) and a Pearl (low end). I'm going to get them together and do some tuning. BTW, Bo, see if you can get one of your models to pose with a drum kit. That might be interesting.

[Jeremy Bender]

"At the risk of committing 'Ludwig sacrilege', what is the major difference in sound between a 6.5x14 Supra and a 6.5x14 Black Beauty. I'm looking to add a 6.5'' snare to my collection. Why would you choose one over the other?"

I would take look at the videos that Shane makes available at his website for a comparison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWepM...eature=related

[Bo Eder]

Originally Posted by Zickosdrummer

I have become less enamored with my Ludwig 1920's sd after last night's gig. For some reason it didn't sound crisp. I also have a Zickos (1975) and a Pearl (low end). I'm going to get them together and do some tuning. BTW, Bo, see if you can get one of your models to pose with a drum kit. That might be interesting.

Tuesday is the day. And it'll be the model. I swear we're gonna sell t-shirts or something....

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

Originally Posted by brady

what is the major difference in sound between a 6.5x14 Supra and a 6.5x14 Black Beauty.

More ring from the BB. 402 is a little drier.

Originally Posted by brady

I'm looking to add a 6.5'' snare to my collection. Why would you choose one over the other?

I didn't. I eventually got both....and I already had a 400.

I'm a Luddy snare tragic!

Now for the hammered bronze that I neither need nor can afford.........still, I can't think of a single reason I shouldn't own one. :-)

[Bo Eder]

Well, the regular Supra is made out of aluminum, and the Black Beauty is brass. There should be a world of difference between them in sound. There isn't? Hmm....

[MikeM]

Nice Tama, Bo! I had an '83 that I used for 12 years (as my only snare) and I stupidly sold it off a couple years ago. I generally don't care for steel, but that one is the exception. Amazing drum.

[Bo Eder]

Originally Posted by MikeM

Nice Tama, Bo! I had an '83 that I used for 12 years (as my only snare) and I stupidly sold it off a couple years ago. I generally don't care for steel, but that one is the exception. Amazing drum.

Thanks Mike!

I used to drool over these Mastercraft snares back in the day, so when I found this one on eBay I had to pick it up to go with my Bubinga kit. The one thing I noticed immediately was that it has this throatiness to it that hits you in the gut - even though you can tune it quite high. With my 5" snares they got high, but thinned out to just a simple crack.

Another one of those instances where I ask "And why did it take me so long to check these out, anyway??" I wonder if all 6.5" deep snares do this, or just these Tama monsters...I've never played a 6.5 until now....

[gokarter14]

I heard about the Pork Pie BOB and it also interests me. There's a reason why I want the 6.5X14 supra and I bet everyone will know why. Bo that Tama looks sweet. I might have to look and find one up and take your word for it. Maybe a Ludwig Classic Maple as well. Man. This is starting to sound like a snare museum that I'll have.

[gokarter14]

Oh, I almost forgot. Bo when are those T-Shirts available? Maybe a poster while your at it.

[braincramp]

Stave snare and of course a bell brass.. maybe a Pearl Reference... for just a few ideas

[mrmike]

Hmmm.......not one mention of any 1 ply maple snares as a "must have"?

I would say for anyone looking for a snare to play jazz, Yamaha's MCA seems to have the mojo happening.

As for all the Luddies mentioned, if I had to narrow it to one it would be the 402. It seems there is nothing this drum can not be used for.

[piperdoog]

Originally Posted by RocketSauce

Porkpie Big Black Brass.


I love that snare

I agree, awesome snare, a fraction of the price and great sound of those other big name snares, which cost way too much because of their name... You know the one.

[Bo Eder]

Originally Posted by gokarter14

I heard about the Pork Pie BOB and it also interests me. There's a reason why I want the 6.5X14 supra and I bet everyone will know why. Bo that Tama looks sweet. I might have to look and find one up and take your word for it. Maybe a Ludwig Classic Maple as well. Man. This is starting to sound like a snare museum that I'll have.

There's a guy selling one just like mine on the 'bay right now. He's starting his bidding at $249, though. But it doesn't come with the correct-length snares that are supposed to go all the way across the head! I asked him about that and he directed me to a shop that sells them. Sheeesh.

I'll let you know about the t-shirts. We might be onto something there!

[Heck99]

I don't hear much discussion about the Yamaha 13x6.5 Musashi snare drum. I have had this snare for awhile and have found it to be a very versatile main snare, depending on how it's tuned.

[mitkoni]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Bender

Well I would probably add a couple of shallower drums to have more versatility.
e.g. a Ludwig LM400 (5x14) also a nice maple snare in the same depth. Either a Ludwig, a Yamaha or a Tama. But a Noble &Cooley or a Craviotto would be a fine choice too.

Maybe a bell brass or a hammered bronze to round out the choices of sound.

My humble collection... http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/a...1&d=1236807895

Can I ask you about your head choice for the Yamaha Brass one? I have the same snare, but for some reason I can't fall in love with it...

[Aeolian]

Next snare for me will be either a BoB (which I've played) or the Ahead version (which I'd like to try). After that, something smaller and deeper. 13x7 or so. Maybe this one I'll make from parts. I played a fellows solid walnut that was this size and it was a blast. This was at a quieter club and I could tell this thing was a beast even though I had to lay off on it. I've seen purple heart shells on Vaughncraft. I made a bass body out of that stuff once and while it weighed a ton, the sound was amazing.

Then maybe some aluminum Ludwig to balance the BoB and the 14x5 hammered brass PDP I have.

All the snaresI have are shallower, 5 or 5.5. I used to have one of those 13" Remo piccolos but it was so one dimensional, I ended up trading it in on a 14x5 maple Ludwig that I still have. If I ran across one real cheap, it might be nice. But I have a 12x5 DW Workshop thing that has the high side snare thing covered.

I've never been into the ringy sound that stainless or regular steel drums get. So I don't think I would get into many more metal snares. Maybe a bronze somewhere down the line. BTW, my main workhorse is a 14x5 Gretsch maple Fullrange, with the brass PDP coming in 2nd.

[Mike St.Clair]

Love my DW 10&6 maple collectors snare and recently acquired Yamaha Oak Custom 5x14. It sounds great!!!

[cletus72]

I have that same Tama Mastercraft in my collection. I have lots of old American drums. Radio King, Artist, Black Beauty, Acrolite, Dynasonic, Powertone and even an old George Way. None of them sound as good as the Mastercraft. I like it so much, I bought one in Birch as well. Never been a fan of steel or birch until I played a Mastercraft. The stars must have lined up in a particular order in the early 80's when Tama made these drums.

[uniin]

i believe you must have at least 4 snares: 14x5 (or 5.5") wood of some sort, and metal of some sort and a 14x6.5 (or 7") wood and metal of some sort... extras are just for fun :)

[Jeremy Bender]

Originally Posted by mitkoni

Can I ask you about your head choice for the Yamaha Brass one? I have the same snare, but for some reason I can't fall in love with it...

I used Remo coated Ambassador. I've since sold it to put the money towards the brass Joyful Noise snare I bought. You may want to try a Remo "Vintage" Ambassador batter on that Yamaha.

[Jon B]

I think the most "optimal" collection would be
14x3.5
14x5.5
14x6.5 or 7
13x6.5 or 12x5

Depending on tastes, metal vs. wood, for each i would use

14x3.5 wood
14x5.5 wood
14x7 metal (probably brass)
13x6.5 metal or 12x5 wood

But, for fun my personal list as of now is:

13x6.5 steel snare (i use a joey jordison signature, but im sure there are others out there)
14x5.5 pearl reference snare
14x8 pearl brass free floating
14x6.5 tama SLP black brass
12x5 wood snare, not sure what company or maker

[baz]

...I have been culling down my snare herd over the last few months, and I am down to five.

They are as follows:

14x6.5" DW classic
14x5.5" DW classic
14x6 DW maple collector
14x6"DW edge
13x5.5" DW Craviotto

The only metal shelled snare that I want is a seventies Premier smooth shelled steel with eight lugs and die cast hoops. These pop up on Kijiji every now and again, so I will likely end up buying one at some time.

Barry