wsabol
Gold Member
I've been using an 1976 Acro for a few years, and its been my favorite snare all of that time. This is true for a few obvious reasons. I've been hesitant to get the Supra because of how similar the two drums really are.
On paper they are essentially the same drum with only two differences (that I can see): 1) 10 lugs versus 8 lugs, 2) chrome finish versus gray matte finish.
That's it.
A two weeks ago I took the plunge and got the Supra. 1978. Beautiful. I expected to be as pleased with it as I was with my Acro. That is to say: very pleased, but not more or less than the Acro because they are so similar.
Quite to the contrary. The Supra is incredible. Tuning wise, 10 lugs made a world of difference. The tuning range extends well beyond that of the Acro. There are less errant overtones, and there is less ring sustain while still retaining a great wealth of resonance/shell response. And that's what I look for in good snares.
Timbre wise, there isn't a lot of difference (tuning/heads being equal). But practically, tuning was so incredibly easy, I was literally stunned. I was using an old head on my first time tuning the drum, but the drum came to life like nobody's business with the greatest ease.. Again literally stunned. I haven't changed the head or touched the tuning since, and it still sounds fantastic. That wouldn't have happened with my Acro.
I like my snares tuned pretty high, and I kept my Acro pretty much at its limit without it choking. Matching that on the Supra is a walk in the park. I feel I have a mile of upper range ahead of me that I could get to with ease.
Granted, this is only my personal experience, its often said that they are equivalent drums in every way. Its more often said that 10 lugs offers no advantage over 8 lugs when it comes to snares (this is why all Dunnet(/Guru?) snares have 8 lugs). That's probably more true with DC hoops than 1.6mm TF hoops. But my advice to anyone looking, go for the Supra over the Acro anyday.
On paper they are essentially the same drum with only two differences (that I can see): 1) 10 lugs versus 8 lugs, 2) chrome finish versus gray matte finish.
That's it.
A two weeks ago I took the plunge and got the Supra. 1978. Beautiful. I expected to be as pleased with it as I was with my Acro. That is to say: very pleased, but not more or less than the Acro because they are so similar.
Quite to the contrary. The Supra is incredible. Tuning wise, 10 lugs made a world of difference. The tuning range extends well beyond that of the Acro. There are less errant overtones, and there is less ring sustain while still retaining a great wealth of resonance/shell response. And that's what I look for in good snares.
Timbre wise, there isn't a lot of difference (tuning/heads being equal). But practically, tuning was so incredibly easy, I was literally stunned. I was using an old head on my first time tuning the drum, but the drum came to life like nobody's business with the greatest ease.. Again literally stunned. I haven't changed the head or touched the tuning since, and it still sounds fantastic. That wouldn't have happened with my Acro.
I like my snares tuned pretty high, and I kept my Acro pretty much at its limit without it choking. Matching that on the Supra is a walk in the park. I feel I have a mile of upper range ahead of me that I could get to with ease.
Granted, this is only my personal experience, its often said that they are equivalent drums in every way. Its more often said that 10 lugs offers no advantage over 8 lugs when it comes to snares (this is why all Dunnet(/Guru?) snares have 8 lugs). That's probably more true with DC hoops than 1.6mm TF hoops. But my advice to anyone looking, go for the Supra over the Acro anyday.
Last edited: