Posted in: Drums by chaseapm on August 2nd, 2009 | 0 Comments
Snare drums are really personal, but maybe this can help you select one you’ll love.
Snare drums may be the most personal drum in the kit. The drum you play the most should produce a tone that you like more than anything else. This simple description might help you choose the drum for you.
Snare drums come in many sizes ranging in diameter from as small as 6 inches, to as large as 16 inches. The most common sizes are 13 and 14 inch snares. Generally, the larger the drum, the lower the note. This isn’t always true, but if you wanted a high crack sound, you wouldn’t want a 15 inch snare drum. 12 inch snares are very good for rap, pop, or just used as accents in rock. If you play anything that doesn’t require a really high note, you should stick with 13 or 14 inch snares.
The shell is very important. Birch wood produces a loud sound and generally works best tuned high or low but not midrange. Maple has a warm sound and a broad tuning range. Mahogany has a great low sound to it.
Another thing to think about is lugs. The more lugs, the more precise the tuning will be.
Snare wires are what really make the drum a snare. More snare wires will generally produce a more snarey sound, and you will hear less of the drum tone. Fewer wires will let you hear more of the drums tone, and less of the snare itself.
Heads also make a difference. 2 ply heads will give a more muffled sound, and are good for tuning low normally. 1 ply heads will give a ringy tone and are good for high tuning. Muffling can be used to take some of the ringyness away, but it is NOT a substitute for good tuning. It is best to use coated heads for the batter side (the side you hit) of a snare drum, and clear, thin heads are best for the snare side (the side the snare wires are stretched against).
I hope this has helped you to select your favorite snare wisely.
P.S. Custom snare drums can be made to your exact specifications. If you have the money, they are a GREAT choice. Also, the people who make the drums can help you decide exactly what to get. Always trust what they say. They are usually trained specialists who can tell you exactly what to get. I suggest Kent Custom Drums for all your needs.
