Snare replacement

[CrankyRayHanky]

I'm a guitar player who has finally realized his dream of getting a drumset. So I have a Tama Rockstar with Zildjians and like the sound- besides the snare that came with the set.

Every drummer who plays my kit laughs at it. When I record, the snare by far needs the most work- it's just hiding in the mix (overheads/room mics). My one one buddy brought over a Chad Smith and that was rockin', so now I'm considering grabbing a Chad for myself.

What other snares should I be looking at? Influences mainly hard rock but vary: Sevendust, Korn, Vai, Ani DiFranco

I suppose I new head and better technique would help, but I've tried different heads and techniques, so this is an investment I'd like to investigate.

Thanks!

[biggator6]

cheap: grab a used Acrolite.. can be had for under $100 regularly on craigslist. You've heard more Acrolites (and their big brother Supraphonics) on more records than you can imagine.

less cheap:
depends on if you want wood (then maple, birch, oak, thin, thick, stave) or metal (steel, aluminum, bronze, brass).

Get a few snares.. you'll be happy you did. I am in the same boat - just got real drums again for the first time in about 20 years.. already have 4 snares. An Acrolite, an Ocheltree carbon steel snare (KILLER!), a maple Premier Signia snare and a birch Premier Black Shadow. All four sound very different, but all are great and record well.

Oh - and don't discount that Tama snare... some good heads and maybe some fresh snare wires may just make it rock.

[Nutmeg II.]

Definitely swap the heads on the snare as well as on the drum heads.

The snare will benefit from a Ambasador coated for the top and a Diplomat snareside head.

Most snare drums that sound bad do so because of shitty worn out heads or bad tuneing (or both).
One of the most important things is to have the reso head in a higher tuning range and the other thing is to tune in a snare bed (I know the shell has a snare bed, but you need the head to support that).

Make sure the heads are centered on the drum bevor you tune up.
Use a xtuning pattern as seen on many sites and videos.

To make sure the head has a eaven tesion around the drum, you can mesure the distance between each lug and the hoop.

If you got it even give the lugs right next to the snare wires a extra turn or two.

When you do the tuning of the snare bed in small turns you can realy check how it will help the snare to get dynamic and responsiv.

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by biggator6

cheap: grab a used Acrolite.. can be had for under $100 regularly on craigslist. You've heard more Acrolites (and their big brother Supraphonics) on more records than you can imagine.

+1

[cortisol]

Hi CrankyRayHanky

I can't comment on your snare as I would have to have a play with it's tuning to hear what is going on with the drum...but... just maybe new heads seated and tuned propperly might make the snare you've got surprize ya.

The Chad Smith snare is really cool and would suit the sounds of most of the bands you've named. The Chad Smith shell depth and the tuning range on the drum make it quite versatile from a wet splatty low-ish tuning to a more modern cranked sound. Most of the bands you've named as influences or sonic benchmarks have a medium/high tuning.

Have a look at: http://www.tothestage.com/MediaLibra...Type=5&IType=2

then click on Drums/Percussion and look at the Bob Gatzen videos and any of the tuning videos on their to get the lowdown on drumhead sellection and tuning.

Because even when you do get a new snare you will have to put on new heads and tune it eventually.

Peace,
cortisol

[CrankyRayHanky]

Thanks for all the replies.

As for tuning, I have the diagnol criss cross method down using a drum dial, using the tension numbers advised on the dial. So while my ear for tuning is raw, I think my heads are actually pretty close to recommended settings.

My head is an aquarian hi energy...maybe I should try something without the ring dampener & dot (?)

[Nutmeg II.]

Originally Posted by CrankyRayHanky

Thanks for all the replies.

As for tuning, I have the diagnol criss cross method down using a drum dial, using the tension numbers advised on the dial. So while my ear for tuning is raw, I think my heads are actually pretty close to recommended settings.

My head is an aquarian hi energy...maybe I should try something without the ring dampener & dot (?)

The dail is compared to your ears a raw method of tuning!
Ok I don't know your ears, but well.
You got to get your pitch hearing down to become a good drum tuner!

When it comes to snares there are great amounts of different heads to chose from, but in the end it comes down to Ambasador coated/Powerstroke coated on top and Ambassador Hazy/Diplomat Hazy on buttom.

Keep in mind this settings on the drum dail were taken from the readings of one spezific drumset with a certain set of heads.
But drums don't work that way! Every drum and drumhead is unique, every room and position in the room needs to retune the drum to make it work and in the end you got the drummer. Not every tuning works for every drummer...

Go get a Bob Gatzen DVD and learn about it!
You can get at least one or two usable sounds out of every non broaken snare drum if you know how to tune in general.

[tvanveen]

Originally Posted by Nutmeg II.

Go get a Bob Gatzen DVD and learn about it!

I love Bob Gatzen.

[biggator6]

but in the end it comes down to Ambasador coated/Powerstroke coated on top and Ambassador Hazy/Diplomat Hazy on buttom.

Agreed.... if it's a real ringy snare, or you want a more fat/slightly muffled tone - go as far as a coated emperor or emperor-x... nothing deader than that.

I've got 4 snares right now.. emperor-x on one, ambassadors on two, an Attack 'drumtree' (thin) on the other. Let the snare ring out like a snare should... use a little moongel to tame it down as needed.

Moongel is your friend.
"-)

[Nutmeg II.]

Originally Posted by biggator6

Agreed.... if it's a real ringy snare, or you want a more fat/slightly muffled tone - go as far as a coated emperor or emperor-x... nothing deader than that.

I've got 4 snares right now.. emperor-x on one, ambassadors on two, an Attack 'drumtree' (thin) on the other. Let the snare ring out like a snare should... use a little moongel to tame it down as needed.

Moongel is your friend.
"-)

To me a 1/2 or even 1/3 of a mongel hanfing from the rim on to the head is usualy enough of ring supression.

[biggator6]

Yep - agreed.. I usually use a 1/2 piece way out by the rim to get it just right.

[HeavyG]

...nothing will perk up the tone of your kit like adding a Ludwig snare. Some fellow Slutz mentioned the outstanding Acrolite...(In Borat voice) "WE MAKE SEXY TIME".

May I also recommend the Black Beauty and the Supraphonic?


Game over...drive home safely.