Snare Recommendation for Pop/Rock

[Xspringe]

Hi Everyone!

I recently purchased a Yamaha Recording Custom Drum set based on advice from this forum and I must say I am extremely pleased with it. The problem is that the drum set sadly enough did not come with a yamaha snare but with a brass snare which I find a bit too thing and bright sounding.

Is there any prevailing opinion on which snares are good for usage in the studio to record pop/rock (think: foo fighters). I've done a bit of searching on this forum but I couldn't quite find enough info to narrow it down to a set of (say, between three and five) snares I can go out and test in person.

Thanks in advance!

[Grumblefoot]

I prefer a deep wood snare, this is all purely my opinion. That being said I have been playing drums sine 1983 so I have hit some snares in my time.

All the big names make nice drums. I like at LEAST a 6"x14" but am currently using a snare I built myself 8"x14" and it is a beast. Nice crack, even sustain, and a solid rim bite.

Look for a maple snare, steer clear of signature models as they are pricer. Tama maple G series, Pearl maple free-floater, Ludwig maple, even DW.

Hit a few and you'll find something you like.

[TheArchitect]

Originally Posted by Grumblefoot

I prefer a deep wood snare, this is all purely my opinion. That being said I have been playing drums sine 1983 so I have hit some snares in my time.

All the big names make nice drums. I like at LEAST a 6"x14" but am currently using a snare I built myself 8"x14" and it is a beast. Nice crack, even sustain, and a solid rim bite.

Look for a maple snare, steer clear of signature models as they are pricer. Tama maple G series, Pearl maple free-floater, Ludwig maple, even DW.

Hit a few and you'll find something you like.

Ludwig Supraphonic or Acrolite. They both have been studio work horses for years

[Xspringe]

Thanks for the recommendations so far, and keep em coming! I'd love to hear about personal experiences with good studio pop/rock snares

[HeavyG]

Congrats on your Recording Custom...I love those drums (I had a set of them about 20 years ago). They purr like a kitten. As for finding a snare that you can use for Pop/Rock studio session work...I would suggest staying with a Ludwig. Supraphonic/Black Beauty or Acrolite (i prefer the Supraphonic/Black Beauty...but Acros are very cool, too). They are the very essence of rock and roll...

[BLUElightCory]

My 14x6.5" Ludwig Black Beauty is the best money I've ever spent, period.

[HeavyG]

Originally Posted by BLUElightCory

My 14x6.5" Ludwig Black Beauty is the best money I've ever spent, period.

I too have a love affair with my 6 1/2 x 14 hand hammered tube lug BB. I play a heavy rimshotted strike...and no other snare drum can give me that TOONK (of the ones I own or have played). XSpringe should consider these RINGING endorsements...go Ludwig, Bro. You will not be disappointed...

[rhythminmind]

I 2nd maple snares. I have 3. My most used is my pearl free floater. It's covers so many styles/sounds well.

[Chunkaway]

Originally Posted by Xspringe

Hi Everyone!

I recently purchased a Yamaha Recording Custom Drum set based on advice from this forum and I must say I am extremely pleased with it. The problem is that the drum set sadly enough did not come with a yamaha snare but with a brass snare which I find a bit too thing and bright sounding.

Is there any prevailing opinion on which snares are good for usage in the studio to record pop/rock (think: foo fighters). I've done a bit of searching on this forum but I couldn't quite find enough info to narrow it down to a set of (say, between three and five) snares I can go out and test in person.

Thanks in advance!

My top three:

1) Ludwig Black Beauty (14X6.5)

2) Ayotte Wood Hoop (14X6.5)

3) Ludwig Classic Maple (14X6.5)

I also like the Ludwig Supra (14X5 or 14X6.5) or even the Ludwig Acrolite (14X5)

I used to have a Pearl Free Floating maple snare that sounded very nice.

[chrisso]

Yeah, another vote for 6.5" Ludwig Black Beauty, 6.5" Supraphonic or an Acrolite.
If you are into The Foo Fighters you might like a Tama Bell Brass, but the original version is quite expensive now.
In wood shell drums I would only look at something single-ply. Noble & Cooley or Craviotto for example.
But a BB is my top pick.

[HeavyG]

Originally Posted by chrisso

Yeah, another vote for 6.5" Ludwig Black Beauty, 6.5" Supraphonic or an Acrolite.
If you are into The Foo Fighters you might like a Tama Bell Brass, but the original version is quite expensive now.
In wood shell drums I would only look at something single-ply. Noble & Cooley or Craviotto for example.
But a BB is my top pick.

Great call. I am a huge fan of good quality wood snares, too. Craviotto and Noble & Cooley are smoking...and I know the Japanese Big 3 (Tama, Yamaha and Pearl) all make "Boutique worthy" wood and metal snares that are nice...

But if I had to pick one...it would be a Supraphonic Black Beauty...

[Grumblefoot]

I like the free floater ALOT because it is sort of like a swiss army drum. You need steel drop in a steel shell. Wood no problem MANY places will make you a wood replacement in most any wood available. Brass, copper, even acrylic. Measure your standard, off the top head, drop the new one in and re-tune. Great Great drum, my only thing is i have a HEAVY hand and my free floater can get real loud real fast.

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by Grumblefoot

I like the free floater ALOT because it is sort of like a swiss army drum.

Jack of all trades, master of none.
Sorry that was harsh.

[Suspects]

Note to OP - you haven't mentioned your budget, but people are tossing out some pretty expensive recommendations, particularly if you are looking for 3-5 different snares. Both the N&C and Craviotto single ply drums can be frightfully expensive, paricularly in the larger depths (like around $1k with tax).

Also if you are looking to buy a new BB in 6-1/2 X14, Ludwig is quoting a delivery time of six months. I put a deposit down in early Feb and got mine delivered in late June. Not many dealers have that size in stock (I guess there's always e-bay)...

My $0.02

Dave/Suspect Studios

[arizonadrum]

The best option for the money is no doubt the Ludwig Acrolite. I have drums in all price ranges and my $100 acrolite delivers just as good, if not more than my $1500 snares. If money is not an issue, I would recommend the Tama bell brass 6.5x14.

[Chunkaway]

Originally Posted by arizonadrum

The best option for the money is no doubt the Ludwig Acrolite. I have drums in all price ranges and my $100 acrolite delivers just as good, if not more than my $1500 snares. If money is not an issue, I would recommend the Tama bell brass 6.5x14.

That thing is supposed to be a beast. What does it sound like?

[arizonadrum]

Originally Posted by Chunkaway

That thing is supposed to be a beast. What does it sound like?

The bell brass? It sounds fantastic. It's a studio mainstay. Brad Wilke from Rage/Audioslave uses one religiously. Lots of rock dudes use it. Another one that comes to mind is the dude from System uses one as well. The first Audioslave record is all tama bell brass. For a big rock sound, nothing beats it day in and day out. I have one with a 42 strand snare with die-cast rims. it's very hard to beat.

[biggator6]

the original version is quite expensive now

ANY bell-brass snare is expensive now.. the Zildjian/N&C snares, the Ocheltree/Paiste snares, a few boutique makers, Tama is making a new one as well.

I'd LOVE a bell brass, but touching one for under $1500 is a bit of luck.

+1 for the Acrolite.. can be had for under $100

Check out the Ocheltree carbon steel snares (about $500) - they weigh a ton, but sound amazing.
"-)

[jbsg02]

Congrats on the Yamahas, I have a Yamaha Birch Custom Absolute and they just sing. I can get so much low end out of those floor toms it's unreal. I have a matching Yamaha snare with my kit and it's great too. One day I hope to own a Black Beauty to give me another option.

[arizonadrum]

Originally Posted by biggator6

ANY bell-brass snare is expensive now.. the Zildjian/N&C snares, the Ocheltree/Paiste snares, a few boutique makers, Tama is making a new one as well.

I'd LOVE a bell brass, but touching one for under $1500 is a bit of luck.

+1 for the Acrolite.. can be had for under $100

Check out the Ocheltree carbon steel snares (about $500) - they weigh a ton, but sound amazing.
"-)

Yeah, a bell brass drum, all of which are pricey as you've noted, is really only necessary if you are pro drummer, or record engineer/producer where you'd get tons of use out of it. The acrolite is awesome just because it is SO CHEAP and it's great for all kinds of musical styles. Also, a Rogers powertone is a similarly priced drum and I've heard really good things about it. I don't own one so I can't really comment from experience, but i've heard positive things.

One middle of the road option if you're looking for that bell brass kind of sound, the bronze snare that DW makes is in the same ballpark and I'm pretty sure it's not as expensive. I have both the DW bronze and the Tama bell brass and they are similar in a lot of ways.

[sethmeister]

70's Supraphonics are great and can be found around 200 bucks.

The Pork Pie Big Black is a brass, tube lugged 6 1/2 x 14 snare which gets the black beauty vibe for much less cash. Picked mine up used for $150.

[heyman]

Guys, I just picked up a 1995 Black Beauty (5 X 14) in Mint condition. Built in North
Carolina for 300.00 .. It came with a stand and hard shell case..


I think I did alright, price wise.

Btw, the Pork Pie Big Black is great sounding snare..