Got a 20 dollar Pearl Export Snare: Can't hear the snare side.

[filthyrich]

So, I just picked up a 6.5" Pearl Export steel snare. I'm not a drummer and have very little experience with making drums sound better. I can't seem to hear the snare side rattle. Even when I tap the res. side it doesn't make the snare noise. I have a pacific lx snare that sounds great and does the snare sound quite well when tapping or playing. Does that mean that the res. side is too tight/ too loose...or....

Where should I start?

I tried tightning and loosning the snare strings first. That didn't help.

Lil help?

Again..I got it for 20 bucks..so be nice.

P.S.--It has 20 snare strands/strings...whatever the hell they are called.

[abell1234]

If you loosened the snares and they still did not rattle, i'm not sure. Try tuning the bottom head. Are the snares touching the bottom head, or are they tight up against it

[BLueROom]

snares are probably way too tight.

[filthyrich]

Are the snares touching the bottom head, or are they tight up against it

When the throwoff deal is engaged, it's pretty tight against the bottom head I suppose.

[666666]

What type of heads are on the drum? The bottom head may be too heavy. For $20 the drum probably has been "around the block" and has some issues.

Take off the snare wires and both heads, measure the shell for both "roundness" (diameter) and "flatness" (bearing edges). If the shell is good, buy brand new proper heads of course, something like an Ambassador or Emperor coated on top and a Diplomat or Ambassador "snare side" for the bottom.

Make sure the snare wires are in good shape. Hopefully they're original (fairly light steel) and not some super heavy brass aftermarket type, because that could also be an issue with "not hearing" the snare wires. Make sure the snare wire straps or cords are in good shape.

But it all back together and tune it. Now if you do not have experience tuning snares, you may want to find someone that does. Either that or be prepared to spend a lot of time experimenting until you achieve a sound you like... this is a good way to start the learning process in any case. With good heads and snare wires, and tuned REALLY well, a super cheap $20 snare drum CAN potentially sound pretty good.

Some of my favorite snare drums happen to be some of the cheapest out there. Some people pay loads of money for snare shells made of exotic woods and all kinds of fancy stuff... but in many cases, a fairly cheap steel or typical maple shell will sound and feel excellent for 95% of all applications. The heads and tuning are critical though.

Having said the above though, some cheap shells (if indeed VERY cheap) may simply have physical issues that will cause serious headaches when trying to tune, especially bad or improper snare beds or issues with the snare mechanism, not allowing the snare wires to sit properly... I have experienced snare drums that WERE impossible to tune... so... you might be fighting an uphill battle here... well, if you get too frustrated, you can always sell the snare on Ebay, maybe make a few bucks, and get something new with new heads and new snares, already somewhat tuned up.

You can get a Pearl SensiTone Elite steel snare drum for like $170 or so brand new, and when tuned well, it will rival just about any other snare drum out there for all purpose use. It's bright, it cuts, good hardware, it's made well and generally easy to tune. No need to spend $500+ on a new snare as some would have you believe.

I've actually tried a lot of the super expensive ultra fancy exotic snares that exist... they may look really neat and are certainly conversation pieces, but I though they were all useless in terms of sound. My entire snare collection consists of fairly inexpensive typical steel and maple snare drums, period... a lot of them Pearl... they get the job done.

[Steffmo]

Possibly the snares are on upside down.

[filthyrich]

I tried flipping them around..that wasn't it. They were on right. It became obvious when I turned the snare wires around. Damn.

[abell1234]

If the bottom head is the proper type and the snares are not too tight , you should get new snares or have someone else look at it. Anytime the snares don't rattle for me, the snares are way too tight.

[travisbrown]

Or just take it into your local drum shop and ask, "what do i need to fix this?" As long as they can sell you a new drum head or something, they will likely be helpful.

[filthyrich]

I'm just going to take it to someone. Worst case they try to convince me to spend a ton of cash and I leave. It still bugs me, though.

[firby]

Next time spend 30 bucks. HA!


Just kidding.

Take it to a guy. He can fix it in about 30 minutes.