Snare Drum Thoughts???

piperdoog

Silver Member
Hello, curious about some new snare drum thoughts. I know there are lots of threads on this advice but thought I'd make a new one.
I have a bit of money to spend currently I have a Supra 402 (love it) Sonor S Classix birch and a Pork Pie Big Brass, Which I'm probably selling, great snare just want something new.
I am mostly a rock player, and am looking for a great new crisp sounding touring snare drum.
I'm interested in Tempus, always a Ludwig Black Beauty etc.....
I have a couple of bucks to spend and would love to hear advice on a versitile snare buy.
Also if anyone has a Tempus snare, I've heard good things.
Thanks
 
How deep is the birch snare? I'd say between the 402, black brass and a wood snare you've already got some pretty versatile drum options.
 
For a good strong rock snare, I think brass is one of the best options. Tama bell brass is one of THE best, most sought after snares. It's not cheap. You are looking at AT LEAST $1200. I had a friend let me borrow an 8x14 for a tour. I LOVED that snare! Tama also has a bunch of those starphonic snares. Those are all pretty great drums.
Trick also makes some less expensive as good or better brass snares. I would argue better throw off.
Pearl makes a few, I don't recall the name of the Pearl brass snare. They also have the Pearl Freefloating brass shelled snares. I am not a fan of the free floating hardware personally. I am big on snare drums. I had 12 or so, but ended up selling a couple to pay rent. (paramedics make far less money than you would think.)
One of my favorit snares was a cherrywood pork pie. Really cool wet sound. I loved it. Copper snares have a very cool sound too. Yamaha makes some. Trick makes a great one too. It's not a rolled edge like some of the lower end metal snares.
The Tick kodiak is one of THE best sounding snares I have ever heard or played. I have a 5x14 and have heard a 4x14, 8x14, and I think a 7x12 or something odd like that. All of them rocked. It's a shame they are not made anymore.
Dunnett makes great snares too. I have only heard a few, but they have all been works of art.
Oh and the standard Trick AL14 aluminum snares are great too. They are naturally a little dry, with great tone, sensitivity and projection.
Also look in to S hoops for your batter side. If you are not familiar with them, they are light as a flange hoop, but more focused, but not as focused as a diecast. It's almost perfectly in between the two. Also cross sticking is amazing on them!

/Endsnaredrumrant
 
Is there possibly a way in making my pork pie brass sound ing better such as the s hoops or even the 402 supra with the s hoops etc. I have heard of guys doing it and saying that it didn't make that much of a difference, or maybe a diecast hoop on the batter of the big brass?
I just don't want to waste money!
Also has anyone played a tempus snare?
 
New rims will make a difference. You might not notice a HUGE difference. I do when I go from a diecast to flange hoop. You might not notice as big of a difference if you go from flange to s hoop.
This is a link to a few snare videos.
8x14 Kodiak Trick http://youtu.be/VR_VkNl1y6I
6.5x14 Tama BellBrass http://youtu.be/BP0YXA6xWcI
5x14 Trick Aluminum snare http://youtu.be/W_xqktwfi5c
6.5x14 DW copper snare. http://youtu.be/qMR8iPOLUfw
6.5x14 Tama starphonic brass http://youtu.be/IziNAoeTuFA
Here are some of my fav drums. Not in any order.
 
New rims will make a difference. You might not notice a HUGE difference. I do when I go from a diecast to flange hoop. You might not notice as big of a difference if you go from flange to s hoop.
This is a link to a few snare videos.
8x14 Kodiak Trick http://youtu.be/VR_VkNl1y6I
6.5x14 Tama BellBrass http://youtu.be/BP0YXA6xWcI
5x14 Trick Aluminum snare http://youtu.be/W_xqktwfi5c
6.5x14 DW copper snare. http://youtu.be/qMR8iPOLUfw
6.5x14 Tama starphonic brass http://youtu.be/IziNAoeTuFA
Here are some of my fav drums. Not in any order.

Thanks man!
Do you think diecast on both sides or just the batter?
Cheers!
 
Is there possibly a way in making my pork pie brass sound ing better such as the s hoops or even the 402 supra with the s hoops etc. I have heard of guys doing it and saying that it didn't make that much of a difference, or maybe a diecast hoop on the batter of the big brass?
I just don't want to waste money!
Also has anyone played a tempus snare?

New heads might make a big difference and are a lot cheaper than die casts hoops.

I'd suggest a Remo Ambassador or CS Reverse Dot on top and a Ludwig snare side if you want to maximize the open ringy brass tone, or an Evans ST Dry if you're looking to tame the ring.
 
I just picked up a DW Performance Chrome-Over-Steel snare (8x14), and I love it! I'm primarily a rock player, and I haven't been high on metal snare drums for years. (I used my DW Craviotto 5.5x14 exclusively for both live and studio situations.) It's super sensitive, especially given the depth, and has excellent tone-big and deep for a metal snare. Also, it cost me under $300.
 
I just picked up a DW Performance Chrome-Over-Steel snare (8x14), and I love it! I'm primarily a rock player, and I haven't been high on metal snare drums for years. (I used my DW Craviotto 5.5x14 exclusively for both live and studio situations.) It's super sensitive, especially given the depth, and has excellent tone-big and deep for a metal snare. Also, it cost me under $300.

I've heard great things about these dw 14x6.5 snares, I have looked into the brass version, but the prices have always deterred me, is there a place to buy one for a decent price?
Also no thoughts on the Tempus????
 
Never played a Tempus. I picked up the DW at Guitar Center. I'm not a huge fan of the big corporate stores, but the prices are good, and the the one-year, same-as-cash deal was good for my budget (I bought the snare along with a new kit).
 
I've got a DW Copper 14x4 I believe.

I keep taking it down for some reason though.

I should spend more time tuning it I guess.

To me it just sounds thin next to a wood snare.

Maybe I should spend more time on it. :)
 
I have two Tempus Fiberglass snares, a 6x13 and 5.5x14. They sound fantastic. They have a wide tuning range and a natural dry-ness that limits overtones. They are quite sensitive and can be very loud. I love all my snares, but if I had to pair down to five both of these would survive the cut.

This is a pretty good clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8EJybYy3-Q

Also, the drums are really tough and immune to temp and humidity changes. I've toured my Tempus kit without cases over temp and altitude changes and they've never required retuning due to these issues. I can't say the same for my Yamaha, Slingerland, or Pearl kits.
 
I haven't played a tempus but I own a Pearl carbonply Mahogany 14x5.5 and I really like it to the point where I can not stop playing it. And it doesn't matter where I have it tuned, its equally pleasing at every stage. This thing does not choke, and for some screwed up reason you just want to hit it harder and harder. Its unbelievable. You can find these for 300 in the US or maybe less on the bay. They are very well built and I would recommend them to anyone.
Anyway just thought I would throw this in and I'm not suggesting this snare is better than the ones mentioned. They are all fine snares.
 
Hello piper,
I happen to be lucky enough to own a Tempus fiberglass 14x6.5 in a beautiful blue glitter finish. It came around this January, and is still fitted with the Evans snareside Hazy, though I changed the batter head to a Remo Coated Ambassador a while back for a studio session.
Not only has this turned into my main on-call snare drum, it is every bit the tough nut that is well, scratch resistant, tunes easily AND stays in tune and on more than one occasion has withstood bad falls that could have meant the end for any fancy wood snare. In other words, this drum is simply an asset.
With the Ambassador, the Tempus offers a really classic fatback snare tone that is absolutely delicious for rock ballads or midtempo funk stuff. Naturally dry, it offers great ghost note definition. It is also an inordinately loud snare if slammed, smoothly cutting through a barrage of guitar overdrive. I often pair it with my Sonor 10x2 Jungle for really cool effects!
Suffice it to say that you should get your Tempus -- custom sized, custom sounding and custom coloured -- ASAP. There aren't too many drum builders around like the amazing Paul Mason and boy, does he know how to shape a drummer's individual voice.
 
Hello piper,
I happen to be lucky enough to own a Tempus fiberglass 14x6.5 in a beautiful blue glitter finish. It came around this January, and is still fitted with the Evans snareside Hazy, though I changed the batter head to a Remo Coated Ambassador a while back for a studio session.
Not only has this turned into my main on-call snare drum, it is every bit the tough nut that is well, scratch resistant, tunes easily AND stays in tune and on more than one occasion has withstood bad falls that could have meant the end for any fancy wood snare. In other words, this drum is simply an asset.
With the Ambassador, the Tempus offers a really classic fatback snare tone that is absolutely delicious for rock ballads or midtempo funk stuff. Naturally dry, it offers great ghost note definition. It is also an inordinately loud snare if slammed, smoothly cutting through a barrage of guitar overdrive. I often pair it with my Sonor 10x2 Jungle for really cool effects!
Suffice it to say that you should get your Tempus -- custom sized, custom sounding and custom coloured -- ASAP. There aren't too many drum builders around like the amazing Paul Mason and boy, does he know how to shape a drummer's individual voice.

Hey thanks I'll take one for a test drive soon.
 
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