KarlCrafton
Platinum Member
It was other (actually dumb) factors rather than cost that kept me from getting it before, but I just said the heck with it, and got it (after thinking/talking about it for 6 months).
It's been a little bit, so here's what I think after playing around with it.
This is a GREAT sounding drum, which I had actually known since May.
Actually, I've had 2 of these.
I had one, for 4 days, and the shop called and asked if I would give it up for a guy going on a 2 month tour that needed a good metal snare fast.
They couldn't get one to the shop quick enough, so I said OK, and the new one came in on Friday.
They actually got 2 of the 6.5's, and another 5.5. They sell fast.
I got 2 16" hoops I needed "for my trouble" (saved 30 bucks!) too, so it was a great deal!
Anyhow....
I really like this 1.5 thick steel shell. It's my first steel shell too.
The sound of the SL overall is a little more "contained" than the seamless shell.
It's got the crack, the sensitivity, and solid feel, but it has a shorter ring length than a seamless shell.
MOST people prefer that type of sound anyway.
I'll usually put a small slice of moongel on the edge of the COB, or BB's to make sure the ring length isn't too much, but I won't have to do that at all with the SL. I think that's pretty cool.
I'm finding the tone of this shell sitting between the Brass and Bronze shells too, which is very cool.
I also A/B'd it with my Hammered 402.
By tweaking around a bit, I got them pretty darn close in tone and ring, so the SL has a nice range of character depending on head selection and different tensioning. It's not a one trick pony.
I won't say it sounds exactly like a 402, because it has a deeper shell tone, and different ring, but it has some of the characteristics, and you could get it close enough if you wanted to.
I like the character the SL has on it's own, so I won't be trying to make it sound like a 402.
With the Supralite that came in Friday, I put a Hazy Amb on it for kicks because the butt plate is high enough (it's high enough on the new Acro too) for the tighter tension I prefer on the bottom.
...Eh, I like the no collar clearer head I use more. The hazy just seems a little dull compared to what I usually use.
The stock head has a crimped hoop, and it sounds a little livelier to me too. Just my taste, but I did notice the change in sound.
It still sounds really good, but when you get picky about it... I won't be buying another Hazy Ambassador.
Since I got this "new one" in a box, I did a good once over on it too.
All the screws inside were tight, the rods went in smoothly (on both drums) and it tuned up easily.
The price of this drum is the icing on the cake.
I've recently seen a Hammered version of the 400 (not even the 6.5) on eBay for $500+, and the SL is everywhere for $179... Unless you're craving "the Ludwig MoJo" of a 402, or BB.... it might be hard to justify the extra $2-400 in all cases.
This snare has a vibe I really dig too. It sounds and feels great playing it, so for me, this was an awesome purchase.
I like the little badge too. It's different and cool.
One thing I find odd though is the key rods on the throw.
It's convenient, but I noticed it seemed to take more pressure than the P-86 (on all my other snares) to secure the cord.
If I could change it out for P-86, I would. Could be that I am just used to it, but whatever, it's a minor thing--which most people would prefer anyway.
I can say the BB's, and COB aren't going anywhere, but the SL is one I'll take on a gig ( a bunch) and not wish I brought something else.
It's a great drum and I'll be happy playing it, however, you can't beat the instant cred I've gotten from FOH/side monitors by having a great sounding BB ready to kick butt
It's been a little bit, so here's what I think after playing around with it.
This is a GREAT sounding drum, which I had actually known since May.
Actually, I've had 2 of these.
I had one, for 4 days, and the shop called and asked if I would give it up for a guy going on a 2 month tour that needed a good metal snare fast.
They couldn't get one to the shop quick enough, so I said OK, and the new one came in on Friday.
They actually got 2 of the 6.5's, and another 5.5. They sell fast.
I got 2 16" hoops I needed "for my trouble" (saved 30 bucks!) too, so it was a great deal!
Anyhow....
I really like this 1.5 thick steel shell. It's my first steel shell too.
The sound of the SL overall is a little more "contained" than the seamless shell.
It's got the crack, the sensitivity, and solid feel, but it has a shorter ring length than a seamless shell.
MOST people prefer that type of sound anyway.
I'll usually put a small slice of moongel on the edge of the COB, or BB's to make sure the ring length isn't too much, but I won't have to do that at all with the SL. I think that's pretty cool.
I'm finding the tone of this shell sitting between the Brass and Bronze shells too, which is very cool.
I also A/B'd it with my Hammered 402.
By tweaking around a bit, I got them pretty darn close in tone and ring, so the SL has a nice range of character depending on head selection and different tensioning. It's not a one trick pony.
I won't say it sounds exactly like a 402, because it has a deeper shell tone, and different ring, but it has some of the characteristics, and you could get it close enough if you wanted to.
I like the character the SL has on it's own, so I won't be trying to make it sound like a 402.
With the Supralite that came in Friday, I put a Hazy Amb on it for kicks because the butt plate is high enough (it's high enough on the new Acro too) for the tighter tension I prefer on the bottom.
...Eh, I like the no collar clearer head I use more. The hazy just seems a little dull compared to what I usually use.
The stock head has a crimped hoop, and it sounds a little livelier to me too. Just my taste, but I did notice the change in sound.
It still sounds really good, but when you get picky about it... I won't be buying another Hazy Ambassador.
Since I got this "new one" in a box, I did a good once over on it too.
All the screws inside were tight, the rods went in smoothly (on both drums) and it tuned up easily.
The price of this drum is the icing on the cake.
I've recently seen a Hammered version of the 400 (not even the 6.5) on eBay for $500+, and the SL is everywhere for $179... Unless you're craving "the Ludwig MoJo" of a 402, or BB.... it might be hard to justify the extra $2-400 in all cases.
This snare has a vibe I really dig too. It sounds and feels great playing it, so for me, this was an awesome purchase.
I like the little badge too. It's different and cool.
One thing I find odd though is the key rods on the throw.
It's convenient, but I noticed it seemed to take more pressure than the P-86 (on all my other snares) to secure the cord.
If I could change it out for P-86, I would. Could be that I am just used to it, but whatever, it's a minor thing--which most people would prefer anyway.
I can say the BB's, and COB aren't going anywhere, but the SL is one I'll take on a gig ( a bunch) and not wish I brought something else.
It's a great drum and I'll be happy playing it, however, you can't beat the instant cred I've gotten from FOH/side monitors by having a great sounding BB ready to kick butt