Road Bull
Silver Member
Background:
So I am considering picking up a new snare. I just sold my Ludwig LM402. I had been tossing around the idea of getting a nice replacement. I had been looking at Tama Starphonic snares and have also been giving the Keplingers a good look. I am just trying to justify it a bit in my mind. I enjoy playing loud and heavy music. I have been listening to as many sound files as I can on the internet. I have heard a few of the black iron options in person. From what I gather, it sounds like the stainless steel is more of a straight bearing edge vs the black iron and maybe the brass being a more traditional bearing edge. Anecdotally, I've heard that the SS, with it's bearing edge has a very high tuning range, while the black iron may have a bit more body at the higher tuning ranges. I have probably heard the raw brass the least. From what I've heard, I think I am gravitating towards the SS or black iron in one of the deeper depths. Some of the youtube videos leave much to be desired. I've seen a fair amount of videos of people mostly tapping or lightly playing some of these drums. And that may work for a lot of people. But I prefer to hear the drum opened up with a 5B or healthier stick and hit like it owes you money. Ideally, I want it to be sensitive within a broad tuning range, be able to be tuning high without choking out, and still maintain a good amount of body.
Questions:
What Keplinger snare did you choose and why?
Would you still select the same Keplinger, or would you try something different if you were buying today?
The tube lugs look fairly simple. How well do they maintain tension with rimshots?
So I am considering picking up a new snare. I just sold my Ludwig LM402. I had been tossing around the idea of getting a nice replacement. I had been looking at Tama Starphonic snares and have also been giving the Keplingers a good look. I am just trying to justify it a bit in my mind. I enjoy playing loud and heavy music. I have been listening to as many sound files as I can on the internet. I have heard a few of the black iron options in person. From what I gather, it sounds like the stainless steel is more of a straight bearing edge vs the black iron and maybe the brass being a more traditional bearing edge. Anecdotally, I've heard that the SS, with it's bearing edge has a very high tuning range, while the black iron may have a bit more body at the higher tuning ranges. I have probably heard the raw brass the least. From what I've heard, I think I am gravitating towards the SS or black iron in one of the deeper depths. Some of the youtube videos leave much to be desired. I've seen a fair amount of videos of people mostly tapping or lightly playing some of these drums. And that may work for a lot of people. But I prefer to hear the drum opened up with a 5B or healthier stick and hit like it owes you money. Ideally, I want it to be sensitive within a broad tuning range, be able to be tuning high without choking out, and still maintain a good amount of body.
Questions:
What Keplinger snare did you choose and why?
Would you still select the same Keplinger, or would you try something different if you were buying today?
The tube lugs look fairly simple. How well do they maintain tension with rimshots?