For most drummers the snare drum is a key part of their set up and the rest of the kit is often built round it. So making an effort to choose the right type of snare now will save time and money later on. There are lots of choices to be made: the material the shell is made from and its thickness, its depth and size, and the type of head fitted to it all have a bearing on its tone, pitch and projection and therefore how it fits in with your style of play and your overall sound.
Wooden or Metal Shell?
Snares have traditionally been divided into wooden or metal. Wood Shells, for example Maple and Birch, generally give a warm, dark sound, while metal shells made from steel, copper and bronze offer a brighter more cutting tone.
Size Matters for Drums Too
The diameter of the drum determines the pitch and the depth controls the clarity of the sound. The smaller the drum, generally the higher the sound. Shell thickness and weight are also important. A thicker heavier shell will be brighter and higher in pitch than a thinner shelled one.
Keeping Your Head
Snare heads can change the sound of the drum dramatically so getting a good match to the rest of the drum’s characteristics is vital. There is a wide range of possibilities from sharp, thin sounding heads to heavier deeper ones. Don’t be afraid to ask us for advice when choosing your snare head so we can match the head with the sound you’re looking for.
Putting It All Together
What you want to know is how all this makes a difference. Generally a snare drum with higher pitch tends to be brighter, louder and more focused. All snare drums however have a naturally powerful sound, even the smaller ones, due to their tight tuning and small sizes. A more versatile drum is something around the 14” x 5” size, however extreme drums such as 14” x 3” Maple Piccolo snare have their place as well as a heavy steel 14”x 8” snare. Other features to take note of are Die Cast Hoops which enable the drum to keep in tune more easily, expensive throw offs with smooth action and high quality snare wires, all of which add certain changes to the sound and flexibility of the drum as well as determine the prices they fetch.
Wood, Metal and Signature Snares Available in various sizes including Piccolo and effects snares
We keep a wide range of snare drums from top brands such as Ludwig, Ahead, Craviotto, Tama, Black Panther, Pearl and Yamaha. They come in a choice of materials including Maple, Cherry, Walnut, Steel, Aluminium, Brass, copper bronze, and acrylic. We also have signature, special edition, Piccolo, Effects and Add-on snare drums so you’re bound to find something to suit your requirements. Call us now (01246 272 572) and we’ll help you make the right choice.
