That Bohnam snare - Halfway There

[RezN8]

I was tuning the kit yesterday and decided to give the snare that "bohnam" sound. So I tuned the bottom head all the way up to a "G". (392kHz?)

This tuning got me VERY close. I'm still working out the tension of the top head (single ply coated), but I know I'm in the ball park. The snare really "sings" but it's also ringing like a bell.

Sounds great but I'd like to get better control of the ringing WITHOUT tape, moongel, a wallet, etc.

Part of the problem I think is that I'm using a Maple snare (14"x6"). I'm pretty sure Bonzo used a metal snare (14"x6.5").

Anybody have a suggestion as to the tension of the batter head?

[funkydrummer]

watch this

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/johnbonhamtech1.html

[RezN8]

Thanks funky - that's where I got the pitch for the bottom head. Can't really tell what the tone is on the top head of the snare though. Thanks anyway. Rez

[Farview]

Originally Posted by RezN8

I was tuning the kit yesterday and decided to give the snare that "bohnam" sound. So I tuned the bottom head all the way up to a "G". (392kHz?)

This tuning got me VERY close. I'm still working out the tension of the top head (single ply coated), but I know I'm in the ball park. The snare really "sings" but it's also ringing like a bell.

Sounds great but I'd like to get better control of the ringing WITHOUT tape, moongel, a wallet, etc.

Part of the problem I think is that I'm using a Maple snare (14"x6"). I'm pretty sure Bonzo used a metal snare (14"x6.5").

Anybody have a suggestion as to the tension of the batter head?

Bonham used a Ludwig supraphonic (14 X 6.5). That drum just kind of sounds like that if you hit it like Bohnham did.

It's very likely that Bonham would have had that sound no matter what kit you sat him behind. Chasing the details of the tuning and mic placement is missing the point. It was the way he hit and the feel of his playing that was important. If you listen to all the albums back to back, the drums don't sound the same, but you know exactly who is playing them.

[errr314]

Right! I feel I must add to this shizz. I agree with Farview. Bonham's style is probably the most contributing factor for that snare sound.

BUT! I must admit I had (actually I still do) an obsession to acheive that snare sound. It's my fav. I own 8 snares (two Ludwigs) and the closest I can get to the Bonham snare sound is only with the Ludwigs. I have a Black Beauty and a 1966 Acrolite. Basically I think it is the way he hits but its also because it's a Ludwig snare. Ludwig's have a distinct sound to them that I cannot get with the other snares I have. Acrolites are cheap too! Woohoo!!

[Simman]

Originally Posted by RezN8

I was tuning the kit yesterday and decided to give the snare that "bohnam" sound. So I tuned the bottom head all the way up to a "G". (392kHz?)

This tuning got me VERY close. I'm still working out the tension of the top head (single ply coated), but I know I'm in the ball park. The snare really "sings" but it's also ringing like a bell.

Sounds great but I'd like to get better control of the ringing WITHOUT tape, moongel, a wallet, etc.

Part of the problem I think is that I'm using a Maple snare (14"x6"). I'm pretty sure Bonzo used a metal snare (14"x6.5").

Anybody have a suggestion as to the tension of the batter head?

Well let's hear it!

[nddhc]

I watched that video and he mentioned (unless I heard it wrong) that sometimes a Diplomat was used on the snare side, and sometimes an Ambassador

Wouldnt these completely choke the snares and not allow them to vibrate as they should? Or did I hear it wrong

[Farview]

Originally Posted by errr314

Acrolites are cheap too! Woohoo!!

The acrolites have the same shell as a supraphonic, it's just 8 lugs instead of 10 and it isn't chrome plated.

[RAMI]

Originally Posted by nddhc

I watched that video and he mentioned (unless I heard it wrong) that sometimes a Diplomat was used on the snare side, and sometimes an Ambassador

Wouldnt these completely choke the snares and not allow them to vibrate as they should? Or did I hear it wrong

I didn't get a chance to see the video...but Emperor and Ambassador are also bottom skins. A top Ambassador is a BA-114 and a bottom is an SA-114. Unless he says to put top skins on the bottom, there's nothing weird about what he said. I have an an Ambassador bottom skin on my snare side.