Building My Own Snare

  • Thread starter Thread starter .Tyson Studios.
  • Start date Start date
.Tyson Studios.

.Tyson Studios.

I LOST THE GAME
No, not a rabbit trap. anyways I am planning to try something new: a 13 x 7 snare made of 3/4 - 1 inch thick PVC. Ive seen it been done and everyone says they provid a nice side snare. I'd like to try it. I was panning on using 8 tube lugs. I am debating on a few things though; Do i use 0, 1, or 2 air vents, and do i use a tone control thing? also I've heard of people putting jingles in their snare, can someone tell me about that? Give me some advice, Thanks.
 
If you can use power tools without losing a finger or an eye, you can probably build a snare. If you can drill holes, or make and use a template to line everything up nicely without wrecking five or six pieces, you can probably build a snare. The only sticky part may be cutting the bearing edges or cutting a snare bed. But even that's not difficult. It takes patience and a steady hand.
One air vent shout be plenty. But find one 1" thick. Tone controls are so out of fashion. If you need damping, Moon Gel or gaffer tape is the norm these days. Follow this; YouTube - Cutting Bearing Edges & Snare Beds and you'll be a pro in no time.
 
Y' know, I read it as "Building my own SNAKE." And, the "rabbit trap" remark just fell right into that line of thinking.
 
I've built several drums, snares and such, but only wooden... maple, laun, bubinga... not PVC. I have no idea what a pvc shell will sound like. I want to hear it for sure when you're finished.

8 lugs is good for a 13". Otherwise, you have to go hunting for uncommon hoops.
Air vents - as many as you want. The more vents the more "west coast" it will sound. It would give a snare and airy-ness to the crack and pop.
Tone control? you mean the pad that is mounted inside and pushes the felt pad up into the bottom of the top head? If so, I hate those. They rattle sometimes and I'd rather eliminate rattle and noise and use external dampening if I need it. If you tune well, no dampening is needed.

Jingles... I'd avoid them but if you can install them in a way that they can be removed, then it makes the snare much more versatile. I like that idea.

How is the project coming along?
 
I would imagine the PVC will be nowhere near dense enough the volume or articulation that wood provides.
Id also be concerned that under pressure the shell may not stay round - which is pivotal in being able to tune a drum.
 
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