more snare cluelessness - muffler

[antichef]

So I was having difficulties with my Premier snare (dentist-drill sounding ring) and decided to get a Supraphonic like Greg said in another thread. I found old used ones to be in surprisingly plentiful supply on ebay and at a local store (RR). One thing about many of these snares is that they're missing the muffler. I had to look it up.

I have two snares now - a Pearl 13" "Steel Shell" that I got for my son for band class when he was in 3rd grade, and the 14" maple Premier. I looked closely - the Pearl has a muffler and the Premier doesn't.

So for these Supraphonics with missing mufflers - how important is it?

(btw, I think I had both heads on the Premier *way* too tight - I loosened them and it sounds a lot better now, so I may wait on this, but it'll be good to know anyway)

 

[Greg_L]

You don't need the muffler thing. If you need to dampen the snare, use a dampening ring or moongel.

Also, if you want NO ring whatsoever but still want the full tone of the snare with no muffling, try an Evans Genera Dry batter head. Not the HD or ST. Just the regular Evans Genera Dry. It's a really good head for metal shells if you want a crisp crack and no ring.

 

[antichef]

try an Evans Genera Dry batter head. Not the HD or ST. Just the regular Evans Genera Dry.

That's actually what I got - the bottom head is what was ringing, along with the super tight snare wires, I think. Good to know about the muffler.