new(used) snare

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monster

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hey out there.....

i recently bought a used yamaha kit over the web and like the toms but not the snare/cymbals. I'd like advice on a new/used snare purchase. I have an unknown snare that sounds lame. My kit is a recording custom (birch). I want something to complement my kit and not be insanely loud and record WELL. i'm mostly into recording. Any ideas? I'd love to hear..........
 
have you tried to re-tune the snare and/or replaced the heads? If you know what you're doing you can make ANY snare sound good....
so, if the hardware is still in good shape, why bother bying new gear when the used stuff is just there to use again
 
I am replacing all of the heads on my kit (batter and resonant) next week. Hopefully this will make a difference. I can't tell what kind of snare I have (no manufacturer name). It's made out of metal. I played on a friends kit the other week, an old beat up ludwig, and his snare sounded way better. I guess I just thought that since the snare is so important to your kit's sound and that metal snares tend to have more volume and projection that maybe I'd be better off with wood. I play and record in a small bedroom (10 x 11) and am much more interested in lower volume, complex, resonant sound.
 
This is hard to do by only words. You should go to a store that has a good variety and narrow down your search a little. Different woods and depths really change the sound of the drum. I would first think of your dream snare sound (lots of "crack", low end thud etc, etc). Then just keep narrowing it down a bit until you know exactly what you're looking for. Hope this help and I hope I'm not telling you what you already know!:o
RF
 
actually I know very little..........

I always have problems when I go to a store because it's hard for me to isolate the "store experience" from my listening- all the confusion of people shopping, etc. and the "misinformation" from the sales staff. I generally like the advice I get from these types of forums even though I recognize there may be major differences in what sound I like relative to yours. Plus the store has their snare set up in ways you wouldn't necessarily do- once you put your head on it and tune it how you want it you'll have a totally different sound. I guess I was just looking for some good names and then I could look into them further.....
 
monster said:
actually I know very little..........

I guess I was just looking for some good names and then I could look into them further.....
Click to expand...

If it's just about where to start it's hard to dislike DW maple snares. Personally, I just bought a yamaha oak snare but that might be a little loud for your room. I had a tough time deciding between the oak and the yamaha 'anton fig' snares in the store. Why not try starting with a birch snare drum? At least that would match the tone you like in the rest of your kit.

I do think you'll get closer to a good decision checking some out at the store than just going blind. True, it's not your room but if it's a good shop, they might let you try it out at home and bring it back if you don't like it.
 
If you like your friends old Ludwig find out what kind it is and buy one off e-bay. My favorite is a 1963 Ludwig Suprephonic. That snare has been used on more hit records than any snare ever made! I use several old snares from the 60's and they sound great. You can pick them up very reasonable used. It also gives you more than just one snare sound for a lot less $.
 
thanks....all good ideas. I think a good place to start would be to look into birch drums and also consider something older and more inexpensive as a second. I guess it's about time to head to the store.........
 
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