Drummers over snaredrums

"What I look for in a snare drum?"

Specials 19-11-2005 16:12

"I can change my drum sound just by changing my snare drum. For me, I like a snare drum that plays well. Even if I get a 'deep' sound, there are just some drums that play better than others, interms of response. It's really important to me to have a snare mechanism including the throw off and butt plate that will enable me to fine-tune the snare response well. Plus, the kind of hoops is important. Some hoops that are too sharp sound 'cutting', but can really chew up the drumstick."

"Plus, if your not careful, it can cause 'stick shock' if you don't hit it just the right way. I like the Gretsch snares because, firstly, I love Gretsch drums. But, also, I love the die-cast hoops, and the way that they feel. And, they keep the drum in tune well, and protect the roundness of the shell."

"Also, if the bearing edges are cut just right on a wood drum, it can really increase the responsiveness of the drum as well as the 'cut' of the sound. As far as wood vs. metal-it depends on the situation and the music."

"Lately I've been playing wood drums more often. But, sometimes I get used to a metal drum as well. If possible, have at least two snare drums, one wood and one metal. I would say that a 5 1/2' drum is a safe bet. It's all-purpose. I hope this helps!
God bless."
- Vinnie Colaiuta

Mijn snaredrum en ik
"Ik zoek in een snaredrum vooral mezelf. Ik vind het een compliment als iemand me aan de sound van mijn snare op de radio of een ingespeelde cd herkent."

"De "karakteristieke klap" zeg maar. Een snareslag is iets als een voetafdruk in een modderige ondergrond: liefst nat, soms zompig, dik en scherp tegelijk. De zoektocht naar "de snare" is ook voor mij een lange weg gebleken.

Logisch, want ik surf als muzikant nog steeds over bepaalde stijlen en invals "golven", met mijn respektievelijke snares als surfplank. In het prille begin stond het water me in de mond bij het bekijken van die ene metalen Tama, daarna voor een Premier gespaard, vervolgens jaren "trial and error" doorheen het hele Sonor gamma. Zalige gegoten spanringen trouwens..."

"Maar de laatste jaren ben ik rustiger geworden. Ik zal hem dus wel gevonden hebben, die "ene" snare. Tja, al de modeverschijnselen (heb gelukkig niet te lang piccolo's gehad) en designfolietjes ten spijt zweer ik nu echt bij de reissues van Slingerland's Radio King, bouwjaar 1997. Hoe vettiger hoe prettiger als het ware, maar nog steeds met dat scherpe kantje en liefst hoger gestemd."

"Waar was ik dan naar op zoek ? Naar traditie, universaliteit, keeping up with the most expensives ? Neen, ik zoek "sex" in een snaredrum : overal waar je speelt een lekker klinkende klap, met body (die massievere houtklank), soul (niet weinig kippevel) en vooral hitsigheid (penetrante, gewoon onafhoudende Belgische goesting om er nog een klap uit te knallen)."

"Idem dito trouwens als ik een nieuwe snaresound maak in mijn Roland drums: ik wil een klap in het gezicht, dat zeker, maar vooral tegelijkertijd een klap in de onderbuik. Hoog en laag brengt de beat naar de maag! Vandaar dat ik ook door een vriend een dikke berken 10"x6" snare heb laten maken : dikke houten ketels laten zich toch wel overal lekker voelen. En ze zinderen niet te lang na als je in een kleinere club of cafe een bluesset speelt."

"De velcombinatie op de 5,5" en 6,5" Slingerland Radio King die ik live en in de studio gebruik is identiek: Remo CS batter met doorzichtige onderplakte dot bovenaan, een gewone Remo Ambassador snareside resonantievel onderaan. En hoe gestemd ? In "VSH-Groot": "vettig", "sexy" en "heet" (met heel strak opgespannen snareside)."
- Michael Schack (foto).

"Hello Slagwerkkrant, Good to hear from you! Regarding you question of which has been my favorite Snare Drum? This is quite a difficult question. First, as my playing is evolving, it is truly impossible to choose which snare is the best. In attempting new sounds, learning and executing new ideas. It is inconceivable to say that this snare or that snare drum is the best I've used hitherto. Of course there are snares that have responded so well to certain types of rudiments or various stickings I've tried thus far in my career."

"Furthermore, playing different styles also performing in so many different acoustical settings makes the response of the instrument ever so different. I'm sure this doesn't answer your question but if you and Slagwerkkrant Magazine is around at my retirement age. Maybe by then I'll honestly know which is my favorite snare."
- Sincerely, Billy Kilson

"Snare Drums: Aahhh - the everlasting quest for the perfect snare drum! For the last 5 years I have basically used one snare drum for most of the projects I do and that is my Tama signature snare - the Gladiator. It has been able to adapt to every situation both in live and studio settings."

"However there are times when you just have to pull out something else. I have a 6-1/2" version of the Gladiator which also works very well and most recently I have started using a custom drum made by Drum Paradise in North Hollywood called the "Hit Maker"."

"It seems this has became quite popular around town. The problem is that sometimes a change is as good as a rest. Just to hear something a little different can work wonders and also one gets too accustomed to the sound of one drum. I think I am always striving for the perfect mixture of the tone from a wood drum mixed with the brightness and spread of a metal shell. A drum that has good response but not too much unwanted rattle of the snares. A ring that help the sound project but isn't annoying and gets in the way of the music."

"My main goal for the Gladiator was to have a drum that could be tuned many different ways and could adapt to different types of music - so one didn't have to cart around ten snare drums to a session. I think we achieved that. But, one can still grow tired and look for something different. I have a Ludwig Supra Phonic 400 which I bought in 1971. I don't use it much but sometimes it comes out and just sounds right for what I am doing at the time."

"I also have a Ludwig 402 which I bought in 1974 and the same applies to that one. Mostly they gather dust but just occasionally they're perfect. I used to use Remo Ambassador coated black dot up until about 5 years ago too and changed to the regular Remo Weatherking Ambassador batter head. I hope this works OK for you."
Sincerely, - Simon Phillips