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Thread: A lesson on wood!

  1. #1

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    Question A lesson on wood!

    Hey I am in the market to buy a new snare and I am looking at all the different woods, maple, birch...I am not really sure how they change the sounds of the drum..So if anyone could give me a little insight and then tell me which do you prefer and why? THAAANKKKS!

  2. #2

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    Default Re: A lesson on wood!

    Basically, you go hit drums until you find one you like. There are so many variables beyond the type of wood that it's hard to make definite statements. Plys vs finish vs sizes vs heads vs room acoustics. Some say birch is more focused. Whatever that really means. And others say Maple is warmer. Your budget is always the strongest factor in a purchase anyway. So what's your budget?
    And me personally? I prefer metal snares to wood.
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  3. #3

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    Default Re: A lesson on wood!

    Well said Kazaamski

  4. #4

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    birch or brass for me. this link explains in pretty good detail but your own ear will be the best decision maker.

    [link removed. Please do not link to commercial sites as per the forum rules. - Thx, Tom]
    Last edited by slinky; 06-12-2013 at 07:01 AM.
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  5. #5

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    I prefer Bubinga and Oak ...lower fundamental tone on both ... both have more volume than most any other wood...the attack is in your face yet both respond beautifully with the soft sticking. And as it has already been mentioned...your ears "Must" be the final decision maker...along with that nasty ole thing called "budget".
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  6. #6

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    Default Re: A lesson on wood!

    I have several metal snares and a couple of wood. I like metal- Brass, Steel, Aluminum. I have a Birch snare and a Maple snare. The metal are certainly louder and have a higher/sharper sonic quality and the wood are a little less loud and have a mellower/softer sonic quality.

    To get into the specifics of how the different woods create different sounds is almost impossible, almost. Everything about the drum- hardware (flanged hoops vs. die-cast, big lugs vs smaller lugs) wrapped vs lacquer and head choices as well as the room and tuning are going to dramatically have an effect. Even if you have two identical drums with the same heads tuned the same (both wood lets say) they are going to sound ever so slightly different. It is what it is.

    Your ear will tell you what sound you will like and your budget will tell you if you can get it.
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  7. #7

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    Default Re: A lesson on wood!

    Same here. I have a few metal snares, and couple of wood myself, and I like them all. My two favorites are both Ludwigs. Epic and my Acrolite. The best advice was the first answer , go to a music store and start playing snares until you find the one that fits what you want at that time. I change depending on the style I'm playing, or the venue.
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  8. #8

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    Default Re: A lesson on wood!

    Quote Originally Posted by slinky View Post
    birch or brass for me. this link explains in pretty good detail but your own ear will be the best decision maker.
    That's a great link. I was looking for it earlier because I know I've seen it before.

    Anyway, I'm a big fan of oak drums. Lots of low end with great tone and nice woody characteristics. I also like drums that have poplar in them. The poplar gives a really nice warm tone with good low end.
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  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by ljmarch View Post
    That's a great link. I was looking for it earlier because I know I've seen it before.

    Anyway, I'm a big fan of oak drums. Lots of low end with great tone and nice woody characteristics. I also like drums that have poplar in them. The poplar gives a really nice warm tone with good low end.

    your welcome, glad I could help you out. Had to be removed though I didn't know it was commercially linked.
    Last edited by slinky; 06-12-2013 at 09:12 AM.
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  10. #10

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    looks like a trip to the store my friend.
    Have you got you're ticket for the rock train? You gotta earn that Ticket!!

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  11. #11

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    my pearl piccolo snare is pretty loud. its a steel shell. 13"x3" i believe. has a very nice attack and cuts throgh very nicely.
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  12. #12

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    Thanks for the link! really really helpful...yeah I have made it out to two different guitar centers to bang on some snares...I was really digging the black panthers I was playing, one was steel the other maple...nice sound...tight...then I was playing some pork pie snares they seem to have a lot of ring on them...I don't know I think I might hunt around for a black panther! thanks everyone

  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by souzabatero View Post
    Thanks for the link! really really helpful...yeah I have made it out to two different guitar centers to bang on some snares...I was really digging the black panthers I was playing, one was steel the other maple...nice sound...tight...then I was playing some pork pie snares they seem to have a lot of ring on them...I don't know I think I might hunt around for a black panther! thanks everyone
    Hard to go wrong with a black panther. I have yet to play one that I didn't like.
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  14. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by weezy View Post
    Hard to go wrong with a black panther. I have yet to play one that I didn't like.
    +1 I do agree that your own ears will be your best guide. I have a Black Panther Deep Forest Cherry snare that is my favorite snare.
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  15. #15

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    For snare drum, nobody beats LUDWIG...Noooooobody!!

    Especially in metal

    all the best...

  16. #16

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    Nowadays there is much tadoo about wood types but I find it rather superficial. There is a marked difference between metal and wood, but less between metal and metal, and wood and wood.

    Sound is far more significantly effected by...head gauge and tension, shell width and depth.

    all the best...

  17. #17

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    Man for price range I have been also checking out the sonor black mamba...its a pretty looking little snare 13 x 7 something a bit different as well, and it is more in my price range, I am going to look at more ludwigs before I make the dive. However I am still on the hunt for a bargain on a black panter

  18. #18

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    Default Re: A lesson on wood!

    Being brand new to this drum thing, I have found the Drum Workshop videos (on the DW website) done by John Good to be excellent information, and includes great discussions about differences in woods and construction techniques, though not specifically about snares.
    Now, just a tiny bit less than an absolute drum newbie
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