Review 1: Shootout: Pearl Soprano 12"x7" Snare v. 2001 Ayotte Custom 12"x7" Steelhoop Snare
Backstory: When I was 17 (in 2001) I was absolutely smitten with the drum sounds of Jeremy Taggert (Our Lady Peace- Naveed and Clumsy), Matt Cameron (Soundgarden- Down On the Upside and his studio work with The Smashing Pumpkins), William Goldsmith (Sunny Day Real Estate- How It Feels to Be Something On) and Matt Chamberlin (Tori Amos- To Venus and Back). The common denominator was everyone using Ayotte drums.
The Pearl snare I already owned after using the one my teacher had. I'm only 5'7", and I greatly appreciate the extra inch of room on each side as opposed to a 14". Long story short, I busted a few parts on the Pearl, and was in the market for a new drum. I couldn't find any other 12" snares, and Ayotte's site at the time was the only one that had something like a kitbuilder where you could get a quote. So I entered the specs for the Pearl, read that they backed all the parts for 25 years, that the lugs would not break, period, and I set off to find a finish I liked. I was excited and glad to get something the same quality as what was used on the records I liked.
SPECS: Pearl Soprano 12" x 7"Snare
Street Price (new): 2001: ~$280-$300
2010: $360
Country of Origin: Taiwan
Lugs: 8 / 2 screwholes per lug/ raised profile to reduce shell contact
Shell: 100% Maple / 8 ply/ 3/8" thick, no reinforcement rings
Hoops: triple-flanged steel
Strainer: two positions (engaged and loose)/ three-screw footprint/ grip is textured metal/ snares attach to throwoff and butt via nylon cord
Available Finishes: Liquid Amber
Badge: There is no hardware behind badge inside the shell, so whatever is on the four corners (my eyes can't tell if they're really small screws or nails) does not fully penetrate the shell.
Ventilation: One vent with a two-piece, non-threaded grommet. Yes, this has separated on me.
SPECS: 2001 Ayotte Custom 12"x7" Steelhoop Snare
Street Price (new): $456.15
Country of Origin: Canada
Order communication: I told the company the dimensions, ply count, finish, and hoop type I wanted. I think I asked for reinforcement hoops (this drum has them), but I am certain neither I nor the company discussed ventilation, lug count, nor bearing edges, so I'm assuming they gave me what they felt was best.
Lugs: 6 / 2 screwholes per lug/ flush against the shell/ Tunelock Set Screw (Ayotte only offers one lug style)
Shell: 100% Maple / 8 ply/ 3/8" thick, including 6 ply reinforcement hoops
Hoops: triple-flanged steel
Strainer: fluid transition from on, off, or anywhere between via a tooth-and-gear system/ two-screw footprint/ grip is embellished with two rubber strips/ snares attach to throwoff and butt via solid nylon strap
Available Finishes: Whatever you want, but company is hesitant to do wraps; mine is Red Walnut Satin.
Badge: Affixed to drum via four screws very similar to eyeglass screws
Ventilation: something I had completely overlooked when ordering. One hole, with comparable egress to the Pearl, is found underneath the butt end of the snare strainer.
Noteworthy Differences
I want to reitorate that I'm focusing on things that typically you would not be able to change with Ayotte. It's implied that you can get a thicker or thinner shell, soundrings, and any finish you can think of. There's two major construction differences between these otherwise very similar drums- the snare strainer and ventilation.
Here is an exterior shot of the strainers side-by-side. The Ayotte is on the left and the Pearl is on the right.
The top yellow arrow highlights the rubber grip, which is starting to wear away. The lower yellow arrow points to the tooth-and-gear system that lets the strainer be so adjustable. The red arrow points out the textured grip of the Pearl strainer.
Here is what they look like from inside the drum. As mentioned earlier, the Ayotte throwoff attaches via two screws to the Pearl's three.
Here are the respective ventholes. The Ayotte is more covert and has not caused the aggravation the Pearl has.
In Pearl's Favor
-The drum is mass market and thus available brand new at a lower price point. It is also much more common used than a similar Ayotte.
-Replacement parts are perhaps easier to obtain. In 2001 I could get new lugs. I haven't tried or searched in ten years.
-One is also able to try this drum new without necessarily committing to purchase.
What Pearl Can Improve
-While I found the Liquid Amber Finish appealing, it may not be well-received by all, and to only offer the drum in one finish is limiting.
-The vent grommet was a particular nuisance as the two parts have separated on me during performance before. I have seen threaded grommets, which if this is not included on newer models, I would recommend.
-Reinforcement rings may not be for everybody, but I happen to like them, and would opt for this option.
-I had terrible luck with breaking lugs on this drum, but I believe a large part of that equation was me.
What Works In Favor For Ayotte
By Ayotte's being a custom shop, you have:
-a wide selection of finishes
-the ability to determine shell thickness
However, if you were considering this snare used:
-When changing heads, tension rods, washers, and perpendicular screws remain whole with the steelhoop. No more chasing or misplacing small parts!
-Vent grommet has proven to be less maintainence
-Snare throwoff tension is more adjustable than merely "on" and "off"
What Ayotte Can Improve
-When ordering this drum I overlooked specifying the number of lugs and did not mention ventilation at all. The craftsman didn't forget, so the ball wasn't dropped.
-Once you have a custom drum built, there is no going back, and it is a gamble that your expectations will match the product you've helped design.
-There is talk among the drumming community of whether Ayotte is in trouble. The company needs to actively quell these fears by updating its site on a more frequent basis and frankly provide customer service to the standards of its competition. I had chased the company for some time about purchasing a t-shirt with my last order, and if I can't get a shirt, what impression does that leave me with should I need another lug or strainer?
-The cost is becoming prohibitively expensive, again more information with the next shootout.
Final Thoughts
Both drums sound similar, as one would expect since they share much common ground. While comparing a six-lug and an eight-lug drums is slightly imperfect, both are relatively easy to tune and a joy to play. Differences emerge in lug and throwoff systems. When the snare is steelhoop, Ayotte's lug design is easier. However, Pearl's throwoff grip ages better, while Ayotte's offers grey area between snares on and off. This is not something I do often, so it is a luxury for my use.
Thank you for reading and again, any information you can add to make this a great place to learn about Ayotte as a whole , especially concerning kit hardware, is greatly appreciated.
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