I just bought a set of 42 strand snares for the heck of it. Haven't put them on yet but I'm assuming that would definitely do the trick.
Just sold my 1965 Ludwig Jazz Festival to be someone's Christmas present. I really liked it and it was in pristine condition but I was offered a lot of money for it so off it goes. Actually, I bought it with the idea of cleaning it up and selling it later make a little $ on it. So that worked. But now I'm left needing a snare to replace it. I could get another JF but as long as I'm replacing, I'm going with something different.
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I'm looking for something very sensitive and warm for singer-songwriter and quieter trio work. Ideas without getting crazy expensive?
I looked at an older Ludwig Pioneer on Thursday. It was complete and in very good condition for $260. It had WMP wrap that was just a touch yellowed. Almost bought it, but Christmas was too close and money too tight.
-Brian
"Too many crappy used drum stuff to list"
Play the SONG......not the DRUMS!!!
"I think that feeling is a lot more important than technique. It's all very well doing a triple paradiddle - but who's going to know you've done it? If you play technically you sound like everybody else. It's being original that counts." ~ John Bonham
Not sure how much you are looking to spend but have you checked into the Yamaha Sensitive Series snares? A less costly option might be the Pearl Concert Series snare. For even less, there is the Ludwig Supraphonic snare. That's what we used in Orchestral Band when I was younger. Then of course there is the Acrolite ...
I'm thinking wood for a warmer tone. I have a Supra that I can tune to be pretty sensitive but metal snares get a bit ringy when you tune them lower and try to coax some warmth out of them. Thought about a Pioneer - same shell as the Jazz Festival so should sound similar - never played one.
I never quite understood what dictates a "sensitive" snare. I haven't really played anything but cheap snares....but, seems to me that sinsitivity is not so much the shell material as it is other properties. A thinner snare side head should be more sensitive. A single ply batter will articulate the subtle strokes more efficiently. The snare wires, shell depth, amount of venting & especially snare bed design also play a role. So my thought is; you should be able to take any snare and increase the sensitivity by installing proper heads, wires and appropriate tuning and adjustment.
-Brian
"Too many crappy used drum stuff to list"
Play the SONG......not the DRUMS!!!
"I think that feeling is a lot more important than technique. It's all very well doing a triple paradiddle - but who's going to know you've done it? If you play technically you sound like everybody else. It's being original that counts." ~ John Bonham
Yes you can increase sensitivity of any snare to a certain degree. But a 5" deep snare is inherently more sensitive than a 6.5" snare. Some snares are designed for bashing and others not. Wood shells are typically warmer than metal shells. These are not absolutes though, hence the question. There are a million snares out there. I don't want to try a million, I'd rather try 5. Hoping to get a few suggestions to narrow the search up front.
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