Metal vs. Wood Snare

[coke_can]

What is the difference between metal and wood snare? I mean i know that metal ones sound more high pitched and resonanty, but what is the quality in it that makes people want to have it in a snare drum? Why the metal snare drum and not the entire metal kit? Give me your thoughts and opinions....btw 500 posts!!!

[VegasDrummer69]

Congrats on the big 5 double 0 !

There are probably many reasons for not making a metal kit. I cant say I know all of them, but I would guess that it would sound too "ringy" and high pitched.

When I was a kid I only played metal snare drums... becuase I wanted a really high pitch, lots of volume, and most of my favorite rock and metal players had them.

Over time, I began to appreciate the beautiful tones of a nice wood snare. (My preference is for maple)

I still like some metal snares... and have a couple... but wood to me, just sounds much more like a natural drum sound.

I guess Im saying that is more a sound preference than aything else.

Matt

[drummerdavie]

metal snares have a lot of ring and a lot of cut
wood snares are more rounded

[Stevo42w]

I didnt like steel snares at first now i have started growing attached to them. DC just got a steel snare i think? The tama is isnt it DC?

[Roger]

Steel Snares cranked up so hard it hurts sound so beautiful I have tears of joy. Why wouldn't you make kits out of steel? Because most people who use steel snares are metal players who want their kit tuned as low as possible, and you can't tune steel that low, ever. Steel is the highest pitched thing that drums are made out of, just for reference mahogany is the lowest.

[kay-gee]

I have seen metal sets. Years ago Ludwig made a stainless steel set. They were quite heavy (weight) and quite loud too. Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake and Palmer played a set of metal drums also. May have been brass or something...not sure!

all the best...

[Roger]

And Bonham used one. Oh and Trick Drums make steel drums: http://www.trickdrums.com/index.html .

[koopa]

A good index / general rule of thumb might be "how heavy the guitar distortion is in a song".....

For example, country music / bluegrass / folk = wood snare.

Hard Rock = metal snare.

Metal = Metal Snare

after all the nuances of the maple get lost in distortion.


I almost always prefer a maple snare drum unless of course it isn't cutting through the mix. Although I am very interested in the Noble & Cooley Alloy Snare. I haven't heard it yet but really want to give one a try. The metal snares I use now are a Vintage Ludwig Supraphonic, a vintage Ludwig NOB snare and a Yamaha Jimmy Chamberlain Signature snare.

[el_josho_drummer]

I personally like wood snares better. They sound more...real. I like the depth and warmth they generally have and they just have that nice woody tone. In my opinion they just sound more natural around a drum set. Metal snares are often very good, but it just depends on the person and their kit.

[Roger]

A good index / general rule of thumb might be "how heavy the guitar distortion is in a song".....

For example, country music / bluegrass / folk = wood snare.

Hard Rock = metal snare.

Metal = Metal Snare


I almost always prefer a maple snare drum unless of course it isn't cutting through the mix. Although I am very interested in the Noble & Cooley Alloy Snare. I haven't heard it yet but really want to give one a try. The metal snares I use now are a Vintage Ludwig Supraphonic, a vintage Ludwig NOB snare and a Yamaha Jimmy Chamberlain Signature snare.

Vintage Ludwig 14x6.5 Supraphonic is one of the best snares in the world, it has been the best in the market for more than 4 decades.

[totti]

A good index / general rule of thumb might be "how heavy the guitar distortion is in a song".....

For example, country music / bluegrass / folk = wood snare.

Hard Rock = metal snare.

Metal = Metal Snare

after all the nuances of the maple get lost in distortion.

That sound acceptable for me...

[backtodrum]

Metal snare = brighter more crack. loud
Wood snare = deeper, throatier, warmer sound not as much in your face crack

Of course there is always exceptions to the rules

[gonefishin]

Some good replys so far , I have been considering buying myself a new snare also .

[brian189]

I like the tone of wood, but the volume of metal. I use a wood snare for recording and a brass snare for live performance.

[coke_can]

thanks for all the replys guys

[Yom]

I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with Bubinga Snares and how they differ from Maple?

[Stevo42w]

never heard of them

I love the rimshot sounds you can get off wood snares with wood rings.

[PHROGGE]

You Want Loud....Ludwig Stainless Steel Kit(can Control The Ring Wif That Foam Adhesive That Goes Around Doors)Carl Palmer Had Acustom Made STAINLESS Kit He Said Weighed About 5000 Lbs....I've Seen Pics Of A Paiste 2002 Kit That Was Custom Made For Him....and I Concur That The Jeff Ochletree "spirit Of 2002" Snare Is One Of The Heaviest And Loudest Drums I Have Ever Heard In My Life

[funkymcstain]

carl palmer also has one of the rare paiste/ocheltree spirit of 2002 kits, like danny carrey"s.

there are a few misconceptions in this thread imo, i own several snares of dif. material and sizes, some are wood and dont really fit with typical descriptions and vise versa with metal. for instance my tama g-maple is higher pitched and more penetrating than my pearl brass sensitone of the same size.

thickness and bearing edges can have more effect on a drums sound than material.

[pastor_bob]

I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with Bubinga Snares and how they differ from Maple?

Yom, I've played a Bubinga snare at my local store, and it is a little brighter than maple. Frankly I was a bit surprised by that!

[koopa]

Here is an audio clip of a very raw basic track that I recorded a few weeks ago with my band. Its just drums, bass, rythymn guitar, and keyboards. We all played this at the same time in the same room. Next step is to overdub some leads / vocals / extras / then polish everything. Remember its a raw mix but I hope you enjoy!

01 - Saggy Chest.mp3

equipment used: pearl mmx 6 piece (including mmx maple snare), zildjian a custom mastersound hihats, paiste sound formula reflector 15" and 16" crashes, paiste signature 20" power ride, sabian 10" b8pro splash, zildjian 12" A splash, zildjian 8" K splash, rhythymn tech cowbell


04 - Unemployment Line.mp3


equipment used: pearl mmx 5 piece, jimmy chamberlain signature yamaha metal snare (you can just hear that extra metal twange when compared to the first track), zildjian a custom mastersound hihats, paiste sound formula reflector 15" and 16" crashes, paiste signature 20" power ride, sabian 10" b8pro splash, zildjian 12" A splash, zildjian 8" K splash, rhythymn tech cowbell

[Yom]

Yom, I've played a Bubinga snare at my local store, and it is a little brighter than maple. Frankly I was a bit surprised by that!

That is quite surprising! I've been led to believe they have more low end and are warmer than Maple.

I think I'm going to see if my favourite shop can bring in a Bubinga and a Maple snare especially and let me choose between them. They'll still be left with an awesome snare to sell to someone else.

Its difficult when you live miles from a decent drum store. Hehe

[kay-gee]

Yeah like when the nearest music Store is in a different country!...LOL

all the best...

[fiacovaz]

Wood vs metal...that's a good question. For over 40 years, I've played the Ludwig Supraphonic 400 snare 5 1/2 x 14. I play with a big band and felt that the metal Ludwig was a bit to high sounding. I put on a hearvier natter head and that helped but, I still wasn't convinced. A few years ago, I bought an early 1960's maple slingerland in the same size. There is a definite difference in the sound. I finally got the "Woody" sound that I was after. A few months ago, I bought some Moon Gel. I am now back to using my Supraphonic with moon gel. I used it last week on a gig with my big band and I liked it. Is there an answer? Who knows, other than what music you play will always dictate the sound you will want.

[STICKSWIZZARDDRAGON]

OLa como estas CC *ARTIST DRUMMER *I use Both
My Bronz Black Panther HAs A very Hot* Sound ,Extremxxxx FaST Action
its Great For Alot Of My Progressive Rock/Fussion Sound ,But I Also Love
my black Panther Maple Its So Warm They are Both Very HOT & smooth
for every thing All STYLES of Music *What-ever works For the ARTIST
IS FANTASTIC**