Snare Info

Snare tips article

Brass: A very sharp edge to the sound and very rich with mellow overtones.

Steel: A step more towards bright with a very pronounced ring, allot of body and longer decay than brass.

Aluminum: Clear, open sounds with bright, crisp overtones and is capable of incredibly loud rimshots.

Bronze: A close cousin to brass with the overall character of woods, can be loud, a good all around drum.

Copper: A close cousin to the Aluminum drum only slightly warmer.

Hammered: Same overall characteristics as the parent material, only slightly less resonance to varying degrees.

Metal Thickness: The 1mm shells are not as low to mid range resonant as thicker shells such as 3mm plus.

Metal Cast Drums: Very Loud and Resonant due to special cymbal alloys used in the casting process.

Wood Drums: see previous post

Small Diameter: Means higher pitch.

Longer Length: Means more power and shell resonance, longer decay.

Shallow Depth: Means more articulate, less power due to decreased shell area.

Snare Bed: A slight depression in the resonant side bearing edge to allow the snare to ride closer to the head.

Bearing Edges: Less than 45° are not inferior, they simply make for a different sound, usually less resonant and darker in character the less the angle, 35° is popular on Birch Drums. Drums get brighter if the crown of the bearing edge is a tighter radius (sharper) than if the radius is flatter (may be desired on the toms and kick).