Brass snare drum poll

[lossforgain]

If you have a brass snare, is it
USA or overseas?
Seamed or seamless?

(If you own both, pick the one you prefer for the sale of the poll, please.)

Background:
I’m a big metal Ludwig snare fan. I’ve owned dozens of them, and currently have 6. I own both USA seamless shell brass and import seamed shell brass drums from them, and I feel like I am almost unreasonably happy with the import drum! Wondering if others feel the same way.

 

[Mcjnic]

Hand spun shell from one of our very own members - Oriollo.
Incredibly cool drum.
One of the best (if not the best) brass snares I've ever played.

 

[1988fxlr]

Good old usa seamed Slingerland

 

[notINtheband]

My favorite snare (of the 31 I own) is a Black Panther Wraith. It’s a brass snare that I prefer even over my Black Beauty.

 

[idrum4fun]

I currently own Ludwig, Rogers, Slingerland and custom-made drums using Worldmax NOB shells, in a combination of seamed and seamless. Each one sounds excellent to me! I haven't yet cast my vote as it's just too difficult to pick only one!

-Mark

 

[shiek_yerbouti]

I think it may come down to the actual drum itself or perhaps the model line itself. I have owned Pearl Sensitones (Aluminum and Bronze) for may years and I love how they sound. Have also had the Pork Pie patina and also thought it sounded excellent. I own a Gretsch 4160 which is seamless, but it’s hard to compare that drum to the others because the heavy, die cast rims almost put it in a different category altogether.

Now I am looking to get a 14X6.5 Brass and my mind is spinning from all the options. I would go either way on the seamed vs seamless. I think there is more to it than that and I don’t even know how much of a difference that seam would make all other things being equal.

 

[thejohnlec]

I have a mid-1970s 5” Slingerland COB Sound King that sounds better than any other brass snare in my collection. Sensitivity, power, tone - it pokes a hole through everything on stage. Just an amazing sounding instrument.

 

[idrum4fun]

I have a mid-1970s 5” Slingerland COB Sound King that sounds better than any other brass snare in my collection. Sensitivity, power, tone - it pokes a hole through everything on stage. Just an amazing sounding instrument.

I completely agree with the Slingerland COB Sound King. I've had many over the years and each has been excellent! I still have both a Sound King and a COB Festival, both early 70's drums. What I like about the Festival is that it lends itself to using an Inde throw-off and butt with no extra holes! The addition of those parts would make the COB Festival an excellent all-around snare drum!

-Mark

 

[hsosdrum]

A Ludwig LB416BT Black Beauty I bought in 2013. Love it!!!

EDIT: You know, I really shoulda included a pic:

 

[UptownShakedown]

I usually go to Ludwig for aluminum and Gretsch for brass. Not intentionally necessarily but just what I wind up liking.

 

[repete]

Worldmax - I keep thinking about getting another brass snare and then I wonder why. One of these days I’ll tell my grandkids about those extra holes in the shell

 

[GretschMan61]

I own an offshore seamed (Tama Trackmaster ) and a USA seamless (Ludwig Black Beauty ). I like both equally brilliant snare drums . There is something about black nickel plating on a brass shell .

 

[mydadisjr]

Had a seamless Ludwig BB back in the day.

Have a seamed DW 5.5 now. I am just as happy with the DW as I was with the BB.

Good heads, wires and tuning mean more than seamed vs seamless.

Seamed vs seamless might sound SLIGHTLY different, but that does not translate to BETTER or WORSE, just different (but not much).

 

[sfmill]

I prefer seamless shells.


Joyful Noise TKO Brass Snare Drum 14X6.5


Joyful Noise TKO Brass Snare Drum 14X5


Joyful Noise Classic Standard 14 X 6.5


Ludwig Black Beauty Snare Drum 14X6.5


Ludwig Supraphonic COB (B Stock) Snare Drum 14X5


Yamaha Brass Snare Drum 14X8


Yamaha Brass Snare Drum 14X6.5

 

[JimmyM]

I voted seamless, but I am starting to care less and less about owning a Black Beauty. Great great snare. There are others out there and I can only play one at a time, or at least that’s all I want to deal with.

 

[Tornado]

I have a 5x14 BNOB Sensitone, and a 6.5x14 Black Magic. Both overseas made with seams. I like them.

 

[mzd]

I also have a 14x5 Pearl Sensitone brass. Great snare for the price! Mine has tube lugs and diecast hoops.

 

[CC Cirillo]

I also have a 14x5 Pearl Sensitone brass. Great snare for the price! Mine has tube lugs and diecast hoops.

I have that same drum. Was using at a drum and bass jam tonight in fact. Wonderful snare.

 

[lossforgain]

Just played my Black Magic again tonight and I’m really into it. I never should have sold the first one I bought! Sometimes stupidity means having to buy something twice.

 

[Mn02]

I have a hard time spending a lot of money on a metal shell snare wood is a different story). I recently snagged a 6.5x14 Sensitone BNOB for just over $100. Price to sound ratio is ridiculous. I don’t doubt the Ludwig mojo (I have enjoyed the chrome over brass Supra) but I can fill the brass sound more adequately with a less expensive drum.