Metal = Wood equivalents?

[katulu]

You know, I've come across this situation several times, where I have a metal snare and a wood snare and they just remind me of each other and I end up tuning them similarly and they just sound so similar you'd think one is the other. You figure there's some sonic "equivalence" between certain woods and metals? Maybe it's in personal perception? Or just tuning? I'll give my examples:

Brass Sensitone -> Maple Sleishman
Bronze Gretsch -> Rosewood Gretsch
Titanium custom Trick -> Canopus Zelkova

 

[Steech]

I’ve found that aluminum and copper can sometimes sound pretty close to wood depending on the tuning.

 

[jlzisk]

N&C Alloy Classic has a thick shell maple-ish vibe.

 

[Houndog]

My Single ply Slingerland kinda sounds like a Supra …

 

[Elvis]

You know, I've come across this situation several times, where I have a metal snare and a wood snare and they just remind me of each other and I end up tuning them similarly and they just sound so similar you'd think one is the other. You figure there's some sonic "equivalence" between certain woods and metals? Maybe it's in personal perception? Or just tuning? I'll give my examples:

Brass Sensitone -> Maple Sleishman
Bronze Gretsch -> Rosewood Gretsch
Titanium custom Trick -> Canopus Zelkova

I've taken a cheap chrome metal snare drum, lined the interior with duct tape and it came off sounding like a cross between a metal snare drum and a wood snare drum.

 

[1988fxlr]

My Ludwig classic birch could pass for aluminum blindfolded

 

[varatrodder]

My thick stave walnut snare can sound like a brass snare with the right heads and tuning.

 

[LudwigGuy]

I saw an online discussion get heated and eventually shut down debating whether or not you can hear the difference between on a wood snare and a metal snare on recordings. This really changed my perception. I used to not even give metal snares a chance because I thought they all were too loud and piercing. So, I decided to start giving metal snares a chance. I have since then gotten rid of every wood snare except for my cherry/mahogany Pork Pie. My main go-to snares are now Black Beauties: 14x8 and 14x6.5. It's amazing how warm a BB sounds.

 

[cornelius]

My Steel Keplinger could pass as a wood drum.

 

[dingaling]

I think it’s more about projection than tone. Metal will definitely project better.

 

[Seb77]

My Single ply Slingerland kinda sounds like a Supra …

I own both these drums, plus some bronze and brass drums. Several sound sort of similar, I like snares that sit at this in-between point, warm but bright, sensitive but with headroom. They all sound like versatile snares, but there are differences, too, in how they respond to different dynamics, different tunings, how they sound in different rooms.
The Slingerland is the only wooden drum I own that has the kind of openness in the rimshot I like. The Tama Gladiator (Simon Phillips bronze model) might be closest.

 

[Elvis]

I saw an online discussion get heated and eventually shut down debating whether or not you can hear the difference between on a wood snare and a metal snare on recordings. This really changed my perception. I used to not even give metal snares a chance because I thought they all were too loud and piercing. So, I decided to start giving metal snares a chance. I have since then gotten rid of every wood snare except for my cherry/mahogany Pork Pie. My main go-to snares are now Black Beauties: 14x8 and 14x6.5. It's amazing how warm a BB sounds.

Check out a Ludwig hammered Bronze shell.
From what you wrote, I'm thinking you might like it.

 

[aparker2005]

My rosewood snares sound very metal like with just a bit more warmth

 

[Ptrick]

Softer and darker metals like copper and bronze can be very woody, and harder woods like Rosewood, Jarrah, can sound like metal. There is a giant spectrum between that based on head choice, tuning, room we are in…

 

[LudwigGuy]

Check out a Ludwig hammered Bronze shell.
From what you wrote, I'm thinking you might like it.

I've not heard a single bad thing about the Ludwig bronze snare drums! They are definitely worth checking out.

I think if I was going to get anything, I would get a Slingerland Radio King single ply with re-rings from the 1940s. I played one about a month ago, and it's haunted me ever since.

 

[Elvis]

I've not heard a single bad thing about the Ludwig bronze snare drums! They are definitely worth checking out.

I think if I was going to get anything, I would get a Slingerland Radio King single ply with re-rings from the 1940s. I played one about a month ago, and it's haunted me ever since.

They say the RK was the most recorded snare drum in history until the advent of the Supraphonic, and later, the Acrolite.
Make sure its 14x7. That's the real deal.

 

[LudwigGuy]

They say the RK was the most recorded snare drum in history until the advent of the Supraphonic, and later, the Acrolite.
Make sure its 14x7. That's the real deal.

I should have snagged it. I'm going to save my money and see if I can get one maybe near the end of this year. Those things are incredible.