New Snare Day...

[MrDrums2112]

Well, thanks to Murat up at Drummer’s Hangout for the great deal on this one (and thank you, Rick) - I picked up the new version of the Gadd Signature snare. It represents a grail of sorts to me. Early opinions - it’s fantastic. And not surprisingly - it sounds like Gadd (the DRUM - certainly not my playing! ). It’s articulate, very dry, and has a pleasing “honk” to it. It definitely will not just sit on a display shelf - I intend to play it often! Anyone else have experience with this? I’d love to hear your reviews, tuning choices, etc.. Happy New Year, everyone!

 

[JazzyJeff]

Congratulations!! I’ve been considering that snare - it’s gorgeous! Play it well and often.

Murat has some of the nicest drums on the planet based on the pics I’ve seen - I hope to visit once normalcy returns.

 

[Fat Drummer]

Congrats on the new family member, that us an awesome choice!!!!

 

[NobleCooleyNut]

I knew you were going to love this snare Mark. Glad you got such a great deal on it too . Enjoy it

 

[drummertom]

Nice!

 

[CC Cirillo]

That’s pretty danged classy. Congratulations.

IYO, what sort of sound does having a steel shell impart?

 

[MrDrums2112]

That’s pretty danged classy. Congratulations.

IYO, what sort of sound does having a steel shell impart?

Thanks, and good question. This comes out of the box set up with die cast hoops, coated PS3 and diplomat snare side, and 10 strand wires. With that, it sounds very dry and very articulate - great for ghost notes, and very controlled. It sounds great at a low tuning with this setup. It’s definitely a Gadd sound, and if you see clips of Gadd playing, with this setup you can quickly achieve that. I think it will sound totally different with a coated ambassador over an ambassador snare side - it’ll brighten up the sound and you could crank it up high. The only other steel snare I’ve had is a Ludwig Supralite, and this is a completely different animal. This Gadd snare is definitely warmer with more of a natural kind of honk to it In comparison.

 

[CC Cirillo]

Great description. I can hear that in my mind’s ear.

The out-of-box configuration sounds designed for mic’ing.

The 10-strand snare wire concept is a new frontier for me. Curious, captain.

 

[Seb77]

That head/hoop/wire setup seems to be the constant for Gadd (not sure if he always uses die-cast hoops?) Muffled batter head, dc hoops only ten wires sounds like counteracting the brightness of the steel shell, but maybe it's the other way round, that the shell brings out more brightness with that setup.

I was curious about the sound, so I dug up some demos, sounds very good, especially in the first clip.

 

[MrDrums2112]

It’s definitely a sound I prefer with my snares - even the piccolo snares I’ve had were always tuned down low.

 

[DanRH]

Congrats on your purchase but not for me. I’m just not a steel drum fan.

 

[MrDrums2112]

Congrats on your purchase but not for me. I’m just not a steel drum fan.

Usually I’m not either, but I just had to make an exception on this one!

 

[thejohnlec]

Beautiful snare - congrats and enjoy! Fwiw, I stopped marginalizing steel snares a while ago. I have a 5” Pearl from the early 70s and a 6 1/2” early 80s Yamaha and they are both excellent. The finish and appointments on your Gadd are gorgeous!

 

[MrDrums2112]

Beautiful snare - congrats and enjoy! Fwiw, I stopped marginalizing steel snares a while ago. I have a 5” Pearl from the early 70s and a 6 1/2” early 80s Yamaha and they are both excellent. The finish and appointments on your Gadd are gorgeous!

I appreciate that, thank you!

 

[bellbrass]

That is one gorgeous snare. I like the whole Gadd tribute thing, and that way Yamaha did that. Perfect size, too. I bet the quality on that snare is top-notch.

 

[CC Cirillo]

Also, Mrdrums2112, —very glad you plan on playing it. You mentioned it is a grail snare of sorts. All the more reason to use it!

People can of course do whatever they wish with their instrument, but excluding maybe something that is rare or has some sort of historical or emotional value, it’s a pet peeve of mine when someone buys what is essentially a production level instrument and never plays it.

 

[Cauldronics]

I’d be tempted to play “50 Ways” right after setting it up. It would probably do an admirable job. Me? Not so much.

 

[MrDrums2112]

I’d be tempted to play “50 Ways” right after setting it up. It would probably do an admirable job. Me? Not so much.

Oh I definitely gave it a shot. I will not be posting a video of it. The drum, however, sounded just like Steve Gadd.