Greetings all- been thinking of getting new snare, maybe a project one, that would be versatile but especially good fit for jazz playing. Wondering what others out there might have tried? Any particular models that others are pleased with and that won’t break the bank? Thanks in advance.
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Vintage snare for jazz recommendations
- Thread starter DD
- Start date
JDA
DFO Star
get what Williams, Elvin, Art or Max were seen with early 60s into early 70s
how can you go wrong
(won't be the drum's fault ; )
(only trouble is two types of (used) sellers it seems, these days... the one that wants your purchase to finance their Hawaiian vacation for 2 and ...the Japanese sellers who bought ...5 years ago, everything of 'interest'... thinking the market would be on a constant high ....and now ask $1236 for a 70s wood shell USA 5X14.
there always would be some weird stragglers you could acquire but now not like it once used to be;
so, currently tough rock and hard place; gotta shop with an eagle's eye
how can you go wrong
(won't be the drum's fault ; )
(only trouble is two types of (used) sellers it seems, these days... the one that wants your purchase to finance their Hawaiian vacation for 2 and ...the Japanese sellers who bought ...5 years ago, everything of 'interest'... thinking the market would be on a constant high ....and now ask $1236 for a 70s wood shell USA 5X14.
there always would be some weird stragglers you could acquire but now not like it once used to be;
so, currently tough rock and hard place; gotta shop with an eagle's eye
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Slingerland Radio King from the Nashville era if you like wood.
JDA
DFO Star
deep pockets
I was going to suggest a Slingerland Hollywood Ace. A great vintage sound similar to a Jazz Festival, but for half the money.
Give one of those Gretsch Catalina Maple snares a try. I was really surprised how bright my niece's is with a change to a coated G2 (she's learning the brushes) on top and a Diplo below. Their roundish bearing edges took to the new heads beautifully! She's a rocker but signed up for her high school's jazz and concert band. Her drums just weren't making the bill. So we decided her 7-piece rocker-based kit needed some doctoring. I told her to only bring the bass, 12 tom, 14 floor tom and snare last month when her family came down to visit in that giant motor home. Nothing else as I got it all here. Her "Cats" got a coated G2 on top with clear Ambos below. Their roundish bearing edges responded beautifully to the new heads just like the now-killer snare! I found that Catalina Maple snare to be perfect for any light lounge and big band jazz to folk and country playing. It responded beautifully dynamically. WOW! Never in a million years would I have thought to throw some of my spare heads on her rocker-based, heavy-headed Catalina Maple drums. I also replaced the stock snare bed with a Tama 42 wide-body snare bed and cut out 2 out of every three strands. Fourteen strands, evenly and widely spaced did the trick. Friggin crispy and beautiful! Mega-bang for slightly north of a hundred bucks! Now she's got something comparable at home to what will be useful with tuning the school's Catalina Maple drums. How do I know the school's drums are Catalina Maples? I donated two kits to the school. One in 2019 and the other last year! My best jazz-based Acro sounds like a brick comparatively. Yes, I've used stinking Acros and Phonics for jazz. I can get them to do anything I need. But I'll be closeting them metal bastards for jazz and getting me one or two of those stinking Catalinas! Gonna try out one of their Catalina Birch drums too. I'm a Catalina Maple Convert for my jazz from here on. Whoopie!
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AtlantaDrumGuy
DFO Master
Gotta be honest. I like vintage kits (bass and toms), but I’d almost rather have a current made snare. Lots of good ones out there. That seems to be a good way to go…think Bill Stewart….old drum kit, modern Ludwig snare. But most of the snares I like are still somewhat expensive except for a Supra (which is not cheap, but not the most expensive either). For wood snares, I’d have a look at DW collectors maple ply snares.
the new Gretsch Gergo Borlai Signature snare 4.25 x 14 retails at $579 just reviewed in new MD (July 2021) seems like it might be worth a look
Gretsch 4157
Skins_in_the_game
Very well Known Member
1920s nickel over brass Ludwig. Many people rave about them and there are a lotl of YouTube videos that sound great, killer for sensitive touch. It also happens that I have one I am thinking of selling for around 4 bills
levelpebble
Very well Known Member
Rogers Dynasonic seems to be the no brain answer to me. You won't find a more articulate snare when you take the time to learn how dial it in. If you fail at that, then a CoB Powertone can be had for $300 or less.
Ludwig Jazz Festival is a solid choice. Woody and warm , medium volume, very versatile.
FitDrummer
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Ludwig Supraphonic or Acrolite in 5x14. Simple, basic, but gets the job done in any setting tuned properly.
Focusing on the “not break the bank”
Wood: 1980’s Ludwig Rockers Cow 5x14” are readily available around $100. Not the most exciting drums in the world but versatile and articulate. Will respond well to head/wire changes to suit whatever sound you want.
metal: Slingerland festival steel 5x14. Available for about the same. Good sounding crisp drum, will let brush playing be heard. Can probably be found even cheaper if it has the wrong strainer and in the case of the zoomatic thats not necessarily a bad thing
for a little more money Slingerland COB sound kings are great relatively undervalued drums and I very much regret giving mine away.
older premiers also seem to be undervalued if you can find one that won’t require shipping.
Wood: 1980’s Ludwig Rockers Cow 5x14” are readily available around $100. Not the most exciting drums in the world but versatile and articulate. Will respond well to head/wire changes to suit whatever sound you want.
metal: Slingerland festival steel 5x14. Available for about the same. Good sounding crisp drum, will let brush playing be heard. Can probably be found even cheaper if it has the wrong strainer and in the case of the zoomatic thats not necessarily a bad thing
for a little more money Slingerland COB sound kings are great relatively undervalued drums and I very much regret giving mine away.
older premiers also seem to be undervalued if you can find one that won’t require shipping.
egw
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Rogers Luxor, probably the best jazz snare I ever played.
Mmmm... tell me more of this NOB Ludwig!
I would second that about the NOB. Mine's a 4x15 and is very defined and articulate, while providing a nice 'bark' when needed. Great for brushes too.
(I replaced the original clips with modern repops, )
