Where Do You Position Your Snare Throw-Off?

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How do you position your snare throw-off?

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Coelacanth

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I position my snare drum on the stand so that the throw-off is on the right side, at approximately 3 O'Clock, close to my right knee. Makes it easy to quickly find & adjust with the right hand. How about everyone else?
 
Nine O'clock usually, maybe 8 or 10 sometimes, but always to my left side. Just a long-term habit...
 
I made the switch from 9 to 6 a few years ago.
The snare wires run 12 to 6 in that position
...great if you play buzz rolls starting at the edge of 12 bringing the sticks to center.

On / Off makes better sense that way to me too
Tee Are
 
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9 o'clock...very easy to reach with my left hand if adjustments are needed on the fly, which never really happens......!!
 
Nobody's a nooner? :) I guess that's probably the hardest place to reach, and also would butt up against a mounted tom in that position...
 
old_K_ride said:
I made the switch from 9 to 6 a few years ago.
The snare wires run 12 to 6 in that position
...great if you play buzz rolls starting at the edge of 12 bringing the sticks to center.

On / Off makes better sense that way to me too
Tee Are
Click to expand...

That's how my teacher recommended and for the same reason, so you get full response at all dynamics.
 
9 pm or so.... hihat side... that way i can keep my ride hand going

-k
 
Coelacanth said:
I position my snare drum on the stand so that the throw-off is on the right side, at approximately 3 O'Clock, close to my right knee. Makes it easy to quickly find & adjust with the right hand. How about everyone else?
Click to expand...

Interesting question. I have always had mine at 3 o'clock as well, for the same reasons. I have tried putting it over on the left and found that awkward after years of using my right hand for any throw-off adjustments. But it seems many people put it in the 6 o'clock position for the reason mentioned by Old K and tillerva, as well as for easy access. I don't find 6 o'clock to be easier to reach than 3 o'clock, but I'm curious if it really makes a difference in snare response to orient the snares that way. I'm having a difficult time articulating this, but assuming one plays the drum with the sticks near 3 and 9 but closer to dead center, does this sound much different if the snares are running from 12 to 6 than if the snares are also running 3 to 6? :drunken:
 
old_K_ride said:
I made the switch from 9 to 6 a few years ago.
The snare wires run 12 to 6 in that position
...great if you play buzz rolls starting at the edge of 12 bringing the sticks to center.

On / Off makes better sense that way to me too
Tee Are
Click to expand...

Todd,
I also put mine at 6:00...have ever since studying with Phil Perkins (remember him?) at CCM's Prep Dept. from 1977-78, before attending CCM as a college student. He cited the reasons you do and it makes complete sense to me. Different strokes though...
 
I usually position the BADGE at approximately 11 o'clock as to peek out around the rack tom.

Where the Throw Off ends up doesn't matter to me, it'll be just fine no matter where it is.
 
I should mention that one big reason why I put mine at 3 O'clock has to do with my main snares (3005, Delite) having 10 lugs and my tom positioning relative to the snare. I have my snare positioned on the same plane as my 8" and 10" toms, the 3 drums forming a "V". I have them arranged so that the 12 O'clock lug of the snare (with strands running 9 to 3 O'clock) sits between the adjacent lugs of the 2 toms. That, coupled with the snare positioning in the basket so that the lugs don't interfere with the basket rubbers, results in the 3 O'clock position of the throw-off.

Who else but a drummer would put that much thought into something so trivial? :drunken:
 
I have always had it at 3. Just feels good to me. If the strainer is real big I might put it at 2. Heck I never
flip it off anyway. I don't really need a throw off, just a tensioner really. Who really needs all those expensive throw off's anyway? :idea1:

Dave Huffman :occasion5:
 
Dave H. said:
I have always had it at 3. Just feels good to me. If the strainer is real big I might put it at 2. Heck I never
flip it off anyway. I don't really need a throw off, just a tensioner really. Who really needs all those expensive throw off's anyway? :idea1:

Dave Huffman :occasion5:
Click to expand...

I'm really not happy with those BIG new throwoffs. I like the old style Luddy P-83's or the Slingy Rapid, throwoffs that lay FLATTER against the shell.

It would be just MY luck for an accident to occur and drive that big throwoff into or through the shell. I've seen it happen, fortunately NOT to ME!!

.
 
Nine, or as close to it as possible, so that the lugs don't interfere with the stand. Which leads to a second question: How do you position your basket? Like a "Y", an "Upside Down Y", or a "Sideways Y"?
 
I voted 9 but actually closer to 8 or 8:30.
 
It was always at 3 o'clock (to my right hand), but since I got the Super Sensitive Ludwig up and running, it is at 6.
 
Vipercussionist said:
I usually position the BADGE at approximately 11 o'clock as to peek out around the rack tom.

Where the Throw Off ends up doesn't matter to me, it'll be just fine no matter where it is.
Click to expand...


I must confess to having "badge OCD" and your comment about peeking out around the rack tom really made me smile!
occasion14.gif
 
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