zzzzzz... seriously sleeper snares... zzzzzz

[richardh253]

 

[D'Arcy]

Anyone have some examples of "sleeper" snares? You know, the kind that makes you think "why isn't this snare more popular?" The kind that's got its own character, unique features, range and/or versatility, yet... you rarely hear about it. Maybe there's one at your LDS and it's been there for years, you can't understand why.

I think this guy is one:

View attachment 577414

Gretsch Bronze 14x6.5 1mm shell- this could be a different kind of "Black Beauty" - got snap, crackle and pop, volume, a fantastic strainer, tone, amazing crossstick... this thing should be legendary.

Mapex Black panther range..more so the first generation, great drums, I have several of them. Pretty cheap too.

 

[rikkrebs]

Slingerland 60's/70's COS Festival "student" and Aluminum Student (6 or 8 lugs). I prefer them to any of the higher end COB's that Slingerland made.

Tama Mastercraft "Imperialstar" 5x14's from the 1980's aren't talked about much compared to Supra's, Acro's, Gretsch brass, or Rogers Powertone, etc. But I think they are right up there with them.

I picked up an 8 Lug Festival last night all original with case, stand, etc….. for $100 and it sounds incredible. It’s hard for them not to sound good.

 

[Furious Styles]

Currently digging this one:

 

[SpinaDude]

I know I've posted about this drum before, but it really continues to impress.

This is the Pork Pie 7x14 maple in Weathered Barn Blue. I mentioned in the original post when I got this that I found it at Guitar Center and had no intention of getting a maple snare anytime soon. I just hadn't heard on that turned my head. Then I smacked this one. It was a real eye opener.

I've tried this thing at several different tensions. I've tried this with the original stock Remo coated Ambassador, a coated Evans G1 and a coated Evans G2. It sounded amazing with each of those heads. Lots of warmth and crack and beautiful body from the deeper shell size. I have also tried it at multiple tunings and have had an amazing amount of success.

Right now it has the G2 on, and is set at a really low tuning. WOW!!! so much fun to play. a 16th note fill on it sounds like a resounding peal of thunder. So much heart in this drum!

And for only $300 bucks! I don't know if this is North American maple, or a cheaper Asian maple...but either way it really is an amazing instrument. Highly recommended to anyone who doesn't have a maple already in this size.

I've seen a 5x15 Pork Pie maple at 2112 with a really cool alcohol paint finish. I can't find a sample of it anywhere though? Anyone have any insight on this one?

 

[Sequimite]

I would nominate Grover. Ostensibly an orchestral maker these often go for low prices on the used market because most drummers don't know the manufacturer. In the set drummer community they seem to be better know for their snare wires than their drums.

I got into Grover because of my love of Tempus/Milestone. As a Canadian manufacturer Grover got its lugs from Milestone and most of its fiberglass shells from Tempus. Other than the snare wires the only difference between a Tempus FG snare drum and a Grover snare drum with a Tempus shell is the badge and sound hole. The other Grover fiberglass snare drums use Stingray shells which are quite different, thicker, more "woody" and IMO better made. Grover wood shells are also very good.

Grover is under new ownership, no longer uses Milestone lugs; I have no experience or opinion about the newer stuff.

 

[Rusty Knorr]

The line of Ahead snare drums

I think this is a brass Ahead snare, but it was unlabeled when I bought it. I loved the sound of it, but hated the look, so boring. So I did a patina job on it and now it is one of my most beloved drums. An attention getter for sure!

 

[Rusty Knorr]

Slingerland 60's/70's COS Festival "student" and Aluminum Student (6 or 8 lugs). I prefer them to any of the higher end COB's that Slingerland made.

Tama Mastercraft "Imperialstar" 5x14's from the 1980's aren't talked about much compared to Supra's, Acro's, Gretsch brass, or Rogers Powertone, etc. But I think they are right up there with them.

I have an Mastercraft Imperialstar in 6-1/2 and it is incredible. In fact, I sold my first one and years later I had to have another. Bill Bruford played one a lot, and Eddie Thrower was using one until his change to Ludwig.

 

[zinnman]

Current Ludwig Universal wood models

 

[goodcat1337]

I’ll add the Mapex Tomahawk to the list. Just got one with my Armory kit. Never liked steel drums, but this one is actually pretty good.

 

[kevmill70]

Pearl's Chad Smith Signature. It's a nickel coated 1mm steel shell. 2.3mm hoops. A do-all snare

 

[Mahico]

70s Pearl COB snares with the simple Non-Jupiter Gladstone strainer (non-parallel type). Both the 5x14 and the 6.5x14 models feature super heavy weight brass shells with seams and they just have something very special about the sound they produce. They are much heavier than their counterparts from other companies. Less honk than a Ludwig COB, more crack with LOTS of body. I like them with Remo CS Coated Reverse Dot batter heads and Remo Hazy Ambassador Snare side heads and Canopus Vintage wires (both chrome plated and non-chrome plated wires are great...the non-chrome plated wires are a little drier sounding). They are particularly great if you swap out the batter stock hoop with a die cast hoop too or swap both hoops for brass hoops.
Anyway, I know that some drummers are aware that the 5x14 model was the infamous Stewart Copeland snare used on all of the albums from Zenyatta Mondatta onward. It's a noticeable change in tone and crack from the first two albums. His drum has a Gretsch Die Cast hoop swapped out for the batter side. It's a special drum.
Anyway, they used to be very cheap until recently, but you can still find a nice one that will play beautifully for $250-$300, which is pretty cheap these days considering the prices on everything else. I had 5 of them at one time, but I sold off a couple recently, one to Ted Nugent's drummer who is local to me. He loved the one with the plating stripped down to the raw brass. It sounded amazing, even with these raggedy old Remo Heads and 42 strand generic snare wires. It sounded stupid great.

View attachment 577435

I have a 6.5 with the (snapped Gladstone snare lever). It’s awesome and as good as any 402 (or 6.5 black beauty) I’ve played. I also have a heritage Alu sensitone that for me is more versatile than any 400.

All that being said, I will probably scratch the 400 itch again.

 

[DavedrumsTX]

Pearl Sensitone's..... wonderful instruments at a great value, the workhorse of the modern snare drum. But all I hear when I mention the snares is "I hate thier tom arms".

100% Agree! Bought one for church recently and it’s great.

 

[nickrobotron]

Pearl Masters Maple. Any size. They’re crazy good and crazy cheap.

EDIT
Sensitone aluminum and brass as well!

 

[microkit]

Supralites!

$200 for an 8x14”

Crazy good sounding for the price point

The Tama 14x8 steel is also a killer and $200 or so.

 

[microkit]

My choice would be Ludwig Classic Maple snares . They get overshadowed by their venerable Metal shell snares . Too bad because the Ludwig Classic maple snares are excellent . They are articulate and full sounding with a very nice tuning range .

Never paid attention to these, heard a youtube shootout and thought they sounded great. Gretsch Renown may be a sleeper as well, and I dig the Mapex MPX stuff but IDK how solid the hardware is.

 

[Houndog]

I got my Black Beauty home and played my Slingerland Krupa brass snare and wondered why I bought a BB …..

I traded that BB for this soon after this post .

 

[zulusound]

I think Ludwig Super Sensitive 6.5x14's are a bit off the radar. They aren't cheap, but they are 1/2 to 1/3 the price of what a 6.5" deep drum would be in a supra phonic, probably due to some bloke you know but yeah.. I just got a 1967 6.5 SS and it is an outstanding drum!

 

[D'Arcy]

Mapex Brass Cat

I wanted a Black Beauty but didn't want to pay for it, and then I found a demo Brass Cat at my favorite LDS. No, it's not a BB, but it's an outstanding snare at 1/2 the price, and I rarely hear anyone talking them up. The build quality is great. It has a wide tuning range, and the strainer is the smoothest I own (except maybe my new Starphonic.)

I have a Brass Cat, ( and several other BP snares,) the the brass is my favourite.

 

[D'Arcy]

Ho my God, yes, of course!!! I was one of many to think that Mapex was a slightly 2 or 3rd zone maker but I got the XXX th anniversary all walnut and the Shadow Birch/Walnut and they are awesome...The mapex 12"X5.5" Warbird Chris Adler and the Mapex "The Machine" Craig Blundell Maple/Walnut 14"X5.5" are on my list to buy. Maybe the Cherry too or the Versatus, they tune so well, so easily!!! And great sound.
Glad they are very well placed pricewise in Canada at the main music chain stores network.

I have the Warbird and the cherry bomb, I prefer the Cherry bomb, both are great snares, and the Brass Cat and Black Widow are great too. The Brass Cat being my favourite of the BP snares I own.