I want to get a brass 14 x 5.5 snare. But the question is do I like the sound when I play it... the sound samples sound good. I also don't know if this sound fits in a melodic alternative metal band... so I am really excited to try out. ^^ the snare is from Thomann and its called Millenium power brass snare.
@@mikesperling9878 Hey Mike, i actually have a chrome over brass snare that i'm willing to sell. It's a LEFIMA sd581 (14"x6"). Top condition, kinda fresh heads and fresh wires. It's the former top of the line model from that german marching brand.. Drop me a line if you are intrested (it's in germany). Cheers!
I recently got a George Way as well as a GW 14x7 Studio Maple snare in a Gold Matte. I'm really liking it. I just put a 2-ply head on it yesterday and I'm still working on getting it tuned the way I'd like. Overall, it's probably the best snare I've ever had.
Your channel make me refound my love to drum gear (I'm guitar player 99% of the time) so I bought used Istanbul agop 19' crash and used snare Pearl Sensitone steel 14x6,5. Yesterday my band had concert and it was wonderfull improvement on our sound. Thank you for your great work. Greetings from Slovakia. Yes, even someone from middle of europe is watching your channel. :)
So thankful to have Dave’s Drum Shop where I live. He’s an awesome guy and I will always buy my gear there as long as I can. Totally agree with supporting local shops! If anyone’s ever in Ottawa, be sure to go to Dave’s. You won’t be disappointed!
Just bought a Rogers Dynasonic (from what I can tell of the s/n it's from 1978; COB) from Dave's Drum Shop here in Ottawa, Canada. Absolutely fantastic sound - my wife is getting more upset each day...
@2:09 that is so me. I help people out deciding on a pair of sticks or heads at my local drum shop all the time, good thing the guys who actually work there know me and are cool with that
Got a 70s Ludwig Supraphonic for 50 dollars at an outdoor flea market a few years ago. It was dropped on its throw-off and dented a bit internally; the P85 wouldnt keep closed and the drum was extra ringy when I forced it. Luckily I was able to take a small mallet and give the area a powerful but focused WHACK which fixed it good. No problems since!
In theory I would love to shop locally, but drum shops are somewhat of a rarity where I live. There are general music stores, but they tend to emphasize guitar sales and tuck the drums away in the corner. These stores do however special order things for you, and often at a better price than what they keep on shelf. Even if you don’t have a great drum shop at your disposal, it’s worthwhile to see what your local music store can do for you.
One day I walked into a small instrument store just to look around, and found a 1966 Slingerland Artist snare , beautiful drum ,it is now one of my favorites, this is the model that Neil Peart used as his #1 for years, best thing is I got it for $80, so you never know ,keep looking
Great video!! Everything that was said was spot on. I remember buying an early 80s Ludwig Coliseum from GC Hollywood some years ago. It was used ofcourse. I had been looking at it every time I went to the store. So I finally bought it. What I didn't know was that the top hoop was split. I'd never seen anything like it in all my years of playing and refurbishing drums. So I took it to Pro Drum. Bought a new top hoop, fourty two strand snare wire, and a new top head. All together I spent about 400 bones. Great drum!!!
I've worked with lots of middle and high schools in the past (and I build and sell stave shell drums as a side gig now) and while there are a lot of crap drums out there, especially in public education, decent heads and some careful tuning can overcome so much of the problems introduced by budget cuts. (It's a shame more band directors never learned how to properly tune a drum.)
Mr. C. ! You are completely right ; the head constitutes 80% of the sound of a given drum . Tuning and optimal fitment of snare wires ( well done SLAD , your clear , concise videos add years of experience to the new drummer ) allow you to achieve great results from seemingly ordinary drums .
I find a great way of checking roundness and hoops is comparing it to a brand new head, it can very easily not sit well on older out of round/ bent hoops
Fantastic video as usual! I just recently picked up a set of WMP Slingerlands stamped August 1964 from a guy on Craigslist. Got a super good deal on them, and after inspecting them with a friend, I decided to go ahead and but then. The only part that I still need is a COB stick saver for the 16” floor tom (it’s a triple flange at the moment)
LOVE what you said about local drum shops!! It should also be mentioned that they are disappearing and not every burg has even been fortunate enough to EVER have one. Conversely, I am glad you mentioned Drum Factory Direct as well, as just looking through what they make available can help educate younger or those just new to drums and esp drum terminology/ nomenclature: Throw Off, Butt Plate, Tension Rod, Lug Nuts, etc. Keep on rockin' guys! Great stuff - 👊🏼
I find that channel like 3 days ago and then I watch half of your video already. Very nice channel, in fact, this is my favorite on tunning. I Learn alot already and I'm working on watching the next half today! Huge Thx for you guys!
This was a great one. I have a great nickel-finish Tama Metalworks that I paid 109 euros for and does pretty much exactly what a 5" Black Beauty does. I put a S-Hoop on it and it's just so good!
Gosh, I love this channel! Btw, the detail on the weight of the drum is something that many drummers take for granted, specially when travelling by plane. That was THE thing that got me buying an Acrolite instead of a Supraphonic. Keep up the good work!
I bought a used 80’s Tama seamless snare for $100. Made in Japan. I’m happy and I think it’s superior quality then any new snare I would’ve gotten in the price range.
A quick note on Ludwig Black Beauties. Between 1977 & 1985 shells could be brass or bronze. They were sometimes stamped with a small "BR" for brass or a "BZ" for bronze. They weren't all stamped but, if you know how brass sounds compared to bronze, you can usually tell. I had a bronze BB that I bought, from a friend, really cheap because I knew he was going to realize his mistake & want it back. I sold it back to him 9 months later for exactly what I paid for it. I later bought an original Pearl Sensitone Bronze shell & it pretty much sounds exactly the same as the BB
Awesome video! One thing that has always annoyed me is seeing 1980s or even early 1990s snares listed for sale as 70s or even 60s... As a buyer it's important to know what specs, parts, etc are from which era.
Great advice and everything we've come to expect from you guys. I bought, way back, a wooden signature snare because I thought that it made me look cool. The Pearl Expert snare that it replaced was far more versatile and sounded better. ( that is, to my cloth ears ) I've recently bought a Black Beauty because I'm old and my oportunities are running out. I play with a towel over it, using sawn down ProMark Thunder Rods. I look uncool but the rim shots are thunderous when I hit it right, not very often though. That'll do me, and I'm glad that I bought a legend that I don't play well.
Your videos are so great! I just bought a yamaha stage custom steel 14x5.5 snare and it has become my favourite - even over my lm400 and sonor d454! Its currently set up with remo ambassador over diplomat snare side and tama 12-strand wires. I used your video on snare side tuning to get a super crispy sound, and have used the "detune 2 lugs" on the batter to kill overtones. Very gadd-esque!
A few yrs ago, I went into a local drum shop and asked the salesman to get the last 6.5" Ludwig Supra out of stock. He said "Why would you want that? It's an old school sound. You should check out these latest snares like this Black Magic or this Tama." I asked him to get the drum and let me decide. He brought the drum out of stock. I tuned it up and started playing it. He looked at the other salesman and said "Holy Sh*t! That thing sounds great!" I said "Old school huh?" I bought the drum and have used it a lot. I just used it at a live show. It sounded great. Let YOUR ears decide. Don't let any salesman persuade you into buying something.
I really enjoy all the information and ideas I get from your videos. I been drumming for a few years and do it for a hobby but I really like and learning new things and tips on how to do stuff. Especially when you help me solve issues that I'm having with my kits. If you ever come up to the Northwest, you really have to go to Donn Bennett drum Studio. Is easy to drool in there. Lol Thanks
After about 3 or 4 of my first years, in which I was never able to get a decent sound out of my snare, I came to within an inch of trying to buy another one. I kept telling myself no, because I _knew_ there was a 99% chance it was my ineptitude with tuning that made it sound bad. Turned out, it wasn't only tuning, but improper playing technique, bad snare tension, and even the level of tightness on the _basket_ that added up to poor sound.
I used to use an 8 by 14..screw carrying that around..also I use my skinniest cymbal stands...I'm not on tour anymore..those skinny stands are great for shows instead of huge 1980s bulky pearl stands
I recently traded (+ a little extra cash on the table) a 100th Anniversary Ludwig Black Magic (2009, laser engraved, etc.) and a locally made Jarrah ply snares that I didn't use much (or impulsively bought) against a Pork Pie maple steam-bent + re-ring in A shape and a 1970 Supra with just some bad wires and slightly tweaked throw. Replaced them, boom, now that 400 is my new main "go to" snare... These late 2 complete a humble collection which includes a 402 (2000-ish era that used to belong to Andy "Dice" Clay according to Jerry (Pro Drum shop, L.A.), a Classic Maple Satinwood Ludwig (5"deep), a Pork Pie tin plated "Pig Iron" (cheap but awesome sounding snare) and an acacia Carter McLean Signature Geo.Way snare drum (7x14). Happy Me !
I relate with your last point about drums being heavy. I only have two snare drums but one of them is a DW collectors stainless steel and it feels likes it's 30 pounds sometimes. I want to say its 3mm of steel or something and i find myself only bringing it for special gigs now.
Another thing to consider is the room you play the drum in makes such a difference to the perceived sound. Sometimes getting a drum back to your studio/regular space and really testing it out is needed. Make sure you buy from places with good return policies (but don’t take the piss) just in case it’s really different sounding once you get it home. A good example of this is trying out a snare at a drum show or convention. It’s as loud as hell and you probably have plenty of people either side of you smashing drums and cymbals at a constant 115db, which is not ideal to really listen to the detailed nuance of the instrument.
One time i bought a 70's 14x10 ludwig marching snare from guitar center used online. Never buying there again. Strainer and butt plate werent even installed over the snare beds, shell was out of round (aluminum shell), and the holes on the hoops didnt even line up with all of the lugs, causing some to be angled to the side. I got it to sound acceptable with a different top hoop, measuring edge to edge and slowly trying to bend the shell back round, and re-drilling the strainer and butt plate. Lesson learned i guess
I've bought lots of used mics/ drums/ cymbals from GC Used online and returns in the store were SUPER easy!! Also, I now have them ship to store (luckily local) and I open right there in the store. Even easier to return when they see it upboxed and it's damaged. They take terrible photos and the descriptions are often wrong!! 🙄
I discovered this channel 1 mont before and im very happy with your type of videos. They are perfect for work brakes and get good information about this amazing hobby. I would like to ask to you or your suscribers if there is a solution for a bad rounded snare? I have to push just a little bit my resohead when i put them. Its a Pearl MCS, its made of mapple and i love it.
All good stuff. One thing that won't come up often but, I discovered it a while ago, is bearing edge damage on wood shell drums caused by those mesh practice heads. If they're left on too long or have the crap pummeled out of them, they can leave this fine ripple effect on the edge of the drum. Might not effect the sound but, nobody wants to know it's there. Right?
I purchased a pearl modern utility snare and it's really never done it for me outside a very high tuning. Even then I prefer my very cheap, used metal snares. They seem to be fairly easily made to sound good, unlike the pearl. I tried replacing the cheap stock chinese remo heads and even the snare wire and still it disappoints me. It's frustrating as it is about the most expensive single drum I have purchased. Anyway, I love this channel! :) Thanks and keep on keeping on!
I recently bought a Yamaha 14x6.5 brass to have in my studio inventory after looking at LM402 Supraphonics for at least a year thinking that I wanted an aluminium drum. I was toying with the idea of buying a Supraphonic on eBay, but couldn't justify the price for a used drum that I had no idea what the bearing edge was like. I managed to get a new Recording Custom for an absolute steal that was cheaper than used Supraphonics, and the sounds from the drum are just incredible. The shop even threw in a spare Ambassador head for me.
This may be my favorite video of yours, this is the best guide for what to look for when shopping for used gear. I just got a great deal on a Tama Royalstar kit which I don't know much about but it appears to be in pretty good condition, I'm definitely going to put new heads on it when I'm home from college for the holidays and see what else I can do to fix it up. Used drums can be amazing if you find the right gear, my first drum teacher has a 70's Acrolite that he found in his dad's studio's basement when he was 7 and has been using that drum now for 20+ years, only having to switch the heads and snare wires. I hope to find a vintage drum like that because of the history associated with it, it would be awesome to own a piece of drum history. I do have a question- I've seen your How to Set Up a Bass Drum Pedal video, and I am looking at possibly upgrading my bass drum pedal from my Gibraltar 6700 Dual Chain double pedal to a double pedal that's a bit more high end such as a Pearl Redline Eliminator, Tama Speed Cobra, DW 9000 or Gibraltar 9800. I don't know much about specifics of what I like besides the longer footboards, and I have already upgraded the driveshaft to the Trick Retrofit universal driveshaft for my current pedal. Would you guys ever consider making a comparison video about these pedals and showing what features they have that makes them different from lower range pedals as well as each other? I love how in depth you guys go to show features of certain products and show that every little thing matters, I think you could make a great video about this topic!!
WOW! This video is perfect timing. I just bought a Tama Bubinga Elite snare online and upon inspecting/cleaning I notice a slight crack on the inner plies at the seam on the batter side. Completely repairable but something I might have noticed if I inspected it in person. For the $400 + I'm debating whether I should go for a partial refund or just completely return it. Of course now an identical one shows up on Reverb. I looked at pictures and crossed my fingers.
15:32 YES !! This is something I've stressed out to many drummer friends of mine. "Stay the heck away from these crappy Puresound blue cables !" They rolled up their eyes at me and after few months, they came back with the same eyes but full of tears this time... Puresound should be prosecuted just for selling these pieces of junk...
D'Addario/Puresound appears to have discontinued the use of these cables. Hopefully no one else has to experience those issues in the future. Cheers! -Ben
I use to own a Pearl Sensitone black chrome over brass snare, and I was in a band with an engineer who was always complaining about it but also asked to borrow it for his sessions constantly. He ended up shelling out the extra four hundred bucks to get a black beauty, and it didn't sound nearly as good. Plus, he ended up having to pay someone to replace the throw off with a trick throw off... He was a really fucking nightmare.
Hey. Great video and great channel. Your teachiall the important things I never knew I needed to know! Thank you. Opinion please. I love black beauty and copperphonic and superphonic 402. Do you have ideas as to other manufacturers that come close at a lower price point?
Solid question - Ludwig actually has budget versions of their supra-style drums that are pretty killing actually. The Pearl Sensitone series is also a great option. -Cody
John Bensinger Buy a hoop , John , they’re not expensive . 8-lug Gretsch Catalinas have the right weight to be a direct replacement , as do many budget snares !
If you want OEM correct hoops, look for 1.6mm triple flange, if you want a more modern hoop, look for 2.3mm (sometimes called a "power hoop" or Pearl's Super Hoop), stronger still is the 3.0mm triple flange from DFD, or a Stick Chopper style (like Gretsch 302 style) from DFD (only 2.3mm), or a Slingerland Stick Saver style (2.3mm on DFD site) - all of those options are still stamped, flanged hoops. Only the 3.0mm have a weight closer to a Die Cast. Alternately, you can always choose to "retro" vibe the drum and buy single flange hoops and clips. Make the drum what you want/ need and enjoy it. Also, that drum tends to give you more with a thinner head: Ambassador weight or CS Dot style. The heavier the head, the more choked it will sound (or at least drier). Enjoy!!
Yes, you could even take a stab at getting a drum shell back in round or fixing all sorts of other things. Still, some projects are best left to professionals if you want them done right.
Very nice! What was it that attracted you to that drum in particular? Did you look at other drums for a similar sound/performance characteristics? -Ben
@@SoundsLikeADrum I´m specially interested in the pianissimo sound. This snare is very loud when you gonna hit it strong. There are so many colours and a wonderful tone! But there is no other snare that is able to produce such a wonderful pianissimo sound. Full of all frequencies and the snares are there also as in fff! Well, maybe there is one other snare, but I do not know it. Do you?
@@thomaskleinhans2384 We've always been drawn to solid shell steam bent snare drums for their incredible sensitivity/dynamic range. In the end, the choice of heads/wires and tuning has much to do with the quality of sound but the shell and hoops allow for that quality of sound to remain consistent (or not) throughout a range of tunings and/or dynamics. Cheers! -Ben
What places would you recommend in BK? I do usually end up in Main drag and love it, got other recommendations? love the channel guys, you do an awesome job!
Main Drag is really the only Brooklyn shop outside of Guitar Center. Would love to see their drum selection grow a bit. There are some collectors selling drums frequently through Craigslist that can be worth checking out and then there's Steve Maxwell's in Manhattan.
A buddy of mine gave me a 70s Supraphonic identical to the one you used in your videos. My question is what type of swivel nuts do they use? When I replaced the heads I noticed that on the snare side a couple of them were trying to seize up or strip. The p85 was broken so I replaced it with a p86, so I thought I might as well do it right and do a true referb. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you
To anyone watching this, I would also like to add that you should try to make sure the tension rods and swivel nuts are in good shape. Too many times I’ve bought used drums in great shape that ended up needing to have the swivel nuts replaced. And although it’s a very minor issue, replacing those yourself can be a bitch (I’m also super lazy and can’t stand having to do that lol)
I’m not sure who’s making these and I’ve never used them but they appear to be standard overseas-made crimped heads. Expect them to behave like cheap stock heads. Not worth it in my opinion. -Ben
Hey guy! Really interesting video! I have a question about vintage snare throw off. I own 2 old snare from the 60s and they both have the same problem about the adjusting screw that keeps loosening down the snare wire as I hit it. It's a problem that vintage drums have due to a lack of tightness in the treads, that's true, but is there a way that you know to resolve that problem?
Damn, I feel bad now that I have used only online shops for the past 10 years or so. On the other hand, there are two local shops where I live and their owners are kinda money hungry scammers.
That's easy to say, buy unfortunately, the reality is small shops do NOT usually get the gear at the same discount level as the big bix stores because they can't afford to buy/ stock the large quantities. So there is less of a margin to discount for the buyers. Only serves to hurt the small shop and drive them out of biz cuz they can't compete. The smart shops will offer expanded services, better product knowledge and build the community on a local level. But, not all small shops are smart shops 😏
Hey Cody! I just bought a vintage supraphonic off of the internet which is slightly out of round (3-4mm difference at most). Also the snareside hoop (which of course is cheaply replacable) was bent a little bit caused by a cracked head. Do you think this matters? I got some decent sounds out of the drum but since I'm still learning about tuning I'm not sure if I will run into serious tuning problems. Hope you can give me some advice. Felix
maybe I should mention that I had no chance to get to see and play the drum before buying and it looks absolutley beautiful for a 69 supra. No pitting or other marks. So I thought, that it had to be one that was handeled with care.
Unfortunately, New York is seriously lacking in drum shops. After visiting over the weekend and speaking with Steve and Terry, it sounds like they'll be making a strong push to up their game as more than just a Gretsch/Craviotto pro shop with a much wider range of products available. Main Drag Music in Brooklyn occasionally has some good stuff but it's hard to tell whether or not they're still interested in carrying drums when simple things like Vic Firth 5A drumsticks aren't in stock. Would love to see someone partner with them and create an incredible drum experience. -Ben
Great video. I’m struggling to get a good tone out of my kit. Most of the drums are out of round. The snare is the hardest to tune, there is always wrinkles in one spot on the resonant head. Is there a way to work around this or is the only solution to get the drums repaired or replaced?
Those wrinkles on the snare side could be a result of the snare bed- be sure to watch Ep. 39 for more details on this. If your drums are actually out of round, you could take them to a skilled drum builder/refurbisher if they're really worth something to you. Depending on how far out of round they are, temporary (or even permanent) bracing can be installed and clamps can be used to get them back in round. I'd strongly recommend speaking with an authorized professional about this. Steele of Kentville Drums in Australia is the master at this stuff though there may be someone in closer proximity to you if you do some research. Best of luck! -Ben
Having an issue with an amazing snare. When I hit it the snare buzzes. Not in a good way. Which vid should I watch to understand and figure out? Thx!! It’s not a sweet buzz and then gone. It’s also not a cool overtone. It’s like an alignment issue or something. 40-strand. Is that it? Schwraaaa sound!!!
That's really up to you. You could go about replacing them if the rust is preventing the drum from being fully functional. There are quite a few factors that come into play. -Ben
There's nothing wrong with buying used. It's great to be able to afford a new drum from a premium drum builder but not everyone is looking to invest that much money into a drum and sometimes you're looking for a particular older drum rather than having a modern clone made of it. -Ben
Getting a new drum? Let us know what you're looking for and where you plan to get it.
I want to get a brass 14 x 5.5 snare. But the question is do I like the sound when I play it... the sound samples sound good. I also don't know if this sound fits in a melodic alternative metal band... so I am really excited to try out. ^^ the snare is from Thomann and its called Millenium power brass snare.
@@mikesperling9878 Hey Mike, i actually have a chrome over brass snare that i'm willing to sell. It's a LEFIMA sd581 (14"x6"). Top condition, kinda fresh heads and fresh wires. It's the former top of the line model from that german marching brand.. Drop me a line if you are intrested (it's in germany). Cheers!
I want a hammered copper 5.5x14 with a ludwig super sensitive parallel snare mechanism. I don't know where to get it. can you help?
@@MalikEmmanuel I'd recommend hitting up your local authorized Ludwig dealer. -Ben
I recently got a George Way as well as a GW 14x7 Studio Maple snare in a Gold Matte. I'm really liking it. I just put a 2-ply head on it yesterday and I'm still working on getting it tuned the way I'd like. Overall, it's probably the best snare I've ever had.
Your channel make me refound my love to drum gear (I'm guitar player 99% of the time) so I bought used Istanbul agop 19' crash and used snare Pearl Sensitone steel 14x6,5. Yesterday my band had concert and it was wonderfull improvement on our sound. Thank you for your great work. Greetings from Slovakia. Yes, even someone from middle of europe is watching your channel. :)
Greetings from France, dude!
So thankful to have Dave’s Drum Shop where I live. He’s an awesome guy and I will always buy my gear there as long as I can. Totally agree with supporting local shops!
If anyone’s ever in Ottawa, be sure to go to Dave’s. You won’t be disappointed!
You folks have the best TH-cam content
Just bought a Rogers Dynasonic (from what I can tell of the s/n it's from 1978; COB) from Dave's Drum Shop here in Ottawa, Canada. Absolutely fantastic sound - my wife is getting more upset each day...
As a store owner myself, I really appreciate what you guys are doing here.
Thanks so much! What store? -Ben
@2:09 that is so me. I help people out deciding on a pair of sticks or heads at my local drum shop all the time, good thing the guys who actually work there know me and are cool with that
Got a 70s Ludwig Supraphonic for 50 dollars at an outdoor flea market a few years ago. It was dropped on its throw-off and dented a bit internally; the P85 wouldnt keep closed and the drum was extra ringy when I forced it. Luckily I was able to take a small mallet and give the area a powerful but focused WHACK which fixed it good. No problems since!
In theory I would love to shop locally, but drum shops are somewhat of a rarity where I live. There are general music stores, but they tend to emphasize guitar sales and tuck the drums away in the corner. These stores do however special order things for you, and often at a better price than what they keep on shelf. Even if you don’t have a great drum shop at your disposal, it’s worthwhile to see what your local music store can do for you.
One day I walked into a small instrument store just to look around, and found a 1966 Slingerland Artist snare , beautiful drum ,it is now one of my favorites, this is the model that Neil Peart used as his #1 for years, best thing is I got it for $80, so you never know ,keep looking
Great video!! Everything that was said was spot on. I remember buying an early 80s Ludwig Coliseum from GC Hollywood some years ago. It was used ofcourse. I had been looking at it every time I went to the store. So I finally bought it. What I didn't know was that the top hoop was split. I'd never seen anything like it in all my years of playing and refurbishing drums. So I took it to Pro Drum. Bought a new top hoop, fourty two strand snare wire, and a new top head. All together I spent about 400 bones. Great drum!!!
I've worked with lots of middle and high schools in the past (and I build and sell stave shell drums as a side gig now) and while there are a lot of crap drums out there, especially in public education, decent heads and some careful tuning can overcome so much of the problems introduced by budget cuts. (It's a shame more band directors never learned how to properly tune a drum.)
Couldn't agree more! Feel free to share the videos with anyone you think will benefit. -Ben
Mr. C. ! You are completely right ; the head constitutes 80% of the sound of a given drum . Tuning and optimal fitment of snare wires
( well done SLAD , your clear , concise videos add years of experience to the new drummer ) allow you to achieve great results from
seemingly ordinary drums .
I find a great way of checking roundness and hoops is comparing it to a brand new head, it can very easily not sit well on older out of round/ bent hoops
Great tip! Never even occurred to me.
Fantastic video as usual! I just recently picked up a set of WMP Slingerlands stamped August 1964 from a guy on Craigslist. Got a super good deal on them, and after inspecting them with a friend, I decided to go ahead and but then. The only part that I still need is a COB stick saver for the 16” floor tom (it’s a triple flange at the moment)
LOVE what you said about local drum shops!! It should also be mentioned that they are disappearing and not every burg has even been fortunate enough to EVER have one. Conversely, I am glad you mentioned Drum Factory Direct as well, as just looking through what they make available can help educate younger or those just new to drums and esp drum terminology/ nomenclature: Throw Off, Butt Plate, Tension Rod, Lug Nuts, etc. Keep on rockin' guys! Great stuff - 👊🏼
I find that channel like 3 days ago and then I watch half of your video already. Very nice channel, in fact, this is my favorite on tunning. I Learn alot already and I'm working on watching the next half today! Huge Thx for you guys!
This was a great one. I have a great nickel-finish Tama Metalworks that I paid 109 euros for and does pretty much exactly what a 5" Black Beauty does. I put a S-Hoop on it and it's just so good!
Gosh, I love this channel!
Btw, the detail on the weight of the drum is something that many drummers take for granted, specially when travelling by plane. That was THE thing that got me buying an Acrolite instead of a Supraphonic.
Keep up the good work!
As always, a really well done video, with important information.
Man this channel rocks! Keep doing your thing! Love it!
I *LOVE* hunting for used gear.... the best feeling when you find that awesome bargain.
I bought a used 80’s Tama seamless snare for $100. Made in Japan. I’m happy and I think it’s superior quality then any new snare I would’ve gotten in the price range.
A quick note on Ludwig Black Beauties. Between 1977 & 1985 shells could be brass or bronze. They were sometimes stamped with a small "BR" for brass or a "BZ" for bronze. They weren't all stamped but, if you know how brass sounds compared to bronze, you can usually tell. I had a bronze BB that I bought, from a friend, really cheap because I knew he was going to realize his mistake & want it back. I sold it back to him 9 months later for exactly what I paid for it. I later bought an original Pearl Sensitone Bronze shell & it pretty much sounds exactly the same as the BB
Always great content, thank you + an awesome shirt.
Awesome video! One thing that has always annoyed me is seeing 1980s or even early 1990s snares listed for sale as 70s or even 60s... As a buyer it's important to know what specs, parts, etc are from which era.
Great advice and everything we've come to expect from you guys.
I bought, way back, a wooden signature snare because I thought that it made me look cool. The Pearl Expert snare that it replaced was far more versatile and sounded better. ( that is, to my cloth ears ) I've recently bought a Black Beauty because I'm old and my oportunities are running out. I play with a towel over it, using sawn down ProMark Thunder Rods. I look uncool but the rim shots are thunderous when I hit it right, not very often though. That'll do me, and I'm glad that I bought a legend that I don't play well.
Sorry, should read 'Pearl Export'.
I’m on my way to look at a MIJ Tama 14 x 6.5 Imperialstar Powerline as my first snare. Thanks for the tips!
Your videos are so great! I just bought a yamaha stage custom steel 14x5.5 snare and it has become my favourite - even over my lm400 and sonor d454! Its currently set up with remo ambassador over diplomat snare side and tama 12-strand wires. I used your video on snare side tuning to get a super crispy sound, and have used the "detune 2 lugs" on the batter to kill overtones. Very gadd-esque!
Funny you guys decided to upload this the same week I was looking at a used snare in a pawnshop.
A few yrs ago, I went into a local drum shop and asked the salesman to get the last 6.5" Ludwig Supra out of stock. He said "Why would you want that? It's an old school sound. You should check out these latest snares like this Black Magic or this Tama." I asked him to get the drum and let me decide. He brought the drum out of stock. I tuned it up and started playing it. He looked at the other salesman and said "Holy Sh*t! That thing sounds great!" I said "Old school huh?" I bought the drum and have used it a lot. I just used it at a live show. It sounded great. Let YOUR ears decide. Don't let any salesman persuade you into buying something.
I really enjoy all the information and ideas I get from your videos. I been drumming for a few years and do it for a hobby but I really like and learning new things and tips on how to do stuff. Especially when you help me solve issues that I'm having with my kits. If you ever come up to the Northwest, you really have to go to Donn Bennett drum Studio. Is easy to drool in there. Lol Thanks
After about 3 or 4 of my first years, in which I was never able to get a decent sound out of my snare, I came to within an inch of trying to buy another one. I kept telling myself no, because I _knew_ there was a 99% chance it was my ineptitude with tuning that made it sound bad.
Turned out, it wasn't only tuning, but improper playing technique, bad snare tension, and even the level of tightness on the _basket_ that added up to poor sound.
I used to use an 8 by 14..screw carrying that around..also I use my skinniest cymbal stands...I'm not on tour anymore..those skinny stands are great for shows instead of huge 1980s bulky pearl stands
I recently traded (+ a little extra cash on the table) a 100th Anniversary Ludwig Black Magic (2009, laser engraved, etc.) and a locally made Jarrah ply snares that I didn't use much (or impulsively bought) against a Pork Pie maple steam-bent + re-ring in A shape and a 1970 Supra with just some bad wires and slightly tweaked throw. Replaced them, boom, now that 400 is my new main "go to" snare...
These late 2 complete a humble collection which includes a 402 (2000-ish era that used to belong to Andy "Dice" Clay according to Jerry (Pro Drum shop, L.A.), a Classic Maple Satinwood Ludwig (5"deep), a Pork Pie tin plated "Pig Iron" (cheap but awesome sounding snare) and an acacia Carter McLean Signature Geo.Way snare drum (7x14).
Happy Me !
Somehow I've never noticed your quarter rest tattoo. Very nice!
Thanks man :) payment for a gig almost 20 years ago! -cody
I stumbled across an Acrolite with the stand and a soft shell case this past weekend at a pawn shop for $99.00. I’m a happy camper.
Congrats! Those are special drums. Cheers! -Ben
I relate with your last point about drums being heavy. I only have two snare drums but one of them is a DW collectors stainless steel and it feels likes it's 30 pounds sometimes. I want to say its 3mm of steel or something and i find myself only bringing it for special gigs now.
Another thing to consider is the room you play the drum in makes such a difference to the perceived sound. Sometimes getting a drum back to your studio/regular space and really testing it out is needed. Make sure you buy from places with good return policies (but don’t take the piss) just in case it’s really different sounding once you get it home. A good example of this is trying out a snare at a drum show or convention. It’s as loud as hell and you probably have plenty of people either side of you smashing drums and cymbals at a constant 115db, which is not ideal to really listen to the detailed nuance of the instrument.
One time i bought a 70's 14x10 ludwig marching snare from guitar center used online. Never buying there again. Strainer and butt plate werent even installed over the snare beds, shell was out of round (aluminum shell), and the holes on the hoops didnt even line up with all of the lugs, causing some to be angled to the side. I got it to sound acceptable with a different top hoop, measuring edge to edge and slowly trying to bend the shell back round, and re-drilling the strainer and butt plate. Lesson learned i guess
I've bought lots of used mics/ drums/ cymbals from GC Used online and returns in the store were SUPER easy!! Also, I now have them ship to store (luckily local) and I open right there in the store. Even easier to return when they see it upboxed and it's damaged. They take terrible photos and the descriptions are often wrong!! 🙄
I discovered this channel 1 mont before and im very happy with your type of videos. They are perfect for work brakes and get good information about this amazing hobby.
I would like to ask to you or your suscribers if there is a solution for a bad rounded snare? I have to push just a little bit my resohead when i put them.
Its a Pearl MCS, its made of mapple and i love it.
Love that T-shirt!!
All good stuff. One thing that won't come up often but, I discovered it a while ago, is bearing edge damage on wood shell drums caused by those mesh practice heads. If they're left on too long or have the crap pummeled out of them, they can leave this fine ripple effect on the edge of the drum. Might not effect the sound but, nobody wants to know it's there. Right?
I purchased a pearl modern utility snare and it's really never done it for me outside a very high tuning. Even then I prefer my very cheap, used metal snares. They seem to be fairly easily made to sound good, unlike the pearl. I tried replacing the cheap stock chinese remo heads and even the snare wire and still it disappoints me. It's frustrating as it is about the most expensive single drum I have purchased. Anyway, I love this channel! :) Thanks and keep on keeping on!
I recently bought a Yamaha 14x6.5 brass to have in my studio inventory after looking at LM402 Supraphonics for at least a year thinking that I wanted an aluminium drum. I was toying with the idea of buying a Supraphonic on eBay, but couldn't justify the price for a used drum that I had no idea what the bearing edge was like. I managed to get a new Recording Custom for an absolute steal that was cheaper than used Supraphonics, and the sounds from the drum are just incredible. The shop even threw in a spare Ambassador head for me.
You should check out the Kenny Aronoff from Tama. He had them make it to the exact specifications of a Supraphonic before they changed them in 1968.
Thanks! I'll take a look at that.
Glarpy. Lol. Classic. Keep up the good work fellas!
Nailed it. Thanks.
Trading one of my snares for a 1960’s Slingerland Artist Solid Maple 1 Ply 5x14 pending my inspection of it. Hopefully I inspect it like I should lol!
This may be my favorite video of yours, this is the best guide for what to look for when shopping for used gear. I just got a great deal on a Tama Royalstar kit which I don't know much about but it appears to be in pretty good condition, I'm definitely going to put new heads on it when I'm home from college for the holidays and see what else I can do to fix it up. Used drums can be amazing if you find the right gear, my first drum teacher has a 70's Acrolite that he found in his dad's studio's basement when he was 7 and has been using that drum now for 20+ years, only having to switch the heads and snare wires. I hope to find a vintage drum like that because of the history associated with it, it would be awesome to own a piece of drum history.
I do have a question- I've seen your How to Set Up a Bass Drum Pedal video, and I am looking at possibly upgrading my bass drum pedal from my Gibraltar 6700 Dual Chain double pedal to a double pedal that's a bit more high end such as a Pearl Redline Eliminator, Tama Speed Cobra, DW 9000 or Gibraltar 9800. I don't know much about specifics of what I like besides the longer footboards, and I have already upgraded the driveshaft to the Trick Retrofit universal driveshaft for my current pedal. Would you guys ever consider making a comparison video about these pedals and showing what features they have that makes them different from lower range pedals as well as each other? I love how in depth you guys go to show features of certain products and show that every little thing matters, I think you could make a great video about this topic!!
Love it we are well informed 🇨🇦🇨🇦
WOW! This video is perfect timing. I just bought a Tama Bubinga Elite snare online and upon inspecting/cleaning I notice a slight crack on the inner plies at the seam on the batter side. Completely repairable but something I might have noticed if I inspected it in person. For the $400 + I'm debating whether I should go for a partial refund or just completely return it. Of course now an identical one shows up on Reverb. I looked at pictures and crossed my fingers.
Best of luck!
Ah, that Acrolite .. Just sold my 1971 just last week. At least it went to a friend of mine. But I do regret it a little😑😥
The title alone got me interested. Good one. 😅
15:32 YES !!
This is something I've stressed out to many drummer friends of mine. "Stay the heck away from these crappy Puresound blue cables !" They rolled up their eyes at me and after few months, they came back with the same eyes but full of tears this time... Puresound should be prosecuted just for selling these pieces of junk...
D'Addario/Puresound appears to have discontinued the use of these cables. Hopefully no one else has to experience those issues in the future. Cheers! -Ben
That's a real good news indeed. Keep the hard work Ben, awesome content ! @@SoundsLikeADrum
thank u this helped a lot!!
I use to own a Pearl Sensitone black chrome over brass snare, and I was in a band with an engineer who was always complaining about it but also asked to borrow it for his sessions constantly. He ended up shelling out the extra four hundred bucks to get a black beauty, and it didn't sound nearly as good. Plus, he ended up having to pay someone to replace the throw off with a trick throw off... He was a really fucking nightmare.
Great shirt!
Hey. Great video and great channel. Your teachiall the important things I never knew I needed to know! Thank you. Opinion please. I love black beauty and copperphonic and superphonic 402. Do you have ideas as to other manufacturers that come close at a lower price point?
Solid question - Ludwig actually has budget versions of their supra-style drums that are pretty killing actually. The Pearl Sensitone series is also a great option. -Cody
Does the Mapex Black Panther line, have USA or Chinese made Remo heads...
I got a rather cheap acrolite for about 100 bucks and it came with a warped hoop. I wish I had seen this before I bought it
John Bensinger Buy a hoop , John , they’re not expensive . 8-lug Gretsch Catalinas have the right weight to be a direct replacement ,
as do many budget snares !
That's still an excellent find and the replacement hoop won't cost you much at all. Still, always worth checking. Cheers! -Ben
If you want OEM correct hoops, look for 1.6mm triple flange, if you want a more modern hoop, look for 2.3mm (sometimes called a "power hoop" or Pearl's Super Hoop), stronger still is the 3.0mm triple flange from DFD, or a Stick Chopper style (like Gretsch 302 style) from DFD (only 2.3mm), or a Slingerland Stick Saver style (2.3mm on DFD site) - all of those options are still stamped, flanged hoops. Only the 3.0mm have a weight closer to a Die Cast. Alternately, you can always choose to "retro" vibe the drum and buy single flange hoops and clips. Make the drum what you want/ need and enjoy it. Also, that drum tends to give you more with a thinner head: Ambassador weight or CS Dot style. The heavier the head, the more choked it will sound (or at least drier). Enjoy!!
Where can I buy that t shirt? I love it! Love the videos keep up the great work!
Cody's wife found that somewhere online. Should be able to find one if you do a little digging. Thanks for watching! -Ben
@@SoundsLikeADrum thanks!
You can resand bearing edges yourself
Yes, you could even take a stab at getting a drum shell back in round or fixing all sorts of other things. Still, some projects are best left to professionals if you want them done right.
I´d like to buy a Masshoff Big Chief. I plan to get it from him in Germany.
Very nice! What was it that attracted you to that drum in particular? Did you look at other drums for a similar sound/performance characteristics? -Ben
@@SoundsLikeADrum I´m specially interested in the pianissimo sound. This snare is very loud when you gonna hit it strong. There are so many colours and a wonderful tone! But there is no other snare that is able to produce such a wonderful pianissimo sound. Full of all frequencies and the snares are there also as in fff! Well, maybe there is one other snare, but I do not know it. Do you?
@@thomaskleinhans2384 We've always been drawn to solid shell steam bent snare drums for their incredible sensitivity/dynamic range. In the end, the choice of heads/wires and tuning has much to do with the quality of sound but the shell and hoops allow for that quality of sound to remain consistent (or not) throughout a range of tunings and/or dynamics. Cheers! -Ben
You´re so right, thank you Ben! What solid steam bent snare do you think comes close - or more than that - to the masshoff quality? @@SoundsLikeADrum
I took a tour through the world of metall-snares... Adrian Kirchler seems to be a very good alternative to masshoff... @@SoundsLikeADrum
What places would you recommend in BK? I do usually end up in Main drag and love it, got other recommendations?
love the channel guys, you do an awesome job!
Main Drag is really the only Brooklyn shop outside of Guitar Center. Would love to see their drum selection grow a bit. There are some collectors selling drums frequently through Craigslist that can be worth checking out and then there's Steve Maxwell's in Manhattan.
Cord or straps for the snare?? What do you recommend??
A buddy of mine gave me a 70s Supraphonic identical to the one you used in your videos. My question is what type of swivel nuts do they use? When I replaced the heads I noticed that on the snare side a couple of them were trying to seize up or strip. The p85 was broken so I replaced it with a p86, so I thought I might as well do it right and do a true referb. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you
To anyone watching this, I would also like to add that you should try to make sure the tension rods and swivel nuts are in good shape. Too many times I’ve bought used drums in great shape that ended up needing to have the swivel nuts replaced. And although it’s a very minor issue, replacing those yourself can be a bitch (I’m also super lazy and can’t stand having to do that lol)
Excellent point!
Tama Big Black Steel 14X8
I heard you mention Drum Factory Direct. Can you tell me about their house drum heads? I was thinking about getting them, but I can't decide.
I’m not sure who’s making these and I’ve never used them but they appear to be standard overseas-made crimped heads. Expect them to behave like cheap stock heads. Not worth it in my opinion. -Ben
Yeah, what Ben said. I’d be concerned about the durability vs. the big names. -Cody
Hey guy! Really interesting video! I have a question about vintage snare throw off. I own 2 old snare from the 60s and they both have the same problem about the adjusting screw that keeps loosening down the snare wire as I hit it. It's a problem that vintage drums have due to a lack of tightness in the treads, that's true, but is there a way that you know to resolve that problem?
Try wrapping the screw with plumbers tape. It will help seat the adjusting screw more snug.
Damn, I feel bad now that I have used only online shops for the past 10 years or so. On the other hand, there are two local shops where I live and their owners are kinda money hungry scammers.
That's easy to say, buy unfortunately, the reality is small shops do NOT usually get the gear at the same discount level as the big bix stores because they can't afford to buy/ stock the large quantities. So there is less of a margin to discount for the buyers. Only serves to hurt the small shop and drive them out of biz cuz they can't compete. The smart shops will offer expanded services, better product knowledge and build the community on a local level. But, not all small shops are smart shops 😏
Weird question, where'd you get the shelf in the background that's holding the snares?
That was a lucky curb find! -Ben
Hey Cody! I just bought a vintage supraphonic off of the internet which is slightly out of round (3-4mm difference at most). Also the snareside hoop (which of course is cheaply replacable) was bent a little bit caused by a cracked head. Do you think this matters? I got some decent sounds out of the drum but since I'm still learning about tuning I'm not sure if I will run into serious tuning problems. Hope you can give me some advice.
Felix
maybe I should mention that I had no chance to get to see and play the drum before buying and it looks absolutley beautiful for a 69 supra. No pitting or other marks. So I thought, that it had to be one that was handeled with care.
What local shops in NYC would you recommend? I’ve been here about a year and have only hit up Maxwells. Curious what else is out here that’s good.
Unfortunately, New York is seriously lacking in drum shops. After visiting over the weekend and speaking with Steve and Terry, it sounds like they'll be making a strong push to up their game as more than just a Gretsch/Craviotto pro shop with a much wider range of products available. Main Drag Music in Brooklyn occasionally has some good stuff but it's hard to tell whether or not they're still interested in carrying drums when simple things like Vic Firth 5A drumsticks aren't in stock. Would love to see someone partner with them and create an incredible drum experience. -Ben
Dang. Such a bummer. I really thought there’d be a lot more out here considering it’s such a heavy music scene.
Great video. I’m struggling to get a good tone out of my kit. Most of the drums are out of round. The snare is the hardest to tune, there is always wrinkles in one spot on the resonant head. Is there a way to work around this or is the only solution to get the drums repaired or replaced?
Those wrinkles on the snare side could be a result of the snare bed- be sure to watch Ep. 39 for more details on this. If your drums are actually out of round, you could take them to a skilled drum builder/refurbisher if they're really worth something to you. Depending on how far out of round they are, temporary (or even permanent) bracing can be installed and clamps can be used to get them back in round. I'd strongly recommend speaking with an authorized professional about this. Steele of Kentville Drums in Australia is the master at this stuff though there may be someone in closer proximity to you if you do some research. Best of luck! -Ben
Having an issue with an amazing snare. When I hit it the snare buzzes. Not in a good way. Which vid should I watch to understand and figure out? Thx!! It’s not a sweet buzz and then gone. It’s also not a cool overtone. It’s like an alignment issue or something. 40-strand. Is that it? Schwraaaa sound!!!
Jed , this channel has the last word in clear advice on sorting the various problems encountered .
Let your fingers do the walking !
Barren Savant q drum alum plate 14x7.
What should I do if the hoops and lugs are rusted in a wooden snare drum?
That's really up to you. You could go about replacing them if the rust is preventing the drum from being fully functional. There are quite a few factors that come into play. -Ben
@@SoundsLikeADrum Thanks!
In your opinion, what’s your favorite or best Vintage snare drums?
Ludwig Acrolite & Supraphonic, Slingerland Radio King
239. You try that around here and you'll get kicked out of the store.
guy says buy local but also name drops drum factory direct +1
Hahaha, yeah parts are harder to come by, sometimes internet is the move 🤘🏻-Cody
Schlepp a lot? XD hey stealing our german words is not fair! :D
Yiddish rubs off on you here in NY 😉
Oh sure, just assume I have collection
Dont be cheap, support premium drum builders and buy nice new drums !
Lol. Buying used drums isn’t “being cheap”, but feel free to mind your own business.
There's nothing wrong with buying used. It's great to be able to afford a new drum from a premium drum builder but not everyone is looking to invest that much money into a drum and sometimes you're looking for a particular older drum rather than having a modern clone made of it. -Ben
Sounds really thin, just highs. Done that the two videos.
I just compared the last two videos to several videos from earlier on and the narrative sounds identical. Not sure what to tell you... -Ben