Shell: 20-ply birch Typical tunings: 3F to 3G Upgrades: Remo Emperor coated batter headĬomments: Low-cost alternate to Ludwig 'Brick ' includes DW Mag throw, 2.3mm hoops, and quality snares heavy and loud using 2-ply batter head to dampen volume a bit Shell: 20-ply maple/bubinga Typical tunings: 3F to 3G Upgrades: WorldMax 2.3mm chrome hoops, Puresound Custom 16-strand snares, Evans Power Center reverse dot batter head, Evans Hazy 300 snare headĬomments: Lightweight, versatile, and powerful tone somewhere between metal and wood smooth Nickelworks throw

Shell: Carbon fiber over core Typical tunings: 3F to 3G Upgrades: Puresound Custom 16-strand snares, Evans G1 coated batter head, Evans Hazy 300 snare headĬomments: This 1964 example of Slingerland's lower-cost 6-lug student model utilizes the same maple-poplar-maple 3-ply shell as the 8-lug Hollywood Ace and 1970+ Artist models Shell: 3-ply with re-rings Typical tunings: 3G to 3A Slingerland Deluxe Student 5.5x14 (vintage 1963-1976) Upgrades: DW Mag throw, DW 3.0mm True-Hoops, Puresound Custom 16-strand snares, Remo Controlled Sound reverse dot batter headĬomments: Low-cost alternate to vintage Slingerland Radio King shell really sings at higher tunings awesome rimshots with 3mm hoops Shell: 1-ply solid maple Typical tunings: 3G to 3A PDP Platinum Solid Maple 5x14 (US$299 new) Upgrades: Trick GS007 multi-step throw (chrome) with Retroplate adapter, Puresound Snappy 20-strand snares, Remo Controlled Sound reverse dot batter headĬomments: Workhorse heavy brass snare this 1975 model's original Zoomatic throw was broken low-cost alternate to Ludwig Black Beauty

Shell: Chrome-over-brass Typical tunings: 3F to 3G Here is my current snare drum lineup, from most-used to least-used: Each of my current snare drums cost between US$40 and US$299 before upgrades. As a result, my snare drum arsenal has evolved a bit since My wife thinks I have too many snare drums, a post from just over a year ago.ĭespite my wife's concern, I continue to find ways to bring new and creative snare voices to my sound on a budget. Quality, low-cost snare drums equip a budget-minded drummer with backbeat voices in steel, brass, aluminum, carbon fiber, birch, and maple.įinding the right voice for a new song in the studio often involves trying out new snare drums or upgrading existing ones.

Tricks for snappy snare