Woods Palmer Posted June 22, 2004 Share Posted June 22, 2004 I am looking in the Interstate Music catalogue for a good mid-priced snare to get for my studio. Also, a set of congas? I want it for sessions that require subtle snare accompanyment. Brush work and quiet rim shot stuff. Is steel or wood better for the following. And particular wood ie. birch etc.? Snare size - diameter and height? Type of skin? For the following kind of stuff? What type of brushes? Music is accoustic upright bass, accoustic guitar, piano, mandolin, occasionally a tele through Fender Deluxe reverb. Also other percussion - conga, Cabasa, Guiro, Woodblocks, Tambourine. With vocals. Production examples: J.J. Cale. Bob Dylan's Love and Theft. Folk - bluegrass tinged country -old country/rockabilly, ala Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, etc. Also, for this type of stuff is the 10 and 11 inch conga best or the 11 and 12 inch? Thanks, Woods Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woods Palmer Posted June 23, 2004 Author Share Posted June 23, 2004 Does the type of wood really make a big difference in the sound? For example: warmth and balance of maple brightness of cherry darker tones of walnut highly resonant oak attack and projection of birch. What would be best for the production I described above? Woods Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrummerRob Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 Woods...here is my opinions. It sounds like you are looking for a good ol'fashioned 14x5 maple snare. Ideally you sound like you need little to no ring or at least a controllable one. 5" snares are just right. Deeper snares give you a fuller sound while shallow snares are more dry and focussed. Different woods do make a difference but you almost have to have two snare next to each to compare, and the reality is those two snares will sound different to your ear when they are recorded. Also I'll suggest that you try tuning the resonant head very tight. That simple solution sems to bring out the snare sound in a way that you might like. And just to throw you off completely you can probably buy any standard sized snare and through head selection, tuning, and subtle muffling get the sound you are looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Speers Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 Also try various snares with rods, batos, etc. Much of the music you mentioned relies on these, at least in part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 How about a Ludwig Supra Phonic snare? They are suppose to be the most recorded snare drum of all time. -David http://www.garageband.com/artist/MichaelangelosMuse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woods Palmer Posted July 23, 2004 Author Share Posted July 23, 2004 Allen, Could you expand on this a bit? Basically what are these things and what they do? "Also try various snares with rods, batos, etc." Thanks, Woods Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Speers Posted July 24, 2004 Share Posted July 24, 2004 You really don't know? Well, ok: They are "sticks" made out of 10-20 thin lengths of wood (or plastic) banded together. Imagine 20 really long matchsticks, held together by a few rubber bands. When they hit, the sound is softer than with a stick, in both volume and attack character. This is a HUGE part of many Nashville & bluegrass tracks. If that's the sound a track requires, there is no other way to get it no matter what drums and cymbals you pick. ----------- DC wrote that Ludwig Supra Phonic snaresare suppose to be the most recorded snare drum of all time. this is probably true, but the "good" ones (well, at least the ones always used / rented by the big studios) are the chrome-over-brass models from the veru early '60's. You won't find one of those, in good shape, for less than $500 - $700, even if you scour Ebay for a year. I know, because I've been looking to buy one for less than $500 for about three years now. Aint gonna' happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Speers Posted July 24, 2004 Share Posted July 24, 2004 Or just buy one of these: http://www.idahopercussion.com/page/idp/CTGY/Pearl_Ultracast Very similar to my beloved N&C Alloy Classic, but with flanged hoops. Incredible price, for what it is. If I HAD to get by with only one snare, it would be my 14 X 4.75" Alloy Classic, so although I haven't heard the Pearl I would think it would be close. Except, as I sadi, it has the flanged hoops which will give it a slightly softer attack and warmer tone. It's likely exactly what you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Posted July 24, 2004 Share Posted July 24, 2004 Originally posted by Allan Speers: You really don't know? DC wrote that Ludwig Supra Phonic snaresare suppose to be the most recorded snare drum of all time. this is probably true, but the "good" ones (well, at least the ones always used / rented by the big studios) are the chrome-over-brass models from the veru early '60's. You won't find one of those, in good shape, for less than $500 - $700, even if you scour Ebay for a year. I know, because I've been looking to buy one for less than $500 for about three years now. Aint gonna' happen.Say Allen, how do I tell if my Supra Phonic snare is chrome-over-brass? I looked inside and it's hard to tell. There's a date which is July 27, 196_; the last number is either a one or a 7 with the top worn off. (1961 or 1967) It appears to be chrome inside but maybe it's just chromed everywhere. Like the rest of my tiny kit, it's got the gold or brass logo badge that I think denotes 60s on the shell. Be wild if I actually had something of worth. -David http://www.garageband.com/artist/MichaelangelosMuse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Speers Posted July 25, 2004 Share Posted July 25, 2004 DC, there are some extremely varying opinions on this. Most people agree that all the pre-serial number ones are brass. -The later "ludalloy" looks a lot like brass, but it's not. I have one of those, and it's still a great snare for softer, middle of the road sounds, but I would love to have a cob. Funny thing is, I've read other people say that the ludalloy is actually brighter. I have to assume that they were just talking out of their butts, as my personal experience is the opposite. Anyway, Serial numbers / ludalloy started in very late 1962. After that, some WERE made out of brass, but there is too much argument over how to tell to relate it here. There is only one absolute: you remove a lug, scrape off a little chrome, and look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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