The Song Fight Bulletin Board

I want to find a certain type of snare sound and I have no idea about different types of snare. All I know is that Ash (Carpetburn drummer) has had the same kit for 7 years and we're tired of his snare sound.

Does anybody know a good site that sells snares, with either a description of what they sound like or samples or something. I'd go to a drum shop only there aren't really any good ones around here.

The kind of sound I want is like on the early Braid recordings, or any of those 90's indie bands, even something like in the Slint and Cap'n Jazz tracks I posted here. It's quite a tight, high pitched sound I suppose; are they using piccolo snares? I have no idea, and if anyone is willing to share their knowledge of various snares that would be greatly appreciated.

This page might help: http://www.drumjunction.com/snare_drum.html

Furrypedro wrote:something like in the Slint and Cap'n Jazz tracks I posted here

I doubt either of those are piccolo snares. They sound like regular 5" or 5.5" metal snare drums tuned high.

Furrypedro wrote:we're tired of his snare sound

Have you played around yet with different tunings on Ash's snare drum? Has he tried fresh heads on both sides? (The obvious things.) Given the sound you described, and the snare tone I heard on a few carpetburn tracks, I'll bet you could get close to the sound you want just by cranking up the tension on his snare heads.

Furrypedro wrote:with either a description of what they sound like or samples or something

Musician's Friend is as good a place as any buy drums online, but their descriptions of each drum's sound are more marketing-speak than anything. The issue you'll run into with descriptions is there's no one specific sound that any given drum produces. The drum shell itself is only a component in the overall sound. How you tune it, how far apart in pitch the top and bottom heads are, how tight the strainer is, how hard you hit the drum, where you hit the drum .. These all contribute to what you ultimately hear. (You'll see people ask on drum forums all the time "how do I get my snare to sound like Stewart Copeland's?," and of course the only right answer is "you need to get Stewart Copeland to play your drum for you.")

I get a good sound out of my 70s Ludwig Acrolite. You can find them cheap on ebay. It will probably get you the sound you are looking for.

I agree with Deshead though, start by changing the heads, and possibly the snare itself and try for the tuning you want. You can't make a wood snare sound like brass, but you may at least getr something new you like.

Ken