I am looking to buy a new snare drum- either a 6 1/2" or 7" x 14"....I know it is not particularly "in" anymore, but I am looking to get a big, deep, cracking hair-metal sound (ie.Warrant)- So far I have my options narrowed down to a 7 x 14 Ludwig Maple Coloseum and a 6 1/2 x 14  Tama Imperialstar from the mid-80's. Any thoughts on these drums or other options for helping me get that sound would be greatly appreciated.

This is going to be mostly for live playing.

I agree with Jon E, 80's = FX and big room ambience.
So that's out of the question I think your best bet is to go for a good quality big sounding drum. Perhaps a 6.5" or 7". I don't know about the Tama, but I've never liked the Coliseum.
If I was looking for 80's potential I'd go for a Black Beauty (or BB copy).
What about one of the World Max.
I was chatting with a drummer mate (big in the 80's) and he swears by the Mapex bronze (they are cheap).
Or, if money allows, a DW Craviotto.
Get the best quality you can afford in a 6.5" is my quick answer.

Nick (www.isor.net) gets a HUGE sound of a piccolo drum on his record (studio magic)...

$150 won't get you too much drum, but if you're patient, you could find a big brass Slingerland for little money on ebay (although I honestly can't remember having seen it at or under that price)...

I dunno about the Tama, but I have a friend who bought a used MARCHING Ludwig and it worked for him just fine.  To me, that's quite an extreme, but don't forget Alex VH...

Also, back in the day, folks used pin-stripes on the snare drum to get that fat, boomy sound.  I know it sounds gross, but it was a way of trying to duplicate that over-processed sound we heard on the records (think Def Leppard - Pyromania).

If you're willing to increase that spending limit just a bit, Donoho sells some nice-looking deep maple snares for about $200 (7"/8" x 14").  They're vented too, so you should get some decent volume and crack...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38095&item=7303013590&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38095&item=7302666035&rd=1

I would just throw on some 42's for whatever you buy and a heavier batter, maybe a coated dot something.  Maybe listen to some birch snares.

A lot of verb can lead to problems live.  With the 42's you can crank them tighter if you want less snare decay.

I'd advise against the Tama.  I bought one to replace my metal Slingerland, which had a "honk" I couldn't remove easily.  While the Tama is well made, it actually had less bottom end than my Slingerland.  If you can find a deep wooden Slingerland from the late 70's/early 80's, you may very well find the sound you're looking for.  I love mine and it is my fave of the 30+ I own. Tamas from the early 80's were well-constructed but sounded less than great, IMHO.

Dan

Dan, I have a very old Slingerland wood snare, 14 x 7 with 8 lugs.  I found it in poor condition and have refinished it.  The bearing edges are good and the shell isn't damaged any.  I think it could sound a lot better than it does.   Currently it has Remo Weather King Ambassador batter & snare heads, a 42 strand snare and I have a round strip from an old head about an inch wide next to the hoop as a muffler.   How is the one you use set up?