Howdy! I've got a Pacific MX set, maple, and overall I'm very happy. For anyone who has heard those sets though, the snare absolutely sucks    It sounds like popcorn... and no matter how many heads, tunings etc I've tried, I still can't get it to sound good.

At some point, about 6 months ago, I just gave up, and finally got the parts to build a snare drum. It was a good experience, but I went a little crazy and made a really exotic 13" x 7" drum. It sounds good, but it's not the most versatile thing ever...

So! I'm looking to start using the PDP again, but of course I want it to sound a little better. Is there anything I can do? Would getting some die-cast hoops help any? Any head suggestions? It's a 5.5" x 14", so if I can get it sounding better, it would be a bit more versatile...

Thanks!

I currently have three snares, a 13x6.5 segmented maple custom, a 14x7 10 ply kellermaple and a 16 x 12 3ply slingerland field snare (and soon a '66 acrolite).
on the 13 and 14", I use a Remo Renessaince snare head, an aquarian coated studioX batter and RhythmTech active snares.  They sound fabulous.  The Slingy get is own treatment due to its ginormous size.  I also prefer the sticksaver-type rims.  I don't know what all you have tried or what "bad" sound like to you, but here is my take on my set up.

renessaince snare heads: good light weight, I like the texture on the head...I think it gets just a bit more "snare" sound out of the wires.

Aquarian StudioX: durable, versatile coating, damped just abit to remove some ring.

RhythmTech wires: some folks love em, some hate em.  I think they take the guesswork out of snare tension and provide a predictable sound.  Since they operate at lower strainer tension, I think this can only be a good thing since they are less prone to choking of your bottom head.

Rims: I just like the look and feel of the sticksavers...closest thing to diecast without dropping $100 on new rims (IMO).

Moongel: I use two pieces on the top of my batter head...eliminates most of the buzz, and allows a nice tight crack to come through.

Yes, I'll be setting up my new (old) acro this way to start.

OTHER:  Are you sure the drum is round and the bearing edges consistent?

one mans setup...Bob

Last I checked, die casts were about $30 each. www.drummaker.com. I bought my last ones, pearl mastercast, from www.lidrum.com for a very good price.

Diecasts would make a HUGE difference. I been using the ATTACK single ply Terry Bozzio signature snare head kits for a few years with great success on all my 14" SNARES.

but...

Other than as a project, for the cost of upgrading that snare with new heads and rims, snares?, you can buy a nice USED snare. Me, I plan on multi-use of any upgrade parts I buy. I only have 5 snares right now, one 13" & 4 14"s and 3 of those are 14-8 models. With those I can swap my aftermarket snare wires and die-cast, S-hoop, sticksaver and regular triple flanged hoops. That's with out considering heads. So look for a same diameter and number of lugs snare with diecasts USED.

Boomerweps