bolweevil
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« on: April 14, 2008, 04:12 PM » |
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I recently realized that I love the sound of brass snares. I've only owned three in my life, but they've all been my favorite of the bunch. The first was a Pearl piccolo, then a no-namer I later sold (and regretted) and recently a Ludwig that I can't stop hitting--even if I'm in the basement to do laundry I have to go over and tap on it.
What is it about brass? I've owned or currently own aluminum, steel, maple and birch, but I always come back to brass for snares.
If anybody shares my feelings (or disagrees), I'd like to hear about it. I'd love to hear ways to describe the "brass sound" in comparison to other materials (pro or con).
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Chip71
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« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2008, 04:36 PM » |
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There's something different about a brass or bronze snare. The only metal snare I have is a Mapex Phosphor Bronze 14" drum. For certain bands I love that snare, just something about it that to my ears has an "oooh" factor. Doesn't cut through or bite like a chrome snare, but has a softer sound that borders on a wood sound.  |
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"When you quit learning you start dieing"-My Grandfather
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Chris Whitten
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« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2008, 04:44 PM » |
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I like bronze too.
As for brass, I think it's the least harsh of metals for a snare drum.
It's heading towards a warmer, woodier sound, and yet it can be more aggressive and brighter than a lot of wood shell drums - which is great for a lot of musical situations.
I admit I mostly tend towards wood shell drums, particularly single-ply, but my best sounding snare is almost certainly an old Black Beauty (brass).
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moosetication
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one ... two ... one two three four
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« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2008, 05:12 PM » |
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I played a Sonor Horst Link brass just yesterday. Remarkable drum. As long as I'm not the one who has to carry it around, that is...
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After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music. Aldous Huxley
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Paicey
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« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2008, 06:00 PM » |
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Ive owned a 70's non etched Ludwig 6.5x14 black beauty, a Pearl free floater 6.5x14 brass, a 6X13'' Ahead brass drum. If i EVER!...EVER!!!!, do you hear me.....EV!! ER!!!! buy another brass drum would someone please PLEASE!!!!! shoot me. If brass snaredrums were thee only snaredrums available id play the flute!, unless it was brass!  . |
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Chris Whitten
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« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2008, 06:30 PM » |
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Hannah Ford
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« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2008, 10:37 PM » |
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I have a Gretsch Hammered Brass...I love it! But, only use it in the right venue.
For a smaller venue I use the Rekown Maple....
The Brass snare has an incredible sound and the rim shots are awesome!!
Hannah
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Peace Love & Drums...
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felix
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« Reply #7 on: April 15, 2008, 05:28 AM » |
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Ive owned a 70's non etched Ludwig 6.5x14 black beauty, a Pearl free floater 6.5x14 brass, a 6X13'' Ahead brass drum. If i EVER!...EVER!!!!, do you hear me.....EV!! ER!!!! buy another brass drum would someone please PLEASE!!!!! shoot me. If brass snaredrums were thee only snaredrums available id play the flute!, unless it was brass! . So you don't like them or have too many because you do like them? Back to the thread. I like brass snares and pretty much any snare that sounds "good". I only have the yamaha seamless brass snare (manu katche) which is a ludwig black beauty rip off. And I'm just so glad I DID NOT sell it to bart in a moment of weak airheadedness on my part  It's no 20's ludwig black beauty but it sure fits my needs well |
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Sonor, The Drummers Drum
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bolweevil
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« Reply #8 on: April 15, 2008, 07:13 AM » |
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I guess part of the reason I'm so into brass right now is because though I'm gigging more than I used to, many of the venues are small, and--at least based my tuning--the softer sound of the brass shells works better in that context.
My maple snare seems to cut much more, so I only use that in bigger rooms and with bigger PAs.
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6 Piece PDP CX
14" K/Z hats
16" A Custom Crash, 18" Sabian Hand Hammered Crash, 17" A Zildjian Medium Thin
10" Sabian AA Metal-X splash
24" A Constantinople Zildjian Medium Ride
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Paicey
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« Reply #9 on: April 15, 2008, 03:55 PM » |
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felix, i sold all of my brass drums, well?, the Ahead 6x13 will be on the bay soon. No, me no likey the brassy. Its hard to describe why because my vocabulary most likely wouldnt do the explanation justice, just dont like the tone. But get this, one or even a couple of my all time favorite recorded snare sounds have come from black beauties. I play them live and things just dont add up. Im a steel man, as well as stainless.
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felix
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first class all the way :-)
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« Reply #10 on: April 16, 2008, 06:25 AM » |
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I don't know bro. I mean I think I remember when you bought that ahead snare and you really liked it.
Maybe your taste will change back around again and you dig that drum for certain situations?
That happens to me all the time FWIW.
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Sonor, The Drummers Drum
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