If you are a drummer or thinking of getting into drumming, then this review is for you.
This is about finding the right snare drum for your personal music style and taste and what to look for.
Let's take a look at what snare drums can offer you.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Snare Drums
- OUR TOP PICK: Ludwig (LB417)
- RUNNER-UP: TAMA (SC145)
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Pearl S1330B
Table of Contents
What is a Snare Drum?
There are a variety of snare drums available on the market, all with their own unique characteristics and special features. This drum, sometimes called a side drum but mostly called a snare drum, is a drum with snares stretched over the bottom head.
The snares can be either made from nylon or gut or even steel or silk, as well as the wire. As the snares vibrate with the lower head, the vibration is transferred through the air inside the shell. This causes a high-pitched sound in the drum. Snare drums are also available in different types.
What to Look For When Buying a Snare Drum
When buying a snare drum, there are quite a few things to look for that will determine the tone and pitch.
Size
The size of the drum, as well as the construction, is relative to the tone and pitch of the snare drum. The materials used in the making of a snare drum will also influence the final sound that it will produce.
The different types of snare drums available can be used in many different types of applications. These applications may include recording or performing and teaching, as well as rehearsing or practicing.
Features
Many extra features are added to the snare drum to make it easier to use with all the different types of applications.
Throw-Off
A throw-off is attached to the strainer that is holding the snares tight to the bottom head. This throw-off can then be used to quickly loosen the snares for a much different effect, such as the tenor drum effect.
Snare
The snare itself is made in many different ways and then used for a variety of different effects.
Materials
Different materials are used for a variety of different sounds and tones, as well as for pitch.
Comparison of the Best Snare Drums
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Review of the Best Snare Drums
To be able to find the right snare drum, you need to look at a few different models to determine which one will suit you. In this section, we've reviewed the very best options available on the market so you can make an educated decision.
Best Overall:
Ludwig LB417 Snare Drum
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This snare drum is simply amazing. It gives you that classic snare drum sound that everybody loves. The sound is of great quality, and this is a must-have snare drum for all drummers. This drum is well worth the money you'd spend on it, and it performs exactly as it should.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The overall beauty of the Ludwig LB417 comes from its chrome finish, which gives it a distinctive look and feel. You can tune this snare drum very easily with the simple tuning mechanism that is included with it. You will notice the nice tenor effect that you get with the throw-off, as well as the sensitivity it provides.
Who Will Use This Most
The great versatility that is provided with the 6.5"x14" shell makes it perfect for pop and rock drummers. This is also a great snare drum for the beginner if you can spare the cash for it. Overall, it can be used with a variety of music styles.
Bottom Line
The Ludwig LB417 has a high price tag attached to it, but the great quality of this drum will make up for it. This drum has a strong and impressive sound that makes it perfect for any beat you throw at it.
Runner-up:
Tama SC145 Stewart Copeland Snare Drum
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This Tama snare drum is a high-quality and beautiful option that gives you a great classic Copeland sound. This drum is very loud, and it gives a cracking and brash sound that fits the music genre it is played in. From low to high range, this snare drum exceeds expectations.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is a true replica snare drum for that classic sounds that Stewart Copeland produced in most of the Police’s songs. The triple flange bottom hoop helps in recreating the Copeland sound. The great, metal-like, aesthetic looks of this snare drum give it a unique beauty.
Who Will Use This Most
The shell size of this snare drum makes it perfect for hip hop music, as well as rhythm and blues. It is certainly the right drum if you are playing music similar to the Police in your band. It is also good for entry-level and professional drummers.
Bottom Line
The Tama SC145 does have quite a high price tag attached to it, but you get great value with this snare drum from Tama. Also, this drum will fit into any drum kit set up for versatility. Overall, you have great value and a unique classic imitation.
Best for the Money:
Black Steel Piccolo Snare Drum By PEARL
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The PEARL Black Steel has quite a loud cracking sound to it and is a great sounding drum overall. This is a great snare drum that can be used for any type of music. Plus, it comes at a great price, offering superb value for your money.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This piccolo snare drum comes with quite an attractive price point. It is very easy to set and tune this snare drum for different types of music styles. The black, lacquered, steel shell makes for quite an attractive look.
Who Will Use This Most
The PEARL Black Steel can be used for different types of applications, as well as for a dual snare drum. The versatility of the drum makes it quite suitable to be used in many modern music genres. This item is very suitable for the jazz players out there.
Bottom Line
You can get this snare drum with a maple, steel, or brass shell for different tone and voicing. The price you pay for this excellent drum makes it a consumer favorite and a solid investment for any drum kit.
Best DW Collectors Series:
6.5"x14" Black Nickel Over Brass Snare Drum
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The throw-off makes it quite easy to put the snares up or down and offers easy access. This product is quite expensive, but it does its part by producing great tone and sound. This drum has everything you need in a snare.
Why it Stands Out to Us
With the included tap-style internal muffler, you have a variety of selections for more or for less sustain, depending on your choice. An easy access throw-off also gives you much better control over the attack of your snare drum. This makes the snare suitable for different types of applications.
Who Will Use This Most
This snare drum is very suitable for the brass snare sound that is unique to most nuances of jazz music. It is also a great choice for use with a modern rock band, as well as for with a metallic tonal character.
Bottom Line
At a medium price point but with quite high-quality features, this snare drum is suitable for the professional drummer. Also, for anyone who is interested in playing a variety of music styles, this is the perfect snare drum. Rightfully so, this is a sought-after collector’s snare.
Best Gretsch Full Range Snare Drum:
Gretsch S1-6514-BRH
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
For the price, this snare drum is of very high quality and sounds fantastic with a nice ring to it. This snare drum is versatile and can be used for many different types of music styles. It is very reliable and steady, and it is well designed and strongly built.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The fully adjustable, side pull throw-off with fixed butt plate included makes the control of the snares quite easy. This is great when you are changing the tune quite often for different music styles and a variety of tones. The looks of this snare make it an eye-catcher and a favorite.
Who Will Use This Most
This snare drum is suitable for use with any type of music genre, as well as for the professional and the beginner alike. It is, after all, a versatile snare drum and can be used with most music applications and styles. That makes it the perfect drum for every drummer out there.
Bottom Line
With the Gretsch hammered brass shell snare drum, you get great value for your money and a very durable option. This drum will last for a very long time and will give you a lifetime of drumming pleasure. Overall, it is the best from a steady brand of quality snare drums.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Snare Drums
As with all products, a snare drum has both advantages and disadvantages. Take a look at these below:
Pros
First, let’s take a look at the upsides:
- The snare drum is used to set the pulse of the music piece and also for the rest of the instruments. This is great for a piece of music where the percussion is an integral part of the music.
- The many different types of materials that are used in the construction of the drum may give a unique sound. Each type of snare drum, with its unique sound and pitch, is suitable for a different type of music and application.
- Snare drums are usually used in popular music in a backbeat style that will help create and maintain a rhythm. The deeper the snare drum is, the more body it has. The shallow snare drum is more sensitive.
The opposite is possible for a marching band, where the front beat is created with the use of the snare drums.
Cons
And now for the very few downsides:
- If a snare drum is not properly tuned, it may throw the pitch of the whole piece off. This is mostly the case for lesser quality snare drums that can not be correctly tuned.
- Metal snares may not be suitable for other milder types of music and will give it some kind of wrong pitch and sound.
How to Assemble a Snare Drum
Here is how you can assemble your snare drum easily and quickly:
- Start by placing the head of the drum on top of the shell.
- Now, you can place the hoop on top of the head and shell.
- Line the holes of the hoop up with those of the shell.
- Next, install the tension rods by dropping them in the holes of the hood.
- You can then thread the rods into the castings on the shell.
- Screw the tension rods all the way down and tighten every one of them with your fingers.
- Now, you can use the drum key and start tightening the tension rods lightly with it.
- Use the star system by tightening a rod opposite the one you just tightened.
- You can repeat the process of tightening until all the screws are tightened.
- This method of tightening the rods helps to tighten the drum evenly.
- Before completely tightening it, you can tune the head by tapping on it and listening to the pitch.
- This final tightening will also help to tune the drum. While tapping, you can tighten for a higher pitch, or you can loosen the rod if you want a lower pitch.
Please refer to the following YouTube video for complete instructions on how to assemble the drum.
Conclusion
Always remember that not all snare drums are made equal, and you have to listen to the drum to make a decision. Use your newfound knowledge of snare drums to guide you as you select the one that suits you best.
People Also Ask
Before you can commit yourself to the final choice, you need to get some nagging questions off your chest. This question and answer section will provide you with the answers to questions regarding snare drums. For your benefit, it is necessary to have the knowledge provided here.
Do Snare Wires Make a Difference?
More wires will provide a much brighter and crisper sound to the snare drum. Fewer wires will move toward a purer drum sound. The tighter they are, the more it will influence pitch. Snare wires will have quite a significant influence on the final sound of the drum.
How Tight Should the Snare Wires Be?
The tighter the snares, the more they push up into the snare head, thus creating a higher pitch. Looser snares will give you a looser snare sound that will make the pitch lower.
Each of these settings can be used in different music styles. The high pitch is typically used for rock.
How Would You Describe the Sound of a Snare Drum?
There are many descriptions regarding the sounds that are provided by a snare drum. It may sound metallic or shrill or may have a sharp sound to it. Another sound may be described as hissing or even shuffling or rattling. These sound effects depend on the tightness of the snares.
How Do You Stop a Snare Buzz?
Here are a few ways to stop the buzz of your snares:
- Center the snares on your snare head so they are exactly in the center of your head
- Even the snares out so they do not rattle
- Tune the snare drum correctly
- Balance the head's tension equally
Is a Snare Drum a Membranophone?
A snare drum is, in fact, a double-headed membranophone that has a cylindrical body that was developed in the early centuries.
It originated in Europe but is found nowadays all over the world wherever a civilization developed. A membranophone is any musical instrument that produces sound by vibrating a membrane.
How Do You Tune a Snare Drum Perfectly?
You should tune the bottom head when it sounds wet. You should tune it until the sound is sharp and crisp again.
Test the bottom head for tightness. You should only get a little give, and the head should be clear.
Snare Drum Buyer Guides
In the market for a new snare drum? Luckily, we've compiled all of our buyer guides related to snare drums and related content. Feel free to review each guide and find the one that fits exactly what you're looking for. Be sure to check back soon as we'll be updating this page frequently.
