10 Of The Best Maple Snare Drums!

With so many maple snare drums on the market, choosing one can seem daunting. We’ve compiled a list of 10 different awesome maple snare drums from 10 different manufacturers.
Timestamps:
00:00 - 01:34 Intro
01:35 - 02:53 BDC Maverick
02:54 - 04:12 Ludwig Classic Maple
04:13 - 05:32 Mapex Solidus
05:33 - 06:49 Ahead 1-Ply
06:50 - 08:07 Noble & Cooley CD Maple
08:08 - 09:24 DW DCP Custom Profile
09:25 - 10:52 Pearl MCC Solid Ply
10:53 - 12:05 George Way Advance II
12:06 - 13:30 Tama Star Maple
13:31 - 14:45 Canopus The Maple
14:46 - 15:16 Drum Set & Cymbals
15:17 - 17:10 Head 2 Head Comparison
17:11 - 18:23 Our Thoughts
Links to purchase them are here:
Canopus 'The Maple' Snare Drum 14x6.5 Natural Oil w/ Cast Hoops
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/M-1465-O
DW Collectors Maple Snare Drum 14x6.5 Satin Natural - Custom Profile!
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/DRSO6514SSC-SN8
George Way Advance II Solid Ply Snare Drum 14x6.5
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/GW654AII
Tama Star Maple Snare Drum 14x8 Ocean Blue Curly Maple
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/TMS148SROLC
Pearl Music City Custom Solid Maple 14x5 Snare Drum - Natural With Ebony Inlay
Available for purchase here: www.drumcenternh.com/pearl-mu...
Ludwig Classic Maple Snare Drum with Tube Lugs - Diablo Red
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/LS403TXDRW01777
British Drum Company Maverick Snare Drum 14x5.5
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/MAV-1455-SN
Ahead Steam Bent 1-ply Maple Snare Drum 14x6 Gun Metal Sparkle
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/ASSB614
Mapex Black Panther 14x7 Solidus Snare Drum - Red Black Burst
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/BPNML4700CVD
Noble And Cooley CD Maple Snare Drum 14x5 Honey Maple Oil
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/FGCDS145P1FC-HMO
Drum Set Used:
DW Performance 4pc Drum Set 22/10/12/16 Hard Satin American Rust
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/DRPS-4PC-HSAR
Cymbals Used:
Zildjian K Sweet Hi Hat Pair 14”
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/K0720
Zildjian K Sweet Crash Cymbal 20”
Available for purchase here: buydru.ms/K0712
TuneBot Settings for Head 2 Head Comparison:
Top - B3 248hz
Bottom - G4 392hz
Microphones used to capture the drums:
Bass Drum:
Audix D6 Dynamic Bass Drum Microphone - www.drumcenternh.com/audix-d6...
Audix A133 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone - www.drumcenternh.com/audix-a1...
Snare Drum:
Audix i5 Dynamic Microphone - www.drumcenternh.com/audix-i5...
Audix ADX51 Condenser Microphone - www.drumcenternh.com/audix-ad...
Toms:
Earthworks DM20 Small-diaphragm Condenser Drum Microphone - www.drumcenternh.com/earthwor...
Overheads:
Earthworks SR25 Small-diaphragm Condenser Instrument Microphone - www.drumcenternh.com/earthwor...
Room Mics:
Earthworks QTC30 Small-diaphragm Condenser Microphone - www.drumcenternh.com/earthwor...
www.drumcenternh.com
Follow us on:
/ drumcenternh
/ drumcenternh
/ drumcenternh
#snaredrums #maplesnaredrums #top10snaredrums

[@chillpillology]

what a fantastically produced video. tuning perfect, transitions between kits excellent. audio fantastic as usual. great work

[@adamfrost3722]

Thank you!

[@klauth_Yksyn]

Great stuff guys! Appreciate you going the extra mile to bring us the presentation 👍

[@tinterlande]

Thank you! 👊

[@dancalabrese3523]

For the deeper snares I was most impressed with the Canopus and George Way, very much impressed. On the "shallow" snares the Maverick was outstanding. It sounded like you would hope your perfect maple snare would sound. I think if I could only have picked one, it would have to be this one. Great work as always DCP. I always look forward to these videos and you never fail to disappoint.

[@joshuatappan2407]

Pretty sure I’ve tried em all in store, lol, but there wasn’t a bad one in the bunch! Love my Canopus The Maple and picked up an MCC Solid Maple and it is awesome. I think the Mapex Solidus is an awesome value for the money and with thick plies as well! All great drums and another awesome video, well done guys!

[@chrisl2466]

The British Drum Co Maverick and the Tama snares were my favorite. Thanks, for posting.

[@James1623]

I absolutely loved the Canapus the snares were buzzing in such a beautiful way 😊

[@danielbonamie6240]

Thanks Guys, you made me realize how much I love solid ply. As for the multi ply the mapex was quite impressive.

[@drumcenternh]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@daltonidaho]

Great drums! I liked the British Drum Co, DW, Pearl, George Way, and Canopus. I think the Pearl was my favourite.

[@aaronraulston6248]

I second the Ahead snare!!! It, along with the Pearl Music City, and Canopus were my 3 faves. I couldnt believe how dry that Noble and Cooley was!

[@scottprebys9692]

George Way was outstanding in tone and projection….strong fundamental…👏👏👏

[@stephentyler4352]

My three favourites were Canopus, Noble & Cooley and DW. I don’t often love DW but this one definitely shines through in the demo. Nicely done DCP! Thank you, Tony. Ludwig with an honourable mention. :)

[@sanchtodd4203]

Nice comparisons of maple snares. I really liked the canopus the best out of these, but I've come to find by making some minor changes of heads and snare wires I can make pdp maple sound pretty darn good. Its amazing though that usually there isn't anything that bad that you couldn't live with. Some custom drum makers are putting out some nice sounding maple snares too. Thanks for your selections. Maybe that Canopus will be in my future.

[@dalepatrap6906]

My favorite was he Nobel and Cooley CD Maple. Outstanding sound. I’ll give the Pearl Music City a close second.

[@LarkVsOwl-de3op]

Gonna give the British Drum Co. a thumbs-up ad it's got just a little good quirkiness the others don't. But all would be a great addition to a snare collection!

[@jamescassidy4045]

Can you guys please do more single shots when doing a snare video or head to head video with just the single hits at the end as well? Maybe a selfish request, but I personally really like to hear the single hits through the range from soft to rim shots, and time between to hear how it decays. With kicks/Toms as well where possible too please?! Thank you!!! If you could try, I'd really appreciate it!

[@chipvdrum]

And also, if it isn’t too much trouble, could you save all of those hits into individual 1-shot labeled files for us, and make them available as a zipped folder file download link please, that’d be greaaaaaat mkayyy? 😂 Just means your vids keep getting better and better and reaching a wider audience, eh? Great work as always you guys. Can’t believe I haven’t been able to stop by the “new” shop yet and say hi, but hope to someday.

[@LDdrums20]

Sampling for the rolands hey hehehe

[@phillamoore157]

I was surprised at how good that Ludwig and Tama Star sounded. That all sounded great. But, yes, that Canopus is the one I'd choose. Short of that, do the rest of the toms on that kit sing, and sound as warm as that floor tom???? You guys had that floor, and that kick dialed in PERFECTLY.

[@willymccabe6602]

The Ahead one ply was a pleasant surprise to my ears. Really dug that one, but then again, they all sounded superb. Another one well done DCoP!

[@rogerpye1865]

Great video, by the way!

[@drumcenternh]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@andreleite770]

Pearl, Ahead and Canopus were my favorites

[@petermasalsky8844]

All sounded great, but I was grooving on the Mapex.

[@nickdenardo6479]

i have a few maple snares of my own. so i was hoping one of those would be put to the test. i didn't get that lucky but i enjoyed the video. since you guys always rave about the Canopus drum i was interested in hearing that. it lived up to the hype. definitely a drum i would be proud to have in my arsenal. (i don't actually fight anyone with my drums) the Tama was gorgeous, but not my favorite sounding. The Pearl kind of stood out, having a sound unlike the others.

[@sneaky_general]

Need to check back for these tune-bot settings! Guessing in the 260ish range. Everything sounds so good.

[@drumcenternh]

Added to the description: Top - B3 248hz Bottom - G4 392hz

[@PhilHenDrums]

The Canopus has a certain richness, not really wet but kind of damp, that gives it a nice body and warm feel. It's definitely my favorite. The breathiness of the Pearl is an interesting alternate voice, though.

[@CornerStoreDrums]

Aye! Lets get it! Digging that Ahead snare big time! -Indiana Love 💯🥁

[@drumcenternh]

Such a cool drum and a great value for a solid shell!

[@billyhughes9776]

First off, they all sound good. I'd say the best all-around-er would be a toss up between the DW and the Ludwig -- as for unique/cool tones -- the Mapex and Canopus. I also liked the Ahead and the George Way.

[@nairbas392]

The Ludwig and the DW? Really? I thought they were lacking

[@erikondrums]

The Ahead snare is phenomenal!

[@ihornalyvaiko6172]

Thanks for video guys! For me DW and N&C

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks for watching and great choices!

[@thesoleman123]

I love the Canopus drum. That is on my bucket list. Next is the Pearl MCC followed by the British Drum Co.

[@robertsala8031]

These ALL sounded excellent. For me, in the end it is about splitting hairs as any of these drums is a great sounding instrument. My least favorite was the Tama, but the extreme depth has to be considered in that case, and it was the most unlike the others in sound.

[@iorijones6351]

A brilliant comparison. Love the Noble & Cooley, Music City and Maverick snares. Those sweet cymbals sound really great. nb my daughter flying to Boston MA today !! Many thanks from Wales UK! 👍🏼🥁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🥁👍🏼

[@drumcenternh]

Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers🍻

[@terryklender4209]

All sound good!

[@stromghouls]

my favorite is the maverick

[@drumcenternh]

Very controlled and powerful!

[@jasonm3871]

They all sound great, but would likely go with the Mapex as it’s the value leader of the group(already have a couple Black Panther snares, so I’m biased). Also, I love the hoops they use.

[@footnotedrummer]

There are some great snares in this mix, but my money would go toward the purchase of the British Drum Company snare. It just had something the others didn't. IMO... the best bang for buck out of this batch would be the Mapex. Thanks for this demo. Oh... and that Noble and Cooley was amazingly dry, which was interesting. If you're looking for a dry snare in this bunch... that one had it hands down.

[@rhythmista7707]

I'm a Ludwig man, but I was quite impressed with that single ply Ahead snare drum. I think those rims play a huge part in that, as well as the George Way, which sounded well rounded and cleaner than Mr. Clean's bald head.

[@turboplopp]

Thanks for another great comparison here! I'm listening in a professional environment and apart from the deeper Tama it's just incredible how close they all are! There are noticeable differences but they are quite settle. Skills, sticks, heads, wires, tuning, dampening, room, mic choice and placement might have bigger influence on the sound than the actual model. If I had to choose I'll have me a Canopus. But would happily record any of them all day!

[@paulbila9430]

I was surprised, but the Ahead was my favorite! Followed closely by the Canopus and Pearl. Also surprising, the NC was kinda lackluster in this shootout, but I think I just prefer their solid ply stuff more. Great stuff as always!

[@user-ib8uj1ic7d]

I thought the 5" Pearl mixed with the floor tom the best - plus it had the best rim sound IMO. The Ahead 1-Ply, Canopus, and Ludwig all mixed well with the bass drum IMO. I wish Tama had a 6.5 or shallower in this comparison. The deep 8" is more like a marching snare. Which would I pick? Probably the Pearl for its tightness.

[@rovyghany]

Sounds great, my fav are BDC Maverick, Ludwig Classic Maple, and George Way imo

[@bruceperkins2921]

im a metal snare guy, but i bought a canpus on a whim and i love mine canopus. its my main snare now

[@Enoch.Stanford]

Love these videos!!

[@drumcenternh]

So glad to hear it, make sure you are subscribed!

[@Assimilator702]

My favorite was the Tama Star. Then the Canopus.

[@Chiroman527]

Nice Video Guys... Question: I presume you tuned and played the Stock Batter / Reso heads? I've got a DW Design Series Nickel over Brass that I just can't get to that Sweet Sound, having tried a variety of Batter heads. HD Dry seems best ; UV 1 and UV2 & Power center Dot were some of the others. Your thoughts are much appreciated.

[@drumcenternh]

Yup, we used the stock heads and wires for this video. Most of these, would have a coated Remo Ambassador. A simple single ply head like that would be a good place to start if you are looking to get a sound similar to what we have in the video.

[@pfunnk14]

Honestly was digging the single ply snares. The way and ahead were tops for me but the canopus maybe had the best value for the quality.

[@GregBatte]

Canopus is my choice...as for the standout surprise in the bunch, the Ahead Single Ply, very shocked at how good that one was. Black Panther was my favorite visually.

[@Jeff-rh8mq]

the Mapex at that price point is hard to not take a serious look at! Pearl is awesome!

[@CraigShawCraigShaw]

That Mapex held its own. I preferred that to the DW

[@AP02112]

For quality to price ratio Mapex is the best drum company that exists. Not even close.

[@Jeff-rh8mq]

@@AP02112 I agree!

[@AP02112]

@@Jeff-rh8mq Do you own, or play any Mapex? It’s the only drums I’ll play. Not a fan of their pedals and hardware but my Saturn V and Matt Halpern snare will be buried with me.

[@Jeff-rh8mq]

@@AP02112 I had a '71 7 pcs Ludwig classic with a super sens.. snare but now using an 90's premier with a pearl floater snare but looked at mapex when I bought the Premier kit....that was then but the mapex is much better now! I would buy the Mapex now, That snare is great!

[@AmyDrums]

I have 4 Ludwig Classic Maple snares, one of which has 8 lugs, and it's my favorite of the bunch. Ludwig need to release more with 8 lugs. Gotta say, that 8" deep Tama Star is very nice!

[@Baker504]

Love my Ludwig Classic Maple drums! 😎👍🏻

[@camerondean6804]

Amen to Ludwig releasing more 8-lug snares. Would buy an 8-lug Supraphonic in a heartbeat. They did it with the Black Beauty--why not the Supraphonic?

[@cfusilier2]

I never gave any thought or listen to solid state or 1ply snare drums, but what you listed here really caught my attention. There’s a surprising amount of character in them.

[@erwindavid5374]

That pearl MCC solid 😀

[@johncollins5552]

The ride sounded awesome as a crash btw!

[@dmitryshkolnik5233]

for me it was BDC, Mapex and Pearl this time. Also Tama was great, full of tone, but seemed a little lacking on snare-buzzing?.. well, these all are great, I'd be absolutely happy if I owned any of them.

[@gwobcke]

I like the Canopus for an open sound and the Noble and Cooley for a more dry focused sound. My least favourite was the Roland - sorry I mean the DW.

[@roybeckerman9253]

Love LUDWIG’S wide open sound, but why no Rogers Dynasonic..?

[@munton5150]

I liked the Noble and Cooley, the Pearl, and the Canopus best.

[@drumcenternh]

All killer drums!

[@boonfire3714]

Ohh that Pearl sounds nice 👍

[@stevenpurdy2235]

Nice presentation! I was most impressed by the Noble & Cooley first, then the Pearl and Tama. Keep up the good work and keep on trappin. T Y S.R.PURDY 🥁GOD BLESS

[@MeTuLHeD]

I would say my Top 4 in no particular order were... Ludwig Ahead Noble & Cooley Pearl All sounded great albeit different.

[@jackfino7136]

RUSH baby 🥁👍😎😊 Best band of all time 👍

[@camerondean6804]

All sounded similar and none fell below very, very good... just comes down to what you prefer. My favorite: Maverick. Every single time that drum had appeared in a video you've done, I always think it sounds best. I'm a center hitter, so I appreciate your head-to-head featuring both center hit and rimshot. I like crispy snares with some overtones, but not excessive. What I keep hearing over and over again with the Maverick. Peace. PS Ludwig Classic Maple close second. N & C... if I just played studio, it's the no-brainer pick... sounds studio ready, without any muffling needed.

[@dowelldavis8935]

Ahead was killin

[@sunscarredmusic]

Completely blind, it's the Pearl and the Canopus. I think with some tuning adjustments, the Pearl Music City could be the clear winner. Definitely want to lay some sticks into each. Truthfully not a single dud in the whole lot. Great curation, gents!!!

[@jasonb2180]

Was not watching while listening, and the Ahead snares and the George Way were the two that make me look up. Lots of great choices, though! Some subtle differences in dryness/overtones that helps separate them a bit.....

[@drumcenternh]

Great drums right there!

[@gadearamon]

Exactly what I felt too! The Ahead explodes a little more. I thought the weakest of the group was the British Drum Co and the Tama Star...no disrespect to either of those drum manufactures but they felt a little "thunky" sounding compared to the rest of the bunch

[@tunes699moon2]

Tama was a huge, sounded ok but close to a Tenor snare! Not my style (also, the fatter the lower fundimental tone). The rest were all good, The Ahead stuck out as the best to me.

[@Theratron]

For me, the Pearl was the winner. Loved the throaty, very "wood" sound and I think it looks the best too. Beautiful snare. I was also very surprised by the Ahead snare. Sounded way better than I thought it would and gave a couple of more "traditional" drum makers a run for their money.

[@raykingstonmusic]

Crossfades noted and appreciated. ; )

[@drummerboyharm3078]

I am a Tama guy, but the Star-snare is the last I would pick. Ahead suprised me!

[@eliasarroyo4929]

I have the BDC maverick and it is a maple beast indeed. 💪

[@NJS350]

Love the sound of that Pearl music city custom snare, but apparently it’s not available in the UK.

[@glennedwardgo]

I loved the Ludwig Classic Maple, it sounded very girthy, but in the head to head I loved the black panther more. I guess you have to really find your snare's sweet spot tuning wise.

[@alsdrumcorner7311]

Pearl, Tama, and Canopus my favourite. All great snares though

[@bobisadrummer]

In the Head2Head the DW and Ahead sounded so close together. Imagine my surprise when I see that the Ahead costs more.

[@motodrummer]

Hmmm now that I listen with headphones I notice a big difference to my ear. I think the 14 x 5's all sound better IMO.. My top 4 are 1)NC, 2) Pearl, 3) Mapex, 4) Ahead

[@dwightlewis3876]

Canopus, DW, George way, Ludwig, Black panther, Tama, Pearl, the rest sounded good as well

[@dancoffman4336]

The British Drum Co. and Ahead are the clear winners. All good snares for sure.

[@Baker504]

All good snares. I'm a Ludwig guy .👍🏻

[@aldoortiz4797]

1 canopus, 2 George way, 3 british drum co

[@JacksonAxe]

I'd be happy with any of them, but I'd hate to have to choose one.

[@hugorezende199]

I tend to think that "if the drums is 14x5,5, made of birch and with triple flange hoops, then all drums like this will sound even" But Ludwig still proves me wrong, their snare have a diferent sound for me, dont matter the material, size or hoops. Drums dont need loads of "new" technologies and inventions, a drum is a drum, but still ludwig is diferent for me. Their stuff are the best sound in all ocasions (at least feels like). Or maybe i respect the company for their history.

[@LDdrums20]

The pearl was amazing

[@gabrielemartino2466]

I love Sonor maple snare drums, so It kinda bugs me that you haven't included any in the video🥲

[@jmagnum15]

Would like to see a birch edition as well.

[@drumcenternh]

I am sure that we will do that someday!

[@johncollins5552]

I have 3 maple snares, 1 steel and didn't feel happy until I bought a Yamaha birch tour custom. A year later I am sick of it. Going aluminium next probably. Love the Maverick here, sweet. Love N and C but too pricey for me as a hobbyist.

[@pfunnk14]

Damn Tony. You taking lessons? Shredding it my man!

[@tinterlande]

Far from it, but trying to play a bit more. Thanks for the kind words!

[@bradplaysdrums]

I liked the Canopus and the George Way

[@michaeljohnson8058]

Wow! Each snare sounded better than the one before it! It must be the player …🧐

[@larrytate1657]

Canpous, mapex and maverick were my top 3. The Canpous has that warm musical sound that sits well in anything imo. The tama didn’t sound good to me hear for whatever reason. Maybe the depth or it needs a larger snare wire.

[@justhadrums]

Canopus, Ahead, then Tama

[@paulkuzub6405]

End of video was best,you can actually hear what’s up.

[@balintcsoma4321]

G-Maple for president! :)

[@EJ-ge4st]

George way and the Canopus in 1st place with the dw and n&c in 2nd,

[@AlbertMoyerJr]

Wow! They all sound so good. This is one of those videos where a drummer might wish his snare budget is unlimited.

[@tinterlande]

I know I wish that…

[@webodrums3518]

Pearl-Ahead-Noble

[@cartoune]

Man! I'll try and look away while listening to the head to heads. 9 times out of 10, it's the Black Panther snare that comes out on top. I don't know what they're doing over there, but it's effin magic.

[@drumcenternh]

There is definitely a fatness to that drum that is quite intoxicating!

[@calebfudrums]

color me ensnared

[@christopherdonegan1631]

1: Ahead 2: Star 3: Maverick

[@mermerserkan]

Tama Star Maple sounds so far best for me and then i like it Ludwig Classic Maple surprisingly.

[@roomdog40]

Dude, Noble and Cooley. So nice

[@C0zyDunt]

Liked the look of the Pearl and Tama. But the Mapex Black Panther looked solid and sounded solid. Great drum.

[@cszetela1]

Nice comparison video.

[@thomasmoje5926]

George Way Advance II Solid Ply gets my vote, followed by the British Drum Co. Maverick. Really like the looks of that Tama though. One drum not in this group and a 'reasonably priced' option: PDP 7 1/2 x 14" 'Limited Edition' with wood hoops I have one and it is my favorite maple shell snare drum sounds fat and full at all tuning ranges.

[@heidiheidiho6412]

Great video as usual. To my untrained ears, the Mapex, Pearl, and Ahead has the most balanced attack and decay. But honestly, you can't do terribly with any one of those.😆

[@johnm.3354]

Noble & Cooley for the win.

[@waltheisenberg7626]

The Pearl Music City did it for me.