5 Easy Snare Drum Upgrades! 🥁 Kickin' Your Stock Snare Up A Notch!

[@DavidOakesMusic]

"...........ITS AIGHT!!! " man I laughed out loud. 😆

[@behaviorman1]

I got the plastic washers, the Puresound snare wires, got some moon gels on a new Evans UV2 and I am in Heaven!!! Thank you man! I also joined Drumeo when I saw that you are an instructor there. Phenomenal!!!

[@paradiddle5150]

Dr. Brown is back in town, everyone make way. Thanks Dr. Drums 👊

[@martinmees878]

Fresh snare side head works a treat. Also leather washers Nylon collar washers Brass 'Noonan Nuts' lug locks

[@mrmisfit635]

I swapped out all metal washers for black nylon ones on all of my drums a few years back, and I've experienced increased tuning range, and all round smoother tensioning.

[@wavyboysean9433]

Me too now I can tune higher then normal

[@philstireservice5476]

I add the nylon on top of the metal washer. The nylon can deform if you crank your snare, especially on the bottom.

[@NintenDub]

@@philstireservice5476 that's why you get halfway decent ones.they double thick Bois

[@williammcallister2488]

By using a Die Cast hoop on the bottom, it helps control the overly buzzing snare wires by the hoops solidity. Die cast hoops barely resonate so it helps cut out the buzzy wires. I'm a big fan of Die cast hoops on top because I'm a rimshot fanatic, but they don't always sound good on all snares. Sometimes a flanged hoop on top and a Die cast on bottom does the trick. Rock on

[@bruceperkins2921]

i have a vintage tama steel that i put a diecast on the bottom. i was shocked how much improvement that it made to the drum.

[@silentskystudios]

Adding the nylon washers can really help! I recently acquired an older PDP CX snare and the tension rods started binding when I would tune the heads up high like I normally do. I added the nylon washers, and it tuned right up smooth as butter!

[@mattnieri1202]

My favorites are the Hendrix sleeved washers.

[@insertmetalusernamehere]

Thanks for the tip man. Found em on Sweetwater pretty cheap.

[@zim1966]

yes, and you can get them in diff. colors too I use white, scarlet ,black,, and green on my various snare drums.

[@erinpitman8246]

Been swapping out the 20 strand to a 40 strand for the past 20 years. I love the extra thickness it gives. Great video! Simple and inexpensive upgrades can make a serious difference in sound, attack, and good buzz versus bad overtone.

[@jas_bataille]

Not only that, but a 42 strands will resolve any issues with buzzing around the kit and with amps!! To me, at least 24 strands should be minimum, or else, make it straight wires and not curles ones, like concert snares.

[@chrisdiel706]

Rob: you are an excellent instructor and source of inspiration for the modern times we are in. I'm so glad that you are here to help those of us who really need this information. Information that was perhaps hard to come by in earlier times. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@codykerns3774]

Awesome video Rob! I have a 2016 5x14 hammered Ludwig Supraphonic and even though it’s considered a more” high end” snare drum, I’ve done all of these upgrades to it. Well worth the extra money! 2.3 ➡️3.0 mm triple flanged hoop (top only) thicker material enhances cross stick sound and suppresses overtones, no more muffling needed. They’re also cheaper than diecast or wood hoops but the “in between” sonically from 2.3 mm triple flanged hoops and diecast. They also don’t add a ton of weight. Stock wires ➡️ Puresound custom pro steel 20 strand and twisted (40 strand) Heads (of course) from stock Ludwig heads ➡️ Evans HD Dry batter, Evans orchestral 300 snare side New Ludwig drums come with the P-88AC strainer which works great but with mine being a little bit older it came with the P-85 strainer🤢 so Ludwig P-85 ➡️ Dunnett R-7 that operates rotationally with the indexed tension. The Dunnett R-4L is also a great option for something different and accommodates the bead on metal shells (not just Ludwig). Note: anyone seeing this…if you do prefer the R-7, leave the P-85 mounting plate (you will have to break the P-85) and attach the R-7 to mounting plate to prevent having to drill the shell and void the warranty if you bought an A-stock new one. 😉 At the end of the day…Fully pimped out Ludwig Supra

[@Rockin_Ross]

I “Stewart Copland’d” my snare with the die cast on top, triple on the bottom. Best thing I ever did. Then got the Evans snare tune up kit thanks to your video. My Rogers will thank you for a good while now.😉

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Good stuff, man 👌🏽

[@rickb7378]

INDe makes a nice snare throwoff with adjustment for different mounting hole spacing.

[@eorrjr]

I had already did the diecast (2), wires, heads (top/bottom) on a Pearl Modern Utility 8 x 14. The drum had a nice tone, but those upgrades took it to the next level. The stock throw I can live with. Great vid.

[@davidyeager4617]

Before I watched this video I had gotten a Ludwig Supraphonic and ordered diecast rims for it. I put on a 40 strand wire and that changed the sound immediately. I can attest to what Rob said, it only needs the diecast on the batter side. It thickens and focuses the sound and takes some overtones out and gives it a kind of woody sound. I do like the sound with the stock rim but the diecast takes some harshness out of it and makes it sound phat.

[@DavidOakesMusic]

I'm deffo gonna check out those nylon washers

[@andreaskallee103]

Sleeve washers help reduce metal on metal contact between srews and hoops- great stuff!

[@johnkavaudio4695]

Inde make some great adjustable aftermarket throw offs as well. Used them to replace the very average ones on my Ludwigs 👍🏻

[@insertmetalusernamehere]

Snare had been upgraded, Rob. You were 100 percent correct. Brand new snare, man. I have an Export and my snare was pretty good but now I love it.

[@johndiraimo1444]

You have make sure that you have the right Dunnett snare throw off for the right shell type. The one you were showing (R-class) looks like it's the one that works for a non-beaded shell. If you have a metal snare with a beaded shell, there is a separate Dunnett upgrade (R-4L) for that as well.

[@jwebby85]

Speaking to the hoops. If you want a stronger hoop but not spend a bunch of money on diecast hoops, try the DW True Hoop or the Pearl Superhoop 2. I have both on two different snares and I love both hoops. They are stronger than your standard run-of-the-mill triple flange and both give killer rimshots and cross stick sound.

[@borndrumming1972]

This video is spot on. I am one of those who has a brand new $1200 Tama set. The snare drum that came with it sounds "a'ightt"... I purchased a new snare top head with a cs dot and control ring.. I also purchased a new set of snares and snarehead.. They landed at my house around the same time the drum set did. After getting everything in place I realized it was still just OK. I was contemplating what to do next When I saw your video today. My eyes immediately went to the cast rim that was sitting In front of you...I guess I just needed to complete the thought. On the other hand, I just purchased and played a Tama 14x6 Starphonic brass (1.2mm) snare drum With my praise and worship band.. I don't think I will be worried about any of the other snare drums in my collection any longer. They are probably gonna just sit there and look good. This is the snare I've been looking for. Have a great week Dr. Beat down.

[@nicholasartalejo5746]

Something else you can do for entry level/low end snares is to cut a snare bed. Many companies don't cut snare beds on the entry level snares. I have a few snares that were part of kit that just sounded terrible - and I just couldn't figure it out - then I saw a video that pointed this out. I cut (filed) a snare bed and . . . Voila! . . . Way better sound! Now, this is for wood snares. I wouldn't know how to do this to a metal snare. Just a bit of filing. Nothing too crazy. There are videos on how to do this. Hope this helps. This is in addition to all of your great suggestions Rob! Great advice! Thanks for all of the great videos!

[@jamesgunn4843]

Remo coated Ambassador is the best snare batter head ive ever used. The ones installed from the factory are usually made in China and are not the actual Ambassador heads.

[@kyleharvey433]

I love the inde style strainers! Simple and effective!!! $60 for them!

[@crlaw75]

Some tension rods now come with captured washers (metal ones in the rod) and you can't swap the washer out, unless you get new rods with the washer seperate.

[@danielfc]

I like the sound of my stock PDP X7 Maple 14x5" snare (although I'm curious about aluminum 14x6,5" ones). My PDP has DW hardware and I really like the throwoff. I'll be getting the nylon washers, maybe I postpone the aluminum purchase a little while longer.

[@josephfelix2588]

I once read that Steve Gad used to cut the middle snares out which works great

[@gsmith207]

coolio vid Beat Down! Im 55 with 35 years behind a kit, and thought I knew about my snare. I dont know squat! I never realized that’s how you get a certain snare sound with two different hoops. I feel wicked smaht now!

[@NoVaCharlie]

Beatdown, this transformed my stage custom to a banger snare. Wow man. Thank you.

[@juliusbishop3629]

I found out if you put a 13" snare on a 14" drum it is near impossible to choke the snare. Really improved the sound of my snare drum.

[@tomhuber5937]

Fantastic job Rob....it ain't glamorous but you're answering all the questions that young drummers are afraid to ask. I wish you were around 30 yrs ago. You would've saved me lots of time, money and frustration. Keep up the good work!

[@t3hgir]

I use a handed down 1978 Rogers Powertone chrome over Brass snare. I already replaced the hoops with Gibraltar diecast, larger puresound wires and also a new Rogers internal muffler. I've got to try the nylon washers though!

[@ujwiersma8482]

Thanks for taking the time to share your expertise. Very helpful.

[@Catfishfryzilla]

Great educational video……a few other old school tricks are using paraffin wax on the bearing edges to vacume seat the heads….and the old cotton balls stuffed in the lug housings to prevent moisture buildup on the springs, unless your lugs dont have springs…then nevermind. And hairdrying the heads to pull out dimples unless you can afford new heads…..

[@robertcozart6081]

I really appreciate your channel and your suggestions. I have taught many years and you have a good way of motivating people. Bravo!

[@handidrummed]

I prefer the INDe strainer. It's lighter and lower profile than the Dunnett and the tension knob "locks" the position.

[@OldStationRecords]

Always the best, Rob Brown a trade mark of quality

[@mickmutante]

I have a hand made snare 14"... it is made of "FlorMorado" wood.. kind of Oak... Changed the head and the snare side and wires.. later changed the the metal washer for nylon ones... I would like to chage the hoop for a wooden one... lets see...

[@krioni86sa]

Thank you for this! Now I am enlightened that I don't to buy expensive snare drum. Just maximize what I have

[@mvl8209]

When replacing the throw-off (with a less fancy one than the dunnet, like it's one size), I heard that you have to measure middle to middle of the existing holes to know which one you need. Would it also work if you measure from top of the top hole, to top of the bottom hole? To me, it would seem easier to do that, than trying to find the middle of a hole......

[@kcjacks5180]

Thanks Beatdown. Just what I needed. Love your work.

[@dooleysstill2616]

I got brave and put an Emperor snare side on. Works great!

[@peterbartone4123]

Great content Beatdown!

[@edthedrummer]

Best drum guy on the internet!!

[@Drummer55]

Add a DW 3 or 5 position butt plate. This will vastly improve your snare sound options from song to song, or even within a song.

[@d-weave8708]

Just wanted to add, some of the tension rods today have the washers built onto the rod, so they can't be removed. But, still adding nylon washers will be a helpful upgrade.

[@williamweiss6128]

My 78 SS Ludwig sounds pretty good but may try some of these.

[@johnnyrome1181]

I'M Going TO Act Like I Didn't Know You ere Going TO Say that😅😂🤣

[@paulbeltman8355]

Great video, I already found out the advantages of nylon washers, drumheads, and diecast hoops myself, I'll now look into the snarewire options, and maybe the throwoff too. Anyway, great tips for those who didn't know !

[@donkalil4853]

Great tips, Rob! Heads, washers and snares , oh my!

[@Sea_Bears]

Tbh I didn't even think about the snare wires. I have a '92 Tama snare and looked at the bottom just to realize the snare wires look sad compared to the really pretty snow pearl finish. (Or whatever it is officially.) It looks like I have a couple of great options to really bring out the best in it with your suggestions.

[@albondigas7671]

Solid stuff, thanks Rob. I pimped my Stage Custom snare with new heads top & bottom, plus equaliser snare wires. Took an already fine drum to a whole other level. Also I have a Pearl 14 x 3.5" free floating brass snare with die cast hoops. From new in the 90s it came with plastic washers and I love the sound but I find they split easily, particularly on the snare side that is generally tighter. So I've swapped them out for metal. Definitely sounds harsher but stays in tune longer. Peace brother!

[@DavidOakesMusic]

THANK YOU for this video Rob. It's actually inspired me to upgrade all the parts on my Tama Snare. Not that it doesn't sound AMAZING already ( Like Metallica's Black Album ). But yeah it was £100 so it won't hurt to pimp it out ! 😎

[@Chef_Capone]

I use that exact Evans Reverse Dot drum head on my snare. Have been using it for a few weeks now and Im definitely gonna be rocking it for a while 😂😂

[@brittonshupe]

I've gone as far as lightly sanding smooth the bearing edges (not enough to mess with the angle of course) and adding a few coats of oil to the inside of the shell. Definitely makes a difference on cheaper snare drums!

[@Erakko-]

One acquaintance of mine used to have the absolutely worst drum set I've ever played in my life. Years later he didn't need them anymore and I got an idea to take that snare and totally customize it. It was probably some sort of cheap snare with no logo badge whatsoever. I changed the heads (duh), ordered new black-chrome hoops, lugs, the snare strainer and butt-end. I kept only the shell and tension rods. I soaked the rods in WD-40 for overnight and I painted the shell black with some grunge textures. I still can't believe it is the very same snare that used to suck! 😁I made a two-part video of the project on my channel if you want to see it! 😉

[@boyna13]

Hello Rob, I've been following your channel since years when I was back to drums again. And this channel has been growth a lot since then with your more influent speak and more great tips into drums. Congrats! These tips will make any snare drum sound good again!👍 and to be honest, snare drum is one of the trinity of your grooves.

[@loko306]

Great video! I wasn't aware of the Dunnett throw off

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

They’re pretty slick. Top quality stuff, too. And pretty affordable

[@BADD400]

Great video Rob

[@leeasbury7273]

Indē throw offs are awesome 👌

[@markerviedejesus]

what's the standard size for drum washers? In terms of diameter especially the hole size. Lots of different washers available at a shop but first need to be specific with the size

[@jgdevoe]

Gotta try an S-Hoop. Love them.

[@steveanderson831]

Great tips, especially nylon washers. Don't know where I've been but never seen vented heads before.

[@owenbooth4403]

Vented heads are super useful for drying out your snare, especially if it rings in a way you dont like. It is a bit of a specialist sound but I thoroughly recommend them. Evans "Dry" heads are definitely worth checking out

[@steveanderson831]

@@owenbooth4403 Cool, thanks. I just watched a video how to make them DIY with sound demo.

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

The holes are a very cool concept…and it works 👌🏽

[@StuartJrBarrett]

Thanks Rob! Did these tips on my Brady Jarrah snare drum 🥁 and it sounds fantastic!! Small changes,huge results.

[@jeffsr8300]

I love the sound from my Acrolite with Evans heads and a wood top hoop. Thanx!!

[@jeffsr8300]

Rob; just a note my Ludwig Acrolite is no. 1402 made in 1968, that's when I began playing and I always learn something from you. Thanx again.

[@michaelruffo86]

Off topic but, lovin the goatee Rob!

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Haha. My ‘wizard beard’. Thanks, man. I’m diggin’ it too 🙂

[@a.j.wilkes6352]

Great video. Part of the fun of snare drums is treating them like an RPG character. :D

[@zim1966]

when you change your snares change the reso head as well should be good for a year depending on how much you play on it.

[@Chiroman527]

Hey Rob Brown, Happy New Year 2023. Lovin your videos! I am a subscriber to your channel and while surfing drum tuning this video came up. I want to explain a "weird" occurrence which perhaps you can help explain. I have a DW Design Series Nickel over Brass 14 X 6.5 Snare that I purchased Used via Reverb in early 2021. It came with a HD Dry Batter head and standard clear single ply reso head. It was cranked high by the previous owner (who used the HD dry head which was not the original one). As soon as I played it out of the delivery box, it was vast improvement from the other snares that I had and have. My main kit is a PDP Concept Maple 6 Drum Kit - also purchased used via Guitar Center in 2021. I changed the PDP snare , 14 X 5.5 batter head to a HD dry one. About 6 weeks or so, I had to replace the HD dry head on the DW snare - bought and installed a new HD dry, re-installed reso head and the snare wires. I'm 71 yo, and a Resurrected after a 50 Year Absence [1969] , recreational drummer who is actually new to the art of Drum Tuning. I tuned the DW snare best I could, cranked it medium to high, yet I can not achieve that same sound that I had out of the Box. Then last week, while getting ready to play a session (Ilay about 1 hour a day to My Music), i set the DW atop of my 16 inch Floor Tom, placed the PDP snare in the stand and played. Then while doing a Fill, I hit the DW snare and BINGO... it sounded great - that nice LUDWIG Supraphonic , Jon Bonham sound that I sought!!. Lifted the drum off the Tom and it was not the same. Placing the PDP Maple Snare had a sound improvement atop the Floor Tom. I have posted the same at various Drummer forums. One poster said that this was actually engaging the resonance of the Tom. Another poster jokingly said that I invented a new Snare Stand!! I tried putting a old Remo clear batter head (16 inches) in the snare basket, and place the DW snare on that. The sound was slightly better but not what achieved sitting on the Floor Tom. FWIW, I have Evans G2 Coated batter heads on my 2 Floor Toms & I use Evans E-Rings (which work great to help eliminate any annoying Over Ringing. Nothing on the Snares. Your thoughts are much appreciated. Another consideration is that I have cheapo Griffin Piccolo 13 X 3.5 Snare which I place on top of the PDP snare in the stand that enhances the sound of the Griffin a lot. The Griffin snare has a HD dry batter head as well.

[@TonyGellaMusic]

Never has problem with thin hoops, but has problems with cast hoops- they has memory, and easy deformation comes, when using types of tuning, when 1-3 lugs detune to fat sound without muffle and kill high frequency.. One cast hoop was broke, because they not so elastic… Love my Supraphonic, but legendary sound was from more thin hoops, when on new drums.. Just my taste- thin shells and hoops… also cymbals :) Its just my 5 cents.. Thank you for videos, man!

[@MusicandTractors]

Love this! I wanted a better snare sound but didn’t want to invest another $700+ into a new one so gonna give some of these a go.

[@gp19]

I had a black snare with chrome hardware. And swapped all hardware for brass. Now looks like a million bucks.

[@DavidOakesMusic]

I have a silent stroke head on mine as I live in a flat. It's a bit hard to make it sound better ! Also It's a £100 Tama Snare and when I turn the wires off and back on - the wires are way tighter. I dunno if its the Silent Stroke head on the throw off or the ribbon on the snare wire . I'll probably upgrade everything to be sure.

[@jacksalisbury1618]

I have this same problem!!!! It always bothers me how choked it sounds after I flip the snares back on

[@DavidOakesMusic]

@@jacksalisbury1618 I'm gonna upgrade everything to be sure. Starting with the wires probably and the washers.

[@owenbooth4403]

@@DavidOakesMusic this sounds like a problem with the throw-off my dude! You can get a *really* good one (which is usually a little overkill) for about $70.. should definitely fix that problem

[@DavidOakesMusic]

@@owenbooth4403 Yeah it's a Tama snare so expected better !

[@XeRo333]

Can anyone suggest to me the best place to get flat black diecast hoops? I've looked everywhere and I cant find any. Am I just gonna have to buy regular diecast hoops then get some powder coated flat black paint and just paint it myself? My snare drum is a satin stain black on the shell with all flat black hardware

[@insertmetalusernamehere]

lol Rob done sold Sweetwater out of die cast hoops, washers and snare wires. I'm on the waiting list for the hoop . I was luck enough to get one of the last snare wires and I had to go to ebay for the washers. you are one hell of a salesman,sir! Rob, if you come across this comment. I have an evans hydraulic on my snare and a reverse dot sitting on standby. what one would you suggest using? I really like the hydraulic just because I have then on my toms but I trust your opinion.

[@Ultra-Collector]

14x6.5 DDrum Birch snare with stock single ply sounds terrible! I popped it first day! Hope this is a nice fix? I’ll come back and let you guys know the results! Thanks for the vid Mr Brown!

[@diverdave4056]

but but but the #1 thing is " LEARN HOW TO TUNE THE DRUM " ! new heads - snares - plastic washers - rims and a new throw off aren't much good if your drum is out of tune ... Rob has an excellent video on how to tune drums !

[@camsnow9822]

Thank you for this! Question on die cast hoops: Should i also put one on the bottom, or just the top? Also what impact does this have on the snare wire choice?

[@kimberlybailey956]

This is all so true, thank you for the video

[@michaelangelo4147]

Great ideas 👍🏾

[@JamesWatsonComposer]

Do diecast hoops make any difference on metal snare shells? Or should i just buy a new drum?

[@Sundaydrumday]

Merry xmas Beatdown!!

[@ignacioperezdelcastillo3182]

Gracias

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Está bien ✌🏽

[@MikeB-oo9bj]

You have mentioned "cranking" the bottom head in the past. How tight are we talking? Tight as possible?? How much play should you have if you push with ur thumb? Thanks!!

[@lisamitchell1355]

I want to thank you for turning my husband on to the kinbufi in ear monitors

[@sticksbass]

i have a tama snare and the throw is like a ludwig p85 but my tama throw sounds like a stick hit unless i engage it slowly. does the dunnet throw on silent? i dont remember any other throw sounding so loud. also the knob lets the wires get lose w enough playing. if i remember the ludwig locks tight... i have a new extra pearl throw thats also similar to the p85 and the knob on it seems to turn easy like the tama too.... funny bc i dont remember snares getting loose on me like this tama but even tho ive had a lot of diff snare drums the only ones ive played alot were a stewart, ludwigs, a pearl and i had a camco set for a while but that was all decades ago. i had a supra 400 i put S hoops on, w a whole bunch of other snare drums and that supra was the best sounding snare i ever had. i wish i kept it bc of that but hopefully if i put s hoops on another supra it will sound just as good; the guy i begrudgingly sold it to said FANTASTIC when he got it which felt like salt in an open wound, ha.

[@GrandCanyonRVResort]

Does anyone know the benefit of slightly loosening the lugs on either side of the snare wires on the bottom head? I’ve heard several drummers discuss that.

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Helps reduce snare buzz. It actually kinda works ✅

[@Slinky108]

Can you suggest a good source to obtain these parts online? Thanks as always Rob!

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Links in description

[@DavidOakesMusic]

*ROB* !!! Snare Wires - Ribbon Or Plastic tape ? I bought a £100 tama Steel Snare and it has the ribbon and i'm sure it keeps loosening off.

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

I’m actually a big fan of the string. Better for adjusting, and they stay put

[@philstireservice5476]

Try S Hoops. Save your sticks from getting eaten and will dry out and make your snare crack. S Hoops are a cheap improvement, like Rob said.

[@davejajuga2224]

Gonna get the washers, throw off and new wires. Gotta pimp that snare thang out baby!

[@jimandsusan7315]

Will nylon washers help deepen toms?

[@Karch.Dah-Veed]

Good tips!

[@bobweber4140]

Dude you da man great advice thanks my bro

[@mikebarker9187]

Love your excellent videos. Blessings.

[@bluetroop1]

Thanks for your videos!!

[@jerrygamez5723]

Thanks for the video

[@fredericchaif4577]

hello Rob. Thanks for your Vidéo. Very cool!👍

[@mikebarker9187]

Jazz combo vs pop rock. Snare wires. Hoops. Heads. Style of music matters.