Choosing the Best Snare Drum on Any Budget

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What do you look for in a snare drum? An explosive attack like a crack of lightning? Warm overtones for big fat punch? A wide tuning range? Join Sweetwater's Nick D'Virgilio as he offers some pro tips on choosing the best snare drum for your needs, on any budget. Skip to the individual snare drums with the links below!
These some of the best snare drums you can buy.
• Pearl Modern Utility
• SJC Pathfinder
• DW Design
• PDP Concept Maple
• Ludwig Black Magic
• Gretsch Grand Prix
• Tama S.L.P. Fat Spruce
• Pork Pie Percussion Custom Patina
• Yamaha Tour Custom
• Mapex Sledgehammer
• DDrum Dios Bamboo
• Ludwig Supraphonic LM402
• Sonor SQ1
• Gretsch USA Black Copper
• Craviotto Heritage Maple
• Rogers Dyna-Sonic
• A&F Raw Steel
Intro (0:00)
Pearl Modern Utility (2:09)
SJC Pathfinder (2:52)
DW Design (3:45)
PDP Concept Maple (4:14)
Ludwig Black Magic (6:12)
Gretsch Grand Prix (6:46)
Tama S.L.P. Fat Spruce (7:57)
Pork Pie Percussion Custom Patina (9:15)
Yamaha Tour Custom (10:48)
Mapex Sledgehammer (12:16)
DDrum Dios Bamboo (13:23)
Ludwig Supraphonic LM402 (14:16)
Sonor SQ1 (15:36)
Gretsch USA Black Copper (17:00)
Craviotto Heritage Maple (19:05)
Rogers Dyna-Sonic (20:30)
A&F Raw Steel (22:28)
After you watch, check out Sweetwater.com today for all your music instrument and pro audio needs! 👉 imp.i114863.net/vnkayy
#Sweetwater #BestSnareDrum

[@sweetwater]

Don't buy another snare drum until you check out this snare drum buying guide with Nick D'Virgilio! Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more great content - and thanks for watching!

[@MatiaIsHim]

Nick is great, but to me, as a consumer, Im here because I want to hear the snare sound. This video is kind of pointless, if you dont get to hear the different snare drums for a comparison so then Im prompted to buy the one liked the most. Hope I make sense. Thank you.

[@jiboo6850]

i just would like to correct Nick for saying "beaded shell" showing the center flange. it's a flanged shell. when we say beaded shell, that means the shell has snare beds. so it can be confusing for people buying your snare drums. center flanged and beaded shell are 2 different things. thanks.

[@aquafinax5006]

I’m in middle school and just joined band class in 7th grade I want to find a drum 🥁 so that I can practice over the summer or over breaks when we leave our instruments 🎼🎹🥁🪘🎷🎻🪕🎸🪗🎺 at school

[@anthonyn1312]

I love 💕😘🥳🤩 snare drum 🥁!

[@timmdrum]

​@@jiboo6850- "beaded" has never referred to the snare beds.

[@RoeShamBoe]

this setup reminds of that video where the kid in the music room has like 50 toms set up and he plays the hawaii five-o theme song intro

[@silendt]

Hahaha that was my first thought too!

[@oblivianedge1013]

Same LOL!

[@circedge]

this i gotta see

[@wrongfuture]

Hearing the drums would have been nice

[@P4nikStudios]

Then you get all the drums for free bc sample

[@rxw5520]

0:00 here ya go w

[@thatdudekyle5690]

I wish he would say “Nick d'virgilio here to tell you the dealio!” Lol! That would make my day

[@jayvalle50]

I bet that was his first thought too😂😂🤘😎🤘

[@GabrielXDrums]

Hahahaha he’s the best I love his videos

[@sethyboo2361]

Geez, that Supraphonic sounds amazing!

[@krzi-o5619]

I would love to have a full set of drums with that patina look. That snare looks awesome like that. Also love watching Nick play the drums , I gotta say he’s my favorite to watch in any drum review. 👍👍👍✌️✌️✌️

[@grahamroden8897]

Nick is just amazing. Such enthusiasm for the products

[@tryharder249]

Ótimo vídeo Nick, parabéns!

[@hedusoto6076]

I´m a wood snare guy, but fell in love with brass with the Pearl´s Sensitone Premium Brass Patina, just a wonderfull snare, the incredible looks of the Mapex´s Sledgehammer and the 14x8 Black Beauty.

[@ajmpatriot4899]

While it’s not “affordable” I’ve been investigating the copper 5” snares. Now though, after watching this video I realize I “need” many different snares! Thanks Nick! 😂

[@josephwills4821]

Super good video Helped with my choice of my SLP, I love it!!

[@jeremygarcia8090]

Loved the ending and thanks for inspiring me to go team TAMA

[@douggoble9695]

Nick, that is what I like about 🥁 drums, it’s fun to play and own. 😃

[@adamdrummer1991]

The pearl masters custom is my main snare. I also have a premier modern classic and they are both brilliant drums

[@one4theroad285]

That Mapex Sledgehammer is so damn good looking!

[@Romans219]

Ludwig Acrolite Seamless snare and Anything by Drum workshop is always a great way to go for versatile sounds

[@Customwinder1]

I recently added a Ludwig Black Magic with black chrome diecast hoops and tube lugs to my small collection. I also got a great deal on a 14 × 4" hammered brass snare drum. 10 Tube lugs . It sounds great in any tuning. And it's a Peace branded drum. Great video Nick 👍

[@anthonyn1312]

I think 14x4 or 15x4 snare drum is look like the piccolo snare drum!

[@simonfrost8858]

Nick is The Man. Always happy on his drums :). I am looking for something as close to an oak yamaha 13 by 6.5 musashi. can not seem to find. what would have the closest sound? planning on remo sued ambassdor and number 5 leather wieght. thank u. (billie jean sound) thank u

[@shawndrummer6722]

Nick "easy to use" D'Virgilio 🙂

[@SaintMont]

Man I wanna hear all them !!!

[@simonkullberg]

I have the Black Magic one and it’s brilliant for that price. Best thing I bought. Although I found a Slingerland COB Gene Krupa from the 70’s that I’m waiting for, which I think will be hard to beat.

[@Rockin_Ross]

Great video for helping to make a decision. I personally would’ve loved to have seen an acrylic drum here as well.

[@theguy4361]

While they don't sound bad, they just don't have anything special. They're just a good choice if your going for the look but I don't think that was the purpose of that video

[@ultragkart6789]

Nick your the best! 🥳🥁

[@dugjay]

I know some peeps don't like the look of the A&F drums but honestly, the beauty is in the way they sound. They put their money into the sound of the snare and not the polish or paint.

[@RickK1988]

Hardware plays a big role in durability and sound too.

[@NotMyWar]

Other companies have shown us that you can achieve both.

[@St_Mindless]

I have a Mapex Warbird snare (The Chris Adler signature drum) 12x5.5 absolutely gorgeous

[@comedydoctorsmusic]

I hate to be that person, but you forgot about the Pearl Master!! I only bring it up because I was very interested in it. Also could you play or at least hit each drum after talking about it? it would really help with my decision! Other than that I absolutely loved the video! You covered basically everything I was looking for and more! Thank you for showing me these epic drums! Great video!

[@platupla]

😆 funny ending!! Thanks for the video!

[@Sundaydrumday]

Lmfao the ending got me when he put the stick in his other hand...killed me...something I would've done...the cool thing about nick is his child like light bulb that lights up everytime he plays....inspiring....good video...really really want that black magic snare 😭

[@CaLLe1991NG]

Mr Nick D'Virgilio has the best job on the planet! :)

[@RorRiiZzLE]

THAT KIT, NEEDS TO BE MADE!

[@BIGSNAKE16]

Bought a 1976 Supraphonic LM400 a couple months ago.

[@andypollock9239]

My Pearl snare has the same parallel throw off strainer

[@anklem4322]

Great review! But what about the maple Pearl Masters snare to the right?

[@Chiroman527]

Nick, I presume Your review included using the stock heads on the drums. If they all had the Same Snare and Batter heads would be the better "test". I have the DW Design series 14 X 6.5 Brass over Nickel snare using a Evans HD Dry. You are right that head is great. That snare made a big difference in my Kit : PDP Concept Maple kit. Thanks for Review. At 70 YO, and a Resurrected "Drummer" after a 50 Year Hiatus in 2019, I very much enjoy playing along to My Music (CCR, Petty, Clapton, Mellencamp, Beatles, Stones, Cars, Talking Heads, and more.... including Bonnie Rait and Linda Ronstadt ). I play as a Hobby in Retirement and only hope the arthritis doesn't advance too quickly to curtail my playing. Happy drumming all.

[@remygaron8311]

Love youre description 👏👏👏👏👏🥁🥁🥁🥁🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@junkawakami3193]

first thing comes to mind was the Mapex Matt Halpern sig (he would later joined Pearl), just grab his signature drum library from GGD and you can guess why i mentioned it

[@xionlion1532]

Would love a part 2 to this video

[@vb6427]

haha that end is priceless. xD Nice video sweetwater love your videos

[@ludwigsupraphonic9288]

Nice...Why dont you make a library for theToontrack..that would be interesting.

[@T.Maximus]

I got the mapex hammered drum, the yamaha tour custom, and the pearl modern utility drum you showed here..out of the 3, the tour custom wins for me! All 3 are great though

[@noampitlik2332]

Get any of the RCI Starlite acrylics.

[@PhilRounds]

LOL! I have an LM402 i bought used a while back. It's gone to more gigs with me than any of my other drums!

[@CAMOAH1]

Nick, u reali love what u do ...don't u....wow ....I can always tell from your facial expression n motivation. Interesting. Well done.

[@aduohiole3340]

What’s the best snare for gospel drumming??

[@kreatos10]

Damn ! the multi snare jam XD

[@eliudjimenez843]

Very nice¡

[@vincentestrella9733]

What drum would anyone recommend for more militaristic type of drumming?I am willing to spend 400-500 on it.I was still kind of left a little uninformed seeing how he didn't play them while he showed each one.

[@aseomg]

Nice t-shirt!

[@pleximanic]

a Billy Gladstone snare drum,the only snare i need!!

[@jakeaviator1515]

“The badge stands out nicely” 😂

[@markcrisp7315]

My next snare will be a wood snare I love sweet water most of my gear comes from there 💯🎼🥁

[@northernliving2387]

Is there any difference between a piccolo, soprano, and concrete drums?

[@gowensbach2998]

I hate my current snare, so thats why I am here. Thanks man

[@serzhvalero3626]

Super! ☝️👍

[@davidmcaninch4714]

My number one favorite snare drum is a DW Black Nickel Over Brass 14x6.5 snare!!! It’s basically an affordable Black Beauty snare!!!

[@TheCOZ]

I had that drum too but ended up selling it. I wanted to love it but had the hardest time tuning it up.

[@smit70NJ]

I bought a new Ludwig supraphonic and played it next to my Remo Gold Crown snare like this and my Remo snare drum just sounds way better. to ME it's the best sounding snare

[@joesantamaria5874]

Best snare for my budget is the $75 I paid for my beautiful 90’s Blackrolite I bought from a local Mom last year, bought it for her kid to learn. Kid did not learn, I saw it on FB Marketplace, bought it within hours. Despite my Radio King, Noble and Cooley, Leedy Broadway, etc., it’s my number one. 😎

[@davidsuprenant893]

The best bang for the buck on the market today is Tama Starphonic.I know you can't show them all but this drum is one of the greatest starting at $600.00. The fit ,finish,technology they didn't miss anything.Tuned up or down low.There magic.Its the most advanced snare drum I've ever owned,and I've owned my fair share.Please check them out.

[@larrytate1657]

The Yamaha recording customs sound great too.

[@FanaticDrummer]

Keep it simple, just shop Tama’s SLP line. Best value around, from budget to pro. Incredible choices and unlimited sizes and materials it seems. Average is $200-300 and they all sound great on recordings.

[@sethwell2552]

I mean thanks for trying but that's a horrible recommendation

[@FanaticDrummer]

Sethwell Why because you dont have any clue about them? lol Ok kid.

[@roybeckerman9253]

FanaticalDrummer I prefer my Tama SLP Bronze , to my Supra...it really is amazing. I also have the Tama SLP G maple 13x7”....fabulous.. The two I have, certainly have made me an SLP fan...

[@kerbino26]

next is the entry level snare drum

[@armandohernandez7782]

noticed you only got to touch the lower end skins with those sticks

[@anthonyn1312]

I think the snare drum is awesome 😎😎😎😎😎😎😚🙂☺️😊👋😘🥳🤩🎉🎂🥰💖💟🆒🆒🆒🆒🆒🆒

[@michaelanderson2881]

This would mean a lot more to me if Sweetwater would stock--and demand of their vendors that they continue to produce--a lot more 12 inch snares.

[@generic2021]

Which one cheaper? I'm looking to get in on a very low budget I have a knack of doing an instrument without finishing basic training for it. I'm Trying to not waste money again

[@marcoagius6926]

Get the yamaha stage custom snare! Excellent affordable snare drum!

[@SternLX]

That awkward moment when you look at the stack of 4 Snare cases in the corner. "Budget? What budget?"

[@davidgoode7416]

Nick rules...

[@andyham6094]

No Tama starphonic series anywhere?!

[@davidmcaninch4714]

I have the DW Design Series Black Nickel Over Brass 6.5x14. That said, did you know that bamboo is actually a type of grass? So you could say that those types of snares are environmentally friendly. 😊😊

[@felixhamel2398]

why was the Pearl Masters left out? :(

[@vandavis000]

Whats the shell on the sjc pathfinder snare made of?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Van. Thanks so much for your interest. There are actually two versions. One that they classify as a Maple Hybrid (I’m not 100% sure what other wood(s) are used). The other one is a 7 ply Maple/Mahogany. I hope this helps. Jason Thiele, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1391, [e-mail]

[@haitsjesse]

What happened to the pearl masters?

[@anthonysilva5312]

I don’t even drum and I want at least 3 of those

[@roybeckerman9253]

I bet Mike Johnson wished his Gretsch Brooklyn Standard was included..

[@oobernoober7617]

Hmm, I wonder how the throw off and strainer are on each snare. WhO kNoWs!

[@sl3102]

Cool selection, but why don't you play them?

[@teacher5376]

Super low to high end.snare drums.for beginners. To collect. Slow become crazy's.

[@christopherdunn317]

Funny i received the (Ludwig super phonic) invoice slip on my Ludwig box, and was bought on amazon, this came right from Monroe, guess the manufacture price $ 413.00 so the mark up is why you pay $1000.00 what joke huh !

[@ThruAWiderLens]

Not to nitpick on a really great, informative video but at 13:34 bamboo is a grass, not a wood!

[@scottlowell493]

Sppp much candy!

[@hugorezende199]

Those are the entry level snares? Very pro level for me, i tought that he would put a "no brand" snare, but i reminded that Sweetwater its a music store and they not gonna sell rubish equipment.

[@drumsanddrumming]

Yummy! Johan

[@timmdrum]

The Gretsch has die cast hoops, not triple flanged.

[@ichorousmedia]

thanks for the info, on another note, if Ralph Maccio and Jon Lovitz were brothers, you would be the third brother

[@isihernandez9752]

Nick, seriously, I respect you a lot as a musician, you're a great player (not only drums !) and singer as well. I don't know you in person but you seem a nice guy and you're definitley funny... that being said, every time I hear you say that a snare strainer is "easy to use", I have to lmfao...!!! Really, man ? Is there any strainer that isn't easy to use ? It's not rocket science..!!! Turn the knob to adjust the tension, lever up or lever down... and that's it. Yes, some have intermediate positions between fully engaged or fully off, and just a few have more than one independent strainers, but it's all the same.... 😂😂😂😂

[@si1995gtnupe1997]

When I hear “...easy to use”, I think smoothness and not any level of complexity to utilize the universal functionality of the snare drum strainer. Some strainers are smoother than others, which requires very little effort. The smoothness from my One of a Kind and SQ2 snares are drastically different in smoothness than my Pearl Virgil Donati snare. I can use my pinky finger to throw the snares off of my Sonor snares, but I would need to use my index and thumb to do so on the Pearl Virgil Donati. It’s not a big deal to me regarding “...easy to use”, but wanted to chime in on what I interpreted from that phrase.

[@isihernandez9752]

@@si1995gtnupe1997 well, I interpreted it literally, "easy" vs "difficult". And anyway, Nick uses to say the same with each and every throw off (or any other hardware) he reviews (or almost). If he reviewed your 2 snares, the SQ2 and the VD, he'd probably say the same thing. And regarding yours, well, I don't know if it's a matter of smoothness or it's because one of them (Sonor) has a lateral motion (if it's the one I'm thinking, they have a few models) while the other (Pearl VD) has a foward/backward motion. I have a few snares (no Sonor), with both basic styles of throw off. One of them is a Pearl with the same strainer than VD (being a way much affordable snare drum), and I don't need 2 fingers to make it work. My thumb when I set it on and my index when I set it off, but not both at the same time. I don't know, maybe yours needs some lub... I prefer the lateral motion though, just because it's more comfortable to me. I also have a Pearl Master Custom and a Mapex Black Panther with this kind of mecanism and I don't even need a finger to set them on, I can do it with my knee (I always place the throw off on my left side) if I have my hands too busy, and just a slight finger touch to set them off. But I don't think one is smoother or easier to use than others. But at the end of the day, I don't think it's so important unless you actually need to do constant changes, on and off while you're busy playing with a lot of busy hand work.... and I don't think it's a very common thing....

[@PhilRounds]

The Gretsch "Lightning" throw-off is cool! You can just bump it with your knee to flip it on!

[@firmans12]

Okay. But what make you think that its not easy cmon man lmao. I mean its just a switch. Do you think switch isnt easy? Lol

[@Schwarberfest]

Why wouldn’t you play the drums?

[@roybeckerman9253]

Playing each drum individually, even briefly, would have been far better.. After all, it’s all out sound...not looks.

[@vinnynunziata]

Where's the most important part where I get to hear it????

[@ks7507]

Is it me or did Nick skip over the Pearl Masters?

[@OtisAvalon]

Hearing the drum would have been a nice feature! major fail!

[@hannahstansfield4034]

I want 50% of discount on all of them

[@bazdonado4877]

This is Chris Dave’s drum set

[@escobanhc1307]

play them and deliver Sound samples. Then talk about specs...

[@ctrodrums]

Can't believe there is no shootout

[@waynepollard6879]

Nick always does a great job and is so enthusiastic , but I bet you aren't playing that disturbing music in the background while he's explaining everything .I'm trying to take in everything Nick is saying , and your playing that noise on top of him ! Why do I have to hear this junk ? Great job Nick !

[@dalepenney44]

You simply choose whatever YOU like...whatever sounds good to YOUR ears. No one can choose for you. If you start overthinking it, you will never be happy with anything.

[@jenkem69]

The first ones he says: under $200 and under $300 Me: *cries in broke*

[@Fatima0105]

Can I please have a stair drum and my name is James James I like to stand I will stand drum thank you

[@teacher5376]

Pdp ' stand for professional drums player '

[@chinmaykalyankar1291]

Why do they never review Natal drums? One of the best drum brands offering great drums at a great price.

[@verawright2157]

Where are the sonor snares...the best if all

[@verawright2157]

Sorry..we got to the Sonor

[@studiodsr]

Whoever made the call that all of these snare would be seen in the video but not heard needs to be fired stat