10 Signature Snare Drums We Love - Which Is Best For You?

[@fraserbremner1982]

My favourite was the Matt Halpern snare. That has punch!

[@Dogdrum]

The Gretsch signature snares sound fantastic. I particularly love the tone on the Gergo Borlai one. Lars Ulrich's snare is killin' too.

[@angelorasmijn7306]

The Gergo Borlai snare together with kickdrum sounds killer to me! 🤘🏼They really complement each other.

[@Eurodrummer666]

All snares sounded great, but that kick (and most kicks I hear on KZbin) has a low "overtone" that hurts my ear...

[@alexrtsimpson]

That British drum Co is a thing of beauty

[@dogmart]

Pearl Brian Fraser-Moore snare was a pleasant surprise. Tight, focused, crisp without annoying overtones-almost reminds me of a Stewart Copeland snare sound. Very nice! Out of this list, my top two are Benny Greb Sonor and Pearl Fraser-Moore. Thanks for the video, lads!

[@adamfrost3722]

Cheers, dog!

[@ilmatteot]

Is nice to see that many signature snare are in brass shell... The Kenny Aronoff is awesome, I've got the 5", very versatile

[@M.Holland]

Had a show with a substitute drummer few years ago. He was as a exchange student from Finland. So he had to borrow a snare. He brought a Joey Jordison Snare. We are a Live HipHop Band. It was the best snare sound we ever had.

[@TheDarknessBane]

Ahh I still have the 2004 Lars signature snare with the long lugs that they used on the bell brass signature at the time. Nobody believes me when I tell them it sounds like a normal heavy steel snare, so I will now refer to this video :)

[@marratj]

They actually used the long MSL36 lugs on that until 2017. Only after that they switched to the shorter MSL35 lugs. I think it looks way better with the longer lugs, just like the Bell Brass as you mentioned.

[@Storkemain]

@@marratj Got one as well but with the MSL35 lugs, but I've changed them to the MSL36 lugs instead. Looks waaaaay nicer now. :-D

[@drumfanatik316]

The Kenny Arnoff snare is a thing of beauty!!! Not only in looks, but sound as well. I think it would be a great all around workhorse snare? It seems to be Tama’s “unofficial” take on the Black Beauty. I always say I’m not one of those guys who wants a bunch of snares, but I would definitely love to add this to my collection!!!

[@cobra1995xx]

Yeah that drum is 🔥🔥.. Id imagine it would have to work for everything . Dude plays/records for everyone under the sun

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

too bad Kenny aranoff sucks

[@Rab35]

I like the Gretsch Gergo signature in this video. Of the videos online that demo this snare, you guys have done the best job. Thanks for including the room sound in these videos because that's what these snares sound like to the natural ear. The Carlock snare is great too! Gretsch has a strong snare game.

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks so much Robbie and yeah, that is a killer drum!

[@andyham6094]

The Tama John tempesta is one of the best signature snare drums ever. Prolly my favorite ever. I thought the Tama Kenny arnoff trackmaster brass snare and the Tama Lars ulrich steel snare sounded best in this video. The halpern brass snare sounded great too, I just think you can get that same brass sound at a much cheaper price, I feel like a signature brass snare should be worth it if it is a thick shelled brass that you can’t get on most black nickel over brass snare drums that all companies have now. The halpern snare is only 1.2 mm which is around the same as most of those more affordable brass snares. The John tempesta snare is 2.0 mm which is worth the extra money imo. Otherwise you are basically just paying for aesthetic touches and the nameplate for that artist. I preferred the Tama Kenny arnoff brass over the pearl halpern brass.

[@user-hg3lz8kw2e]

I think this shows again why the Sonor Benny Greb snare is probably one of the best you can have! A nice woody sound that can work in a variety of situations. The Pearl Matt Halpern snare also was probably my second favourite one - a nice dry pop too, and I like the concept of in-between standard depths, like 6 or 5.75" to get a versatile snare. But in the end, they all sound great and I would keep any one of them if someone gave one to me.

[@billyrhythm]

And I thought those were the worst sounding drums. Different strokes right? You probably don’t like the ones I loved.

[@user-hg3lz8kw2e]

@@billyrhythm Well, the good thing is everybody has a different taste, so it's nice that drum companies can offer something for anybody :) Which ones did you like the most?

[@zacharysmithingell5460]

Totally agree on the greb sonor. Beautiful sound.

[@ntsikeleloncakana1329]

@@billyrhythm which ones are your faves?

[@robinjohnson6301]

I like the sound of the Keith Carlock snare the most of these (which is a 14x5.5" drum not a 14x5") and I think I'd like the Matt Halpern snare just as much if it had a single ply head. There's something about a medium depth brass snare with die cast hoops that really seems to do it for me.

[@jasonmckinney2705]

BDC Niko McBrain sounds big and bold really liked it. Both Sonor drums sounded the best to my ears, very versatile. Keith Carlocks brass drum was the most surprising, beautiful crack with some overtones. thanks for video.

[@drumcenternh]

Thank you for watching!

[@Musiknird]

Matt Helpern is my cup of tea! I have a huge thing for brass snares and I have a Pearl free floating brass snare my self and it sound amazing!

[@dancalabrese3523]

The Gretsch Keith Carlock (I keep saying to myself that I need a Gretsch snare drum) the Pearl Brian Frasier Moore, and the Sonor Jost Nickel sounded best to me and seemed like that I could put them on the stand and keep them there all night no matter what style of music. You guys do an amazing job of producing these videos and no matter what the drums or cymbals being focused on, your presentations are always head and shoulders above anyone else.

[@Mr_Mijagi]

Thanks for the overview! I've bought the Benny Greb Snare a few months ago, and man oh man, how I love this drum. Easy to tune, great quality, fantastic sound.

[@scatpack440]

I liked the Icarus, then the Mapex. The brass ones rang a bit much for my liking, but everyone's liking is different. Good job guys.

[@JakeStaffin]

Hard to pick a favorite because they all sound really good!! But I think the Gretsch Keith Carlock snare might just be the winner for me, something about it feels like the one where if I could only play one snare drum, it would be that. And for the record, the kick drum sits perfectly in the mix and you guys aren’t ugly!! Thanks for always providing us with awesome drum content!!

[@baptistefall7131]

Pearl snare is so underrated (..!) Matt signature is the best again :)

[@gwobcke]

The Gretsch Keith Carlock was the surprise for me - wow what a drum. The Benny Greb snare was super as well.

[@Romans219]

I always appreciate Shane and his crew showcasing really nice drums and cymbals. Thank you for your hard work.

[@drumcenternh]

Thank you for watching! We appreciate you.

[@iantouzel638]

For my taste, winner, Gretsch Keith, as it all. The least one, Pearl Matt The suprise, even if i can stand it's look, Tama Lars. The snap and volume. Great demo. I know it's not in this video but Tama John Tempesta is probably the top signature snare( for rock) you can buy, you tested in the past.

[@stromghouls]

the reality is that they all sound good. i have my preferences, but they are all great snare drums. it is easy to understand why some poeple have hundreds of snare drums.

[@progression_decibel]

Great drums, probably in order of preference (top 3) I have to go with 1) Kenny Arnoff 2) Jost Nickel and 3) Keith Carlock!

[@pacificdrumma]

I’m at 1:31 so I haven’t even heard the first drum yet. The comedy and editing just continues to get better and better. Bravo, DCP team!

[@drummerdan95]

I have Lars' snare and love it to death. I couldn't believe how loud it was in person! Now to get my hands on the elusive bell brass model...

[@MrMurUK]

I love the sound of the snare but I am really nervous about how heavy it is lugging between gigs, etc.

[@NoNameForThisGuy]

@@MrMurUK I’ve been gigging with a Yamaha recording custom brass 14x5.5 for about a year…not quite as heavy as the Lars, but still at the top of the scale for snare drums… it honestly hasn’t made anything more difficult. Very rarely do I carry my snare, plus enough other stuff all at the same time, to notice the few lbs more it weighs over my wood snares.

[@anthonymedd8718]

Yet another amazing video!!!! 🎉🙌🏻👍🏻 For my ears... Greg... Helpern and Ulrich snares....😎👍🏻

[@dariusburke8625]

I was a huge fan of the Kenny Aronoff just an overall utility sound that can basically be inserted into anything and sound great. The snare that surprised me the most cause I not the hugest fan of brass is the Matt Halpern Brass. It sounded really good would be my number 2 fav.

[@JeromeDayUniverse]

I agree 100% !!!

[@TheProgGuy]

The Halpern snare absolutely rips. I imagine it could sound great with a loose tuning, but when Periphery records it, it's the perfect snare drum, at least for heavy music.

[@robsolf]

Same, here! Loved those 2, and the Icarus. The 14x5 trackmaster is probably the best studio starting point snare you can get aside from the BB, itself.

[@Bluem00n7]

Bought the Greb last month just incredible for all type of music

[@mogglie]

Mine just broke… I have the older version. And a tension rod just pulled out the whole thingy where it sits….. really weird. Perhaps that’s why they changed the lugs on the newer models.

[@mikeyn012]

I love my Yamaha Jimmy Chamberlin snare but out of these, the Kenny Arnoff is my favorite.

[@Jtdubbzz]

Ironic since Kenny was Jimmy’s replacement for a while with the Pumpkins!

[@Philipp.of.Swabia]

That beginning was priceless 🤣

[@drumcenternh]

Would you say that it was... Frantic?

[@drumfanatik316]

@@drumcenternh 🤣🤣🤣 or you could say “I’m madly in Anger” that the video was taken down!!!

[@Philipp.of.Swabia]

@@drumcenternh In a certain way, yes 😏

[@drumrnva]

That Tama Aronoff and Pearl Halpern sound amazing. Thanks for posting.

[@drumcenternh]

Our pleasure!

[@countingdrums4967]

I play Yamaha & Sonor kits but do love a Pearl snare. The Pearl Matt Halpern brass and the dinky brass Gretsch were great. Think I need a bit of brass. 💰👍

[@TheSentinel909]

Thanks so much - this vid was exactly what I was looking for! Q&A was hilarious too XD

[@EYEBALLband]

Jost Nickel's was my fave, but they all sounded great in their own way.

[@TheSentinel909]

My impressions: - Feels weird to say, but Lars' snare is very underrated. Killer for rock & metal obviously. - Borlais snare is mmm mm mmm - I was really pleasantly surprised by the Keith Carlock! It could be my fav of the bunch

[@jamesspafford5985]

Just about all of them sound amazing, but the big surprise was the Matt Halpern!!! 1.) Matt Halper 2.) Keith Carlock 3.) Kenny Arneoff Honorable mention to the Lars signature, though I’ve heard it’s unruly to tune…

[@drumcenternh]

Good choices! I had no problem tuning the Lars snare, it was great!

[@ChristopherSmithNYC]

saME RANKINGS HERE.

[@dinodrumz7262]

Had the LU signature back in the days, never had any issue with tunning stuffs + it's a more versatile snare that I've had expected ; I've been playing Metal, Punk, Rock, Blues and even Funk with it, never been desapointed. The only thing (even if it seems obvious 😊) is that this one is not really meant to be played live in small venues !

[@marratj]

@@dinodrumz7262 yeah, that’s what you get with a heavy thick metal shell, it’s loud as f***. I have a 3mm thick cast steel snare with 5mm re-rings. It’s loud as hell but very sensitive at the same time and I find it easier to tune than my other steel snare which has a normal 1,2mm rolled shell.

[@joeldrummer23]

🤦🏻‍♂️lol 😂the beginning scared the heck out of me lol 😂 good stuff guys !

[@HankNinja]

I love my Sonor Gavin Harrison snare. Took a while for ‘em to make it, but worth the wait. And the early 90’s Weckl snare I found recently is the bee’s knees. Would dig the Greb snare. I think the internal muffling in the new model would be fun to mess around with.

[@HankNinja]

And I love his whole sound.

[@voitekbiskup6005]

I can confirm the internal muffling is surprisingly useful, even more so on the brass Benny Greb (I have both I admit).

[@seraphimdunn]

Gavin Harrison is the most underrated musician on the planet.

[@Musiknird]

I died laughing from the intro! And actually being sick with pneumonia it almost happen by switching between laughing and coughing till I almost choked.

[@drumcenternh]

Great success! Now feel better!

[@Musiknird]

@@drumcenternh cheers guys! It made my day a lot better. I might live in another country but I really appreciate your videos with great content.

[@alkingborn]

Gergo Borlai and Benny Greb, though with different features are my favourite. Those I like the least are the Mapex Onyx and the British Co. The rest are of course good drums but quite standard

[@loky03610]

My god that Matt Halpern snare is beautiful

[@tommyzcat]

I really enjoy the DCP vids! I feel I get a great sound from my Pearl Chad Smith Signature snare ~ but it sounds nothing like RHCP!

[@woutervanrenterghem570]

This video made me buy the Halpern snare. That sound is just mmm mmm mmm mmm … thanks for this great video!!!

[@simmsdn]

Gretsch brass skates are always exceptional. Not change here. Both are excellent. If you haven’t heard it, the Gretsch Bell Brass is so close to the elusive Tama, it’s a must add to the collection.

[@hannes1734]

Two perfect snares: The Benny Greb 2.0 and the Tama Tempesta snare which you demoed in your heavy metal snare drums video. It's a beast.

[@UltraRareCustom]

Sonor Jost Nickel Signature Beech Snare Drum 14x6.25 was great to hear in comparison to BG's which I love but ended up selling because the overall projection wasn't quite what i was looking for. Great video overall DCP !

[@ampdrum1]

I bought the ‘Josty’ from DCP. Best body, crack and sensitivity. Just smokes all my other snares and they’re all pro drums.

[@johnrobinson8323]

Excellent video guys! My two favorites were the Benny Greb birch and the Keith Carlock brass. But they all sound so good. Awesome job!🥁❤️

[@Lucca504]

Keith Carlock was my favorite, beautiful crack and sustain.

[@cszetela1]

Nice comparison video of various brands and different sounding snare drums.

[@drumcenternh]

Hey, thanks!

[@jkf9167]

Favorite signature drum of a drummer whose snare sound I never thought I liked: Kenny Aronoff Favorite signature snare of a drummer I've never heard of: Jost Nickel Best sound/worst look: Keith Carlock Coolest backbeat snare by a jazz legend: Ralph Peterson I also liked the Benny Greb.

[@andyham6094]

Yeah he’s not super popular but among Meinl and sonor artists he’s one of the top guys. Jost nickel is a groove god. One of the cleanest drummers in the game. Yeah he’s not super popular in America but among Meinl and sonor artists and in Europe he’s one of the top guys. Great humble nice guy too. Check out his Meinl videos. He’s awesome.

[@wuffb]

I have the Greb Brass . . . heard it a NAMM 2020 and bought it immediately . . . so many great snares, it's rare when one makes you stop and go back and back and back and just say . .. "I've got to have THAT one" . . . that being said, the reason I didn't go for the Greb Birch/Beech was just confirmed for me in this video . . . The Borlai snare was a delightful surprise . . . really liked that . . . it seems I am drawn to the "pop" and "ring" that brass offers consistently. The Aronoff snare to me was the snare most closely related to the artist consistent sound . . . for me that really captured the "Kenny" sound where as the others were close, but could have easily been anyone's

[@ChipsNeeson]

This was awesome guys. While it may not matter who Adam is, please keep him around. Good value. If you haven't done one already, could you please do a comparison video of a bunch of smaller diameter snares? Cheers from Aus.

[@adamfrost3722]

You're good people. Cheers.

[@QuarterForce]

For me its the Tama Charlie Benante Snare with a Evans Power Center Reverse Dot. Pure Perfection for my drumming style.

[@andyham6094]

Such an underrated snare. Can’t go wrong with that snare if you love loud steel snare drums.

[@SLuna27]

So many great ones. I particularly like the Keith Carlock brass.

[@uwepetersen]

The Ralph Peterson Snare was a surprise to me. Nice phat sound, I wish you played more of the Rim Click / Side stick.

[@munton5150]

To my ear 1.Benny Greb 2. Brian Frasier Moore 3. Matt Halpern

[@yourdrummer2034]

Honestly the Kenny Aronoff Snare sounded best to me.

[@CornerStoreDrums]

LETS GO! 💯 I personally prefer a more shallow snare! Incredible selection always! 🥁

[@drumcenternh]

Thank you!!

[@Jtdubbzz]

I inherited a few nice snares from my father and the 5x14 Aronoff was one of them. Very nice snare and totally different from anything else I own

[@ricardomezamarroquin2073]

The Gretsch-Borlai was a nice surprise, Lars-Tama was my favorite. Saludos desde Costa Rica 🇨🇷

[@adamfrost3722]

Salud, Ricardo!

[@natas73]

Definitely the Kenny Aronoff, and whatever one was in Birch. The rest except for the 4.5 incher need a lot of sound dampening to use in a recording. I still love my Yamaha Steve Jordan.

[@UltraRareCustom]

Steve Jordan signature is one of the best!

[@natas73]

@@UltraRareCustom yeah it is! I can't believe what people are trying to resell them for now. I've seen 1200 US! I'll never part with mine. Love the smaller 13" drums and below for Funk playing.

[@cjbeatsbipolar]

Definitely the Lars drum surprised me! It held its own against some of the brass drums quite well. It’d be interesting to hear the Bell Brass version of the Lars Drum in your studio.

[@richardwhite4923]

I was thinking much of the same. When he switched to the room mic, I thought the drum was projecting very well compared to most of the others. There’s a couple I didn’t care for when they switched to the room mic.

[@AdvancedLiving]

I’ve got the Anton Fig Yamaha snare with the wood hoops from the mid-90’s. It sounds so unique that I will never part with it.

[@drummachine86]

There wasn´t a single bad sounding drum there. But Kenny Aronoff has that exact smack that I like.

[@af7119]

Benny Greb Birch is my clear first choice, and I have never even heard of it before this video!

[@Jdrummer77]

Really like the pop of the Brian F. Getting a sonor SQ1 kit this year and want a different snare drum for it. Never thought I’d be thinking about Pearl but I think they get overlooked a lot. My first good snare was a pearl master custom so would be fitting.

[@TessaAnderson]

I’m one minute in: Talking about some people not liking signature snares I’m like “Lars ulrich” And I loved between 1:00 and 1:30 where they discuss viewer comments that are annoying I wish there weren’t so many commenters who sway content creators like you. I am trying to make content for my channel and it is so much harder than you guys make it look....! I love Kenny Arnoff I’d probably buy that plus it looks the best.

[@rockdahaus]

I liked it very much, great video!.... btw. the Sonor Benny Greb is a beech shell with birch outer and inner veneer.

[@lisaasmus3284]

Great comparison !! Thank you !! 👍👍 under mics they all sound more or less great, for me is the room-sound the cruical point: and there the Halpern, Nickel, Frasier-Moore and the Greb are the best. Whereby the Greb sounds a little boxy to me and the Halpern is ... it is a brass like other brass. In the end the BFMoore takes the cake.

[@stephentyler4352]

1. British Drum Co. Niko Mcbrain 2. Sonor Jost Nickel 3. Gretsch Keith Carlock 4. Mapex Ralph Peterson 5. Pearl Brian Fraser-Moore

[@bustercampfiresongs]

Matt's snare in Superunknown. That I love. Of course Lars' is the best for metal and rock.

[@davidkral118]

I enjoyed your very fine playing!

[@tinterlande]

Thank you sir!

[@davidramie379]

Loved the Jost Nickel & surprised how good the Keith Carlock sounded.

[@mikeevangelista1177]

Keith and Matt all day 🥁🔥

[@anthonyn1312]

I love Gretsch 14x4.25 Gergo Borlai Signature snare drum

[@sojake3712]

The floor tom sounds the best. It's awesome. Then the Kenny Aronoff.

[@cfusilier2]

The Sonors were a nice surprise. Such clean, straightforward sounds. In contrast, the Mapex was a really cool, deep washy sound that stood out from the rest. Awesome to see an 8-inch depth, too.

[@Storkemain]

Love all of your videos as well as the comedy and work you put into these. So... back to topic.. I think the Lars Ulrich is a must have in the collection if you like a good versatile and loud snare with a lot of (st.) Anger although it does not have "the" St. Anger sound as many people know. Put on an Evans - ST Dry head on it and it will sound even better. ;-) Other than that one, I must say that the Gretsch is pretty interesting. Good work on this comparison video, guys! Cheers from Denmark.

[@Timbales1979]

So here's a list of other signature snare drums missing from your list... and a list of which heads you should've used on each drum respectively...

[@ChristopherSmithNYC]

Wasn't thinking about that Halpern, until now. Wow.

[@drumcenternh]

Yes! That's the whole point of this video.

[@WaterbottlE5]

If you like that Halpin snare you should try to find his Mapex signature snare “the Wraith” so much better. One of my favorite snares ever.

[@alsdrumhang]

Agree with the tendency of folks to avoid drums bearing signatures of drummers they don't care for. Heresy for a drummer from New England, but I can't stand Aerosmith. But I own a Joey Kramer edition Ludwig Black Magic and it's a great snare for live outdoor gigs. The Kenny Aronoff, Gergo Borlai, Nicko McBrain and the thiccc Matt Halpern snares sounded excellent to my ears here. Yet another great video.

[@onalyd]

Lars Ulrich for the win 🤟🏼

[@AdamStachelek]

I really appreciate your cheekiness about internet comments in this video. Man what you guys must go through. Oh and the kick is way too low in the mix, try cutting some 12 dB at 7 hz. :)

[@adamfrost3722]

Bless you

[@danielvibe7139]

Favorite: Gretsch Keith Carlock but would like a little more low end as in a 6,5 deep. The Aronoff a close second. Thought the Onyx sounded surprisingly good with just the room mics

[@ingemosh5430]

i love my lu1465 but there were a couple of very cool snares in the video. to me the gergo borlai, the brian fraser-moore stood out, but most of all i was impressed by how good and punchy the matt halpern sounded.

[@michaelhucek7702]

I really like the Pearl Chad Smith and the Yamaha Steve Gadd LTD. They are both awesome sounding snare drums... The Kenny Arnoff was sweet...

[@RockyTop85]

Except the Chad Smith and Steve Gadd signature snares weren’t in this video…

[@sanchtodd4203]

I loved the Mapex Onyx and I have to have it. I have both of Matt Halpern's signature drums and find the Mapex better sounding to me, but are both nice. Great job 👏.

[@myvids3115]

I really appreciate the Sonor Benny Greb Model for its clever dampening features and nice versatile character. A lot of great Snaredrum. I was surprised by the Gretsch models. I‘d probably pick the brass version of the Greb snare. Was it the 2.0? I don‘t know.

[@ZOB4]

That little brass snare from Gretsch (Gorgo Borlai) sounds awesome, and is easily my favorite of this bunch.

[@waltheisenberg7626]

The Pearl Matt Halpern. ♥️

[@Mutts1979]

Benny Greb’s snare sounds sweet 👌

[@ajmpatriot4899]

You guys are awesomely funny! It’s appreciated! 😂

[@FanaticDrummer]

I think Portnoys Melody master in either size is probably one of the best all around snares. Even if you dont like Portnoy, the snare is just too good to dismiss. The dual throw off should just be standard on all snares. The Maple is the real crown jewel if you can find one. But the metals are just 🤌

[@turboplopp]

The Sonor Jost Nickel is super funky, love it!

[@drumcenternh]

Couldn't agree more!

[@Zok-lo1fm]

Matt Halpern snare have best tone, clear, punchy and tight. For me is the snare for all music. Black chrome is bez veze for me. Sorry for my english. Pozz from Croatia!

[@tikkyray]

Great stuff here! pls correct me if I‘m wrong but the Benny Grebb Snare has a beech shell with just a birch veneer.

[@adamfrost3722]

Correct

[@DerekTJ]

Love the sound of the Benny Greb and the veneer is beautiful. But the alternating lugs take from it.

[@glntchrisandy]

Whooo those Georgo Borlai Snare really sound good!! 😍😍