I Bought The CHEAPEST and MOST EXPENSIVE Steel Snare Drum on Amazon - Stephen Taylor & RDavidR

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

► Start Your FREE StephensDrumShed Drum School Trial Here: bit.ly/2TpkJmJ Subscribe or I will steal your cymbals: bit.ly/2AyH1Fb As a drum teacher, one of the biggest drum related questions I get asked is about the cost of certain drums. Are expensive drums BETTER? Will cheaper drums work just as well? What defines a "better" sounding drum? For this video, I bought the cheapest 5.5" steel snare drum and the most expensive 5.5" steel snare drum on Amazon. An epic snare drum shoot out...and just for fun I brought along my good buddy RDavidR to help me test them out. Check out David's channel here: kzbin.info Watch his video on cheap vs expensive cymbals here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHvJoaGihdaqjKc Check out my other video in this series: I Bought The CHEAPEST and MOST EXPENSIVE Wooden Snare Drum on Amazon kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKrKpJpqfbmUprc Leave a comment below and let me know your favorite drum!

[@ejames6431]

Same as wine. A $10.00 bottle can taste as good as a $100.00 bottle.🍾

[@benjaminpeternorris]

Great comparison!! The Yamaha Recording Custom isn't super-expensive compared to some other brands, so I think the Yamaha is a great option - as the price pays off in the end. I have the 14 x 5.5 Recording Custom Brass (so I'm slightly biased) - but this comparison put the Yamaha snare in a good light. They are fantastic snare drums for the money.

[@992ras]

Most important to your sound is the wood the drums are made off even midrange drums will sound great. But like the old saying its not the drums it who playing the drums that make them sound good.

[@kevinabercrombie2578]

I subscribed hahaha know you can't touch my cymbals

[@rdavidr]

Okay, I changed my mind. Ill play that cheap drum. No questions asked!

[@branmcg9844]

I'm with rdavidr.........but after the instructional portion of the video I made a quick bline back to 500.

[@mrserious55]

yamaha got whooped i think on this one

[@TheOfficialDraven]

I like the $50 one, perfect for metal honestly

[@adderon]

But does it djent in 2023?

[@theopinson3851]

@@adderonit would be sample replaced.

[@Cavie1974]

I usually find that with some head changes and careful tuning you can make almost any drum sound reasonably ok. The biggest issue with cheap gear is durability.

[@kingmadara6358]

just need to be creative.

[@Kayametra]

I actually love the cheap drum with the low-end tuning. It has a really big, open sound without too much sustain. The expensive drum just sounds too soft at that tuning without enough attack

[@markcooperartcomofficial]

The $500 drum is a ripoff. If you think the $50 one might break, just buy like 5 of them and you'll still have money left over.

[@scottapthorpe6172]

I think your missing the point though...nether build quality of the Yamaha is far superior...and I’ll bet u if u gig that cheap snare it will be no good in no time... hardware falls apart... and strainer will end up letting u down...that’s why u pay more...for higher quality 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@ShawnxEdge]

@@scottapthorpe6172 I agree with both of you. 500 for a steel drum is overpriced but the Yamaha will last a lifetime.

[@ShawnxEdge]

That same track is annoying lol.

[@markcooperartcomofficial]

@@scottapthorpe6172 "Far superior" is a stretch. If it was that much superior you'd be able to hear a big difference. The cheap drum actually sounded better to me at some tunings. And having a drum that will "last a lifetime" is pointless when you can buy 10 of the cheap ones for the same price. And you'll never even get around to using all of those.I'd actually be willing to bet that if you used the cheap ones 1 at a time and replaced each one once every 5-10 years, by the time you were 80 the $500 one would be beat up and you'd still have several brand new cheap ones sitting in storage.

[@anthonylangston23]

@@markcooperartcomofficial agreed

[@allanmalloy8266]

The cheap snare definitely has a bunch of extra top end ring, and a bit of a thinner mid-range., but totally usable. After doing some shopping for lugs, throw-offs, and snare strainer butt plates - I'm not entirely surprised that the hardware is super solid and slick on the Yamaha snare. The hardware portion of expensive drums make up like 75-90% of the cost of the drum.

[@davidperez5089]

True, them damn lugs n such!

[@johnbeckwith1361]

I love the ring tone. Gives a snare an organic sound vs. a boring cliche "studio" sound. To me, the best snare sound was the $50 mid-tune. Sounds a lot like my 1980's TAMA steel snare. Great video!

[@jamesf.ryaniii7918]

DrumFactoryDirect also has a variety of affordable throw-offs in the $10-$20 range, including Ludwig P85 style. Assuming the holes line up, that would also be an economical upgrade. $50 drum + $28 in hoops + $15 throw-off = $93 snare drum that sounds great. PLUS, add $1 in cotton balls to quiet the springs in the lugs.

[@ryangroom2959]

Ludwig p87 throw off arm? I literally can’t find it anywhere, ghost part

[@alexvanbergeijk609]

@@ryangroom2959, The actual part number is P-88. It's Ludwig's newest throw-off design. I have one on my Classic Maple snare & I'd highly recommend it!

[@ryangroom2959]

@@alexvanbergeijk609 no not the p88 I’m looking for the throw off arm for a p87, I have a 1958 Ludwig super classic snare with a transition badge but I can’t turn the snare on and off, they’re either always on, or always off

[@GamingDrummer89]

I actually thought the cheap drum EXCELLED at the low tuning...better than the Yammy. The expensive one sounded better at the mid and high tunings, though it could have sounded more crisp IMO. Just goes to show how subjective a lot of this stuff is.

[@MikoSquiz]

The more drum videos I watch, the more convinced I am that how good a drum sounds does not correlate with how much it costs, at all.

[@JJ79_]

Usually the cheap ones has no straight edges and hoops, so it is really hard to tune.

[@ronaldronaldson9126]

That $50 sounds fantastic! Steel snares always sound great to my ears. They don't have too much ring in my opinion! 😀

[@ejames6431]

In 1974 I was ten years old. My Grandparent's bought me a brand new "Ludwig" chrome superphonic snare drum for $75.00 at "Sam Ash" the one "John Bonham" played. I had it for over fourty years and it sounded great!

[@bijikedelai]

Lucky you! Supraphonic now cost a lot! 😅

[@rafaelestrada1846]

$75!

[@MyDyerMaker]

2 yrs ago I sold a 1969 blue olive badge, 6.5" supra for almost $1k to a guy in Japan. It sold in less than an hour on Ebay.

[@lilchung8158]

My uncle got a Ludwig acrolite for free like 15 years ago. It sounds so good.

[@fabianschreck4393]

Yeah I bought a Ludwig Black Magic for around 300 and it's absolute garbage... times have changed😥

[@footnotedrummer]

Yeah... I think the biggest issue with cheap snares is the throw-off and the fact that cheap hardware makes frequent tuning necessary. Sounded pretty cool once you got it dialed in the best you could, but now it's a $100+ snare with the new heads and Puresounds.

[@bijikedelai]

omg yes, i was getting used to with cheap snare for most of my life that even now i use mid-high range snare i am always tighten the throwoff after every single song because of my years of trauma lol

[@bgnPrinceton]

Loved it and enjoyed the comradery! Lots of excellent points made in the comparison.

[@borisnot]

In my opinion the drummer makes a lot of difference (there's a lot of subtlety in the rim shot and ghost notes), so I think for a fair comparison the same drummer should have played both drums. I understand it's a collab and both drummers should play, then I would have each one playing the both drums in the same tuning, and then swap drummers when they change tunnings.

[@hoborec]

This is exactly what I thought too.

[@GrizDrummer25]

Great comparison! The $50 held its own pretty well. But I know the pain of horrible throw-off hardware and fighting wire tension xP so definitely not a drum for me lol

[@Michael_Verrecchia]

That Lexington is actually pretty nice love the finish and sound.

[@marcusthomas88]

For $50 dollars, that’s a great sounding snare! I think I’m gonna buy it lol

[@DrRusty5]

Plus ~$100 in new heads and snare wires ?

[@mpk6664]

@@DrRusty5 Better than $500 for a drum that's sounds exactly the same or worse imo. Also why the hell are you paying $100 for heads and wires? At most that's $50. You're getting ripped off lol.

[@DrRusty5]

@@mpk6664 OK, well I was making a quick estimate from prices from my head in £(UK). Looking closer at the heads they used in £ and the snare wires that cost in the region of £50 (note UK so this inc Taxes). That currently converts to ~$66 (which is more than the $40 you suggest). The UK night well be a "rip off" if in the US you can get it all for $40 (~£30). So ok not quite $100 but doubling the price of the cheap snare.

[@mpk6664]

@@DrRusty5 Does the UK have physical music stores like the US's guitar center? If so, you might be able to cut a few quid(is that right? Lol) off.

[@DrRusty5]

@@mpk6664 I strongly expect that wouldn't be the case, for the same heads - online prices are usually better or equal to in store prices in the UK. Of course there might be cheaper heads available but how cheap do you go before it isn't worth replacing the naff stock heads?

[@5tinabettencourt]

What song is that? I think I’m in love

[@richiel5557]

Thank you for doing this type or video! Im in the market for a new snare and this influenced me quite a bit. Now I dont feel the need to break the bank

[@billmatthews2463]

I would definitely say the Yamaha at the high tuning with perhaps a 1" wide strip of felt about 1/3 from the edge.

[@jorymil]

Used student snare kits are actually a really good deal. Plenty of Pearls and Ludwigs under $100, and you often get upgraded heads, a case, and a snare stand. Sometimes the snare is even an Acrolite. I feel like steel snares these days are like buying ibuprofen: it's the same stuff!

[@chrisbardolph]

Some interesting advice I saw about snare drums: watch the used market, try some random drums here and there and something will surprise you.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Oh. Used is def the way to go.

[@chrisbardolph]

@@StephenTaylorDrums And you never know exactly what result you'll get. I have a Ludwig acrolite and a Pearl Export snare drum. The acrolite mostly sits on the shelf.

[@normansawatzky4778]

My metal Pearl snare that I purchased in the 90s is really good!

[@grahamroden8897]

The cheap drum sounds great, sadly at the price we all know it won’t last. Yamaha’s Stage Custom steel snare looks to be a steal at £130. It would be interesting to see that up against the $500 Yamaha.

[@johncollins5552]

I usually find a coated remo ambassador snare head makes every snare drum sound better but in this video it didn't always pan out that way. Lexington mid tune with a white coated CS black dot head and a new throw off .

[@wj2music]

My personal take. $50 Snare: Low: Sounds AMAZING for a church. I love how this drum through some light mixing just sounds so THICC Med: Sounds great for more of a Rock/Pop context, still has that body but not as thicc High: Great for a Jazz context. Not too much attack, but sounds very thin at the same time. $500 Snare: Low: Sounds very tinny, too ringy and needs a muffling, i would use an E Ring and some moongel to hold the ring in place. Med: KILLER sound, there could be a touch more bark, just depends on the head you're using High: I agree that this is the best overall treatment for this drum, it's like it was made for that specific sound.

[@phillipselfaudio1872]

You made that cheap drum sounds great. Definitely worth the cost + new heads + new hardware.

[@snarecat3441]

Just saw this “ long version “of this test after i commented on the short ! Lol , do more of these on all drum stuff! Mr.Tom

[@delbert9357]

I bought a Ludwig 402 a couple years ago because of the hype. I tried numerous heads and tuning I just did not like the way it sounded. Gave it away to my friends daughter. Music is very dynamic there is no right or wrong answer. I like the sound of the snare that came with my Pearl Export kit. Cymbals are a different story, you can't tune those. Paiste 2002 all day long. I just got a big beat 24 inch unbelievable sound. There are so many videos and information now people don't think for themselves anymore. Just my opinion.

[@dustinsensenig9798]

The $50 snare, high tuning with the light mix audio kinda reminds me of Lars Ulrich's from the Saint Anger album

[@cameronrepp4221]

what is that "tuning technique" they are using at 4:06 with the stick under the snare wires?

[@thatdudekyle5690]

That cheap snare actually sounds pretty damn good 😲

[@Atipam]

in the mix my favorit was the low tuned cheap snare

[@blackgamerbrasil]

9:27 amazing sound

[@beardedcatman]

With some quality heads and EQ'ing, it all sound good!

[@ryangroom2959]

Dude that’s crazy that a drum that price has ANY body, cheap drums seem to be impossible to squeeze any body out of in my experience. I have one relatively cheap drum that I got at basically a musical pawn shop, ended up being one of my favorite drums I’ve ever bought. It was some 13x5 pearl steel shell with 6 lugs I got for like $60, weird man!! But the crack on that thing is crazy and it’s super fun as an aux snare. Changed snares and both rims somewhere down the line so I put a little money into it (about $90 because finding 13” snare side hoop with 6 lugs was def a special order) but still worth it, one of my go to drums

[@cobyutterback]

The snare drum used on Third Eye Blind's debut album songs "how's it going to be?" as well as 'Losing a Whole Year' was an old 6.5x14 Pearl Export drum with a beat up PS3 Coated head on it. Killer sound on this record

[@crazy8sdrums]

Drummers go ga-ga over snare drums, while snare drums just go 'pop'. It is pretty easy to get a usable sound out of any snare drum, because they just go 'pop'. A cardboard box or a plastic bucket can serve the function of snare drum.

[@totallynotaneel_8216]

I cannot get my MAPEX tomahawk steel drum to sound anywhere as good as y’all made the Lexington.

[@BeniSavai]

Does anyone know the name of the song they used for the tests? Thank you!

[@smoothknyte]

Im not even going to act like I didn't have my phone right next to my laptop trying to Shazam it lol

[@artpena72]

it's not just about tuning, the price also reflects durability. I have had all sorts of snares and at different prices, and some are falling apart, or have rusted, etc. while the more pricy ones are still here in great condition. So if you are willing to eventually throw away your money, then buy a cheap one.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

100% agree

[@ironjungkwonful]

Great test guys but what you really proved was you can get exceptional sound from a much lower cost snare. An experienced drummer can buy a snare at a much lower price point and with some tuning have an incredible sound. In other words you don’t have to spend a fortune on a snare to have snare that sounds like it cost a fortune. Thank you!

[@scottlowell493]

I put a little rtv up under the top inside flange. That killed the nasty overtones.

[@ajbambino]

See, I know everyone hates the overtones with rim shots but I think that's a fundamental characteristic of drums and such a beautiful tone that adds layers and texture to the tracks. Again, that's just my personal opinion though and understand others mileage may vary.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

I'm with you. I love overtones and once they get nested into the music, it gives it life. However, some overtones become distracting. In this case, we prob could have tweaked the tuning to accommodate the song if this were a real session for an artist.

[@ajbambino]

@@StephenTaylorDrums oh most definitely and couldn't agree with you more. It's same principle of how I love a unmuffled and unported bass drum reso head. Edited because I forgot to mention - despite what I love, the song might not call for it as much and I get that. But even going back to what you said in your video, a little bit of muffling would of honestly probably been all you needed to. Regardless, you rock man and appreciate all ya do for the drumming community!

[@kevinabercrombie2578]

This is why I say it's not about the drums it's about the drummer and finding that great sound

[@DrBackBeat]

This is pretty surprising. I expected the cheaper snare drum to sound worse (perhaps only marginally) and be an absolute nightmare with stock heads and out-of-the-box tuning. But to me it sounds best on every tuning compared to the Yamaha, and the very first playthrough with stock heads just sounds amazing, albeit for specific occasions. I'm shocked.

[@jarodreddig63]

This was a really fun video. Cheers

[@don4476]

Thanks for playing the same thing for each test. I've always thought a drum just holds the heads and that's about it. I still think that. Tuning and heads are mostly the deciding factors. I think you can make any drum work ok. In general, acoustic drums sound terrible anyway and they all need lots of processing.

[@boobo3763]

I've been struggling all night with whether or not to spend $600 on a new Black Beauty, but honestly, I'm almost getting the sound I want for recording out of my $20 metal snare I found at guitar center with an Ambassador Vintage Coated head. Ha! I just... yeah. Have tried several heads on that thing and so far that's the one that "cracks" the most. Gotta try Controlled Sound and Genera Dry next! Also, been piling the mics on the snare. Just one SM57 on top could NEVER do it for me...

[@forresthouser5807]

In response...I "Love" the format of this video - A straight forward side by side comparison. As for hardware and quality, most of us with ANY experience know that you get what you pay for, but as for the SOUND...IMHO... $500 dollar drum does sound better hands down in every example. Does that make it worth 10 times the cost??? Probably not for anyone who isn't making a profitable living as a studio drummer. ie. - In a recording atmosphere worth the money - In a live performance atmosphere probably not. Keep hittng us with the comparison, and CHEERS ;>)

[@ronniek7748]

I liked the Yamaha better obviously but my preference would be to have it tuned a c hair below the tighter tuning.

[@alperculfa4257]

Expensive snare sounds when it high tension, sound giving lik a pearl Chad smith signature snare

[@darkforces252]

To be honest i love the sound of the $50 snare, live the crack and the ring out, you can keep you $500 snare!!

[@danlozza]

At high tuning, for $50 plus new heads, not a bad option at all. Def possible to play on a budget.

[@drumspirit3332]

the 500 snare, mid tunning is closest to a bonham snare, the high pitch probably best for metal, rock songs.

[@timjennings8152]

You should try the tunings with moon gel. That is a common thing that most drummers nowadays will use. I think testing a $7 fix would be good to see a $57 vs $507

[@liltrini05]

Can you drop a link for that track you guys played to? It sounds doooope!!!

[@davidbarallo1690]

In the contest of the light-mixed solo sound, as the mics are placed and all, the 50$ would fit quicker in a studio environment. As far as the MIX goes, both snares sound awful for the song. Maybe the most usable could be the 50$ - medium... but... actually no, I would swap the snares around the first 10 seconds of take 1. Great video !!!

[@koerper51]

What Ive heard extrem was a distort sounded on every hit on the cheap Version. The expansive one is holding the ton. What I‘m interessted in, where is the break even when I doesn‘t have an effect to pay more money for an better sound?

[@DimitriFantini]

this is honestly really fun to watch

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Thanks Dimitri!

[@ryekani1]

Any expert thoughts on Yamaha Concert Series chrome-over-steel snare drums?

[@fredrikgeitung9620]

I have found that more expensive drums are easier to tune, and are therefore easier to get a nice sound from, you also pay for the quality of the drumt. Would like to see a comparison between the Recording Custom and a Steve Gadd Signature Steel Snare. Because on paper, they are really simular, but the siganture model i way more expensive.

[@jeffbridges6110]

LoL. Cool vid. I liked the $50 snare at low and high tunings.

[@michaeltalley5826]

So you can get a decent sound out of a cheaper drum, if you put good heads on it and tune it right. BUT, I noticed that the tuning range with the higher-end drum is better. In addition, the poor hardware will make you work for it. Thank you for the video.

[@mattbenson7222]

Ive seen some people play the hell out of a 5 gallon bucket before a good drummer makes due and doesnt need expensive equipment although im sure its nice to have

[@davidperez5089]

Thanks for this! I'm glad i never bought that 600+ Noble and Cooley. Even if it was one of the best I've ever heard!!🤣

[@austincox1709]

the cheap one sounded amazing at the lower tuning

[@BBT609]

I’m completely thrown how GREAT the $50 snare sounded.

[@Rustyjamesman]

Love the $50 at the high tuning

[@jghillstudio1857]

Great video men….glad to see David R hanging…not to repeat what was said in video however, cheap drums hardware is an issue in a gigging atmosphere. If you don’t have the budget for a 700 dollar snare look for a just under 300 dollar Pork Pie snare drum. Remember what Stephen said the most expensive drum is not going to make you sound better. Keep pounding!

[@Fucklesticks]

Yeah this confirms exactly what i thought when i compared my cheapo no name snare to my teacher's Ludwig. They both sound great. The real difference was in the toms and the kickdrum.

[@TheStobb50]

My spare snare drum is a very cheap, I got it for nothing, the Session pro snare is basic metal frame gives it one hell of a sound

[@andrewlee3037]

sure, the cheaper drum had to have alot more effort into making it sound 'decent' ..but..when played with the music, it really cracked right through the mix! sounded gorgeous! ..the yamaha sounded great too, even tuned exactly the same at the high, but to me, didnt feel as 'present'..honestly i wanted to hear the rest of that song with that cheap snare! ..sorry to admit it, but it was almost inspirational!. anyhoo..just my personal opinion, no wars need rage over it. This is probably the 3rd video ive seen from u guys as i randomly click around on youtube, and I totally respect and appreciate what you guys are doing, *Hits that like and subscribe button*

[@porcelainthunder2213]

Frankly, the cheap drum sounded better in each tuning. The low tuning was great, especially if you are trying for that 80s flat sound. Of course, upgrades to the hardware would be nice. The Yamaha is overpriced. The ring seemed to be a different note than the head, and a high tuning was almost St. Anger-ish. Better to get a Ludwig or Pearl for less.

[@leonline3424]

i agree on all points

[@kiyo_UwU]

Whats the song that keeps getting used as the track?

[@samopaik8695]

Go for a compromise, get a yamaha stage custom for 150 (120 on sale) I doubt that it sounds that much worse than the RC.

[@patriarchysound]

Crazy that the cheap snare beat the Yamaha in low to medium tunings!

[@homerotamez4573]

Have y'all ever tested Spaun Drums?

[@rubydrums]

Hi, Stephen! Who is the artist of that song?

[@123oner2]

That cheap drum with high tuning is fucking perfect, mad

[@christophersmith7463]

the Lexington Steele offers a lot of bang for the buck

[@jorgeayala8951]

its funny how dave is holding the cheap snare lmao

[@foskco87]

I dont know why but I just cant stomach lower tuned snares. They always sound like crap to me compared to higher tuning. I just love the way a snare sings when it is cranked and the responsiveness and crack it has. Lower tuning always just sounds so muddy and dead to me.

[@martymcfly807]

What song are you using?

[@DuroSamples]

That $500 Yamaha should be $250 after this video. That crappy $50 did great for what it is. And recorded just fine.

[@ricorofficial]

I think the point that you don't have to have the best gear to sound amazing is very true. Like Stephen said, legend drummers play on crap gear it still sounds amazing....the whole thing of "better gear makes you a better player" I don't think is necessarily true.

[@bardsolo]

$500 High Tune Light Mix reminded me of listening to the St Anger (Metallica) snare. Not near as bad harmonic ring though. I really think the snare ring is the worst!

[@scottapthorpe6172]

I think what most people are missing regardless of sound...is in no time at all the cheap drum will inevitably let u down...there’s is no way I’d use that on gig regardless of its sound.. trying to fight to get it in tune and u can bet your bottom dollar the strainer on cheap snares like this will let u down very quickly...if u want to muck around at home with it yeah why not...but on a gig no way...remember u get what u pay for....there is a reason why it’s $50...

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Bingo

[@the_camera_eye_8898]

that song!

[@bigmich485]

The two best drum content creators

[@WxkR]

Shaaat! I've been spending way to much money on drums!

[@ShaMan54321]

Honestly, of the direct comparisons, $500 mid followed by $50 mid; then $50 low for me. Then the $50 out of the box. 😳

[@Philtoid]

I think id go with the 50.

[@RaymondLugo]

That cheap one sound lovely to me

[@nathanzaworski2780]

Use that $50 snare in any bar gig with good heads, you’re set.

[@warnerceron3653]

What is this track !! I love it

[@josephgooch1451]

Well there goes all the $50 snares on Amazon😂😂😂😂

[@Mix3dbyMark]

that cheap drum sounded pretty amazing

[@ztfstudio]

You both play different, I'd would think it would be better if it was the same player for both drums. But what do I know ? 😁

[@jelly12329]

Well you have confirmed what I think is true, it's all about the tuning and the player. A good player can tune a crappy drum to sound good. A beginner with an entry level drum can't tune a drum well, playing well and tuning drums to sound good both take time. Also, good quality drums, especially Gretsch (not snare drum) will sound good at various pitches. Cheap drums have a very limited tonal range where they sound good. If your're good you can pull your sound out of a cardboard box.

[@johannesscholer8959]

there technically is a more expensive steel snare: the sonor HLD from the 80s goes for around 850€ today