Upgrade Your Snare Sound - From Cool To Cracking 😎

[@jazzdrumschool]

Hey drummers, I forgot to say in the video that I spent a total of about $200 US. This included the new die cast rims, Gibraltar throw off, Pearl snares, Evans Snare Side 200 drum head and Rim Riser. Did I pay too much to upgrade this drum? Is this like tricking out a 90's Honda Civic?

[@deaterk]

Jazz drums - all of that for $200.00!?!?…you must have gotten a fantastic deal on those die cast hoops…well, and all of the other parts too. While I agree 100% with these upgrades, and employ ALL of them with my gear, that number seems way low…

[@boomerguy9935]

I agree with the upgrades. On all of mine, I replaced all the heads to get my personal favorite sounds, the hoops from triple-flange 1.6mm to triple flange 2.3mm (I tried die cast hoops but found the sound a bit stifling in sound). In addition, while replacing the hoops and heads, I add a tiny film of white teflon lube (you can get it online or from any bike shop and a small tube will last a lifetime) to ALL of the lug bolt threads for smoother and better tuning. Likewise, I add a tiny amount of this lube to the snare throw-off friction surfaces for silent and smooth action. The snare wires always get upgraded from 16 to 20 wires, top of the line (this makes a HUGE improvement) along with premium ribbon instead of strings on each side. Notice I didn't promote any brand because I think this is a personal choice. These little improvements make a definite improvement to the physical and auditory aspects of playing. Words can't define them.

[@jazzdrumschool]

It’s the small things I’ve found in this little experiment that really impacted the sound the most. Snares and throw off I think the most. 🤙

[@TheSPACEDIEVEST1]

I like the rim riser you added. I use a 14” and I was thinking about having one of those because it looks easier to achieve rim-shots.

[@jazzdrumschool]

I actually haven’t tried it for rim shots, just cross sticking. I’ll give that a try too 🤙

[@jeremyschneider9531]

​@@jazzdrumschool How do you like it for cross stick? Is it worth having?

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks for the question! Actually, I’m not sure. Yesterday I ordered a Gruv X from the US. When it gets here, I’ll do an A/B for the Rim Riser and Gruv X. Took this drum to a gig last night. The Rim Riser really makes me angle my wrist more to play a cross stick. It takes some getting used to. It also gets in the way when I doing fills and going to and from the right ride cymbal. I’m looking forward to trying the Gruv X. It has a lower profile and I think it might feel more natural. It’ll gets here mid January so I’ll get on the video around then. Have a swinging great day my friend 🤙

[@boomerguy9935]

There is huge choice of 14" hoops which come in different styles and heights. My personal feeling is that this would give you a better overall sound for cross-stick or rim-shots with either hand. I play cross-stick and left-handed rim shots are not difficult to play with practice (I'm right-handed.)

[@JigsHidalgoMusic]

always right on time sir Von! I was just feeling uncertain with my snare sound awhile ago. 😅

[@jazzdrumschool]

Jigs thanks man! Yeah give it a shot with your drum. If there are 2 things that made the most impact, it was the snares and throw off. 🤙

[@timcline2799]

Both A & B sound Beautiful due to such masterful musicianship. Which actually makes it very difficult to choose. I kinda lean more toward darker, lower tones so, A.

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks for the kind words and sharing your opinion. The nice thing is they the “factory” drum is really nice too. Keep swinging my friend🤙

[@aMan-or9ij]

I prefer the sound of the upgraded snare. That said, since it was tuned (tensioned) higher, it's hard to know how much each modification added to it's overall sound. Thank you for the video!

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks for the comment! I know. I debated to tune it exactly the same pitch or where it sounded better with the new components. The drum actually sounds better now tuned up a bit higher than before. I think the rims created a new sweet spot for the drum. Keep swinging my friend 🤙

[@aMan-or9ij]

@@jazzdrumschool You're welcome! Yes, I gathered that you mulled over the pros and cons of each approach. Looking forward to your next video. Cheers!

[@jeremyschneider9531]

Lovely playing! Drum sounds good, slightly "crisper" after your mods. You have it tuned lower than I expected for a 13. Cast hoops are not a cheap upgrade!

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks so much down the kind comment and sharing your thoughts. Yeah, I too would have thought the sweet spot would be higher than it is. Actually, if I tune it higher than here, it starts to stifle the sound. The hoops cost me about $80 for the pair. Less than I expected. Keep swinging my friend 🤙

[@Drummerboy3123]

I like B with all of the upgrades.

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks for sharing my friend!

[@DrummerBoy2513]

The drum sounds great, especially played by such a fabulous pro! That said, in a blind listening test, NO ONE would be able to tell the difference, other than the “upgraded” drum was tuned higher. For $200, I would have bought another drum. For $250, you could have gotten a really nice (additional) drum!

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks for the comment and for sharing your opinion! Yeah, I thought about it but wanted to see what would happen if... I'll probably get a new drum anyway in the future LOL. Still, I have been using it on gigs and I like it! I'd like to see which $250 drum you would recommend. I live in Japan and they're all way above that. Let us know. I'm always on the lookout for deals on drums! Keep swinging my friend!

[@congamonty]

Interesting! I have a 13” Taye GoKit snare that I might fool around with. I had already upgraded the snare wires, but am considering changing the triple-flanged top hoop to an S hoop (supposedly between die-cast and triple-flanged in terms of sound profile).

[@jazzdrumschool]

If you do, let us know if it makes a difference 🤙

[@JohnnyQ714]

Thanks for sharing! I was hoping you’d start off by telling us which wood the shell is, how many ply’s and what the bearing edges are cut at. That we can have a better idea of how it would apply to what we have snare shell wise. Cheers!!!

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks Johnny! I checked my drum and it looks like it’s 6 ply Poplar. Not sure about bearing edge angles. Keep swinging man 🤙

[@dowskilew234]

wow, huge difference, sounds great! makes me wonder .....how important is the shell.....if you put on great rims, and great heads.........

[@jazzdrumschool]

Me too! I was surprised that inexpensive and softer Poplar wood could sound really good. I spent about $200. Not to bad to give me more playing options with this drum. Keep swinging my friend 🤙

[@lifetabmedion8984]

Great upgrade, Von ! I'm a PEARL addict and e.g. own an old MAXWIN mahagoni kit and still love the sound. But in the past until today PEARL seems to have some problems with the snares especially in the entry and lowcost level and there are alot outhere feeling they have to invest in upgrades. From the beginning I choose a SONOR snare instead and it was a good choice for me. But maybe one day I will buy my first PEARL snare 😊 Wish you a good turn of the year.

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks for sharing your experience! The Sonor snare sounds great! Have swinging great new year my friend 🤙

[@johnrevell273]

No question there is a distinct improvement in sound quality, the die-cast hoops will have the biggest impact. The Gibraltar throw-off is a quality product too and just feels good to use. Be interesting to know what total cost was Von?

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks John for the comment! I spent total about $200 US. Not too bad me thinks. What do you think?

[@mrmisfit635]

Beautiful cymbals and great sounding snare, those upgrades are great, but the tones were decent out the box too. If I'm not mistaken, this is a poplar wood kit, just like the Ludwig Breakbeats set. I think every drummer should own a poplar snare, soft wood, but the feel is nice.

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks for the comment! Yes, it’s Poplar and I was surprised just how much more “pop”It had after the upgrades. Still, it doesn’t project like my Yamaha Maple Custom Snare. Hardwood really does sound different. Keep swinging my friend🤙

[@mrmisfit635]

@jazzdrumschool Appreciate the reply!✌🏼

[@bbfoto7248]

Unfortunately, the wide discrepancy in tuning made it nearly impossible to do a meaningful comparative analysis between the two. (IMO) The tuning of the snare side head is obviously going to have a significant impact on the sound and snare wire response as well. And I didn't hear you mention which snare side head was originally on the drum before you switched it to the Evans 200? I actually preferred the original drum configuration and tuning. I might just use a handkerchief over the batter head (or partially over it), or some other type of damping in certain situations, as well as different tunings. But it's definitely a usable and great sounding snare considering the cost, and it records well. Happy holidays and new year.

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks for the comment and I get it. I debated trying to tune it the same or tune it to its new sweet spot. Seriously, the drum actually responds differently now. Seems higher tuning is better. The snare side head was just the factory Remo snare side head. And yes, it’s a good drum out of the box which really is impressive, ya? Keep swinging 🤙

[@naxgaubert7668]

I coudnt hear anything other than your awesome playing! 🎉 (yes, mostly the crosstick and crisper sound) But, man, you are too good ❤

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks so much Nax! If I can ever help you out at Jazz Drum School: jazzdrumschool.com/ let me know! Keep swinging my friend 🤙

[@ngilbert100]

I don’t think the difference is real big. Your playing is the difference you make the drums sound real good.

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks so much 🙏I appreciate that the kind words and I’m glad you watched the video. Do you play a lot of Jazz on the drums?

[@simonbroke-smith7783]

Subtle but upgrade better. A bit more tonal range and crisper response but for how much cost compared to buying a better snare to improve the sound? 😁👍

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks for the comment! I spent about $200. Not bad really. I agree on the change in sound. Used it on a gig tonight for the first time. It was good but that dang Rim Riser took some getting used to. It kept getting in the way. I ordered a Gruv X and will do a comparison video of the 2 in the ear future. Keep swinging 🤙

[@Nitcymbal]

Upgrade i better. In fact I did the same with a Mapex maple snare 13x6.5 that I bought for 90$! Die-cast rims, better snare wires and Remo Diplomat Fiberskyn. 😊 A rim riser could. also be something to add. Will check on that. Thanks!!

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks for sharing! Interesting how changing the components changes the sound. The jury’s still out on the Rim Riser. I ordered a Gruv X and will do a comparison video soon. Keep swinging my friend 🤙

[@bobbyddrums1566]

For all the stuff you added to that snare you coulda just bought a 13 inch Omar hakim snare

[@jazzdrumschool]

LOL. Just checked out the drum. Nice looking snare. Actually truth be told, I spent about $200 on the upgrade. Still less than I would have had to pay to get a nicer snare drum. The real reason I did it though is to see if it would work and do I think it sounds better than before. Thanks for the comment and keep swinging my friend 🤙

[@w.sanmarco]

How different did it “feel”? Is it more sensitive and articulate?? That’s the real difference I would think. LMK

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks for the poignant question. It definitely has more sensitivity and articulation! 🤙

[@w.sanmarco]

@ Thank you for your response as I see a million videos more geared to the audio aspect which is very important to us drummers. What I’m in search of now is articulation and expression. Your video was important to me because I literally just purchased the same exact MidTown kit (including snare) as yours. And I never pulled that snare out thinking it would lack in all things needed in jazz. I’m still not sure I will upgrade that snare, but I’m sure thinking about that now. Once again thanks for response.

[@jazzdrumschool]

My pleasure and thanks for sharing more! I totally understand where you are coming from. With Jazz, it is so much more about articulation and expression, much like in classical snare drum playing. Unlike other styles like Rock or Funk, we have this incredible opportunity to explore dynamics from ppp to fff. It's those dynamics at p to about mf that I love the most and that's where articulation and expression live. Good luck with the mods if you decide to. And if you do, feel free to drop us a message here to let us know how it went. Keep swinging my friend!

[@mikekelly9851]

You didn't mention if the snare side head was thinner or thicker than the one it had. The only difference I hear is that the tuning on the batter head of the modified version is a little tighter, other than that no real difference.

[@jazzdrumschool]

I believe the snare side head is thinner than the one I had on there. At least it feels that way. Seems more responsive too. Thanks for sharing your opinion and keep swinging my friend 🤙

[@TimSuliman]

Hard to compare because the tuning is a lot different. I’m guessing because it was too dry with the die-cast rims. Cross-stick sound is much better.

[@jazzdrumschool]

Thanks Tim and I know. I tried tuning it to the “A” pitch but it just didn’t respond the same. The new sweet spot for the drum is a bit higher. An interesting discovery nonetheless. Keep swinging my friend🤙

[@chardrum]

The die cast hoops

[@jazzdrumschool]

I’ve always been a fan and especially for my snare drums. 🤙