Snare Spotlight: Noble & Cooley Steam-Bent Solid Shell Maple

For the next edition of our Snare Spotlight series we're featuring Cody's 14x7" Steam-bent solid shell maple Noble & Cooley snare drum. Noble & Cooley is the oldest drum manufacturer in the United States, having started in 1854. In addition to their numerous contributions to the world of drum building, they built drums for the Union Army during the Civil War and are still building impressive instruments to this day in Granville, MA.
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[@the_albacr0ss]

Bought one of these a few years ago after lusting after it for a decade. This snare wins every shoot out, every time no matter the genre in my studio. I've never heard a snare that just sounds so good off the rip under microphones as this one. Great video of a great instrument!

[@SalMichael]

I have the Tulip wood 7x14. Amazing instrument

[@PhinAI]

Just ordered a N&C CD snare to go with my CD fusion set. Stoked! First brand new professional-grade drum I've ever ordered.

[@costamesa22]

Well done 👍 congrats sir. You won’t be disappointed. You’ve made a great investment as these are they are some of the best drums you can buy. I have an N&C snare and the tone and build quality are second to none. A great instrument 😎👍

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

How is it?

[@PhinAI]

@@JohnnyArtPavlou, it is awesome! I love it. No regrets, whatsoever. It's tone and flexibility is excellent.

[@Oneness100]

I have one of those snare drums. N&C is really good at sending it back and reconditioning all of the hardware, etc. Great company..

[@christopherpederson1021]

I have a walnut bop kit and its stunning! Sounds incredible for it’s size. Tunes like a dream. Just need the snare now😀

[@onceovereasy1529]

I've owned a 5 X 14 N & C maple snare for years..it's my go to workhorse for all kinds of gigs...great drum. Thanks for the video!

[@secondsbeforelanding]

a nice simple demonstration of this drum. as usual, very well presented.

[@DrummingMan1]

Oh wow! Finally a review of a snare drum I own! Grabbed mine off eBay in 2006! Seller told me he was selling because he found it too hard to control??? Cuts through like a champ and live settings and as you say, records beautifully! Agreed that she sings when cranked! So many beautiful tones all over the drum! Sensitive, warm and musical! Dry? Perhaps we need a video on such sonic differences? This drum does not seem dry to me but, what do I know… Please help… Sounds like a drum! Cheers… Keith

[@joetoe9207]

My favourite drum company (other than Craviotto). I think underrated and understated.

[@michaelcavazuti3270]

Yes the very best!

[@CarlosAnglada]

N&C underrated? First I ever heard of it!

[@jc3drums916]

I have a 1-ply maple piccolo they made for me 23 years ago, green with black hoops and brass hardware. I had the snare wires switched to Puresound Blasters, which I think sound better than the stock Cam-Action snares, which seemed dark/dull to me for some reason. My drum unfortunately has a bit of a manufacturing defect I didn't notice until years later. The snare throw-off and butt plate are both a tiny bit off-axis; they both face center, therefore they don't directly face each other. It makes putting snare wires on a pain, because it's very easy to end up with wires that don't lay perfectly flat/evenly on the bottom head, which really kills the sound of the drum (which, when dialed in, is incredible). One thing I'm not a big fan of is the snare throw-off. It is very quiet and smooth, yes. However, a 180-degree range of motion can make quick transitions difficult. Also, the way it works is, as you throw it off, it pulls the snare wires tighter before it releases them. When I used Puresound's blue string (which has a metal core), it eventually cut grooves into the snare bed. So for anyone with a N&C wood drum who wants to try different snare wires, make sure you use something soft, like plastic tape, twine, or nylon strap. For anyone who doesn't know, N&C will refurb your snare. This includes sanding the bearing edges, buffing out surface scratches, replacing the heads, and polishing/lacquering the brass hardware. The snare comes back looking brand new. I haven't done it in years, so I don't know the current price, but it's probably somewhere in the $150+shipping range. An alternative roughly in the same price range I would consider is RAYA (Ray Ayotte, not to be confused with Ayotte Drums). He makes snares out of hollowed-out chunks of wood - no bending, no seam, no glue. It's a different drum - the grain runs vertically, and unbent wood might be structurally weaker than bent/ply wood with the grain running horizontally - but his drums have always sounded amazing.

[@eastbaymauiboy]

Great story and info. I have no plans in buying an NC snare, but I always I like learning about things like this, I never forget it. Thanks

She sounds beautiful, bro! The snare is the reason I love One Head Light! It's what I base my snare sound on. Great video!

[@bacobill]

Gorgeous snare drum and it sounds like gold.. When I compare it to my 13" Tamburo it sounds HUGE.. Thanks for the demo

[@markcamacho3808]

Bought a solid shell 7x14 maple honey gold for around $700. Best snare ever. Rivals my 7x14 30’s Slingerland radio king snare. Betcha it’s not very much different in sound than a Craviotto. That’s my next one to compare along with getting a Chicago drum and restoration solid shell snare. Bucket list drums! 👍😎

[@michaellowe17]

On November 9, 2009 I found one of these used in a shop for a crazy good price. Mine was built in 1988 and it has a red lacquer finish. I own nine other solid maple snare drums form Craviotto, Gretsch, DW, Slingerland... This one is special. (Great demo by the way!)

[@klauth_Yksyn]

I had them make me a 14x8 gloss black with raw brass... great drum !

[@marc8vino]

I have one except it's all black. The tubes and throw off are all black. My powder coated rims also had some paint coming off. I sent it back to N&C to get a refurb. It's in close to mint condition. They switched the rims to black nickel. It looks good. The original rims looked best when it was new, but with the paint chips the nickel looks better and will stay that way. They touched up the bearing edges and gave it a nice clean and polish. Mine is from 1992 it was guitar centers 27th anniversary. That's when guitar center was a great store...I was in the Hollywood store. It's better than new now and the guys and N&C did a great job. This is a special snare to me as well as my first acrolite snare from 1982. My other two snares are a Supraphonic 5x14 and a black beauty 5x14. Those are newer B stocks that are on their way. The store I bought them from insists that the flaws to make it a be stock will be almost impossible to find in not completely impossible. I got the Supra for $399 no tax and shipping. The Black Beauty for $540 no tax and free shipping. I just could not pass that up. If they are as good as new stock then I am set for snares for years to come. I think this channel is one of the best for going over relevant details without waffling. Keep it up. I watch this channel regularly.

[@marc8vino]

Now I'm thinking of adding a N&C CD maple kit. Hard to choose. The ludwig classic maples seem like such a bargin when comparing to any of the top companies. The top YAMAHA PHX , DW designers, Tama, sonar are all twice as much. But are they better than Ludwig classics? Even N&C is less than some of the other top lines. What did you choose as your top of the line kit? I still have a premier sigia that I think are the best for many styles but are tuned up for hard rock. All maple loud and punchy. I want a little bit of a smaller kit 20x14/10x7/12x8/14x13 for recording rock/pop/jazz.

[@paulbrown410]

Really like these snare spotlights and good to hear a drum that has not really been on my radar before. There is something special about solid shells. I had a DW with a Craviotto shell that I used for a long time which also recorded beautifully. More into old rounded bearing edge wood snares and metal shells now, but there is certainly a place for something like this in any drummer's arsenal!

[@ghostnotes5667]

Love that sound!

[@CampSwampy18]

very nice presentation of this drum. I've owned one since 1987. Bob Gatzen design with N&C. Highly recommended in any depth for a variety of styles. Kudos for the honest capture at ear level without compression or EQ.

[@NotMyWar]

Trying to collect all of the "Classic" snares. This one is next on my list

[@Deagledrumzz]

Very intelligent informative video. I have several N & C snare drumzz, Including their Zildjian N&C alloy snare the original run. These drumzz like you say have perhaps the widest range of any snare drumzz. Also they never go out of tune, which is a blessing. Thanks for this fine video.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

My pleasure! They really do make incredible instruments. Dying to get a 5x14... -Cody

[@Deagledrumzz]

@Barber 82 Are you an IMBECILE or just an ORDINARY DUNCE!!!!

[@tomsensabaugh1894]

It sounds beautifully wicked. A feather in a thunderstorm.

[@brucemackay6766]

Best snare drum I’ve ever owned.

[@travisrichmond5912]

Love this channel

[@costamesa22]

Great video great explanation of the 🥁 drum. It’s obvious you know your craft and clearly know the Noble and Cooley make some of the best drums in the world. I know for a fact many studios in LA have used them on records for years. Think 🤔 Green Day ...... think No doubt 👍😎 Own at a minimum one of these and a Ludwig black beauty in your snare collection. And for my ears a Rogers dynasonic

[@sfn4702]

great video. thank you so much

[@alexanderjamieson7971]

N&C make some of the most beautiful looking drums I've ever laid eyes on. Definitely out of my reach in price however.

[@Welshsi]

Nice sounding snare. Must get hold of one. Still mega happy with my Gary noonan snare. Very versatile

[@ricosalomar]

By the way, are you guys aware that this channel is the best thing on the internet?

[@THESLOWDEATHHOOKS]

great snare!

[@tempobob]

Enjoyed! Thank you

[@alparrott]

If there's any way for you to get hold of one of Guru Drums' snares, I suggest you give it a shot... They're going out of business but amazing instruments. Soon to be a collector's item.

[@BrianSmith-hl5qh]

Do you have even tension across all lugs on the snare side head or do you play with the lugs next to the snare beds ? Thank you

[@zenoncastro1809]

Who gave this vid a thumbs down? How dare you

[@foistboinder]

I have the same drum (different finish). I often get comments on its great sound and looks.

[@ricosalomar]

I've got one. Solid maple with white stain. I think I got mine in the mid 90s. I get a lot more use out of my Craviotto, tbh.

[@rhythmista7707]

If there existed an American aristocracy within the drum world, it would be N&C.. Also, Heart's song ;"What About Love" from 1985, has their drummer at the time, Denny Carmassi, playing not just a N&C snare, but an entire kit. When you listen to the drum sound in that song, it's unbelievable.

[@Uzziel_lay_drums]

Sir sorry for the question. Which would be more versatile and would have better tunning range this snare or dw collector 10+6 or solid Maple snare ?? Thank you for your help

[@davidperez5089]

Years ago I tried out and instantly started drooling over a N&C snare. The price was over 6 bills. Couldn`t afford it. It`s nice to want things-an ol`girlfriend once told me....

[@remygaron8311]

Wow i wish i have one we do not see them in 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦👏👏👏👏🥁🥁🤟🏻🤟🏻

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

They ship worldwide!

[@deanmiller5420]

Have you ever reviewed the Noble and Cooley Studio Classic snare? Nice drum!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

We don't own one so nope, not at this time.

[@JamesMinerTattoo]

Fantastic vid as always. Is anyone aware of N&C making 30 degree edges or are they strictly 45?

[@leocomerford]

It would have been nice to have a bit more about the differences you perceive between your steam-bent Craviotto and the Noble & Cooley.

[@ShakingTwoTrees2012]

I'd also be interested in your thoughts on the differences between the Noble & Cooley, Craviotto and, if I'm not mistaken, the Brady stave drum I spotted in the background of one of your snare drum tuning videos. I own a Brady Jarrah Block 6-1/2 x 14" and it has similar characteristics to the Noble & Cooley (dry, dark, distinctive, metallic-sounding and awesome at any tuning).

[@joetoe9207]

@@ShakingTwoTrees2012 Ditto...I just purchased a Brady (although ply) at 5.5" and also a block at 8". I don't know if there is enough difference of the 5.5 Brady ply vs. the N&C 5" SS Maple to notice a difference? Guessing there is. The Brady's sure are unique and desired. Too bad they are no longer...

[@320ifly]

I’m pretty sure this is the same snare that is used on Pearl Jam’s album “Ten” (with a different tuning, obviously).

[@SkitchPatterson1983]

If one of these does not sound good to you...its not the drum, its you!

[@yourdrumsound]

Hi guys! I knew that N&C used Keller for their plywood drums. Do you know when they started making their own shells?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Hey there! I'll have to look into it, I was told there stuff was all in-house, but perhaps they didn't mean do include the ply drums in what they were referring to. I'll check :) - Cody

[@yourdrumsound]

Sounds Like A Drum Nice! I’ve got a N&C CD Maple kit and the shells look like an OCDP kit I own (OCDP are keller for sure). Thanks, great job as always! Dave

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

You're on point - I have a CD maple set too, and your comment made me go down the rabbit hole a bit - apparently their maple ply stuff is in fact made by keller, but to custom specs that are proprietary to N&C! Good eye :) I guess my source was either off the mark or wasn't thinking about their plywood offerings. Sure sound killer regardless! -Cody

[@yourdrumsound]

Sounds Like A Drum yes they sounds killer and the manufacturing is great! I talk about both drum sound and construction on my channel, so I was kind of curious... Just a new little thing to add to our knowledge. Great channel though, very helpfull. Have a great day! Thank you Dave

[@cpu554]

Back in the 80's they were a status symbol. The solid ply icons were old Slingerland Radio Kings,Select Solid(Craviotto)and N&C. I remember Steve Smith playing a jazz gig at the Circle Star theater in San Carlos with his Sonor set and a N&C snare. Shades of Buddy Rich,eh? I don't get the painted hoop thing,you know it's gonna chip after a few years and look like crap.(which this one does).

[@sevenlupo3186]

Can you make a Video for the Joey jordison snare pleas

[@RyanHannaMusic]

Lovely 4:18

[@fnv-w3n]

My understanding is that Noble and Cooley make all of their SS shells in-house, but all of their ply drum shells are made by Keller (to their specs).

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

That’s our understanding as well.

[@RA2Music]

A while back you recommended to me that solid shell snare would be the wooden equivalent to the highly versatile Supraphonic. Would you say that a N&C might specifically be that drum? I am also looking at their solid ply oak snare, any comments on that instrument. Thx for the feedback.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Yeah man, I remember - I do think that if I was gonna have only one wood snare, i'd want a solid shell. N&C is definitely a great choice and I consider it on par with Craviotto and Longo. The N&C is a little more aggressive because of the bearing edges (and the stock diecast hoops), but all the drums I mentioned are spectacular. With regards to wood, I'm a fan of warmer sounds from a wood drum in general and my limited experience with oak was that it was brighter and more crispy-feeling than I'd like - perhaps fit best for high tunings and bop or orchestral work. If I was going to get another N&C, I'd probably go with Cherry. I heard one recently and felt like it was a really killer fit when married with their design. Check out walnut too, they can be a great combination of versatility and unique character. :) - Cody

[@scottchantos2388]

Hey Raymond. A little insight to the oak snare. I picked one up about a year ago from MDS. The oak has a bit dryer tone then the maple or birch shell. Kinda like the difference between a black beauty and a supraphonic. I found that the oak sounded better than the other shells at lower tunings, but still responded quite well at mid and higher tuning with out sounding choked. The oak seemed to project rimshots better at the lower tuning as well. Of course, this is all subjective to my ears behind the kit. I was fortunate enough to get the chance to try several solid shell snares during that visit. I tried 3 N&C’s, 2 Dunnett’s, a Craviatto, and a Tama Star. I ended up with the oak N&C.

[@RA2Music]

Scott Chantos thanks for your thorough insights on this drum. Sounds like you have a discriminating ear.

[@RA2Music]

Sounds Like A Drum thanks for the continued insights. I have been been a fan of N&C for many years, so I think it’s time to invest in one. There is a shop I go to that carries a wide selection of their drums, so I’ll have some choices. Best to you Cody.

[@maciekomis]

Could you do an episode on different wood types used in drums? a comparison?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Hey! Possibly at some point but we’d have to find identical drums made of different woods to get a proper comparison, a bit of a challenge :) - cody

[@gopintarachot100]

I owned Craviotto Johnny C 14”/6.5 for 4-5 years and now I really like N&C Tulip 14”/5”. Do you think the sound and the feel will be different? Should I sell the Craviotto? I would like your advice? Thank you :)

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Hey there! Whether or not you sell your Crav is up to you but I can tell you that N&C snares are completely different animals from Craviottos. Totally different feel and sound across the board 🤘🏻 -Cody

[@gopintarachot100]

Thank you so much for your reply!! Do you think can you do talk more about Craviotto and N&C how is different feeling and tone etc. I never own or play N&C and I would like to know about it. Thanks again!

[@DemetrioAlbidrez]

Can N&C make a custom snare ; 15 X 7 with 12 lugs & Hardware , if I order 1 ? Please Reply !!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

That would be quite the drum! Please ask N&C regarding what they’re accepting orders for.

[@the6ig6adwolf]

If you hadn't mentioned it's a wood drum in the intro clip I would have definitely guessed it was a metal drum.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Ah, that’s why we put it in the title and showed the inside of the shell. -Ben

[@robinhoodwasasocialist.1401]

I don’t understand why companies don’t use a countercut on their snare bearing edges. From my limited experience with building is that drums just sound better when the edge is a little off the collar of the skin.

[@TheNateweaver]

Pssst. Sounds like there’s a phase/combing prob with the dialogue mic setup. Lav mic out of phase with the mic on the snare? Dunno.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Experimenting with some room treatment instead of the very roomy sound. There’s only ever one mic active at a time but dealing with some standing waves that will need to be controlled. Thank for hanging with us.

[@TheNateweaver]

Sounds Like A Drum Ah! My bad. So weird. It’s really no big deal. I should have know you guys would know about phase probs. Most video people don’t though when they sum a lav and a boom though. And thanks for hanging? Come on, I learn tons every time I click on you!

[@Eurodrummer666]

When you speak, the wires are not buzzing.

[@AngryFarmer922]

What drumstick are you using in this vid?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Promark SD2 :) -Cody

[@Drumsholic]

I think you didn't say nothing about the shell build ,what do they mean for example with "Steam-Bent Solid" ?? It's one piece of wood cutted , heated and glued and thats it??

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Hey there! Yes, it's one solid piece of wood that is heated/steamed and molded into the shell shape. Many companies do this sort of style, Craviotto and Longo for example. - Cody

[@genericsomething]

I've only played N&Cs at music stores in the late 80s and early 90s. I'll trade you my car for yours.

[@drs-Rigo-Reus]

N&C natural EQ-ed.

[@Eurodrummer666]

I believed you fav snare was the Ludwig LM400.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

I love those too but don’t have one of my own! One day :) -Cody

[@Eurodrummer666]

Having several nice snare drums is a common dream for all of us!

[@scs6822]

I had a 3-7/8 snare but stupidly sold 20 years ago. Dumbest thing I ever done.

[@policeluber6720]

Sounds overpriced