The Best Solid Ply Snare Drums

[@drumcenternh]

Wanna hear something funny? That RBH...totally not a solid-ply snare drum. It's a 3-ply shell with re-rings and a center ply of poplar. The new name for the video is, "The Ultimate 9 solid-ply and 1 3-ply Snare Drum Shootout". Rolls off the tongue. 😑

[@ibleebinU]

We'll have to keep an eye out for more shenanigans!

[@larrytate1657]

And it’s my fav by a touch I think.

[@kickassdrummer]

I also thought the RBH stood out. Fat city!

[@HughMorristheJoker]

My favorite one

[@EJ-ge4st]

How thick are the plys?

[@ibleebinU]

The Noble & Cooley Cherry was phat and crisp. What a beautiful drum! Tasteful playing all around as well!

[@drumtavo]

The clean and super musical tone of that Noble & Cooley was just breathtaking.

[@wilkinsnl]

The hell with the snares, the kick sound is just booming!!!

[@JD-qp9ox]

Can we all agree that Canopus is a tragically underrated drum company? Goodness they sound good!

[@sgk993]

Absolutely agree

[@drumphil1879]

💯

[@dogmart]

The tightest and crispest sounding were the DW and Dunnett, to my ears, and Tom seemed to enjoy those two snares particularly from his reaction. And neither of those snares had too much ring either. Nice. The A&F snare was also a surprise: nice controlled sound, not ringy or overly bright like the Tama.

[@footnotedrummer]

I agree. In all honesty... if they hadn't told me that the A&F was wood... I would have believed it to be metal. I the rims on that are likely very proud of the shell, and rim shots are inevitable. Very metallic sounding. Very cool.

[@jkdrummer9585]

Yep

[@sabahoudini]

Haha I thought those were nicest by far.

[@danielsisk2963]

I think the Dunett sounds much better than the dw

[@metrodrumstv]

The Craviotto projects an outstanding amount of tone!

[@DrGray_Drummer]

The Tama had it all. Just enough overtones, amazing attack, and very clean/dry/sensitive when struck 8in the center. They all sounded good, but the Tama was on a different level

[@fab5720]

The Tama had the most character, indeed. Very unique.

[@shaner3431]

Too much high ring IMO

[@mikeevangelista1177]

The longo surprised me for sure. Beautiful sound. Tama star DW dunnett were my favs

[@zandiskoul]

Same here. Would be my 2nd or 3rd pick. Some maskin tape to cut the attack down and it would be the first cherry wood id give a shot.

[@vandavis000]

I seen longo snare drums in MD 20 plus years ago. Very nice drums. Cant belive still going strong.

[@benjaminvasquez5826]

Damn that Longo snare sounds awesome.

[@careyelliott9568]

A&f! Wow! Gretsch! Damn! The Longo surprised me! Love the room shot in and out btw!

[@Customwinder1]

That Unix Snare Drum sounded the best by far. I was eating dinner and listening and the Unix made me turn my head and watch. Love those grooves Tom 👍

[@phillamoore157]

Dear GOD that kick sounds FILTHY. I've listened to this a couple of times trying to figure out which snare I want, but this is the first time I've listened to it on a nice home stereo system, and holy sh-t, I had guys coming into the room asking what the kit was. GREAT video, guys....very well recorded.

[@TrackDrums]

The Gretsch USA Solid Maple...! Ooooof! Love it! Really liked the A&F too.

[@dancalabrese3523]

For me a tie between the Noble and Cooley, Gretsch and Tama. I was surprised by how amazing I thought the last two sounded while I new that Noble and Cooley would sound so brilliant.

[@MrDirtysticks]

In my opionion 1. Tama Star Reserve 2. Dunnett 3. Gretsch USa 4. Longo 5. DW

[@daveylong3089]

Great video! The Tama and the Longo! Both top class, great playing also.

[@Nolansparks1244]

My order based on room mics. 1 a&f 2 dw 3 longo 4 RBH 5 Gretsch. I didn’t expect this one or dw for that matter. They all sounded at the least, good under full mics.

[@Perc1Plar]

It's the DW and Longo cherry drum for me, but then I'd need a phat side drum so that would be the A& F. Inspiring playing Tom!

[@mercertj]

I think if you have a Gretsch 5x14 COB, and the 6.5x14 Maple.... you're set for life for pretty much any gig you could imagine. Those both sound killer in any tuning

[@adamimberti6948]

When it finally dawns on you that every drum this guy plays sounds incredible and you don't actually need to spend any more money.... yet.

[@codersexpo1580]

A&F or Dunnett all day every day...but all of them are wonderful and would work nicely in the right musical setting. I love this channel good stuff and talented group of guys. Thanks

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks so much!

[@michaelthe13th]

the tower of power type groove going on when you played the DW was pretty slick!!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks Mike! That drum was very dry and oh so crisp! Sometimes a drum tells you how it should be played...

[@michaelthe13th]

@@drumcenternh exactly right! The groove was very fitting!

[@dreammachine86]

@@drumcenternh I agree with Mike, that was a cool grove, the whole video kinda went into overdrive for me when the DW came up with that groovy yet tight playing. Might have influenced my opinion but the DW was my fave of the lot, I expected one of the more boutique brands to sound the most impressive but the DW was tight. Your right that the drum sound influences how you play it, this really showed in your playing - it really seemed to match the feel of each snare which makes this a really helpful video as people looking to buy a cool, unique snare like these will want a distinctive sound for their style of playing so it was really good to hear you play a few different styles that locked in with the snare's sound.

[@iRideuWatch]

Must feel so indulgent getting to play all these tasty snare drums as your job. 😁

[@cszetela1]

Dunnett Classic is my favorite.

[@verawright2157]

Dunnet dun dunnet the best.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

I’d take any & all, but if given my choice, I think the A&F and Gretsch were my favorites. They all sound magnificent though!

[@itsn0g00d]

The only dog in this video was the four-legged one. My goodness, what a delicious bunch of snares! Planning my next extravagant purchase now...

[@TrackDrums]

I honestly couldn't decide, they all sound incredible! Great drum mix too, nice and warm sounding.

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks!

[@JeromeDayUniverse]

Great playing Tom! 👍

[@dugjay]

Gotta say it's either an A&F or Gretsch for me. Thanks for the vid and good job as always!

[@kevinb8527]

Douglasfotografix I agree. Those both sounded the fullest to me.

[@nickavenoso7851]

I agree. Both snare’s have a very controlled sound and aren’t overly ringy or anything, but a lot of these sounded great.

[@southernstingray2743]

Wicked drumming cob, Dunnett for me,cheers

[@tman10003]

The Tama surprisingly blew me away. It has tone, cut, sensitivity and is visually stunning. Gretsch and Longo were tied for second place.

[@michaellowe17]

They all sound great, seriously great. The three that particularly jumped out at me were the Dunnett, the Gretsch and the DW. (The cherry Noble & Cooley is nice, but I prefer it in maple. (I own a N & C maple from 1988, it is a monster.) I own forty snare drums, twelve of them are single ply maple. My own single ply lineup includes three vintage Slingerlands from the late fifties, early sixties, a Nashville era Slingerland, a 1988 Noble & Cooley, two DW/Craviottos, a 3/4" thick DW Super Solid, a DW Super Sonic, a DW/Vaughncraft, a Gretsch Stanton Moore Signature, and a Gretsch Solid Maple like you tested.

[@kimweemhoff8066]

Really great video! Fantastic playing. Beautiful drums

[@dancino5601]

Tama and Dunnett proving yet again that they make the best drums in the world

[@kapavita8861]

What a video!! Thanks DCP!.. Dw great, Dunnett fantastic, but TAMA! TAMA WOW! Different class... Star series ohhh Lord!!!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks, Kapa!

[@phillipdoucet7171]

Dunnet Classic Monoply maple sounded awesome. Deep sound with a nice kick!

[@xcodychaosx]

Every single list that cherry longo is on it always takes number 1 but i also liked the dunnet maple and RBH spalted beech sounded great and looked really good with that ash kit

[@JanPatrickLucas]

Tom you're on fire! Your demo playing is crazy! The scary and wonderful thing is I think your even getting better lol! All the drums are great. Of course there will be sonic variances given different tunings. I normally favour cherry wood as it almost sounds like brass to me. Interesting how the A&F almost sounded like a metal drum as well.

[@adamimberti6948]

He's a really good drummer. Up there with a lot of big name guys.

[@JanPatrickLucas]

@@adamimberti6948 - For sure!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks for the kind words, Jan!

[@JanPatrickLucas]

@@drumcenternhYou're most welcome! I've dismissed drums for quite some time, playing the guitar but videos like this draw me back to the drums. I'm sure I'll be back shopping at DCP in the future.

[@unknownvariable8024]

Great Gretsch sound as always!

[@chrisl2466]

@Tom sick beats during the A&F, DW, UNIX and Longo demos.

[@richboshart1201]

Should that N&C still be around in mid-August when I visit the shop, it may have a new home.

[@drumcenternh]

It needs a good home!

[@billyhughes9776]

The Noble & Cooley Cherry, the Gretsch and the Craviotto were my favs.

[@richardpine8011]

That Longo has the One Headlight sound, love it!

[@MrSHIMANO1971]

Superb vid, thanks for this, TAMA wins, DW close second. I live in Scotland so support my local drum shop. DCP and Shane and the crew rock, keep up the drum love

[@shaner3431]

The DW, Craviotto and Longo all sounded amazing to me.

[@thatdudekyle5690]

That Tama Snare was my favorite. The DW one was a close second

[@danielsisk2963]

What heads are on the Tama sounds so good Do you still have one in stock How much

[@erikkroll2154]

Dunnett was my favorite. I have the Gretsch snare. Very happy with it. Probably my number two pick.

[@TXMusicDrummer]

My favorites were the A&F, the Craviotto, the Tama and the Longo.

[@zandiskoul]

Dunnett Classic was my fav. Never heard one before. Room mics sounded clean.

[@artcorvolet]

Gretsch, A&F and N&C!

[@krysborek8724]

you guys should shoot a video of how to mix and produce drums, especially snares

[@giuseppecasa3574]

I really like how these snare drums sound

[@moisesdrum2972]

Hermosas y excelentes Snares, en especial la Tama, Saludos desde Chile!!!!

[@Not_Andrew_Huberman]

The Unix and nc both surprised me but dw snares always have a wet stick attack and high end crack that grab my attention. Memphis drop shop is gonna have to step up their game, nice vid!!

[@davidsuprenant893]

They all sounded fantastic.I currently own a craviotto 6_1/2 x14.If I ever buy another one it will be a Nobel and Cooley tulip wood solid shell.I love that sound.!!!

[@ShredShed]

That A&F sounded really good in this video, Love that Tama Star reserve too!

[@gulinotm]

oh snap i need to look up that dunnett monoply maple, dang.

[@footnotedrummer]

Not to discount the absolute quality that Tama puts into their stuff, but I have a custom ordered maple ply Pork Pie snare (5" deep) and it sounds virtually identical. I have an S-hoop on the batter side, and that really helped to bring that snare to life. Because of the construction differences in the shells (ply vs. solid) this costs a lot more, but man... my $400 maple snare sounds just as good as this for a fraction of the cost.

[@yoshiman106]

I have that Tama Star Reserve Vol. 1 snare and this video is damn accurate of how it sounds! Love this drum shop! Wish we had one in Texas :(

[@StevesRykerAdventures]

Tough call...since you twisted my arm, I’ll pick the Dunnett, followed by the DW & A&F. Would not be disappointed by any of them...

[@timcline2799]

All great. Longo, Tama, DW, Dunnet for me. If only one: Tama.

[@scotturban54]

Nice drums great playing

[@EJ-ge4st]

Dunnett, gretch . Not a skinny snare guy but that longo is the best I’ve heard

[@pfunnk14]

So I learned I like solid ply snares. Like... all of them. Lol gretch, dunnett, dw, tama, n&c, longo... they all killed it

[@claudeabraham2347]

Wow! I gotta get me a solid shl snare drum. Every one of them sounds great! Very solid, warm, powerful Crack, mellow, & plenty of volume.

[@jonphillips1638]

Longo snare sounded great ! Never heard of Longo. Nice !

[@roycox4415]

That craviotto sounds like a hit record. Gorgeous!

[@jones2720]

Wow dude, you're such a good drummer 🥁

[@sabahoudini]

DW and Dunnett are my favorites.

[@sejuyz]

Was the Unix the snare the one used to record the intro of all your videos?

[@drumcenternh]

No but there are some sonic similarities!

[@reinouddelporte911]

I missed out on the quality of the snares, I was to busy enjoying the quality of the drummer. Some very nice playing there.

[@drumcenternh]

thanks, Reinoud!

[@massimocarere4588]

Wow! Amazing sounds.❤

[@CrazyUncleDom]

Many quality drumming faces present during the playing in this video! 😂😂 Who can help it tho when playing some tasty licks around the kit😬🤙🏽 Great vid and great playing! Hoping to invest in a solid snare soon

[@jamessnyder5313]

You guys knocked it out of the park with this video. Thank you so much. You guys in my opinion are the authority on tone and drum critique and I totally value your judgement. I just bought the DW 3/8 Super Solid (from you guys) and it has the sound I have been seeking for over 30 years. Incredibly crisp warm woody tone with tons of attack but with that fattest bottom and depth. Short decay on the note, but so full of presence...its a tommy gun! For funk and fusion-its the one sound Ive always wanted and the last I'll ever need to buy. Thank you guys so much.

[@trashman00]

Dunnett, DW, Longo. That’s what grabbed these ears.

[@seanmadden6683]

1. N&C 2. Dunnett 3. A&F 4. Tama 5. Gretsch

[@dmitryshkolnik5233]

1. Tama 2. Longo . Dw

[@nickavenoso7851]

I don’t know if I can even pick one they all sound really good. But, I’ve I was going to pick my favorite it would have to be either the A&F, Gretsch, or the N&C. But again it’s so hard to choose my favorite. The only snare I didn’t like as much though was the Unix snare it was a little to ringy for me, but I got say from watching your videos, Canopus is a really underrated drum company. Great video guys.

[@ethanm1261]

My favorite has to be the dog. Very fluffy, very mellow. Super good boi. Second is that beech, YUM. would go mighty well with my Sonors

[@cjg786]

Tie between Dunnett, Tama's Star, and DW . eh they're all incredible sounding snare drums. Longo cherry!!!

[@christopherdonegan1631]

Where do you begin? I noticed that I am drawn to the 8 lug drums though

[@edjunqueira]

The playing is so nice I couldn't hear any difference between snares

[@fredpasta6488]

As important as just about anything ... what are the heads you're using? Much of the difference here is in heads and tuning.

[@gregchapman3519]

The dog at the end is the winner tbf.

[@larrytate1657]

Can you guys review the two new high end mapex kits, the design lab versatus, and design lab cherry bomb? Thanks

[@boristomakic5995]

how can we compare if the head tuning is diferrent? and where is ''side by side'' section?

[@drumcenternh]

smash that dislike button!

[@stephentyler4352]

Dunnett A&F Tama Star Reserve Longo Noble & Cooley Snap, crackle, pop. I could eat these for breakfast! Phat tone.

[@timekeeperg2112]

all very nice snares... i really like the unix 14x8 and Gretsch sounds and looks amazing!!! gee thanks alot guys...now i fricken want one...and just ordered an lm4oo...didnt even receive it yet and now ill have to save up for a solid maple...damnit!!! lol

[@gasparettodrum8741]

I like dw solid hybrid 14x6 , i have one. I love that snare

[@ryanb1874]

Love the A and f actually, maybe it's just cause it looks diferant, with the vertical hoop, clasps, but it defiantly sounds warmer and less raspy, than most the others.

[@julsrique9148]

Onorific mention to Drunnett Classic

[@cobra1995xx]

The unix red 14×8 and the longo cherry were me favs.. just dont like the badge on the longo

[@alexanderjamieson7971]

The shallower depth ones sounded better, DW, Dunnett, Tama. Longo sounded best to my ears.

[@DavidEpstein]

These all sound incredible. It's tough for me to choose between the Craviatto, the Noble & Cooley, and the Dunnett. Is there a reason you don't normally carry Craviatto drums?

[@xxtheswagger8xx263]

Dw super solid is the best by far, but even that is an understatement

[@daveschenck7901]

I'm a lot late to the table but my pick is the N&C. It sounded great up close but to my ears was the only one that delivered a full sound to the room. 2nd place goes to the Big Red Beast.

[@John-mg7fb]

DW Drums of peace and prosperity.

[@lastcall9998]

DW Collectors, Unix Solid, Dunnet (wow). Thanks.

[@timcline2799]

Amazing drummer!! I thought the dog was a bearskin rug at first :) This vid is benchmark reference Ty

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks, Tim! We're glad you enjoyed it!