The Problem With More Snare Wires | Season Six, Episode 6

Some people swear by the 30 and even 42-strand snare wire options as the only option. Even some drum builders will go so far as to say that all other options are garbage. But there’s a huge blindspot in this sort of thinking and we want to demonstrate and explain how we work around this to make wider wires work when that’s the best fit for the context.
PATREON:
This season is made possible by our Patreon supporters. Join us on Patreon for access to exclusive content such as Cymbal Sounds, our long awaited cymbal series, and MUCH more: sladl.ink/Patreon
PRODUCTION PARTNERS:
GIK Acoustics (sonic treatment): sladl.ink/GIK
AKG Audio (microphones): sladl.ink/AKG
Evans Drumheads: sladl.ink/Evan...
ProMark Drumsticks: sladl.ink/ProM...
Signal chain:
Mics - Focusrite Clarett 8Pre USB- Mac Studio w/Pro Tools 2022.5
Recorded at 48kHz / 24bit
Overheads: (Matched Pair in Glyn Johns - Cardioid) AKG C314 sladl.ink/C314...
Snare, Toms: AKG C518M sladl.ink/C518M
Kick Drum: AKG D12VR sladl.ink/AKGD...
All demos are raw audio - no EQ, compression, gating, or reverb
Acoustic Treatment:
GIK 242 Acoustic Panels: sladl.ink/GIK242
GIK 4A Alpha Pro Series Diffusor/Absorber: sladl.ink/GIK4...
GIK Evolution PolyFusor Combination Sound Diffuser/Absorber: sladl.ink/GIKE...
GIK Tri-Trap Corner Bass Trap: sladl.ink/GIKT...
Drums:
Pearl Masters Maple Custom Extra w/60’s Ludwig Acrolite
Cymbals:
22” Jesse Simpson clone of old Zildjian A, 15" Zildjian Kerope Hihats
Drumheads:
Snare: Evans G1 Coated / Snare Side 300
Snare Wires: PureSound Super 30
Toms: G12 coated / G1 clear
Kick Drum: Evans UV EQ4/ EQ3 Coated White Reso
Hosted by: Cody Rahn
Production & Consulting: Ben O'Brien Smith @ Cadence Independent Media
👂🏼👉🏼🥁
Leave your questions, comments, suggestions, requests down below and don't forget to subscribe!
*NOTE: Troll comments will be deleted. You're welcome to disagree with whatever you like but let's keep the conversation civilized and focused on drums.
--------------------------
Sounds Like a Drum is a CADENCE INDEPENDENT MEDIA production
For more information, visit www.cadenceindependent.com
Follow us on Instagram: / soundslikeadrum
Like us on Facebook: / soundslikeadrum

[@SuperDrummerful]

Unbelievable this content is free. I’ve been using 42 strand snare wires for nearly 8/9 years and not even considered why. Thank you.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks! We're viewer supported so we rely on individuals who decide to help support our efforts via our Patreon. Glad to hear that this episode may have inspired you to experiment when it comes to snare wires!

[@carlostorres1171]

I’m doing it cause David Whitworth told me to. I am sheep.

[@AddiKolb]

@@SoundsLikeADrum Hey guys! I learned a lot in this video, I have one question though, do you think I can get more snare response in a bigger depth snare with more wires? For example I have a Sonor phonic beech 14x10 tom I converted to a snare, and I have a set of 20’s on that snare drum, and it just doesn’t give the attack and body I want, because it’s such a deep snare. Would putting 30 strands on that drum be a good solution? It has pretty wide snare beds too.

[@bobsondugnutt7526]

What makes these videos special is that even if you disagree with their particular approach to a sound, they get you thinking about it in ways you haven't previously. That's half of finding a drum sound anyway.

[@spencerj]

Dude this channel is the best. This is like the 50th video on snare bottoms, and each video presents new and important information. So specific, so helpful. Thank you

[@taylorunis5418]

I went with a 30 strand. Snare came with a twenty strand. I’ve always loved extremely sensitive snares. I’ve always preferred to hear the wires more than the sound of the drum itself if that makes sense. It makes the drum easier to play and I don’t have to hit so hard to get the nice crack and tone I want out of a snare. For someone who isn’t a hard hitter, more snare wires works best for me. As funny as it sounds, I found I couldn’t get the tone I wanted in the extreme high register until I switched to the 30 strand. Same thing happened in the extreme low register. That being said, I’m talking about my DW 14x5.5 thin aluminum which has a good sized snare bed to accommodate for it.

[@aZeddPrattFilm]

Same. I have a vistalite snare and I hated the sound until I got a 30 strand and it helped a lot

[@milesjmusic]

Same here, black beauty + CS dot and 30 strand, tuned high sounds so amazing live. So spot on how you don’t need to hit as hard to get a great crack!

[@AdoSean]

This is a great episode. I've been in search of a very "fat" sound for a while and have 30+ strand wires on a few snares right now. I have found them difficult to work with and your video has convinced me to switch to 24 when in search of the perfect sound.

[@morrinsville23]

I really appreciate your open mindedness Cody! One of the things i love about the drums is how much room there is for experimenting!

[@KaiOwensDrums]

Haha I’m definitely a less wires guy. Just put 16s on my new snare. Anything above like 20 is overkill for what I need

[@raindeerlol]

Im so glad ive found this video. I just spent hours tuning and trying to find out why my snare sounds so trashy around the sides. This explains everything perfectly 👌 and has saved me so much time i would have spent trying to find the culprit of ringing noise

[@sandovaln]

Similar to becoming nose blind to bad smells we can often get tone deaf with our instruments when we get used to doing things a certain way. I’m gonna switch from wide to narrow wires on my black beauty and see how it sounds.

[@manysnakes]

I say do it. I play a 30s NOB Pioneer with 12 strand snares and it sings. Especially with good brass and bronze shells, which have to my ear a very pleasing tone, I feel like the fewer wires really let the shell "sing".

[@SAHBfan]

I think one of the problems is that many of us don’t work in a studio or a drum store. If I want to try a different head or different snare wires - I have to go and buy one. I then fit it… and it usually sounds better than the old worn out one… but buying several new ones at the same time and trying them out $ide by $ide is a bit financially…. Impractical, so I think most of us just stick with what we know will work. Hence why these vids are so valuable….

[@CaptainBlueSam]

I play everything from Punk and Grunge to pop, and 24s have always been a sweet spot! Love this channel to death

[@af7119]

I love the way this channel gets you to think.

[@earldrum]

You raise good questions, but finding a sound is about experimenting with what your ear loves or hates. I’ve used 20 strand on some drums and 42 strands on other drums. The snare bed can and will dictate the size of your snare wires. With today’s need to find different snare sounds, it seems having a variety ways to get many different sounds out of drum can mean different snare wires is one option. All this to say … the number of wires is like head choice it’s a personal preference! There is no right or wrong.

[@albebonacci6459]

This was an especially great episode. I am the gear, maintenance and mastery teacher at Musicians Institute and I find myself screaming this topic from the top of the mountain. usually guys with 42s on the drum have the tension knob maxed out and they’re still getting wire Buzz and I think you mentioned the reason is because those wires out on the outer edges are not accounted for as far as equal tension is concerned. Nice work sir. Albe

[@albebonacci6459]

Oh my goodness I almost forgot to mention something that some of us have known for some time but Canopus wires are super amazing. I support their wire and accessory stuff.. wires, lug locks etc. they are just ridiculously fat,wet, and very sensitive. I helped design the 30 strand but have to honestly say it’s the new 16 strand or the 20 strand are home! (The non plated version) Ok I’m done, ha ha, thank you, Albe

[@daltonidaho]

So interesting! I would've assumed more wires would improve articulation. I was actually looking at trying more snare wires.

[@cfusilier2]

Can’t believe I never came across this channel before now. Good job, other me (I’m also Cody). The comments here actually answered my questions! One of my snares is a 14x8 Gretsch mahogany that just doesn’t sound like a snare. Maybe more wires are the way to go on that one.

[@groovehog1]

Unbelievable! I put a set of wide wires on my black beauty earlier this year thinking I’d get more articulation and wire sound from the drum. Through the course of this summer’s gigging, it’s been a constant battle to find the tone and articulation I’m used to hearing and I just assumed it was the combination of Reso and batter heads that I’ve also been experimenting with. It turns out it WAS the wide wires. 💀 The “duh” moment for me was your explanation of orchestral drums and me immediately thinking about how articulate the orchestral drums sound at the high school where I teach lessons. Funny that it takes you guys making a video like this to make my dumb ass connect the dots. 🤣 Anyway, I changed the wires out and Shazam, it’s like a new drum! Can’t thank you guys enough for these videos and the work you’re doing! And thanks for the Patreon sponsor shoutout at the end. Keep up the great work!!

[@Jtdubbzz]

Totally get what you’re saying here. I never really thought about more wire until recently when I got a 14x6.5” Pork Pie off Sweetwater that came with a 30 count but it sounds great! No dampening required, I’m not choking anything, I get just the right amount of resonance and ring off of rim shots and a nice beefy smack in the center with just a touch of ring. But I can imagine it sounding great with less snare wires, as well. I’m very curious to hear the difference between wire material ie brass, steel, alloy, etc. and if using fabric, string or plastic makes a small difference in sound also, in terms of strapping on the snare.

[@jameskirkbydrums]

it depends on what snare im using as to what wires i use. ive got two 14x7 snares with 42 strand wires on, a 14x8 with 42s on, a 14x5 with 30s on it, a 13x6.5 with 30s on it, and some 14s with 24 strands on, oh and a chekky 12x5.5 with some stock 20 strand wires on :) its as you said, it totally depends on the drum doesnt it :)

[@aaronnottingham2460]

The snare bed is the key. :)

[@jameskirkbydrums]

@@aaronnottingham2460 yep, when i first started i jsut bought wires and didnt think about snare beds, just whacked the wires on, luckily every set i bought fitted! :)

[@rainsong7327]

So 30 strand on a 6.5 Supraphonic would work for all around playing?

[@jameskirkbydrums]

@@rainsong7327 should do, *IF* it has a sound thats pleasing to your ears :)

[@gregwonhoff7161]

Cody, I found this video very interesting and informative, and judging from all of the views in such a short time, others thought your idea was a good one. Thank you for all you guys do for all of us.

[@artcorvolet]

Love my Gretsch 42 wires!

[@iainp999]

This is amazing - I was just thinking about this topic yesterday 👌

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

We love those coincidences!

[@augustdrums1247]

I always use 30s. That sound always just sounds right to my ears, but I'm a rock drummer and I don't do extensive ghost notes where articulation is more important so everyone is different. I just need a nice big fat sound and I'm happy.

[@GudmundurKristjansson]

I heard it somewhere that sometimes Steve Gadd he removes every other 3 wire to get his signature sound!

[@drummercarson896]

I was gonna get a 30 Strand Snare Wires but you taught me that they have risks to the drum. I'm going to either stick with the 20 Strand or go with the 24 Strand

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Nothing wrong with careful experimenting and the chances over harming the drum, as long as you're keeping an eye on setup/installation, are pretty minimal but it's always good to be aware of how your setup functions or creates potential issues.

[@bobsondugnutt7526]

Some of the best content on the tube

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks!

[@badmotorfox1097]

I'd literally never replaced any of the 20-strand wires any of my snares came with until very recently; I was really surprised by just how different it was playing Puresound 24-strand I got. Very noticeably more snare rattle! I'm making it work for me but I figure I won't be upsizing again.

[@theBRT1955]

I have a Tama SLP G-Maple, (BTW that looks a lot like the drum to the left of your elbow on the closing shot), that came with a strand of 42 wires on it and it sounds great. Now, it was designed to have a very specific short sound but it sounds great for what it is. It doesn't see a lot of action because of it's limited ability, but it does what it does like no other drum I've ever had and I love the sound.

[@offbeat74]

Steve Gadd's snare 10 wires!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

That always surprises people. The quality of snare sound can be excellent even with minimal strand count through some careful tuning.

[@darinwood2183]

Saw a video with Gavin Harrison where he only uses 8 wires.

[@beatleszilla]

And Ringo only had 18… listen to Come Together that snare is snapppin!!!

[@RichardDupre]

I just added canapos 32 stand. See how it goes for awhile. Not bad so far, always cool to try different sounds

[@gretschludwigdrummer209]

42 strand wires were introduced on early Gretsch snare drums to make them sound half decent as the drums sounded so bad, I have them on all my snare drums including my 70's Ludwig 402.....if it was good enough for Bonham then it's good enough for me !! great channel by the way !!!

[@katielowen]

You might want to do your research on Bonham again.

[@gretschludwigdrummer209]

​He used 42 strand on his 402​@@katielowen

[@ryanintopeka]

I tried several different wires on my birch/walnut 14x7 and I ultimately ended up with 24 strand Puresound wires. I’ve got an Evans 500 snare side and a Genera Dry HD on the batter. I probably tried four or five different batter side heads before that too. Anyway, all that to say that I LOVE the sound of my snare. I definitely like to hear the wires and I play the rim almost all the time.

[@joc8]

Great segment, I use 20 strand Puresound, or Canopus wires, I'm not a fan of too much wire sound. However, I'm considering buying a Gretsch bell brass 14" X 6.5" snare (which is another rabbit hole, ie, is it brass or bronze, is it cast made, etc) , which comes with 42 strand wires, and die cast hoops... which may be interesting, if I decide to go down that path. I really appreciate your posts, Cody and Ben, thank you, and I look forward to the next instalment.

[@TRC_PNW]

I have a modern Gretsch Solid Steel and absolutely love it (shhhh don’t tell my Ludwig snares!). It came with 42 strand wires and work perfect with how big and loud sounding that drum is. I imagine the same is true of the bell brass.

[@joc8]

@@TRC_PNW Hi, just saw your reply. I did get the Gretsch bell brass, and absolutely love it, ( heavy in weight, not something you'd want to lug around alot ), however, I'm going to swap to 20 strands just to see how that sounds. A bit of experimentation doesn't hurt, I can always change back. Enjoy your Gretsch steel snare... cheers.

[@famitory]

ive got a 42 strand set on the snare i use for super low dampened tunings to try and get an artifically "reverbed" sound. for any other situation i like classic 20 strands

[@larrykingrey5647]

In my pro days, early to mid 1970’s large horn band, unmic’d drums, 2B sticks, 18” Crash, 24” ride, 69 Ludwig Supersensitive, chrome over aluminum, mostly hard rimshots, the 10-wire snare wires would come unsoldered and I’d wiggle them off. When it got to 6 or 8 wires that 4.5 x 14 metal snare would have just the right projection, not too snarey and no choke. The live drum recordings were great. Ludwig 69 Hollywood 5 -piece with re-rings. I’ve found over the years with Rogers Dyna metal, Ludwig Supras & Supersensitive metal drums 4.5” to 5” depths the snares can be choky. Fewer wires don’t choke and less sympathetic buzz and rattle.

[@gaetanclybouw]

Gretsch their 6.5 deep snares almost always have 42 strand wires, it’s a burden but I love it 😅

[@facundozalazar]

Best video on the channel so far!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Wow! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SONORSQ2guy]

Try them on a deeper drum. I love my 42 strand Gretsch snare wires great video even though I disagree with it a little.

[@barberjeff67]

I tried 42 strand wires years ago and it wasn't for me. I have a 67 Rogers Tower snare with 16 strand wires and love it.

[@SopranoPizzaJMFNJ]

My 6.5" Deep Supraphonic has 42 strand wires. My 5" deep Supras range from 24-30 strand wires. Ludalloy shells. They all sound good. The issues you are pointing out are rampant with people that don't know how to tune their drums.

[@nyk_ksp3679]

Old Gretsch snares I've owned had 40-42 strands. The snares also had very deep snare beds. In that case, for me, the wider wires were much better.

[@TRC_PNW]

Some modern Gretsch as well. I have a Gretsch Solid Steel (a poor man’s Keplinger) and it’s huge sounding! I always figured it came with ultra wide wires to balance out how big and loud the drum is. They work on that drum and have stayed. My general rule of thumb is: stick with the number of wires the manufacturer shipped the drum with whether that’s my ‘65 Pioneer (18), ‘65 Dynasonic (20), modern Supraphonics (20), etc. I’ve tried various wires like Puresound or Canopus over the years and never liked ‘em - different yes, but somehow wrong. I stick with the manufacturer’s wires as well.

[@TheDayisMineTrebeck]

I use a puresound 30 strand on my 13x7 Spaun maple custom and it sounds great. However, I also added die cast hoops, use Evans HD dry snare heads on it, and tune it high. I'm not sure I'd like it as much without the upgrades.

[@jonashellborg8320]

I’ve tried 42 strand wires, mostly use 16-20:strand wires. 42 strand felt more like a special sound to me, and yes I recall having to be very careful with tuning/tension because of that mass increase on the snare side head. It’s definitely easier to get a big sound with say 20 strand wires.

[@adamsteinbacher2629]

I bought 42 strand snare wires and hated the sound every time I put them on a drum. Instantly took them off after experimenting with tuning and tension for an hour or 2 and put the stock wires back on. They've been sitting in a drawer for years.

[@dmgsoultogetherness6667]

excellent advice

[@brains84]

The last "bad" snare sound on this video sounds like the snare sound on St Anger. 😆

[@drumjedi5301]

Interesting timing on this video. I recently bought new snares for my 12" gigging snare, and the supplier didn't have the 16 strand snares I usually use, so I bought a 20 strand set...and I absolutely can't stand them. I've ordered a set of 16s from another supplier. The extra wires sucked a lot of the tone out of the drum, and literally all I can hear in my in-ears is SNARE WIRE. I'm finding that 16 strand wires do the job for me in most cases, with maybe a set of 20s on a deeper, larger drum if I'm going for a fat sound. I'm not knocking the 30s and 42s, but I don't really see any situation where I'd need more than 20.

[@FuzzyPicture]

If you watched this and want to fix the issues he talking about, get Puresound Equalizer snare wires. They allow the center of the bottom head to fully flex (its the longest stretch point during a hit) and you get a ton of body as a result They also are a 16 strand design, so less mass than a 20 or 24.

[@Booger-Magnolia]

Another banger from the fellas

[@Mike_Webb78]

Bonham used a 42 strand wire on his Supraphonic, so yeah I'm good with that!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Do you also put your cigarettes out on your floor tom?

[@Mike_Webb78]

@@SoundsLikeADrum No, but I do wear shirts that fit me🤷🏻‍♂️

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Well that’s a weird flex…

[@malcolmbliss777]

Question: how close to the shell should the wires fit? I have wires the sit on the shell, I think they’re too long. Yes! No? How far away should they fit?

[@LiveBeatLabs]

Thank you for bringing clarity to a rarely touched subject. You and your channel are awesome.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks for the kind words! -Ben

[@jeremiahdimitri444]

Would having less wires on a snare be best for rock and metal genres? Need some advice on getting this addressed please. Thanks 😭

[@robwestndrumr7648]

Thanks for these vids. I bought a set of 42 strand wires n tried them...nooo. Theyve been sitting in my drum parts pile for 3 years haha.

[@toomdog]

I have a set of 42 strand wires. I’ve had them on a drum before, but they live in the box they came in waiting until I need them to do the 42 strand thing.

[@therareplatypus7121]

I haven't watched the video yet. However, I use a 42 strand snare wire. I know why though. I had a nice 20 strand snare wire that I was using on a 5.5x14in snare. I then got my hands on an 8x14in snare that I have wanted for a while. I put the 20 strand on it and it barely sounded like a snare. So I thought that buying a 42 strand would fix that problem. For my particular snare, it seemed to have worked fine and I haven't changed it since.

[@stevedoesnt]

I have a 15” snare. I always figured I’d get wide wires for it, but I’ve never been able to find any. I want this drum to be able to have a fairly loose top head, like hitting a pile of wet mud is fine, but I want an exaggeratedly deep, dead, and long “booshy” kind of length to it. I can get this quite easily with 14” snares w regular wires, but the 15” still eludes me in this way.

[@WoodenMinds]

Dunnett snares, which I own, sound absolutely the most fantastic with Ron's snares. Normally, Dunnett uses wider snare beds, so it works, but it may not be with other manufacturers' drums. I've made many recordings using 42 strand via Dunnett, and always play live with 42 strand. It works beautifully for my 2n COB 14x6.5, which came from Dunnett this way. Dig the video, yet it started out like a hunt against 42 strands. Dunnett rocks the joint with 30 & 42 strand wires. I understand the other manufacturers may have compatibility issues with 42's, but Dunnett does not (and they are the cream of the crop in snares)!

[@AddiKolb]

Hey guys! I learned a lot in this video, I have one question though, do you think I can get more snare response in a bigger depth snare with more wires? For example I have a Sonor phonic beech 14x10 tom I converted to a snare, and I have a set of 20’s on that snare drum, and it just doesn’t give the attack and body I want, because it’s such a deep snare. Would putting 30 strands on that drum be a good solution? It has pretty wide snare beds too.

[@dalekay9ine]

Is there a huge difference between 20 & 24 strand wires? Love the content man! Thank you.

[@ronfults3844]

I tried some 30 strand wires on a couple of my snares and I really didn't care for them. So I went back to less wires.

[@jamesf.ryaniii7918]

Great video, Cody. I only use 30 or 42-strand wires on wood snare drums because I can widen the snare bed with a file and sandpaper. The downside....once you widen the snare bed....that drum will only sound good with 30 or 42 strand wires, you can never go back to 20 strands. On my metal snare drums I only use 16 or 20-strand.....although I do have a bronze snare drum that I'd like to use the Dremel tool and widen the snare beds.....but I'm chicken.

[@srm0074]

Sixteen strands are typically are high as I go since I prefer shell tone over a snare buzz.

[@stevehelland6789]

This is absolutely correct. None of my snare drums have more than 16 strands. You get so much more shell tone, and you don't have to crank them up so tight to get a warm, balanced, responsive snare tone. Let the drum breathe! And, I'm a Gretsch guy--but I just don't understand why they supply 42-strand snare arrays as standard stock on so many of their USA drums.

[@stromghouls]

i dislike anything over 20 strands. all my sonors have 16 or 18 strands. gavin harrison has 3 sets of 8 strands snare wires made by sonor and he has the most incredible snare sound.

[@claudeabraham2347]

That was good.

[@vipermad358]

This is a good way to approach life in general.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

You get it 🙌

[@TylerOath]

My rule of thumb is the deeper the snare, the wider the wires. I never tabletop my snare side, but I do usually always use a thin muffling ring.

[@einjarjar]

Actually this reminds me of a one drum myth; 8" deep snares need wide snares to accomidate the depth. Now I don't believe this at all, but I've seen my share of deep snares with wide snares that sound pretty bad... That would be a topic for video extension for this.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Ah yes! That's been coming up in the comments here and across our various social channels as well. Gotta get our hands on an 8" deep snare...

[@roananderson]

should do a video trying to make small bass drums sound bigger and phattter

[@arrowintheknee9956]

Oh no! I always use regular snares, I just ordered 42 strand snares... Just because I've never tried them. Now I regret it.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Nothing wrong with experimenting- in fact, we STRONGLY encourage it! Sure, we made this video but results will always vary a bit based on context. If anything, we hope our series encourages people to conduct their own experiments to see what works for them.

[@Eurodrummer666]

As I hate overwhelming snary sounds, using a 30-ish strand would be a real nightmare for me.

[@manysnakes]

Same. I like to keep it 12-16 strands. I feel like there's a more musical quality, especially with *good* drums, which is a lot clearer using fewer wires.

[@Eurodrummer666]

@@manysnakes in my case I trim my strands down to eight wires.

[@thomasnappo6309]

The whole thing for 30 wires is the sensitivity ie ghost notes...and with the band..who the hecks gona hear those ovetones if any...but good job anyway😊

[@albertanhar6657]

Hi and thank you all the contents you guys put out, my experience is , you shouldn’t use 30 and above 30 strands on a low mass drum like the one you use, I use them on my Tama 6.5 deep bubinga , you get the gushy or super articulate . But one has to be somewhat familiar with Tuning and snare sensitivity

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks for watching and chiming in! Why do you think that the mass of the shell should be a deciding factor in the strand count of the snare wires to be used?

[@chipvdrum]

I recently picked up a 1960’s Ludwig Jazz Fest snare from the fine folks at Nelson Drum Shop here in East Nashville but the wires were original and shot. I thought maybe I’ll go with something like 18-24. But got a Canopus 12 strand on it. At first it seemed less “snarey” to me but I realized I was just used to the near-field feedback of more snare-sound. If I put a 24-strand on this I feel I would be taking away much of the drums actual unique character, that “thing” a Jazz Fest has. The “drum sound to snare sound ratio” is a real thing. Why buy another snare drum if you’re going to just make it sound like every other one in your arsenal? #deepthoughts Additionally, I’ve recorded a few little vids with it just on my phone about 4-6 feet away and it’s shockingly more snarey sounding than from the playing position.

[@Mieczu_DRUMS]

How about the snare drum that comes from factory with wide wires? Is narrow wires will work well? 🤔

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Don't let the stock wires/heads make the decision for you. Look at the elements of the shell that directly affect the wires (particularly, the snare beds) consider this in the context of our other videos on snare wires.

[@HamptonGuitars]

I find 30+ strand wires to mute the resonant head and have less sustain.

[@artpereira]

I've been using wide snares for over 10 years. Mostly play live and I have a deep free-floating maple snare and that thing rings anyway. Also prefer a Powerstroke 3 batter head for that reason. I thought about going back to standard wires but for live, none of this bothers me and the widely varying sounds from centre to edge I use a lot so it works for me quite well. Maybe because I have learnt to use it like that over time. I do enjoy the snare wire sound though, and bashing with the butt-end of the stick is immensely enjoyable for me.

[@cDisturbed.]

I was after a fat snare sound and I came across all these issues when I put on 30 strand and I hated it lol. Swapped it to 20 strand blasters and it sounds so much better. Also using black hydraulic batter and snare side 500 reso

[@IBitePrettyHardSH]

_Ronn Dunnett has entered the chat_

[@jamesmiller9322]

😀

[@alsdrumhang]

I think it's possible to go to both extremes. For a while extremely low wire counts were trendy too - 10, 12 and 16 wire. I am running a 24-strand PureSound on one snare right now and I think it's probably the most I'd ever run on a drum. Kind of wish you'd had a clip or the same drum with the 20-strand on there for comparison. As always, 14/10 informative.

[@arnonle]

what about the Dunnett snare drums with 42 snare?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

What about them? This isn’t about black and white compatibility with specific models of drums but rather taking the time to consider alternatives, experiment, and listen; trading the dogma for an open mind and some intentionality.

[@arnonle]

@@SoundsLikeADrum Yes. I agree. But it seems that Ronn Dunnett prefers wide snares and cut his metal shells wide and deep to support thes wide snares. This is his only design (snare side wise). What is your take on his approach? Did you try a Dunnet snare? Are they not versatile (on default setup)? Is it a gimmick?

[@arnonle]

@@SoundsLikeADrum I mean... The video talks ""academically" (in a good way) about snare wires (You dont talk about a specific snare drum). You use a Ludwig Superphonic (I guess), a Swiss army knife of snares, to demonstrate the subject. When you talk about the "spectrum of amount of snare wires", you talk about symphonic snares as one edge of the spectrum. On the other edge you have examples like Dunnett snares. Now, Again, I know this is not a channel that review one item or another, but I'm interested to know about your thoughts about manufacturers that represent the other side of the spectrum. That support the approach of "the more the better"...

[@matthewzagorski9161]

You guys did a video not too long ago where you started with a 32 and cut off 2 strands at a time. Honestly, I didn't hear much of a difference then between the 32 and the 20, so it just never seemed practical to me. I think a lot of the after-market snares are pushing as much snake oil as drum makers insisting you have to have a certain tone wood for a certain genre.

[@WDShorty]

I did exactly this with the same snare, has a bad issue where the top head had to be tuned perfect or the wires would fart like an unstable rope bridge

[@DavidKemp]

Even Bruford would think that snare is too boingy

[@bgryderclock]

Idea: Start with 42 strands and start cutting them off 2 or 3 at a time to see at what point its perfect and at what point its silly.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

That's basically what we did but starting with a 20-strand in this episode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaHNp6OmZtickLM

[@williamfotiou7577]

I look at it like this: if I’m paying premium dollar for a snare drum, I want to hear what THE DRUM has to offer, not the twenty dollar snare wires. Call me a purist or even crazy, but I don’t want to pay 700 for a snare and listen to 42 strand snares. I do not have any snares above 20 and I would never buy a snare drum that comes with 42 strand snares as standard equipment.

[@silvermineband2719]

Wrong drum to use for this experiment. This particular video comes across as agenda driven, proving your point, rather than a true experiment. Use a more modern wooden snare with shallow and wide snare beds for more germane results.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

We disagree but thanks for your thoughts.

[@silvermineband2719]

@@SoundsLikeADrumYou disagree with what? Literally no one ever suggested putting wide wires on an Acro. So you’ve debunked something that was never a thing.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

We disagree with your assessment of this being the wrong drum to use for this video. This wasn’t a myth busting piece or a comparison but rather a video covering a topic we wanted to address.✌️

[@charliecontrino1626]

To each his own but I've never been a fan of wide wires 16-20 is what works for me on all my snare drums.

[@DaveZula]

Am I crazy or did none of these examples sound that bad?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

You're not crazy and it's not entirely about it sounding "bad" but rather that there are some issues that we outlined and demonstrated that are caused specifically by using such wide wires. So it's certainly possible to think that none of the examples sounded that bad but we like to think we're aiming for a bit higher than mildly acceptable.

[@nate6692]

Before I watch, this might be where I finally unsubscribe... yeah - the thing is still ringing like he's playing a triangle. That's not the person looking for tons of wire.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

I think you may have misunderstood. Part of the issue with using 30+ strand wires is that they cause the "ringing like he's playing a triangle" or they totally choke out the drum. That's what we were focusing on here but if you're on the fence about whether or not our videos are for you, no hard feelings if you decide to unsub. ✌️

[@nate6692]

@@SoundsLikeADrum I was kidding, but the ringing I'm talking about seems to be something that everyone else is chasing, even adores. And IMO it just doesn't belong in the same drum as what someone who is looking for a lot of wires is likely looking for. Getting a long wire decay without a strongly pitched head ring is an artform that nobody in the community seems to be after. Indeed it is much easier to just kill it dead, but that's not desirable either. Normally I'd just chalk this up to being a bit older than you, but I think it's germaine to any discussion of wire count.