Yamaha 14"x3.5" Seamless Brass Piccolo SD493 Review (Snare of the Month #1)

[@dynas25]

Hi Simon! I've watched this recording hundreds of times and that's why I bought this snare drum. Mid, high and super high tones no mufling are indescribable to me. This instrument just sounds PERFECT. I have not heard a better sounding piccolo snare drum. Thanks and regards.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Hi 🤗!! Thanks for checking out my video. I' m glad I could help you in your decision 🥳. And congrats on your new snare 💪😎!!

[@Ferklaus]

I have 25 years w this awesome snare. My fav !!

[@OfficialCesarValdez]

Just ordered mine today. Boy I can’t wait.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

🥳

[@adamhansenmusic8989]

This is THE drum. I remember loving it after playing one for just a few seconds almost 20 years ago. Would love to buy one someday

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Keep looking - they are quite frequently for sale 😎.

[@Tunczyk182]

I have this one. I saw this snare on Eliot Hoffman drum cam and fall in love. He plays in progressive metal band Carbomb.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

It's a great, great snare drum 😊👍. I'll have to check Eliot out 💪🤘.

[@markveralli2471]

Great snare.. bought new as an alternative to Ludwig 14x6.5 aluminum supraphonic and never regretted it..

[@robinhirst938]

Have it. Used it in the 90s with a band I was in. My bass player begged me to tune it down or use another snare . This little drum can kill when tuned up. Big, big crack!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

😅 indeed!!

[@robinhirst938]

@@SimonSpringerMusic great video! I really enjoyed hearing all of the different tunings being played so well!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

@@robinhirst938 Thank you 🙏😊!!

[@alexalja]

Great snare and awesome demonstration! Thanks so much!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Thank you 🙏😎!!

[@Darkurge666]

I have this and it's my favorite snare. It needs almost no Eq to sound fantastic, recording with sm57. I have it tuned to F#3 (185hz) and it sounds amazing. 😊No muffling, gel or anything. I have Evans General dry coated batter and Evans 300 reso on it and replaced the old snare strands that were broken when I got it with a 30 strand puresound snare mat and it gave it a bit thicker sound IMO.

[@jade007z]

Thank you Simon, this is great! the way you hit the snare is perfect! love these videos!!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Thank you very much 🙏😊!! I am glad you like it 😎.

[@teddygrant5416]

Im picking one up tomorrow I am so stoked!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Yeah, congrats!! 💪

[@Ted_Swayinghill]

@@SimonSpringerMusic update…I picked it up…its my main workhorse. Paid $200 for it!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

@@Ted_Swayinghill That's fantastic! Congratulations!!

[@veronicaroberts8250]

Snagged mine about 12 years ago in the used section at the drum store for about $200.00. I could not give them the money and get it to my car fast enough. Great snare drum with a wide tuning range

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Congrats!! I think I paid roughly the same for it - was lucky too 🥳. Love that drum!

[@mktg3]

Great demonstration of this fantastic drum. You’ve inspired me with the wide range of tunings.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

🙏🤘💪

[@guitaristbiker]

sounds like the old Yamaha piccolo that Questlove used to play with The Roots when he was with Yamaha, like a 24" kick and that snare for just a SOLID pocket

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Yes, I think he was using this snare. 💪

[@Twotontessie]

One of the great drums of all time. Only got rid of mine because the strainer system was becoming unreliable. All those drums were great - still have the 296 and 496.

[@artdimino1626]

That’s some nice drumming, and beautiful snare too.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Thanks 🥳🙏.

[@jaymeramirez7435]

I love piccolo snares. I used to have a 4x14 brass Tama. Maybe it was bronze. 🤷🏿 it was incredible. I gave it away to a stranger because the brand new snare she bought from GC (from me). Her brother stole it and sold it.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

There's something very special about the articulation of piccolo snares ❤.

[@TGooch333]

Hey Simon! I just recently purchased one of these drums and I’m so happy to finally have one! This is a beautiful instrument, and your video review is fantastic!-very informative, fun and great playing! I also really enjoyed your review of the Vinnie Colaiuta snare. I don’t own one myself, but hopefully someday, I’ll be lucky enough to get my hands on one of those rare beasts! Thanks again for the great videos!!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Thank you very much, Tom 🙏!! And congratulations on your snare drum 🥳. You can't go wrong with the SD493 😎... And Vinnie snares pop up every now and then on the internet... Thanks again for your support and cheers 🥳!

[@microburst9059]

awesome drum.

[@PicardManeuver]

I just got one of these off Reverb dirt cheap and I'm so excited! Fun fact- there was also a version in between this and the Nouveau called the SD-4103 in the mid-late 90s, which had beefier hoops and double ended piccolo lugs.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Yes, you're right 👍.The SD-4103, been already wondering about that drum 😉. Congrats on your SD493, you'll never regret buying it ❤️!!

[@PicardManeuver]

@@SimonSpringerMusic Thank you! I am so excited to use it on some demo sessions next month!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

@@PicardManeuver You're in for a treat 😊👍🥳!

[@HermesTrismegistes369]

Beautiful kit!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Thanks 😊 .

[@malcolmlarri8236]

love mine too!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

💪

[@havezet69]

Great review. I love the super high tuning sound. I picked up a SD493 a few years ago, after regretting selling my Garibaldi Sig snare. The SD493 is just as good and filled the void for me. Another snare that I highly recommend is the 13x6” Mapex Nomad (Will Calhoun snare) which is unfortunately hard to find.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Thanks and congrats on your SD493 - I sure love mine ❤️. Calhoun is no longer with Mapex, so I can imagine that the Nomads are becoming very rare... Haven't checked them out, though.

[@migueldiazdrums]

Another one of you videos that made me buy a snare drum 🤣🤣 Great video, thanks Simon!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Thanks, man 🙏! Whoo, I'm starting to cost you some serious money 😅...

[@thomasnussbaum4711]

Tolles Video, welches ich mir gern immer wieder anschaue. Ich habe vor kurzem eine Garibaldi Snare ergattert, bekomme diese aber nicht zum Klingen. Meine Frage, Simon: wie tight ist das Resofell beim medium tuning? Da klingt deine Snare großartig! Danke und alles Gute!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Danke Thomas 🥳!! Ich muss sagen, ich hab das Resofell immer gleich tight, durch alle Tunings durch. Ich verändere nur am Schlagfell. Das Reso bleibt super tight! 3-4 halbe Umdrehungen pro Stimmschraube dürfens schon mal sein 😉... LG

[@thomasnussbaum4711]

@@SimonSpringerMusic Vielen Dank, ich probiere das mal aus!

[@eugenemak2624]

I owned one before, should've keep it. Really nice snare!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Normally they can be found on ebay and reverb etc... If you want one again, you'll surely find one 👍💪!!

[@ОлександрДавосир]

good snare good video and good drummer!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Thanks 🥳!!

[@ryanboyce3365]

These sound cool! The David Garibaldi snare is the one I’ve been trying to get my hands on. The blue one:)

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Awesome ❤️. I'm sure that one's great, too. It's almost exactly the same drum I guess... Good luck 💪!!

[@GaddStuff]

Great review (neighbour) Simon. I own the SD493 myself and indeed it has a wide tuning range. I like 13” snaredrums and unfortunately Yamaha didn’t produce a 13” little brother of the SD493. I don’t like off center/not parallel lugs like on the SD4355 so maybe I’ll build a 13” brother myself. I checked different Yamaha catalogues but I couldn’t find the thickness of the SD493 shell.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Thanks! Yes, I guess you won't find a 13" shell 🙈. I am not really a 13" guy. I have a 13" Weckl snare and I'm in desperate need of a 14" one 😬...

[@drumcoachjack3507]

@@SimonSpringerMusic “Desperately” 😄 Just let me know which 14” model you’re searching for and I’ll look out for you.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

@@drumcoachjack3507 Thanks 🤘. Pretty much ANY Weckl snare in 14" - maple, alu, brass... I don't care at this point 😅. Just love the dual strainer system sooo much 🤤...

[@walterhammon4645]

Servus Simon, ein super Video mit Allem, was man über die Snare wissen muss. Ich hab mir mittlerweile auch diese Snare besorgt und bin absolut begeistert! Nachdem ich die Snare gereinigt und mit neuen Fellen bestückt habe, stellt sich mir die Frage, ob ich den Snareteppich auch erneuern sollte. Allen Anschein nach, ist das noch der originale Teppich, also schon ziemlich alt. Im Netz habe ich schon nach Ersatz gesucht, aber noch nicht richtig fündig geworden. Hast du nen Tip?

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Hi Walter und danke für deine Nachricht 🙏😎. Je nachdem wie "verbogen", rostig o.ä. der Snareteppich ist, ist ein Wechseln sicher keine schlechte Idee. Den originalen Snareteppich gibts nicht mehr. Allerdings findet man andere "free floating" style Teppiche, die passen würden. Ich denke die müssten gehen: www.gibraltarhardware.com/product/sc-4467l/ Oder Puresound: www.daddario.com/products/percussion/puresound/puresound-drum-set/14-pearl-free-floating/ Ich glaub von Canopus gibts auch welche... Liebe Grüße!! 🥳

[@ChristianLarese]

Awesome! Usually I prefer those short, tight punchy sounds. But that one at 8:20 mmmmm, so tasty!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

😋Thanks 😌!!

[@MatthiasKnorrMusic]

tierisch, die hätte ich auch gerne

[@MatthiasKnorrMusic]

oder vielleicht legt Yamaha diese Snare ja mal irgendwann wieder neu auf - oder die Garibaldi.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Schau auf ebay 💪🏻! Hab wie gesagt 2 in Deutschland gefunden, vielleicht ist die andere noch da 😊!!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

@@MatthiasKnorrMusic Garibaldi ist praktisch eh die selbe Trommel fast 🤷🏻‍♂️. Schade, dass Yamaha alle Signature Snares eingestellt hat 😞...

[@seungkeeya]

Great content. Subbed!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Thanks 🙏🥳!

[@StephenSpivack]

btw - is that "peg" starting at 7:40? lol. sounds great. keep coming back to this vid for new tuning ideas for mine ;)

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Not quite "Peg", but a similar groove 😎. Thank you 🙏👍!!

[@StephenSpivack]

@@SimonSpringerMusic yeah bass drum is slightly different. good stuff mate.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

@@StephenSpivack Thank you 🙏🥳!

[@silvanoolalla]

Hi Simon! Keith Carlock will be coming to my town in a few months to a drum festival, and I will have the opportunity to meet him personally. I would love to show him my own sd493 and talk about yamaha and Steely Dan, but I don't know if he would be very pleased with all his new gretsch sponsorship... should I try? hahahah Thanks for your once again amazing video! :)

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Hey Silvano! Great! Sure, talk to him about Yamaha, he'll be cool 😉. He used to love this gear, especially the SD493! Thanks 🥳.

[@Calisto34]

Hi Simon, I didn't know Carlock played the SD493 in his early years, that's very interesting. For 'Everything Must Go', did he specifically mention that as well in the interview? I've got an SD493 that I bought in the 1980s and have never gigged it that much. But I'm inspired to start playing it again because I've always loved the snare sound on Everything Must Go and had no idea it was this Piccolo. Great playing by the way!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Hi and thank you 🙏😎!! Yes, he did specifically mention that he was using this snare drum on that record. Can't find the interview any more right now, though. He was using the SD493 pretty much exclusively for a decade 👍. I found another article right now where he mentioned that Walter and Donald from Steely Dan liked the snare tuned up very high with lots of tape on it 🤘.

[@Calisto34]

@@SimonSpringerMusic Excellent information, thanks! 🙂

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

@@Calisto34 You're very welcome!! 🥳

[@russhicksart]

@@SimonSpringerMusic So glad to see you mention Keith as a SD493 player. I'd have to go back and look at some old pictures but I'm fairly sure he had the SD493 in high school. He had a beautiful red Tama Superstar kit at the time and later a gorgeous blue lacquer DW kit with a 22x18 BD which he got right around the time he went to UNT. I remember there was an issue with the SD493 lugs bending under tension and he really liked the SD4440 when it came out. The additional 1/2" of depth and non one-piece shell didn't bother him. I believe the better snare throw off and Nouveau lugs made it much more functional.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

@@russhicksart Amazing! So did you go to high school with Keith?? The "lugs bending under tension" thing is happening with the early gold lugs (found in maple custom drums of that time, for example - look at my Vinnie Colaiuta snare video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5i4pmhupK54sJI). I don't think there was ever an issue with the SD493. The Nouveau brass was also great and yes, that's the one he was using later on.

[@johannhjorleifsson]

Great video, thanks. Where did you get the extra long wires for the drum? I think they are impossible to get from Yamaha any more.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Thanks 😊!! They are the original ones 😊. You're right, I think it's impossible to get those new. However you can find those "free floating" style wires with other companies 🤘. Those Gibraltar would fit, I guess: www.gibraltarhardware.com/product/sc-4467l/ Or Puresound: www.daddario.com/products/percussion/puresound/puresound-drum-set/14-pearl-free-floating/ And I think Canopus and other companies might have some, too. Cheers!

[@johannhjorleifsson]

@@SimonSpringerMusic thanks 👍

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

@@johannhjorleifsson You're very welcome! I'm glad to help out.

[@Glock_Nico]

I have a set from Pearl on mine.

[@thomashupp5913]

I currently bought it on Ebay to the price of 250 Eur, ithink it was a good deal.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Awesome 🤗!! AMAZING deal, I payed more 🙈...

[@lonewanderer882]

Good video, just one thing: the David Garibaldi signature, the SD4103 was the sequel of the SD493, not the Absolute Series

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Well, I don't know anything about a definite sequel. The Garibaldi is a very similar drum for sure. As is the Absolute snare (slightly deeper though). The Absolute is the one that Carlock was using.

[@StephenSpivack]

I just bought this drum today. Anyone know where to get replacement wires?

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Don't know about the original ones, I think they don't exist anymore. But what you need is some extra long ones, "vintage" wires often called. Anything that fits a Pearl Freefloater should fit, I guess....

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Look a little bit above in the comments. I already answered a question like this and posted a link etc. 😊😎

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

And congrats on your new, fantastic drum ❤️!!

[@paulysci925]

Questlove is ludwig sponsored but uses this snare

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Yeah, I heard that, too 👍.

[@marianamarquesoficiall]

I have one!!! Eu tenho uma !!!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Have fun 🤘!!

[@harrygiles7354]

Does anyone know where I can get this snare drum for a decent price? Literally my dream snare.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

I bought mine on ebay and there was another one, too. Normally you find those from time to time on ebay, reverb etc...

[@harrygiles7354]

@@SimonSpringerMusic do you have a link or anything for the other one? Also, was it worth the buy?

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

@@harrygiles7354 Seems like it sold, too - I found those 2 in January... But both of them were in Germany anyways. I don't know where you are, but I wouldn't recommend buying something from outside the EU because of shipping, taxes etc... Locally is much better. And yes - the snare was completely worth it. Not everybody likes a shallow snare, though and it took me a moment to get used to it, too (less body, low end). But I absolutely LOVE it and used it on recordings, too.

[@harrygiles7354]

@@SimonSpringerMusic My favourite drummer (Larry Mullen Jr) uses that snare and I fell in love with the sound of it as soon as I heard it. I’m not too concerned with the pricing of shipping I’m just hoping I can find one that’s under $1000 NZD (I live in New Zealand). I’d probably sell my soul too for it if I could.

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

@@harrygiles7354 Yes, I heard that Larry Mullen Jr used/uses that drum ❤️. If shipping is no issue, you'll SURELY find one 🤘. Keep looking 😎🙏!!

[@Ferklaus]

how do you adjust those strainer?

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

I keep the snare wires pretty tight, but without choking the drum. So the ghost notes still sound like a snare, not a choked tom.

[@Ferklaus]

@@SimonSpringerMusic did you use extended snare wires? (15”)

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

@@Ferklaus I use the original ones. They are longer. I don't know if normal 15" will do the job. Vintage Canopus or Pearl Freefloater for example will...

[@Ferklaus]

@@SimonSpringerMusic Thanks !!!!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

@@Ferklaus You're welcome 😎.

[@Diesel0807]

Then keith carlock left yamaha for gretsch which is hard to understand given how mu h better that phoenix kit sounded than his new gear...

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

Exactly...

[@Isty1959]

Why all center hits? Play rim shots...Please!

[@SimonSpringerMusic]

What are you talking about?! I play rimshots all the time. 90 % of all of my backbeats over the past 15 years have been rimshots!! Unless I go for a deep, thuddy sound (where rimshots suck). Pay more attention! Thanks.