Custom drum kit - separate snare?
October 29, 2021 10:06 AM Subscribe
I am currently in the beginning stages of having a custom drum set built for me. It can be 4 pieces without a snare or they can include a share. I notice a lot of drummers use a snare of a different brand from the rest of their kit. Is there a reason for this? If so - what’s a great snare recommendation? Does anyone know anything about SJC snares? That’s the company I’m going through.
There's a lot more variation in the construction and design of snares than toms, and some drummers have multiple snares simultaneously.
posted by rhizome at 11:46 AM on October 29, 2021
posted by rhizome at 11:46 AM on October 29, 2021
If you like the way SJC snares sound and there's a price cut for having it made as part of the full kit, then go for it. But snares are what most drummers will swap out when wanting to achieve a different sound. Kind of like guitarists use pedals and strings, drummers use snares and cymbals (and sneakers, lol). Snares and cymbals usually have the most "personality" in the kit, the most noticeable voices, so drummers use different ones to bring a different tone to the conversation. Personally, I'd save my money and buy something else unless I really loved the SJC sound.
posted by cocoagirl at 11:50 AM on October 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by cocoagirl at 11:50 AM on October 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
cocoagirl hit it right on the head (haha). As a passionate hobbyist and occasional performer, I will select cymbals and snare(s) to match the session/gig/room/vibe whatever. If you really like the SJC, go for it - there's always room for another snare.
Re. getting a custom set: I would take the time to experiment with different sizes, heads, and tuning before ponying up custom bucks. These factors are much, much more important to achieving a sound than the particular material and construction for toms and kick.
posted by jmfitch at 12:57 PM on October 29, 2021
Re. getting a custom set: I would take the time to experiment with different sizes, heads, and tuning before ponying up custom bucks. These factors are much, much more important to achieving a sound than the particular material and construction for toms and kick.
posted by jmfitch at 12:57 PM on October 29, 2021
Response by poster: I’m not a beginner, I’ve been playing since I was 9 years old, I’ve recorded multiple successful albums, I’m just looking for an insight I’ve always wanted but never asked. I’ve played one drum set my whole career and I kept the snare from the drum company (Tama).
posted by jitterbug perfume at 11:08 PM on October 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by jitterbug perfume at 11:08 PM on October 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
I think you should talk to a lot of drummers about this.
posted by charlesminus at 2:51 PM on October 30, 2021
posted by charlesminus at 2:51 PM on October 30, 2021
This thread is closed to new comments.
I assume you like the sound of SJCs drums, since you're going to the trouble of paying to have a set custom built for you. Do you like the way SJC snares sound? That should be the key factor in deciding if you want to buy their snare drum. If you like metal snares and they only make wood ones, that would make the decision a lot easier.
Also, I must ask: are you sure you really need a custom built drum set? Your questions imply that you'e a beginner, and I'd hate to see you blow thousands on a custom built kit that may be hard to sell, when a $600 Gretsch Catalina or something similar could do the job.
posted by jonathanhughes at 10:43 AM on October 29, 2021 [9 favorites]