Snare Tuning....

Hope it helps bro [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

I'm having a hell of a time tuning my maple snare. It was sounding good when I got it. Had to take the head off to tighten a nut but after putting the head back on I can't acheive the same sound. I've tried virtually everything from bottom head higher to lower and played with the strainer tightness alot. It was very sensitive before now it is not....maybe I need to tighten the top head even more???....any thoughts? It's a DW 5X14

Bottom head should be table tight with the lugs around the snare bed just a tad tighter. Top head tight or to desired feel and sound. Then loosen the snares just a tad before they start to completly rattle, but enough to get some nice response.

Once again...thank you Randy. I know the bottom is not "table tight" so thats likely the problem. Will check it out tonight

That's what it was... I thought the bottom head was tight, it wasn't tight enough....

Glad it worked out!
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Randy, would you say that's a good rule for all snares, to have the bottome head very tight and the batter tuned for touch/feel?
Also tightening the lugs round the bottom snare slightly more taught, what is the purpose of this? Also to slacken off the batter head slightly once you've attained a nice feel?

I use a Ludwig Black Beauty for most of my work, although I do have a 402 aswell and an Arbiter one lug tuning system snare drum.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 26, 2004 11:52 AM: Message edited by: Dazzler ]</font>

I've followed this tuning method for years with great success, especially reducing the snare buzz as Randy explained. [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

Play around and see what happens.

Danny

I have experimented a lot with my snare drums and I have to say that, in my opinion, it pays to experiment and from one extreme to the other.

Cover the entire spectrum so that you get to know what you like and most important, why.

For instance, I have liked doing exactly what Randy described. I have used this approach a lot, over the years.

On the other hand, I have tuned the snare-side to 'almost-wrinkle', especially, when I tune my top-head lower, for a fatter-sound. I have had success with that too.

Think of the sound you want and experiment, making note of what seems to be working and try and figure out why it's working so that you will remember it.

I am a very 'rudimental drummer' and prefer a very, very sensitive snare and sound; especially on an acoustic kit. I use kevlar heads because I have a large, dynamic range but I also like the natural muffling effect of the heads. Not everyone goes for this sound. Figure out what you want and work from there. You'll find the sound.

The snare really IS 'the voice'.

Good luck.

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<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 27, 2004 11:47 AM: Message edited by: peter c ]</font>

I always tended to tune the bottom head pretty darn tight, but I find that sometimes it chokes the drum and takes away some of the depth if you go "too" far.

My favorite all-around snare sound might be Simon Phillips' off of his videos, Symbiosis, or the Toto Livefields CD. I don't know how he gets depth, crack, richness, crispness and sensitivity all at the same time.

I had an Evans two-ply Genera (no ring) on my snare for a while and it sounded terrific. I went back to coated Ambassador, and I can't get my "usual" sound out of it. Ugh! I should have just left it alone....I feel your pain SJJ!