|
|
Post by christophert on Nov 7, 2021 18:46:46 GMT -6
I'm looking for one more studio snare, wood - approx 14 x 7. Anyone have any experience with these? Tulip? Beech ? Maple ? Easy to tune?
Cheers  |
|
|
|
Post by plinker on Nov 7, 2021 19:18:15 GMT -6
Very cool story about their origins and what you're paying for.
If I were a rich man, I <might> pay for one but, as a drummer, I am very strongly opinionated that the rapidly diminishing returns on snares starts at about $300 (used).
Others will certainly disagree. Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying that the N&C guys aren't earning the price. They certainly are. I just don't think you'll hear the value of the workmanship, at that price, once it reaches the DAW. Almost EVERY other factor with matter more than the awesomeness of the carved log shelll, and the hand-laquered what-cha-ma-jiggy.
Just my $.02, and good luck!
|
|
|
|
Post by phdamage on Nov 7, 2021 19:33:42 GMT -6
I am a drummer by trade and I have a ton of fancy and expensive snare drums. My N&C 14x7 solid maple is still my favorite and what I play on most records I play drums on.
I have probably had it ten years at this point and will never sell it! It has crack for days and a beautiful tone.
When bands come to my studio, it’s one of the first snares I have the drummer try (along with a Duluth Brass bell bronze and my gretsch solid aluminum - these all before my keplinger or Ludwig standards).
You really won’t be sorry. And if for some crazy reason, you decide to sell it, it will retain its value pretty well - they rarely seem to go used under $700-800.
|
|
|
|
Post by lpedrum on Nov 7, 2021 23:34:54 GMT -6
Yes, their resale value it good. How do I know? I had one for a few years and sold it because it just didn't live up to the hype and didn't record especially well. That doesn't mean that there aren't great N&C drums out there, just that the brand name alone doesn't guarantee your dream snare drum.
|
|
|
|
Post by recordingengineer on Nov 7, 2021 23:42:55 GMT -6
I remember first hearing Noble and Cooley snares and loving them. Them and a few others over the years instantly perked-up my ears upon first-listen. However, I’ve never actually dove into any purchase, like I have with audio gear. After the closing of Guru Drums though, and me being too late with them after dragging my feet for some years, I had a snare shell custom made with the inspiration from one of Guru’s snares! All completely custom, by Lee Hodges at Groovesmith Drums - 13X7.5, 6mm thick, 6 segmented English Ash with 1 segmented middle ring of Ovangkol, 12 segments per ring, 10mm integrated re-ring, and Tympani edge, no vent hole, 3mmX2in. snare bed. Hardware, I went Champagne Drum Cito Tube Lugs, Gibraltar die cast hoops, Dunnett snare throw, and custom Canopus 13” Back Beat snare wire. Added a Snareweight #5 with Pro Lock and 70’s Leather. Wow! Here’s a picture of it: drive.google.com/file/d/1ARUB2JqTWUZ7r8spE4gERHHK_FCXEP6P/view?usp=drivesdkAnyhow, my point is, dive-in, the water is warm! It’s worth it! |
|
|
|
Post by christophert on Nov 8, 2021 0:49:29 GMT -6
Thanks for all the posts! I get everyone has a preference for snares, so some may not work depending on the style of music.
I have 3 really great 5" snares, but need one more - that is 7" deep and wood, so the N&C seems to come recommended by many session / recording drummers as one of the best. Promising to hear the maple 14x7 is your fave phdamage . This snare is for recording sessions where I need to have a killer wood snare as an option. I'm tired of trying "good" snares and now want to step up and purchase a keeper Still trying to work out what wood to go for... what does maple do that tulipwood doesn't |
|
|
|
Post by drumsound on Nov 8, 2021 9:00:23 GMT -6
Maple is a pretty classic wood for drums. It's harmonically rich, and fairly meaty sounding. It's probably the best bet, especially if you don't have a happening wood drum.
If you follow N&C on Instagram, the tulip is freaking beautiful. They do a thing called "first coat Friday" where they show one raw drum getting its first coat of oil and it's memorizing seeing the grain come out. I have no idea what the sound characteristics of tulip are.
It's worth an email or a call to them to discuss the different woods and how they sound.
I heard Jimmy Chamberlain play a jazz gig a few months ago on an almost brand new Beech Craviatto set and it was a lovely sound, pretty warm and focused, just using overheads, the drums still had a lot of body.
|
|
|
|
Post by phdamage on Nov 8, 2021 9:11:07 GMT -6
worth adding - I'm not a huge fan of wood snares. I currently have a stave marblewood that I'm not getting along with well (no snare bite, even with 42 strand wires), an oddball ludwig marching snare and the N&C. I've had plenty over the years, but never kept them long. They usually feel fairly wimpy, projection wise, compared to metal - aside from the N&C (and the stave marblewood). I had a pair of C&C custom mahogany snares that came to me via a kit purchase and they have made me swear off of mahogany forever. Just no volume at all, no matter how much I gave it. might be perfectly suitable for quieter music, but I almost never play quiet stuff.
I have a oak log snare (true solid) on the way from Antonio drums I'm curious to play with.
|
|
|
|
Post by drumrec on Nov 8, 2021 13:11:29 GMT -6
I saw that video about the family business N&C. I love when it's pure craftsmanship from start to finish. Only that makes the drum worth the price. One fine day, I will wrap a Christmas present for myself and write some nice rhyme on N&C on the package With that said, you understand that I do not have any N&C snare! But I have collected a lot of snare drums over the years and there is one that has stuck out a little extra and that is on almost all recordings independent style and it is not that expensive. It's "Pearl Free Floating Brass 14 X 6.5". Had to buy another for high pitch and keep the other for low pitch to be able to work faster. Worth checking it out. Sorry if I did not have something useful to come with N&C snare. One day.... |
|
|
|
Post by christophert on Nov 8, 2021 13:19:31 GMT -6
This is great info guys - very much appreciate your collective experience (I'm not much of a drummer myself)
Would you think N&C have enough sound consistency between the 7 inch maple snares?
I'm nowhere near any outlets to try them.
|
|
|
|
Post by phdamage on Nov 8, 2021 14:19:13 GMT -6
I have only heard a few other N&C solid shells but they all sounded great to my ear! And this thread might be the first I heard of anyone having an issue with their solid shell snares. the only thing that I don't love about the new ones is that the hoops are no longer die cast
If you're concerned you might get a bum one, maybe check the return policy if buying new. Or buy a used one and turn right around and sell it if you hate it.
|
|
|
|
Post by christophert on Nov 8, 2021 18:31:24 GMT -6
I have only heard a few other N&C solid shells but they all sounded great to my ear! And this thread might be the first I heard of anyone having an issue with their solid shell snares. the only thing that I don't love about the new ones is that the hoops are no longer die cast If you're concerned you might get a bum one, maybe check the return policy if buying new. Or buy a used one and turn right around and sell it if you hate it. Great Advice - thanks ( yes the new hoops look terrible in black, and I wonder about the affect on the tone ) It seems there are still die cast ones around new.
I need to find a good US dealer that is a N&C specialist - anyone know a good N&C dealer in US or Canada?
|
|
|
|
Post by svart on Nov 9, 2021 8:37:13 GMT -6
No N&C snares here, but the major differences in sound are not in the wood type. It's the bearing edges, hoops and head choices. Best sounding wood snare I've used in a while is a Pearl Masters maple 14x6.5 with cast hoops. Second would be the Tama Starclassic bubinga 14x6.5 with cast hoops.
|
|
|
|
Post by bgrotto on Nov 10, 2021 11:16:22 GMT -6
I've had mixed experience with N&C snares. Some have been quite good, some have been rather lame. But of course, this is true for any drum (except maybe Sonor, who manage to never ever make anything less than exceptional...and maybe A&F, but i digress). In any event, they DO hold their resale value well, which is a worthy consideration. Anywho, play the drum you plan on buying. That's the only way to do it. Even three of the same model will all sound different. If you can visit a proper drum shop (NOT guitar center or the like) and demo multiple instruments, do it. I'm lucky to be close-ish to this place, which is basically a snare drum lover's candy store (hell maybe just buy a plane ticket to visit them LOL), and I've had several eye/ear-opening experiences there by playing multiples of the 'same' drum make/model, comparing the fancy expensive boutique stuff to the 'regular' stuff, etc etc. There's just no way of knowing what you're getting (and paying for!!) unless you play the things. As always, carefully consider not just the shell, but also the hoop (BIG sound differences in die-cast vs triple flanged, with the latter actually being more traditionally 'studio-friendly', despite the boutique status of the former), throw-off (N&C are always good so probably no worries there), snare wires, yadda yadda. Last thought about wood snares. Other great brands/models include C&C (i personally LOVE their walnut / poplar 7x14), the classic Radio King (if you can find one in good shape), and on a budget, the exceptionally good SLP series from Tama (these things punch WAY WAY above their price tags and come in all sorts of more 'modern' configurations, if that's what you need). |
|
|
|
Post by drumsound on Nov 10, 2021 12:21:32 GMT -6
worth adding - I'm not a huge fan of wood snares. I currently have a stave marblewood that I'm not getting along with well (no snare bite, even with 42 strand wires), an oddball ludwig marching snare and the N&C. I've had plenty over the years, but never kept them long. They usually feel fairly wimpy, projection wise, compared to metal - aside from the N&C (and the stave marblewood). I had a pair of C&C custom mahogany snares that came to me via a kit purchase and they have made me swear off of mahogany forever. Just no volume at all, no matter how much I gave it. might be perfectly suitable for quieter music, but I almost never play quiet stuff. I have a oak log snare (true solid) on the way from Antonio drums I'm curious to play with. Sans for my Bell Brass Gretsch, I'm completely the opposite. I never play any of my metal snares for an extended period because they are now where near as harmonically rich or pleasing as my wood snares. I have only heard a few other N&C solid shells but they all sounded great to my ear! And this thread might be the first I heard of anyone having an issue with their solid shell snares. the only thing that I don't love about the new ones is that the hoops are no longer die cast If you're concerned you might get a bum one, maybe check the return policy if buying new. Or buy a used one and turn right around and sell it if you hate it. I believe you can get die cast rims as on option on new N&C snares. |
|
|
|
Post by phdamage on Nov 10, 2021 12:47:52 GMT -6
Sans for my Bell Brass Gretsch, I'm completely the opposite. I never play any of my metal snares for an extended period because they are now where near as harmonically rich or pleasing as my wood snares. I believe you can get die cast rims as on option on new N&C snares. Tony, what does your wood snare lineup look like? just curious. I think I just record too many cymbal bashers - I need the extra volume that metal seems to afford me. Also, I thought N&C discontinued die cast hoops because they couldn't source them locally anymore? |
|
|
|
Post by robschnapf on Nov 10, 2021 13:42:03 GMT -6
I have an N&C beech and another brass.
Both are beasts.
|
|
|
|
Post by peterhess on Nov 10, 2021 15:37:20 GMT -6
The drummers I have over here love my N+C and rarely play anything else.
|
|
|
|
Post by christophert on Nov 10, 2021 17:57:29 GMT -6
The drummers I have over here love my N+C and rarely play anything else. peterhess - what model and size is your snare? |
|
|
|
Post by jeremygillespie on Nov 10, 2021 18:04:59 GMT -6
Just a consideration - check out the Sugarpercussion lineup. Small shop, they do payment plans - lots of wood options. Good amount of videos out there to give you an idea of the sound characteristics of the different woods.
|
|
|
|
Post by drumsound on Nov 11, 2021 2:30:10 GMT -6
Sans for my Bell Brass Gretsch, I'm completely the opposite. I never play any of my metal snares for an extended period because they are now where near as harmonically rich or pleasing as my wood snares. I believe you can get die cast rims as on option on new N&C snares. Tony, what does your wood snare lineup look like? just curious. I think I just record too many cymbal bashers - I need the extra volume that metal seems to afford me. Also, I thought N&C discontinued die cast hoops because they couldn't source them locally anymore? Gretsch roundbadge 6.5x14 that sounds like old Blue Note records but not a great rock drum, but still fun to have. Slingerland 6.5x14 3 mahogany from the '50s (my very first snare from like 2nd or 3rd grade) Rogers 5x14 older drum, early 60s maybe. It's actually a long term loan super warm sound Leedy and Ludwig 5.5x14 that sounds odd acoustically, but amazing under mics Bison 5x14 maple that I put a die cast on the top that I swapped from a Pearl Freefloating piccolo Premier 6x14 maple wood hoop Tama 6x14 birch from their inexpensive line I got on eBay for cheap, but I've played and used A LOT Mapex 6x14 Cherry Bomb The newest drum in the stable. You might be right on the N&C die cast, but I thought I've seen recent Insta posts with die cast. |
|
