Where can I find a reasonable priced snare on the web?

[TheGiftedOne]

When I say reasonably, I mean for my budget which is $100 or below 100 or a lttle bit above.

[buzz95]

One word: 

[TheGiftedOne]

I checked it but I couldn't find what I wanted.

[Eccentric-Rhythm]

What do you want for $100?

[TheGiftedOne]

What do you want for $100?

Something that gives a clean, crisp, sound, and something that'll last.

[buzz95]

I don't know about the build quality of this snare, but here goes: http://www.amazon.com/Pulse-Steel-Piccolo-14X3-5-Inches/dp/B0002F5IVO

[bigblackdrummer]

One word: 

HOLLA!

[B_XALTED]

HOLLA!

Hi Mr. Bernard... I havent seent you in a bit..... I missed you bruh.

[buzz95]

I would try eBay or Amazon.com.... Are there any used music stores in your area??? That may work too.

Those were already recommended.  Please see my posts.   

[snareman]

I don't know about the build quality of this snare, but here goes: http://www.amazon.com/Pulse-Steel-Piccolo-14X3-5-Inches/dp/B0002F5IVO

This snare is not very good. I just had a kid bring me one to tune for him. The shell was bent and dented in at the place where the snare strainer was connected to the shell. It was just poor quality.

On the other hand, if you go to SamAsh.com, they have a 5.5"x13" all maple snare for $89. Some people on here may say don't buy it, but I actually have that snare. When you buy it, also get an Evans Genera batter head the one with the built-in muffle ring. This snare was kinda ringy and wild, but this particular head tames it (and I wouldn't just say that, because I actually HATE Evans heads. They're garbage!!) But this one works with this snare. Mine has a nice crisp, clean sound.

I'm telling you, I have gotten several compliments on the sound of this "cheap" snare. Spend less money and more time getting it to sound good. That's what I always say.

YOU DO NOT (I repeat) DO NOT have to spend $300 to get a great sounding snare!! All of my snares sound great. And I only have 1 $300+ snare (Mapex Black Panther). Don't trust the hype and spend all your money. Learn how to manipulate what you have in order to get the sound you want!! Don't get into the big money game. It's not worth it.

I hope this helps.

[snareman]

I forgot. The brand of the snare is Groove Percussion.

P.S. Sneer and jeer if you will, but my ears don't lie. I actually have this snare and I don't have to ask anyone if it sounds good. Just let your wallet and your ears be the judge.

[buzz95]

Good looking out on the Pulse piccolo build quality review for TheGiftedOne! 

[buzz95]

YOU DO NOT (I repeat) DO NOT have to spend $300 to get a great sounding snare!! All of my snares sound great. And I only have 1 $300+ snare (Mapex Black Panther). Don't trust the hype and spend all your money. Learn how to manipulate what you have in order to get the sound you want!! Don't get into the big money game. It's not worth it.

True, however, you probably don't need to have any name brand shoes or clothing either.  Oh, and that Honda, or whatever vehicle that you own? Yeah, replace that with an Edsel (look it up, if you're don't know what that is).  That quality television that you probably have?  Yeah, take that back for an Apex...  You get where I'm going with this, right? 

You do get what you pay for - it's a mixed percentage of build quality and sound quality.  You are correct by stating that an expensive snare does not automatically equate to a great sounding drum.  It is in the head selection and tuning, not to mention the player's 'touch'. 

[snareman]

True, however, you probably don't need to have any name brand shoes or clothing either.  Oh, and that Honda, or whatever vehicle that you own? Yeah, replace that with an Edsel (look it up, if you're don't know what that is).  That quality television that you probably have?  Yeah, take that back for an Apex...  You get where I'm going with this, right? 

You do get what you pay for - it's a mixed percentage of build quality and sound quality.  You are correct by stating that an expensive snare does not automatically equate to a great sounding drum.  It is in the head selection and tuning, not to mention the player's 'touch'. 

I have a few pair of Nikes. But I got em free. I have some name brand clothes, but I got em free. I ain't paying to be a walking commercial. I also have some no-name clothes that have lasted me just as long. I take care of anything I spend my money on. I know what you're saying, I just agreeably disagree. My major was marketing.  One of the first lessons we learned was that if you can market a product well enough, people will pay extra just for the perceived benefit, not the actual benefit. Case in point: Gibraltar makes strong, sturdy hardware and it can be quite expensive. A few years ago, they came out with a subsidiary company called Sound Percussion. Same makers, different name, same quality steel products, just cheaper because they didn't have to charge for the Gibraltar name.

The same thing with DW and PDP. Although there are differences in the specs of these two brands, DW openly admits that they use the same wood for both companies. Now there are some companies whose production process is expensive and you end up paying for it. But can our ears REALLY tell us whether what we're playing cost $300 or $3000? Especially with all of the post-recording eq's and FX that are available nowadays? And if we learn how to make what we have live up to its potential?

I feel you, Chief. I just don't agree with it. I'm the kind who would spend time rather than money perfecting my sound and craft. No disrespect to you, so I hope you're not reading this as if I have a hostile tone. And truthfully, I think the higher the snare price, the better the initial sound will be. Not necessarily the case after you work with what you have and learn its intricacies. Good topic.

[B_XALTED]

True, however, you probably don't need to have any name brand shoes or clothing either.  Oh, and that Honda, or whatever vehicle that you own? Yeah, replace that with an Edsel (look it up, if you're don't know what that is).  That quality television that you probably have?  Yeah, take that back for an Apex...  You get where I'm going with this, right? 

You do get what you pay for - it's a mixed percentage of build quality and sound quality.  You are correct by stating that an expensive snare does not automatically equate to a great sounding drum.  It is in the head selection and tuning, not to mention the player's 'touch'. 

YOU DID NOT JUST SAY APEX TV... Hilariious. LOL.

I see both sides, you do get what you pay for. You are an expert, surely there is a middle ground somewhere...

[snareman]

I guess what we really need to refer back to is the budget mentioned in the original post. There's no reason to tell him about the 6x14 Noble and Cooley metal alloy snare if he only has $100. The snare I mentioned is a great sounding snare (not just for the price) and it is within that original budget. It's under $100, and with the proper head choice, its sound clean and crisp (I believe these were the original desired specifications). Let's try not to scare anybody away.

[TheVeteran]

I use a CHEAP snare, but it sounds good.

This post changed my life:

  O.K.  O.Kaaaaaaaaay! Nough said about what you think I play!
1. I do not play the "Roy Haynes" signature snare.
2. I do own a "Brass Yamaha" snare, but that's not what ur hearing on these records.
3. I don't use any signature snare drums, I like them but they're made to fit the artist not my sound. But don't get it twisted I loooove the way they sound!   
4. I always use Emporer X coated on my snare drums, with the exception of the M. Sapp dvd, it was a spare head because my emporer X split on me after the 2nd song. But I will tell you this!
I get AAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL my snare's custom made by a guy in Memphis Tn. And they're made with      ooooooooops I can't tell you that! But just trust they sound incredible.
But I'll give you a "Diamond" for free right now! And that is,
If you want ur snare to really cut with tone, precision and crack?
1. Go get an Emporer X
2. Put the head on so tight until u hear the sides cracking.
3. Go And purchase a thicker snare wash for the bottom.
4. Once the head is stretched start tunning from the bottom    and I promise ur snare will sound "INCREDIBLE!" no matter what type of snare it is u follow these instructions u will obtain a great sounding snare drum. AIGHT! Peace!

[B_XALTED]

I use a CHEAP snare, but it sounds good.

This post changed my life:

OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I use the same thing on MY
SNARE!

My question, before this turns into a debate or locked thread, is where is the middle ground then???

The snare on the kit at church is the PDP CX snare. But I use a Gretsch Catalina Club Snare... It came with Evans batter heads, but I changed it to a Remo Emperor X head... And it sounds amazing. This snare now costs $99.99...

My question is what makes a $500 snare worth $500 My hun-ed dollar snare sounds just fine....

[snareman]

OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I use the same thing on MY
SNARE!

My question, before this turns into a debate or locked thread, is where is the middle ground then???

The snare on the kit at church is the PDP CX snare. But I use a Gretsch Catalina Club Snare... It came with Evans batter heads, but I changed it to a Remo Emperor X head... And it sounds amazing. This snare now costs $99.99...

My question is what makes a $500 snare worth $500 My hun-ed dollar snare sounds just fine....

Hey, B. . . This is kinda what I've been saying. I have a Catalina Club snare as well. It's not my main snare, but it works well for me in smaller churches. It's not too loud, it has a full body, and tuned right has a nice "pop" and cutting sidestick sound. And mine cost $50. It was used (by used, I mean someone bought it, didn't really like it, brought it back a few days later and traded it for something else. So it could not be sold as new anymore.)

I have also wondered how, if I know what sound I'm looking for, I have to pay $300 to get that sound. Maybe it's easier if the snare is expensive. But I haven't found that to be the case yet. I don't know what the freakin' deal is. . . except great marketers who make us think we have to pay more money.

[buzz95]

I have a few pair of Nikes. But I got em free. I have some name brand clothes, but I got em free. I ain't paying to be a walking commercial. I also have some no-name clothes that have lasted me just as long. I take care of anything I spend my money on. I know what you're saying, I just agreeably disagree. My major was marketing.  One of the first lessons we learned was that if you can market a product well enough, people will pay extra just for the perceived benefit, not the actual benefit. Case in point: Gibraltar makes strong, sturdy hardware and it can be quite expensive. A few years ago, they came out with a subsidiary company called Sound Percussion. Same makers, different name, same quality steel products, just cheaper because they didn't have to charge for the Gibraltar name.

The same thing with DW and PDP. Although there are differences in the specs of these two brands, DW openly admits that they use the same wood for both companies. Now there are some companies whose production process is expensive and you end up paying for it. But can our ears REALLY tell us whether what we're playing cost $300 or $3000? Especially with all of the post-recording eq's and FX that are available nowadays? And if we learn how to make what we have live up to its potential?

I feel you, Chief. I just don't agree with it. I'm the kind who would spend time rather than money perfecting my sound and craft. No disrespect to you, so I hope you're not reading this as if I have a hostile tone. And truthfully, I think the higher the snare price, the better the initial sound will be. Not necessarily the case after you work with what you have and learn its intricacies. Good topic.

Great points!