Snare Wires - suggestions?

Alright guys, I know piss all about snare wires other than they come in a few differant materials; metal, plastic/nylon and possibly another sort?

I have metal wires on right now but, one of the strands recently became unattached so, I twisted it off. There is some partial seperation between the wires as well which, I've heard means that it's time for a new set any ways.

I've been messing with tuning on the snare and, it doesn't sound too pretty so, I'm hoping that putting some new, non-broken wires will help a bit - it's just the stock snare yet, despite that it's made out of wood it sounds kind of tinny, doesn't help the snares are rattling like crazy. Is there any make/brand, and/or material you suggest for a replacement? Ideally, I'd just like to get a new snare drum, an all maple or a brass but, that's not an option at the moment.

Just incase it comes up... the head is fairly new, coated Remo Weatherking. Considering changing it though, I use to use Evan's G2 but, I'm wondering about their Onyx 2-ply head.

Thanks guys.

i put a set of puresound customs on my DC snare. opened it up beautifully.

a lot of guys around here have sung the praises of the various puresound offerings. they're kinda pricey, but certainly worth it imho.

"Weather King" is not a model; Remo puts that on most of their models. It makes a pretty big difference what heads you have on it.

Every snare (unless complete crap) deserves to be tried with a single-ply coated batter and a standard snare side head such as the hazy Ambassador snare side or Evans hazy 300. That combination is used more than any other and you can get a variety of sounds from it while maintaining sensitivity.

If you're good at tuning and those heads don't work out for you, then it's time to explore other possibilities. I'd hate to see you go for a 2-ply head right off the bat; to my mind that's an extreme measure for a snare that usually leads to reduced sensitivity.

As far as snare wires go, I like puresounds, too. I'm particularly fond of their Custom 16-strand wires, but if you're looking for a 20-strand set and are balking at the price of puresounds, I recommend the Pearl Ultrasound wires, bronze like the puresounds and to my ear nearly identical in sound for a lot less money.

See Gatzen on snare wires here:

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And his method of snare tuning here:

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I've been buying German bronze wires lately. Cheaper than puresounds, solid build with vintage look. I agree with dtd about every snare should start with single ply coated/medium reso. Really offers the best range, unless you're slamming every hit 2 plys are overkill.

Puresound, Fat Cat, Canopus, Ludwig, Sonor....lots of snares to pick from. They're all good.

Pure sound blasters are my fav, you might like them too..

cearley, are you talking about these?

They are German steel, not bronze. But still great wires and a great deal. They are unbranded versions of the DW Truetone snares.

I think 40-strand Puresound has been the go-to around here.

Puresound bronze 16 strand on every snare for me.

According to whom??

I'm using a mixture:

Puresound 12-strand Equalizers

Puresound 14-strand Customs

Puresound 16-strand Customs

Grover Club Dark

Grover Club Gold/custom

Grover Club Bright

That's possibly them, I know they offer 3 different shaped clips for different response. I get them from supersonic, Derek labels them treehouse customs and uses them on all his snares.

I use Fat Cat wires... I love'em!

20's on my 5.5" x 14" Snare

30's on my 7" x 14" and 6.5" x 14" Snares.

The puresounds are killer, and the pearl's are almost as deadly, but cheaper. You decide. The money you save by buying the pearls could buy you that single ply coated head.

am I the only one still using cat guts?

Yes. :poke:

Bit of a belated response - been busy as hell with work, then I couldn't find the damn thread lol.

As always, the input is more appreciated guys and yet again, Gatzen seems to know his {censored} and offer some interesting details and ideas.

drumtechdad: Forgive me for my ignorance, still getting refamiliarized with all the drum tech - the top head is their Controlled Sound model, not that it's really relative but all the toms are Emperor. Also took a look on the underside of the snare drum to see what's going on there, I've no idea what make the wires are, and it looks like the underside skin is stock since it says it's a Yamaha UT Snare by Remo made in Taiwan.

... just looking at all the skins now, seems the tom undersides were all upgraded to Ambassadors at some point.

Well perhaps today I'll make that long over due trip to the store since I need a new set of guitar strings any how, see what's what and keep your guys suggestions in mind. I'm willing to bet the wires are stock, the plastic straps on the wires look fairly old. I'll also take your guys word on keeping away from the 2-ply head, I'm not really a heavy hitter as if any thing, I'm trying to get my hand technique down for consistancey and increased speed...

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