Snare Drums
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About Snare Drums
Without a doubt, the snare drum is one of the most important components of the modern drum kit. From a country two-step to a 6/8 swing, the snare drum plays an essential role in forming backbeats, punching accents, and informing listeners where your groove lands. It also tends to be the drum many of us spend the most time on. Therefore, if you’re looking for a quick way to overhaul the sound of a kit from, say, pop to metal, then a snare swap will get you there.
Are you jonesing for the bellowing depth of a Ludwig Black Beauty or the jam-splintering “crack” of a cranked Pearl piccolo? You’ll find just about every snare under the sun at Sweetwater. Read on for a quick primer.
Shop Snare Drums by Brand
Did you know Sweetwater has a massive selection of snare drums under one roof? This stems from our tight-knit relationships with our incredible vendors. Concert snares from Pearl, marching snares from Mapex, experimental snares from A&F — the list goes on and on. Ready to take your drumming experience to the next level? Explore the latest offerings from DW, TAMA, Yamaha, Gretsch, Ludwig, and more at Sweetwater.
Snare Drum FAQs
How much does a snare drum cost?
Great question! Snare drums at Sweetwater start around $100 (give or take, depending on sales and market value) and can cost as much as a used car.
Which snares offer the best bang for the buck?
Looking for that golden ratio of cost to performance? Sweetwater’s resident drummers stand behind the following snare models:
- Ludwig Supralite 8 x 14 steel snare
- Mapex MPX 5.5 x 14 maple/poplar snare
- Pearl Casey Cooper Igniter 5 x 14 poplar/maple snare
Each of these is a prime example of how a well-rounded snare drum doesn’t have to break the bank. For even more of our top picks, see our best snare drums roundup — updated regularly!
What snare drum shell material should I look for?
Generally, metal-shelled snare drums (brass, steel, aluminum, bronze, and titanium) excel in power, resonance, and sensitivity. They feel a little livelier to the touch and may require additional damping to tame their sheer output and overtones.
Wood snares (maple, poplar, mahogany, birch, walnut, cherry, and oak), on the other hand, tend to sound more organic behind the kit and balanced in fundamentals and output.
Does this mean wood snares can’t rip and metal snares can’t sound organic? Of course not. There are plenty of exceptions to the rule. But following these guidelines should give you a good starting point, especially if you’re looking to diversify your snare selections for your kit.
Snare drum depth vs. diameter: how do shell dimensions affect sound?
Again, we’re speaking in generalities, but most of the time, shell diameter (head size) is responsible for a snare drum’s pitch (at a given tuning), while shell depth influences how fat, thin, long, or short its resonance is. To learn more about shell size and materials, check out our snare drum buying guide.
Get Started with Your New Snare Drum
Ready to purchase your first (or ninth) snare drum? Sweetwater makes it easy. If you don’t know where to begin, contact our drum-loving Sales Engineers. They’ll help you choose the right snare for your needs!
If you prefer to shop entirely online, Sweetwater’s website has tools to narrow down your snare drum options by brand, price, shell composition, depth, diameter, and more. Select your preferred specs in our convenient product filter and explore your options!
What are the most popular brands for Snare Drums on Sweetwater.com?
What are the most popular Snare Drums on Sweetwater.com?
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Ludwig Black Beauty Snare Drum - 6.5 inches x 14 inches, Brass Snare Drum - Black Nickel
5 out of 5 stars 17 reviews
$899.00 -
Ludwig Supraphonic LM402 Snare Drum - 6.5 inches x 14 inches, Chrome
4.5 out of 5 stars 40 reviews
$729.00 -
Ludwig Special-edition Satin Deluxe Black Beauty Snare Drum - 6.5 inches x 14 inches, Satin Black Nickel, Sweetwater Exclusive
4.5 out of 5 stars 4 reviews
$1,129.00 -
Tama 50th Mastercraft Bell Brass Snare Drum "The Terminator" - 6.5 inches x 14 inches, Aged Verdigris Patina
5 out of 5 stars 2 reviews
$3,999.99 -
Ludwig Supralite Snare Drum - 6.5 inches x 14 inches, Polished
5 out of 5 stars 20 reviews
$209.00
Why shop Snare Drums at Sweetwater.com?
With a massive selection of Snare Drums, free shipping, a free 2-year warranty, 24/7 access to award-winning support - and more - Sweetwater gives you more than any other retailer! If you have any questions about Snare Drums, make sure to give your personal Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700.
