Brass vs. Aluminum

**toyota1515** · 12-09-2022, 07:34 AM

well, with tax return season coming, I'm determined to get another snare. I thought I was set on going for a regular ol' LM400 with tube lugs... of course, then the nagging part of one's mind starts whispering, "Why not brass?".

So, why not brass? What are the general differences between brass and aluminum 5x14 Supra's? My understanding is that brass is brighter, but drier than aluminum. Is this true?

SpbPTSml · 12-09-2022, 07:35 AM

You can make an aluminum drum sound brassy but not the other way around. In the studio,the desirable tones of a brass drum can be picked up and slotted in. Live, they don't get past the stage and you're left with a high priced clonk.

I've tried to like brass snares and spent a small fortune looking for THE one. Last time I ran my head into this wall it was a Stewart Copeland.

Some guys like them. I'm not one of them.

I just put together a Premier aluminum 5.5 x14 from the sixties or early seventies. 85% Acrolite for about 35 dollars.The missing 15% is due to the extra half inch and no center trough, which I happen to believe causes the air column to dissipate ever so slightly as it pushes down to the wire side. Only a theory...

If I had money to investigate a truly novel approach to the aluminum shell, I'd take a cjance on the TAMA STARPHONIC.
Jan 23, 2012
#7
atomicmorganic
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BennyK said:
You can make an aluminum drum sound brassy but not the other way around. In the studio,the desirable tones of a brass drum can be picked up and slotted in. Live, they don't get past the stage and you're left with a high priced clonk.

I've tried to like brass snares and spent a small fortune looking for THE one. Last time I ran my head into this wall it was a Stewart Copeland.

Some guys like them. I'm not one of them.

I just put together a Premier aluminum 5.5 x14 from the sixties or early seventies. 85% Acrolite for about 35 dollars.The missing 15% is due to the extra half inch and no center trough, which I happen to believe causes the air column to dissipate ever so slightly as it pushes down to the wire side. Only a theory...

If I had money to investigate a truly novel approach to the aluminum shell, I'd take a cjance on the TAMA STARPHONIC.
Click to expand...I have played brass snares for many, many years. Almost always live and 70% unmiked. People are always saying things like "That is a GREAT sounding snare!" and "How do you get it to sound so fat?" and "That's what a snare drum should sound like!" These were people who were in the audience. Sometimes way out in the audience. Klonk? I think not. There is a reason that Ludwig black beauty brass snare drums bring thousands of dollars, and it's not because they go "klonk".
Jan 23, 2012
#8
bellbrass
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I am a huge brass fan, and I have never liked the sound of aluminum. I agree with what many say about aluminum - it's drier, sounds more like wood, etc. I have two Stewart Copeland COB snares that are the best snare for the money I've ever had; I also have a Ludwig 2005 COB 5" x 14" that sounds fantastic. Brass just has that sound I love.
Jan 23, 2012
#9
wayne
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Check out the new aluminum snare drums. They list for 550 but go out the door for 4-450..I have one which i dont use,its almost new i,d let go if anyone is keen.....Guess it helps to mention its Yamaha.
Jan 23, 2012
#10
BennyK
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wayne said:
Check out the new aluminum snare drums. They list for 550 but go out the door for 4-450..I have one which i dont use,its almost new i,d let go if anyone is keen.....Guess it helps to mention its Yamaha.

Is that the Dave Weckl one with the twin strainers ?
Jan 23, 2012
#11
BennyK
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atomicmorganic said:
BennyK said:
You can make an aluminum drum sound brassy but not the other way around. In the studio,the desirable tones of a brass drum can be picked up and slotted in. Live, they don't get past the stage and you're left with a high priced clonk.

I've tried to like brass snares and spent a small fortune looking for THE one. Last time I ran my head into this wall it was a Stewart Copeland.

Some guys like them. I'm not one of them.

I just put together a Premier aluminum 5.5 x14 from the sixties or early seventies. 85% Acrolite for about 35 dollars.The missing 15% is due to the extra half inch and no center trough, which I happen to believe causes the air column to dissipate ever so slightly as it pushes down to the wire side. Only a theory...

If I had money to investigate a truly novel approach to the aluminum shell, I'd take a cjance on the TAMA STARPHONIC.
Click to expand...I have played brass snares for many, many years. Almost always live and 70% unmiked. People are always saying things like "That is a GREAT sounding snare!" and "How do you get it to sound so fat?" and "That's what a snare drum should sound like!" These were people who were in the audience. Sometimes way out in the audience. Klonk? I think not. There is a reason that Ludwig black beauty brass snare drums bring thousands of dollars, and it's not because they go "klonk".
Click to expand...
You are correct, "clonk " is spelled with a " K " .... :razz:
Jan 23, 2012
#12
wayne
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Benny no its not. There are only 2 sizes;5.5 and 6.5x14. VERY nice drums but im a woody to the end,especially my own.
Jan 23, 2012
#13
JCKOriollo
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I'll speak to this as i own an acrolite and a black beauty and we just a b'ed them the other night. Honestly, eq'ed flat they didn't sound that different. The crack of the bb is sharper and cuts more, but the acro had a bit more body underneath which was interesting to me cause it's a 5 and the beauty is 6.5. Acro has an emperor on it and bb has stock Ludwig which might play into it a little too

I like my black beauty more because it just feels more powerful. You hit it and it hits you back we joke...but at the same time the acro feels different. You hit it and yor stick kinda sinks in more which is kinda of cool too.

For me it's not an either or but a both. You can find acros cheap tho...so maybe try it out for a low cost investment
Jan 23, 2012
#14
RyanR
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Thanks all!

I'm after a crisp, ringy sound. I'm taking that brass is probably the way to go for this. Besides, I like a good klonk! :blackeye:

-Ryan
Jan 23, 2012
#15
supershifter2
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several years ago i went to pro drum lookin fur a rogers 6.5x14 cob. struck out. Stan showed me the latest ludwig cob reissue. i listened to it and an alunimum(aluminum) ludwig. both were bran new and had the same ludwig heads and were 6.5x14. i had them side by side on the same type of stands and played with the tuning. the cob was a 'tad" dryer and the alunimum had a "tad" more ring. i verifed the snares i was listening to cause the cob has a plate on it thats says its a cob. i bought the cob. i suggest you listen to one b4 you buy. it all comes down to > what do you like.
Jan 23, 2012
#16
JCKOriollo
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Hmm interesting. My bb is far wetter than my acro. Aluminum is really dry typically. Could be the emperor head but I wouldn't say the acro is ringy at all
Jan 23, 2012
#17
Heartbeat
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RyanR said:
Thanks all!

I'm after a crisp, ringy sound. I'm taking that brass is probably the way to go for this. Besides, I like a good klonk! :blackeye:

-Ryan
Crisp and ringy (in a good way) is exactly how I would describe my Black Beauties, particularly the 5". You won't be disappointed.
Jan 23, 2012
#18
shuffle
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Brass is very musical sounding and projects like crazy.
A Brass Supra of some sort or a BB would be the way to go.
Jan 23, 2012
#19
cornelius
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shuffle said:
Brass is very musical sounding and projects like crazy.
A Brass Supra of some sort or a BB would be the way to go.

+1
Jan 23, 2012
#20
EvEnStEvEn
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Brass vs aluminum = quite a difference in tone, from my experience.

My Brass 6.5 WorldMax with center bead and diecast hoops - Presence, projection, volume, crisp articulation.

My Pearl 6.5 Senistone Aluminum with center bead and 2.3 superhoops - Dry, airy, fat, mellow, chunky, woody, etc...
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