Snare reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 147 Reddit reviews across 5 subreddits and 30 posts to rank the best Snare brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/drums, r/percussion, r/Drumming, r/Hardcore, r/edrums. Top-rated brands include Ludwig (4.7/5), Gretsch (4.6/5), Evans (4.7/5).
Stats
Reviews147
Subreddits5
Posts30
Brands48
Products93
147 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Ludwig
4.7
(48)
"I have the all die-cast 13" model and it's a monster of a snare drum. Pretty much the perfect brass snare."
"I have a Ludwig Universal Series “Black Magic” brass 14x8” and play in a trad metal band. It’s perfect. I got it new for $349."
"You really can't go wrong with an Acrolite or a Supraphonic, but keep an eye out for a Pearl Sensitone, Tama SLP, or Mapex Black Panther."
"Get a Ludwig Acrolite. You can easily find them used and in great shape for under $250."
"Acrolite 100%."
"Ludwig Supraphonic used. It’s the sound of hits."
"Acrolite is not only the best affordable snare, but one is also one of the best snares."
"Save up and get that Black Beauty you’ve been wanting."
"Ludwig supraphonic 6.5x14 or 5x14."
"My recommendations would be used Ludwig Supraphonic or Acrolite."
#2
Gretsch
4.6
(8)
"Gretsch renown is one of the best sounding mid snares."
"Gretsch renown snare is fantastic for some reason, like better than snares I’ve had for double the price."
"The Gretsch Keith Carlock signature model is a raw brass shell and it absolutely slaps."
"Works in most situations and is solid."
"Gretsch renown"
"Gretsch Brooklyn Steel."
"The older RN1 Gretsch Renown Maple snare drum holds its own against snare drums 10x the price."
"I’ve heard Gretsch Drums 14”x6,5” Silver Series Ash is an absolute bargain."
#3
Evans
4.7
(7)
"Evans EC Reverse Dot. It's like the Remo P77 but imo better."
"In my opinion it’s the Evan’s Genera Dry. You could have a snare cranked to the max and the GD will muffle out the long ring."
"Replace the top heads with either Evans HD Dry or Remo Controlled Sound, bottom heads Evans EC. Also replaced the wires with PureSound Blasters. Sounds awesome."
"Replace the top heads with either Evans HD Dry or Remo Controlled Sound, bottom heads Evans EC. Also replaced the wires with PureSound Blasters. Sounds awesome."
"I love the Evans EC5 reverse dot beater head. Its fantastic for all genres"
"I go back and forth between Evans Genera Dry and Power Center Reverse Dot."
"I like Evans’ coated Reverse Power Centre on my brass snare."
#4
Vic Firth
4.4
(7)
"For low price I always recommend good old fashioned SD-1s from Vic Firth."
"Vic Firth SD-1 is a fantastic general stick."
"Vic Firth SD1. Great for general use. They are pretty cheap too"
"Vic Firth SD 2 Bolero"
"I also usually have a pair of SD-4s in my bag which I prefer to the SD-2s for quieter playing because of the thinner shaft."
"The SD-2 bolero is also extremely handy to have in your bag."
"I use 2Bs and SD1s by Vic. They’re sticks"
#5
Pearl
4.4
(7)
"Spend less and get a Pearl Sensitone in the Heritage Brass Black Nickel finish. This is a beast of a snare drum, loud as hell and half the price."
"I picked up a 2000s pearl masters maple for $300. Sounds great in a wide tuning and dynamic range. I’ve probably played a dozen gigs with it so far and the tuning is really stable too. Those things are solid. Highly recommended."
"Used pearl brass free floater all day."
"Used Pearl Free Floater. Absolute game changer!"
"Pearl sensitones are underrated, the aluminium ones do the supraphonic/acrolite type thing really well."
"I quite like the snare on VS by Pearl Jam."
"Very nearly any functional 5x14/5.5x14 metal snare will do the trick."
#6
Remo
4.7
(6)
"The smooth white is durable and gives a nice dry controlled crack without killing overtones completely."
"Replace the top heads with either Evans HD Dry or Remo Controlled Sound, bottom heads Evans EC. Also replaced the wires with PureSound Blasters. Sounds awesome."
"I usually pick heads that have some kind of dampening in the middle like a Remo Controlled Sound or Powerstroke 77"
"I use Remo Coated Control sound they are great for me"
"I like Powerstroke 3, personally."
"I usually pick heads that have some kind of dampening in the middle like a Remo Controlled Sound or Powerstroke 77"
#7
Tama
4.7
(6)
"People slept on Tama's Metalworks 13" x 4" steel snare."
"Tama SLP Black brass (used) smokes a lot of pricier, posher snares."
"Brad Wilk’s snare on Show me How to Live is one of my favorites."
"It works in almost every scenario I've ever tried it."
"One of the older Metalworks steel snares or one of the metal S.L.P models like the Big Black would be good."
"I don’t have any experience with it but it looks fantastic."
#8
Yamaha
4.3
(6)
"Is my go-to."
"Does absolutely anything and everything."
"I really like my yamaha recording custom brass but seems its just about $100 above your price bracket."
"I’m using an old Yamaha steel shell snare or a Ludwig acrolyte most gigs."
"I have a deep 14” brass yamaha, and on the side I have a few 10” popcorn snares."
"Yamaha makes nice shit. Especially their Oak drums."
#9
Pork Pie
4.8
(5)
"Another vote here for a used Acrolite or a Pork Pie big black brass."
"Pork Pie BOB all the way."
"I’d agree with the Pork Pie BOB."
"Pork Pie Big Black Brass if you can find one. This is in my rotation and it really whips."
"Check out Pork Pie Big Black Brass - it's 400 new so a used one would fit for you."
#10
Worldmax
4.3
(3)
"An LM402 is the ideal snare if you can get a used one. The ultimate swiss army snare."
"If you can't find a good used Ludwig in your price range, check out Worldmax snares, excellent value. Particularly their Black Beauty copy."
"Check out Worldmax snares, particularly the brass and aluminium ones."
#11
Roland PDX-12
5.0
(2)
"If you want to be playing something closer to the real thing, go PDX12 for the snare."
"Get the PDX-12 for the snare, I guarantee you'll be very happy with it."
#12
Pearl Jam
5.0
(2)
"The perfect sound in that mix."
"Plenty of attack, can hear snare response."
#13
John Mayer
5.0
(2)
"Perfect combo of low tuning with a soft yet fat sound."
"Not just the snare, the entire kit. That bass drum is sex."
#14
36 Crazyfists
5.0
(2)
"I really love the snare on 36 Crazyfists - A Snow Capped Romance."
"Has a great snare sound."
#15
Promark
4.0
(2)
"Promark concert 2s. Long taper like the lambs, atkatz, etc. But still hickory, so pricey hasn't gotten out of hand."
"Get the promark concert 2s. Almost the same stick for a lot less."
#16
Chris Lamb
4.0
(2)
"I love my Christopher Lambs! Pretty good all-around stick. Great quality too!"
"Chris Lamb 1’s are my faves"
#17
Cheap Trick
5.0
(1)
"The flame - cheap trick has a lovely sounding snare."
#18
Pansy Division
5.0
(1)
"Honestly, That's So Gay by Pansy Division has this awesome barking snare with some killer room sound behind it."
#19
Breadwinner Drums
5.0
(1)
"If you can stretch to $425 check out breadwinner drums. I got the steel ne from Nelson drum shop recently and love it."
#20
Sublime
5.0
(1)
"The self titled sublime album, particularly Garden Grove. Monster snare tone."
#21
AC/DC
5.0
(1)
"I always loved the snare sound on the Highway to Hell and Back in Black albums."
#22
Phil Collins
5.0
(1)
"Some of my favorites are Easy Lover-Phil Collins."
#23
Slaughter to Prevail
5.0
(1)
"Love the snare during the breakdown of Demolisher by Slaughter to Prevail."
#24
Helmet
5.0
(1)
"Helmet. Anything off of Betty, but particularly Wilma's Rainbow. THWACK."
#25
Black Panther
5.0
(1)
"Find one of them Black Panther Snares honestly."
#26
Eric Valentine
5.0
(1)
"Any Eric Valentine made track has stupid good sounding snares and drums in general."
#27
PDP
5.0
(1)
"[PDP Eric Hernandez Piccolo]"
#28
Off Beat Drum Co
5.0
(1)
"I love my Off Beat Drum Co snares, copper shells with maple bearing edges."
#29
Freer
5.0
(1)
"Best sticks hands down for me are the Freer General Orchestral, but they'll run you $36. Effortless rolls and great articulation."
#30
Deftones
5.0
(1)
#31
Dream Theater
5.0
(1)
"I love the snare on the train of thought album."
#32
Intervals
5.0
(1)
"The snare sound was the first thing I noticed."
#33
Nickelback
5.0
(1)
"Ryan Vikedal used a 14x4 Ayotte and it sounds killer."
#34
The Strokes
5.0
(1)
#35
Porcupine Tree
5.0
(1)
"The “high and tight” snare sounds go."
#36
Dunnett
5.0
(1)
"It’s ridiculously sensitive, articulate, and versatile."
#37
AFI
5.0
(1)
"Not just the snare, but the whole kit."
#38
Queensrÿche
5.0
(1)
"The snare sound on that track is absolutely perfect."
#39
Schulman
5.0
(1)
"I love that puppy. Its especially amazing for higher tunings, the thing will sing!"
#40
Elder
5.0
(1)
"I really dig the sound in Sanctuary by Elder."
#41
Brand X
5.0
(1)
"Also: [Passport - Cross Collateral]"
#42
Paramore
5.0
(1)
"First note of the song is a stand alone snare shot."
#43
NOFX
5.0
(1)
"The album ribbed, by nofx.. that thing just pops!"
#44
The Wallflowers
5.0
(1)
"LOVE the snare tone on One Headlight."
#45
Justin Timberlake
5.0
(1)
"I really dig the sound in Sanctuary by Elder."
#46
Korn
5.0
(1)
"I’m just a sucker for piccolos and super cranked up snares."
#47
Joey Jordison
4.0
(1)
"I know the Joey jordison Sig is pretty “cheap” and I’m pretty sure you could strangle the thing and it would only sound *better*."
#48
Sonor
4.0
(1)
"Sonor protean Gavin Harrison signature."
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