Drummers! Check out my first snare drum project :0)

Cazpj

Hello! Thought I'd start a thread about my new snare drum which I've just finished putting together. So basically I just want to show it off... ;0)

I'd been wanting to make a snare for a while, so I thought I'd start out with something fairly simple as my first project. I bought this 14 x 5.5 transparent amber acrylic shell on e-bay - it came with snare beds and bearing edges already cut, so all I had to do to the shell was drill all the necessary holes.

I got all the hardware from a custom drum company here in the UK called Highwood Drums, who are really nice guys and were really helpful! I've included some close up shots of the lugs and the throw off so hopefully you can check those out.

Then I just wacked on a Remo Ambassador resonant head and a Coated Ambassador batter and there you go! Been tuning it up today (as much as pos while avoiding neighbour complaints!). It needs a little dampening, just bit of moongel or a piece of o-ring, and then it sounds really nice! It's quite boxy, which is what I was hoping for, so I'm very happy :0)

So anyway, have included some pics of the final thing... (Hopefully they will work...)

So have a look and let me know what you think!

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i270/Cazpj/Acrylic%20Snare/P1010032.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i270/Cazpj/Acrylic%20Snare/P1010029.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i270/Cazpj/Acrylic%20Snare/P1010025.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i270/Cazpj/Acrylic%20Snare/P1010023.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i270/Cazpj/Acrylic%20Snare/P1010016.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i270/Cazpj/Acrylic%20Snare/P1010013.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i270/Cazpj/Acrylic%20Snare/P1010007.jpg

(Oops, edited because I managed to post seven of the same picture first time around...)

keeponrockin

I don't know anything about drums, but it looks badass!

Cazpj

he he, thanks keeponrockin! :0)

this is not for you

hey, that look pretty cool
nice job
i wouldnt mind a go at that
cheers for the inspiration

MichaelMcKevin

Very cool. Did it cost you much if you don't mind me asking? I could definitely use a new snare.

All Those Yesterdays

Does look killer, I to would be interested in cost's. Especially if you can save some descent bucks (Like when building amps). Would be nice to build a few snares for the studio.

Cazpj

Hey thanks for the nice comments :0)

Costs.. Ok lemme remember... The shell I got for only I think $35, but had to ship it from USA so I think it was total cost of about $50, so about £25. Unfortunately I got slapped with a customs charge of I think it was £16, but obviously that's only an issue if you're shipping.

It was the hardware that costs the most. I think about £100 or just under was total. However, I did go for Canopus snare wires which are quite a bit more than normal wires - about £20 compared to normal ones for about £7-10 I reckon. So you could save some money there. And Highwood Drums are very competetively priced for the hardware if you're in the UK, and they are really friendly and helpful too. That's http://www.highwooddrums.co.uk.

Then it's just heads which cost me £20 for both.

So a total of about £180.

Not bad at all for a nice snare. Just looked up what you might pay for an acrylic snare of the same size from a couple of custom drum companies. Check it out, it's actually pretty crazy:

Pork Pie Percussion: $600
Orange County: as far as I can figure you'd be looking at over $1000 (!)

That's just a couple, but yeah, the price difference is def substantial enough to warrant making one yourself :0) It's not really much work either, the only really nerve wracking bit is drilling the holes.

The place I got my shell from was the e-bay store of http://www.goldntimesdrums.com, who actually supply the acrylic shells to ludwig for their kits!

So go for it! I definately recommend it - it's cheaper, the drum is more personal and plus it's just fun having something to work on.