Any of the metal drums from gretsch the brass models and the aluminum models are loud drums.

Being a Rogers nut I will admit to gigging with a round badge Gretsch with lightening throw off for years when I played live. It has that chrome over brass "bite" that cuts through for loud music. It was a regular 5x14 model. The only down side to it was back in the day the old Remo ambassadors fit so snug I never changed the head. Had to take a pair of channel lock pliers to get the top head off. The bite and cut through any loud amp sound didn't make it a good one to record with though. A bit of an after ring on the heavy brass shell with die cast hoops. I think with the modern head vintage head options these days it would be a fair price snare with the sound you are looking for.

Problem is the pricing on gretsch snares.

I've been looking for a 4160 (8 lug) or 4165 (10 lug) but most of the time they are too pricey.

I've also noticed the new ones don't say made in u.s.a. On the badges.

I've tried the 6.5 model and 10 lug model over the years but found this simple eight lug drum has the sound like an old 8 tube lug Ludwig from the 1920s. Heavy 8 lugger:

This forum won't let me post the ebay link. Email me direct for one I found that I mentioned above if interested in it. Not mine for sale I sold it many years ago. This auction ends tomorrow and looks to be a solid fair deal for one. It is for a 1970s one that is offered for 300.00 or best offer.

email: fltgrycleav at yahoo.com

The Bell Brass snare drum at this link is made in the Ridgeland factory from what is said here.

This Bell Brass ad starts at around 5:14 in the following link...................

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0TSXNAaXEA&x-yt-ts=1421914688&x-yt-cl=84503534"]Gretsch Drums at NAMM 2015 - YouTube[/ame]

Pricy though - $1000 on eBay right now.

That bell brass snare is one sexy looking snare

If you go to ebay on the top of the page there is the word "search." Next to that is "advanced." If you type in the following number the drum will come up. Make him an offer he can't refuse. The auction is almost over and he has no offers yet...

Item # 191491650762

Look at the Brooklyn metal snares. They are the same as the USA Customs but they have the 302 hoops instead of the die casts. They are considerably cheaper for what are essentially the same drums.

If only it were that easy. Get ready for some anal retention.

I have an early 80's "drop g" stop sign badged set in rosewood. I would love a matching rosewood snare but as you know gretsch's stains rarely ever come out the same. I like the sound of brass snares so a 4160 would be great however, I'm always stuck on the matching badge. They only used the "drop g" for a couple of years.

So I guess it's more of my problem of being period correct.

I'm open to all the sizes and lug configurations, just stuck on that badge.