regular car/pickup = beat up Supra?

That was my implied point. In some situations, one would not have the ideal instrument available, but would have to make what is available work as well as possible. Otherwise, owning 20 or 30 snares would do the trick, just as owning a motor pool of vehicles would cover every driving need precisely.

I'd opt for the Supra, too. Sounds good live and in the studio. Maybe a 5" and a 6.5" to help cover all bases. By the way, the 5" Supra is the most recorded snare worldwide. There are many varied tones recorded over the years with this drum and in my opinion is one of the most playable, easiest to tune and maintain snares.

plus one Yes Sir Yes Sir

Interesting thread- I picked up a Tama maple 8x14 a few years ago for about 200$ that really sounds a like you describe as your ideal. I use a REMO Fiberskyn 3FA on this and it`s a real beauty to me. Here`s a pic:[IMG]http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn87/Osakabop/P1010048.jpg[/IMG]

I think cost should also be a parameter in your search- under 300$? The nicest, warmest, most complex sounding snare drum I have ever played was a Yamaha Beech Custom 5x14. It was in a recording studio and I was mazed at the sound of this drum- like no other snare I had ever played. It was like full of warm, musical tone but almost a second harmonic note in it`s resonance that made it really musical.... now I`m daydreaming, I should go get one of those- I haven`t run across one on the shelf of a shop or on auction ever...hmmmm.

Head choice and snare beds are a really big deal to me. Fiberskyn 3FA always give me a warmer sound, which I like. Too much snare rattle or such- if it `s a wood drum you might want to look at the snare beds- I like more pronounced beds than most drums come with and unless it`s a really expensive drum- all my other wood snares I give a sanding or wood filing to the snare beds. That one little modification can help a drum very much in my opinion.

The perfect snare has to be a Ludwig Supraphonic. Its the most popular, most loved, most versatile, most recorded snare of all time......the longtime pros can't be wrong......Mitch Mitchel, Steve Gadd, John Bonham, Keith Moon, Hal Blaine, Joe Morello......need I go on?

Supraphonic....say it with me......supraphonic......Excited

Supra-Phonic.........Supra-Phonic............Supra-Phonic..........Excited

Elle Macpherson..........Elle Macpherson...........Elle Macpherson..........Excited

Laughing HLaughing HLaughing HLaughing H

Played a supra for over 45 years best of the best and my 1971 402 is like a sweet loving woman it just don't get no better..BowingBowingBowing

Well, I guess you got exactly what you didn't want to hear. Supraphonic......

I agree with the crew, one can't go wrong with a Supraphonic. Pretty close to the perfect drum.