Best Wires for a Fifteen Inch Ludwig Marcher
 

Hey, Guys,
I'm looking for some opinions here please. I have a 15 inch 1971 Ludwig, 12 lug marcher with a Kevlar batter head I have put a lot of effort into. I really like the sound of this old beauty! Right now, I'm using 20 strand Puresound 14 inch wires simply because they were the best I had around. I had previously removed the P-34 butt with the tuneable wires and replaced it with a P-34. Much easier! My question is this: would a 15 inch Puresound set of 20 wires make much difference? How about a 16 strand, 14 inch Puresound Concert Series? Maybe not even a Puresound set is ideal? Another make? Please, I'm open for all suggestions. Thank you.
Brian

Re: Best Wires for a Fifteen Inch Ludwig Marcher
 

Well, a 15 inch Puresound set is probably what I'd go with...but what effect are you going for? If you want a really "tight" snappy bright cutting snare sound that will cut across a football field, then go for the wider wire sets.

If you want a "warmer" more tom tom-ish effect -something that you might record with then go with a narrower set.

But with a Kevlar head, then you're obviously going for cut and a very staccato crispness -a la marching band type stuff.

In that case, I'd go with the widest set of 15 inch long Puresounds.

Re: Best Wires for a Fifteen Inch Ludwig Marcher
 

Thank you, O-Lugs! I really appreciate your expertise! We do old-fashioned original rock. I write most of the lyrics (Springsteen, Mellencamp, Steinman style) . The set of Puresounds I used last night seemed to fit in with the tunes quite well. They brought out a `happy medium`...not too snappy, not too thumpy. I think I will take your advice and get a 15 in set of Puresounds for sure though. Maybe a 24 or 30 strand would be a good compromise. Thanks again, O-Lugs!
Brian

Re: Best Wires for a Fifteen Inch Ludwig Marcher
 

I played a Kevlar batter head on a Premier side drum in a bagpipe band and it had both internal and below the bottom head wire snares. About 90" of the sound was provided by the internal top snares. We adjusted the bottom snares just as icing on the cake. The bottom snares extended past the head and there was not snare throw off, just a strainer mechanism. I have used old marching drums on drum sets before but always had better luck with a normal plastic head rather than using a Kevlar head. Some older wooden shells really are not designed to take the pressure for a Kevlar head. Have you tried an Emperor or other two play head or a Pinstripe? I think you might have better luck with a head like that when using wire snares. Good luck!

Re: Best Wires for a Fifteen Inch Ludwig Marcher
 

Thanks VERY much Pedal-Pusher! Nope, I haven't tried other heads, but with your input, it may be a good idea. I will certainly take your advice into consideration! You know more than I do for sure about playing with these heads! I really appreciate your advice and expertise, sir.
Brian

Re: Best Wires for a Fifteen Inch Ludwig Marcher
 

Coated cable like black swamp snares. They will be more true to the sound than wire.

Re: Best Wires for a Fifteen Inch Ludwig Marcher
 

Thanks very much, sir! I had no idea whatsoever. I will definitely look into that idea!
Brian

Re: Best Wires for a Fifteen Inch Ludwig Marcher
 

Brian, I completely forgot about some early Kevlar (or similar material) heads that were popular for a little while back in the 60's and early 70's. There was a brand from Japan that I think was called Campo or something like that. They were made by a Japanese chemical company. They were more expensive than the average head so they did not catch on. A little later was the Goldtone line and I am pretty sure they were Kevlar. In any case they were marketed for drum set and sounded pretty decent for the desired Disco sound at the time, single headed drums with the popular Evans brand blue hydraulic heads. So don't worry about mixing a Kevlar head with any kind of snare wires. It just struck me that most Kevlar heads are used on marching drums with nylon (synthetic gut) snares so using wire snares is unusual. But hey, if you get the sound you like, go for it! Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Re: Best Wires for a Fifteen Inch Ludwig Marcher
 

Black Swamp doesn’t list 15” snares. But the 14” that are “standard” are only 13”. So if you used the 14” wrap around that would get you there.
https://www.blackswamp.com/cable-snare-retrofit-units
Also Grover has some but they are not full cable but rather a mixture.
https://groverpro.com/product/snare-wires

Re: Best Wires for a Fifteen Inch Ludwig Marcher
 

Thanks you, sir! That is really interesting information! The stamp on this old head reads "Duraline".Below that: "15 TOMCONCERT". I have a 14 inch, 30 strand set of Puresounds I'm going to try a bit later. The 20 strand sounds good so I'm curious about this one. I just need to hobble downstairs to put it on. Yesterday, at the gym, I did a number on my back. I'll let you know once I put the wires on how it sounds. Thanks again, Pedal_Pusher!
Brian