I don't think you can technically call a stick saver die cast or triple-flanged...that's my thought anyway. I think it's closer to a quadruple flange considering the top is completely rolled over to the inside (with essentially two bends, the other two being at the base to accomodate the head collar), while a triple-flange is rolled out at the top.

I you want to stick with the look of a stick saver, you can get repros nowadays from catalog/internet stores like Explorers. Mapex even makes what they call Sonic Savers that are basically a stick saver.

I don't have the knowledge of chemistry and metals to say with any certainty, but I would think a die cast hoop would come closer to replicating the effect on tonal qualities that a COB stick saver would. That's only my opinion and I hope it helps.

I would just use the stick saver, though. If you bend it with your stick, you can massage it back out with a rubber mallet or a hammer and a folded towel.

There's my :2Cents:.

If you're breaking your equipment, you might want to reconsider your technique & approach to the drums. (aren't you mic'ed? ). The Slingerland COB hoops are part of the special voice of this snare. They have been around for a long time & have proven themselves to be strong, & able to withstand the onslaught of countless drummers. What's the point of having great vintage equipment , if you have to change out parts to protect it ? I've had quite a few Slingerlands w/ these hoops & have seen very little damage from previous players & heavy use. I consider it lucky to find an old snare w/ brass hoops, knowing it will have a certain quality voice.

No nothing wrong with my technique. I play hard, but I always look after my equipment. The rims on my DW snare are fine, I'm simply pre-empting the problem before it happens. You see I know that brass is softer than steel, and I have 2 sets of steel sticksavers obtained from ebay, and both the batters are dented as hell. Maybe the guys who had those rims before me couldn't play. But if you say the rims are strong, I'll give them a go.

I have beat the heck out of my COB Slingerland stick-saver hoop, and the thing hasn't budged an iota! Although, I HAVE seen some that look like they were struck with hammers. I dunno. When I do rim shots, I let the stick absorb the impact rather than my hands, so maybe that's the secret...???

+1 vote for COB rims are strong enough

Sweet that's good to know. What you say about playing hard but with soft hands makes sense, because I've been playing hard for ten years, have never had an injury and have never damaged my drums (apart from split skins of course!), so I guess I do the same. Thanks

I have a 1958 Slingerland Radio King snare with stick-saver hoops which I bought brand new in 1958. Over the years I have played most styles of music. In the late '60 and early 70's I used 2-Bs and 2-Ss going through my heavy original blues-rock period. 54 years later drummers come up to me and ask to take a closer look at the snare. For all the beating it has taken, (no pun) the rims are still nearly perfect and the drum still sounds incredible. Enjoy your stick-savers, they can take it!.......Tom

anybody know how to tell if the hoop is original COB, (stick saver)or a MIJ knockoff?

Well, if a magnet sticks to it then it is steel and either later production Slingerland or possibly an imported copy of the sticksaver design (the imports usually don't look quite right either and Slingerland usually lavished on the chrome plating). If a magnet doesn't stick then it's brass underneath and most likely a Slingerland original (I don't think any of the imports used brass to make hoops).

Slingerland stole the triple flange idea from Ludwig but turned the top flange inward instead of outward which really resulted in a beautiful looking hoop, especially when they ladled on the chrome.

Never had an issue with one bending or denting.

Just as a technical point, brass can't be die-cast (die casting is done using zinc alloys) so the OP's question answers itself :)

If you are really worried about the hoop ( and I would not be ), then just pick up a COS stick saver from a 70's snare.

Only rim I ever damaged was from rim shots on a Dynasonic.. After about 10 years with 2B sticks, a hairline crack eventually turned into a triangular chunk flying off...

Cheers

John