I am interested in the opinions of those who will accept my “challenge”.
(Another way to look at this is—if you could only take two snares with you to Gilligan’s Island, which two would they be?)
Background
--I am primarily a guitar guy putting a home studio in my new house. The kit is Gretsch round badge, 13 / 16/ 22 and if I am lucky in my search, maybe a 14 floor tom. I am a classic 50s / 60s rock and roll in my taste and own songwriting.
-I want to have two snares of comparable vintage (50s – 70s) that offer as much range of tones as possible so my drummer has some flexibility, but I don’t want to be a collector.
--I own one snare, an either 6 ply or 3 ply 8 lug Gretsch 5.5. x 14 with microsensitive strainer. So would appear to be the best standard one they make. (It’s probably 6 ply—it’s pre label and I haven’t seen it physically yet and that‘s why I don’t know; delivery will be next month and then I’ll know.)
--The snares shouldn’t be stuff like fancy Black Beauties from the 20s. Those snares are gorgeous but “bang for the buck” is literarily the term of the day here; just decent original vintage stuff that can be found on Ebay/CL with patience for under $1k each.
My Research
--In my view, one snare should be wood; one metallic. First, please let me know if you disagree with this.
--My conclusions have come in large part to the excellent contributions of many of you here, for which I am grateful. Based on your knowledge, it seems like the following would be the best:
Wooden Snares
--Rogers Powertone or Tower or maybe a Slingerland Radio King. Dynasonics sound appealing but I can’t justify the 2 -3x price of the other fine Rogers snares. Beavertail lugs only. Cleveland or Dayton.
I’m having a harder time learning about Radio King and so I am favoring the Rogers. BTW, I have a wooden Gretsch snare as mentioned above. But I’ve read consistently poor reviews of Gretsch-- if someone thinks I can get away with the snare I have, let me know!
Metallic Snares
--Ludwig Supraphonic, or even Acrolite. 6.5 Bonham sounds pretty cool. What about Dynasonic COB--does it outdo a supra?
CHALLENGE:
1) What do you think of my conclusions?
2) If you agree, wholly, partially or disagree, can you tell me what era of snare you would recommend? I’m particularly having a bit of difficultly knowing which are the “best” years of metallic snares like supraphonics and acrolites, etc.
Thanks!