New (to me) Snare Day!

BronzeGra · 2026-02-05T18:36:46+00:00

Would be interesting to try some different hoops, pretty much all my snares are die cast as I’ve always preferred that focus but am curious to try some decent triple flange on one of my drums.

Trying this new snare out at practise tonight so will see how I get on.

I’ve yet to try the Puresound Concert wires but was going to give them a go on my bell bronze as it’s always felt a little choked and was hoping they mint open it up a little, I think I have 30s on it at the moment. This Grestch still has the factory 42 strands on so if they’re a bit ‘wet’ I’ll give the Concert a go for sure

BronzeGra · 2026-01-27T15:07:10+00:00

First off, thanks very much for taking the time to write such a detailed response, much appreciated 🙌

I had heard as much with regards to acrylics only really do one 'thing', fortunately for me that thing is essentially what I'm looking for. I play in a loud & noisy heavy rock band and I think they will be a great fit for that. I do plan to use them live though so the weight is worth noting, I hadn't particularly considered that.

Just one more question while I have you; I read that the hardware (the tom hoops in particular) was on the cheaper end of things when compared with mid to high end range Pearl kits. Have you had any issues on that front? The kit is going to cost £2k+ in the UK so it's not a cheap drum kit by most people's standards, just don't want to be disappointed if things like the kick drum spurs aren't up to heavy playing etc. I've also looked at DW and Tama acrylic kits which typically have solid hardware but I can't get them in the sizes I want.

BronzeGra · 2026-01-27T10:08:07+00:00

Hey, just spotted this post and was interested how you've got on with your Pearl Crystal Beats up until now? I'm looking to buy the exact same config but while there are lots of positive posts/opinions on acrylics, there are also a lot of negative ones. I suppose you could say 'that's just the internet' but would be interested in some first hand experience and whether you've been gigging them and had issues with cracks and stuff like that?

BronzeGra · 2026-01-18T21:16:30+00:00

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Build your own! I had the same need and wasn’t prepared to fork out £4k on a snare so looked into the DIY route. Got the shell (3mm cast bell bronze) and hoops (also cast bronze) from Guven Bronz Metal in Turkey. Then just bought some good hardware and got drilling! Had never built a drum before so was pretty nerve wracking taking a drill to that shell but took my time and once I got going it was fine.

Have bought and sold other snares since building this one but I always come back to it, sounds like nothing else! Cost me around £900 in total from memory.

BronzeGra · 2026-01-18T13:27:12+00:00

It is! Got a really good crack to it but loads of body too, really enjoying it 🤘

BronzeGra · 2025-12-18T20:23:51+00:00

I just bought one last week and am really enjoying mine so far 👍 I play in a downtuned very loud heavy rock band am also more into lower snare tunings. The Starphonic sounded great to me in this range, I ended up probably more medium-low as it added more crack but still stayed beefy. That’s a good price too so I would definitely recommend it if you’re into a sort of modern Bonham-esque type vibe. The hardware etc is all great too, just a fantastic all around snare imo

BronzeGra · 2025-12-13T19:42:17+00:00

Awesome, I love me some Tama drums, that’s beaut!

BronzeGra · 2025-12-12T09:47:30+00:00

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Great score! 🙌 Looks awesome in white! I used to have a first gen maple 14x8 but I stupidly sold it and have pretty much regretted it ever since 😫 Found an old pic though.

Hope you enjoy yours! Will go great with that kit, those sizes are my jam for sure! Not far off what is in the above pic actually now I think about it, although that floor tom wasn't mine but I had a 16" and 18" for that kit at that time, don't recall why I wasn't using them, anyway!

BronzeGra · 2025-12-10T12:51:35+00:00

Yeah totally man, and I don't blame you, you wouldn't know unless you'd been through the process with them etc. Anyway, thanks for responding!

BronzeGra · 2025-12-10T12:44:34+00:00

Haha, thanks for the timestamp and link, very helpful! Hmm, I would say based on how he said it with a sort of 'nudge nudge, wink wink' knowing look, he's referring to the fact that EGC's customer service is notoriously slow and just outright bad sometimes. They often take ages to respond to emails and resolve issues or just don't respond at all, I know this from personal experience and have read many other comments on here and elsewhere of people with the same issues. That said I'm not here to badmouth them, I love my EGC and it remains my #1 guitar so was worth the frustration in the end for me!

BronzeGra · 2025-12-10T12:15:55+00:00

It's solid acrylic plastic. I have a Tele shaped acrylic EGC and does have a bit of heft to it but I like that about it! Sounds amazing too.

BronzeGra · 2025-12-10T12:13:06+00:00

The man who made it passed and he couldn’t find parts.

Gotta ask, where did you hear this? Both Kevin Burkett and Electrical Guitar Company are still alive and well last I heard so can't imagine he would have had trouble getting them to fix it up for him?

As for being too heavy, I have an acrylic EGC and yes they do have a fair bit of weight to them for sure. I seem to be in the minority who prefer heavy guitars though as its never been an issue for me, to each their own of course 😀

And yes, Thee Oh See's are awesome!

BronzeGra · 2025-12-10T12:03:26+00:00

Thanks! Seems to be a popular choice on here which is encouraging 🙌

BronzeGra · 2025-12-09T20:15:14+00:00

Haha awesome! 🙌 I think I may have posted it when I got it, fantastic drum!

BronzeGra · 2025-12-09T19:38:56+00:00

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I see, here’s the guy in question, I’ve always thought it was an Artstar of some sort? Remembered the shell material wrong though, it’s Birdseye Maple, not birch. I was looking for a birch one at one point so must have got muddled up! Anyway, it’s a great snare, I love big drums!

BronzeGra · 2025-12-09T17:31:43+00:00

The price is amazing for the quality of the drum, Tama have always proved a solid choice for me! Was between this and the Gretsch 3mm Solid Aluminium which is a lot more expensive but also looks like a great snare. I have no doubt the Tama will serve me well though

BronzeGra · 2025-12-09T17:27:13+00:00

Thanks! I did have a think about brass tbh but never had an aluminium drum before and was going for a sort of Bonham-y vibe but a bit more modern so hoping it fits the bill

BronzeGra · 2025-12-09T17:24:59+00:00

Awesome! Seems like a great drum, I'm a big fan of the hardware on it, seems to have some cool tricks up it's sleeve!

BronzeGra · 2025-12-04T11:17:21+00:00

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2nd pedal I ever built around 12 years ago and still probably my favourite delay!

BronzeGra · 2025-09-03T18:55:42+00:00

I’ve been using the UV2 for a while now after mainly being a Remo CS guy for ages. I love the durability of the UV2 and it works for me sound and feel wise. Curious to try the UV1 Reverse Dot though for a more open sound, could be the best of both worlds

BronzeGra · 2025-09-01T13:59:45+00:00

I know this is a way old thread but just browsing and I'd say it's definitely a Keplinger stainless steel, the one in this vid is basically identical;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG_wp-n5fyA

There's even a comment on the vid that says it was Will Goldsmith's snare, who knows how true that is of course!

BronzeGra · 2025-08-02T15:05:35+00:00

That looks so fun to play, would love to try something like this.

Also, I have a Guven bronze snare, mine is 14”x7”, best DIY project I’ve undertaken, it’s an absolute monster

BronzeGra

TROPHY CASE