Gretsch Solid Steel snare drum

[Christopher]

The low tuning part of that video sounds really great. The high tuning is nice too. I can see why you replaced the heavier head with an ambassador. It sounds a little dry with the stock head.

Looks like a great drum that you'll make allot of music with for a long time. Good luck with it, Paul.

[Paul Marangoni]

Cool, I wouldn't consider that video to have tons of overtones but there is some ring to it....I wonder if it's a round over edge which, imo would have more to do with overtones than anything...

Definitely more overtones with a regular Ambassador.

I can't remember what the edge looked like, but I'm pretty sure is was fairly sharp. I'll check next time I use it. One thing I did notice is that the overall diameter of the drum is slightly under-sized when compared to my regular wooden Gretsch snare.

[Rodge]

Speaking of snare drums, I gonna bring only one snare for a session and then work with different tuning depending the songs, what would you pick between a kind of Black Beauty 14"/6,5 and a Maple with the same size ?
I think the BB will be the more versatile, what do you think guys ? Thanks.

[gretsch-o-rama]

Speaking of snare drums, I gonna bring only one snare for a session and then work with different tuning depending the songs, what would you pick between a kind of Black Beauty 14"/6,5 and a Maple with the same size ?
I think the BB will be the more versatile, what do you think guys ? Thanks.

Yeah the BB is more versatile but you'll lose a little warmth, imo. Depends on your producer, sometimes they'll throw a wallet or tape on a low tuned wood snare to get a 'fatback' sound...

[Pocketplayer]

Hey Paul...any chance of a sound sample of your head combo and tuning?

I really liked this vid and the sound of this drum!!! In search of the perfect
snare grail always!

[Kurtis]

Drum sounds real good. Sounds great in all tunings. I want one. Like the depth of the drum in the demo. Don't mind the overtones. Nature of the beast.

[Paul Marangoni]

Hey Paul...any chance of a sound sample of your head combo and tuning?

No recordings with it yet. Once my new Gretsch drums get here I'll see what I can put together.

By the way, I picked up that Gretsch snare for about $500, including a case, and shipping, from Interstate Music.

what would you pick between a kind of Black Beauty 14"/6,5 and a Maple with the same size ?
I think the BB will be the more versatile, what do you think guys ? Thanks.

If it's that Sakae "black beauty", definitely go with that! That drum sounds amazing. My buddy let me check out one he had and I thought it was pretty special.

[Avi_drums]

Speaking of snare drums, I gonna bring only one snare for a session and then work with different tuning depending the songs, what would you pick between a kind of Black Beauty 14"/6,5 and a Maple with the same size ?
I think the BB will be the more versatile, what do you think guys ? Thanks.

I think the BB is a great choice.

[bstocky]

That website does a great job with their demos. All of the drums sound great. I was impressed with a bunch of Tamas on that site.
I'm sure the Gretsch is nice. I hate that the strainer uses regular screws but that's not that big of a deal. I might ask my local store about that drum.

[gretsch-o-rama]

I hate that the strainer uses regular screws but that's not that big of a deal.

Totally agree with that. They came out with a key operated version of the 60's microsensitive strainer. If I ever buy a new Gretsch wood drum, I'm getting that one...