10 Brass Snare Drums Compared | From $349 to $2215

Have you ever wondered which brass snare drum suits your musical voice and style best? Hang on a second — why brass in the first place? Well, we all know that snare drums can be made of a wide array of materials such as aluminum, maple, oak, and more, right?

But hey, brass has been long known as a very special snare drum material offering unique tonal qualities like warmth, projection, and versatility to drummers all over the world. So to help you find the snare drum that perfectly fits your personality, we’ll be doing a major head-to-head comparison of 10 brass snare drums today. That’s right, all at varying price points that range from $349 to $2215!

So, are you ready? Join us here at the Drum Center of Portsmouth as we carefully compare the material components, sound characteristics, and performance capabilities of our shop’s 10 favorite brass snare drums! 

The first one on the list is the budget-friendly Ludwig Universal Brass Snare Drum. With a snare size of 14x6.5, this $349 brass snare drum offers a new sonic palette of sounds that commands versatility to the drummer — no matter what style of music he prefers. And you know what? Universal Snares are designed to bring unique musical voices to the stage across multiple tuning ranges!

Quality and versatility that fits any budget. Those are exactly what you should expect from the Ludwig Universal Brass Snare Drum. Nothing less! 

Coming up next on our list is no other than what we call — The New Standard. The Pearl Sensitone Heritage Alloy Snare Drum is one of the store’s most recommended instruments and has also been a go-to drum for countless pro players all over the world.

Priced at only $398, this adaptable brass snare drum is packed with enough sonic flexibility to fit any kind of genre out there. It also features CL Bridge lugs, Pearls Classic SR017 snare strainers, and 1mm beaded shell snares which are responsible for its timeless classic sound.

With a snare size of 14x5, the Pearl SensiTone Heritage Alloy Snare Drum has a black nickel finish combined with triple-flanged hoops. Enough to make any drummer take a second look!

Ah, now this vintage-looking 14x5 PDP Concept Series Snare Drum will definitely catch your attention. Sporting a bold brass finish with a remarkable rolled and doubled-beaded 1mm brass shell, you won’t even believe that it only costs $429!

Moreover, its brass shells promise to produce heavy, fat attack, and musical overtones. Oh, and also a wide tuning range that’s absolutely suitable for a variety of styles. The PDP Concept Series Snare Drum features a MAG Throw-off, True-Pitch tuning rods, and Remo heads as well. See? Now this brass snare drum's a bang for the buck for ya’.

The next one is the elegant Yamaha Recording Custom Brass Snare Drum priced at only $599. This newest addition to the metal snare lineup of the Recording Custom series is said to represent Yamaha’s finest snare drums.

I mean, just take a look at these remarkable features: 14x6.5 snare size, 1.2mm shell, 2.3mm DynaHoop, and 25-strand snare wires. This amazing combination adds a superb consistency to the kit, allowing drummers to fully utilize the sound functionality and potential of the brass snare drum.

Oh, and if those features aren’t enough — did you know that Steve Gadd himself had valuable inputs to Yamaha’s Recording Custom Series? Yes, including this mind-blowing brass snare drum. And yes, Steve Gadd. The legendary drummer himself!

Number 5 on the list is this ridiculously beautiful Gretsch USA Chrome Over Brass Snare Drum which costs $649. Now if you’re looking for a brass snare drum that stands out for its impressive finish, then this is the one you need.

Just look at that groovy Permatone-coated top head paired with diecast hoops, center-knurl pattern, and of course, the iconic Gretsch round badge. But hey, it isn’t all about the looks alone. This brass snare drum has that amazing Gretsch sound as well! Its sound quality is even enhanced with 42-strand snare wires, a snap-in key holder, and a Lightning throw-off.

You know what? It’s really simple. If you want to stand out and get ahead from the rest, then make sure to purchase this Ahead 3mm Cast Bell Brass Snare Drum for only $752! This 14x6 snare drum is PACKED with lots of remarkable specs and features you wouldn’t want to miss.

Are you ready for this? It has the GS007 Trick throw-off, Fat Cat Dual-Adjustable Snappy Snare, and Tight Screw tension rods. Oh, and not to mention black chrome hardware, Remo USA heads, and S-Hoop counterhoops. If you need sound and stability all at a reasonable price, Ahead brass snare drums are absolutely a terrific choice.

Ah, and there it is! To quote the famous Barney Stinson, “LEGENDARY”. The Ludwig Black Beauty Snare Drum needs no introduction to the world of percussion. Why? Because for 80 years, this American Classic has been an industry standard and a valuable investment for any working drummer out there.

Featuring a 14x6.5 snare size with a 1.2mm brass shell, 2.3mm flanged hoops, and Imperial lugs, this snare drum indeed causes many to fall in love at first sight. And hey, they also fall head over heels with the Black Beauty’s unmistakable round metallic tone. The best part? You can now have your very own for only $899!

Just follow the advice of DCP’s awesome owner, Shane — “If you want to buy ONE high-end snare, buy a Dunnett”. Well, take a look at this Dunnett Classic 2N Chrome Over Brass Snare Drum. I know, it looks absolutely magnificent! Right?

For $995, you can freely enjoy its outrageous features particularly the new R5 strainer and Hypervent II. This 14x6.5 brass snare drum also sports a beaded brass shell, tube lugs, a fantastic chrome finish, and the beautiful Dunnett double-edge flanged hoops. At the Drum Center of Portsmouth, we specialize in these rarities and collectible items, so get yours now!

With a snare size of 14x5.5, the Tama Star Reserve Hand Hammered Brass Snare Drum produces a crisp, high-quality, and one-of-a-kind sound thanks to the unique hammering technique used by Japanese craftsmen to create it.

This Tama Star beauty features a 1.5mm thick brass shell, 2.3mm customized brass Mighty Hoops, and Super-Sensitive Hi-Carbon Snare wires to give you that extra response you need. For $1399, this fantastic brass snare drum promises an exquisitely balanced and resonant tone, that would make any drummer stand out on stage. 

Finally, the last and most expensive one on the list is the Canopus Type-R Bell Brass “Magnum” Snare Drum. Priced at $2215, this 14x6.5 beast comes fully packed with jaw-dropping features that promise a powerful presence and rich tone to any drummer.

The Magnum has an extremely wide range with unlimited power and intensity. Oh, and on top of all that, its 3mm brass shell provides an unprecedented sound at an extreme volume! Its original edge shape also produces mind-blowing responsiveness that will surely satisfy and bring out the drummer’s best performance on stage. Not to mention its 30-strand Backbeat wires which provide even more response!

Aside from all those impressive features, this brass snare drum's outer finish and specs are just out of this world. Black nickel-plated hardware, 10x solid brass tube lugs, 4x Red Lock lug locks, die-cast hoops, Bolt Tight washers, and of course, Remo USA drum heads.

And that’s all of it! The 10 best brass snare drums at 10 different price points that you can score here at the Drum Center of Portsmouth — the largest independently owned drum store in the world.

Of course, nothing beats a comprehensive head-to-head comparison to help you decide which one to purchase, right? So make sure to check out this video and let our drum experts show you the performance of each brass snare drum on the list!

Are you still looking for more remarkable drums and percussion instruments to add to your collection? Feel free to visit our website www.drumcenternh.com or subscribe to our YouTube channel Drum Center of Portsmouth for more amazing content. See ya’!