7 Best Gretsch Snare Drums in 2024 Reviewed

The name “Gretsch” stands tall and mighty as one of history's most influential drum companies in the world. Established in 1883, Gretsch has been making remarkable drums featuring its classic sound and iconic badge that attracts drummers both amateur and professional up to this day. That’s right! Even 140 years later, having a Gretsch drum in your arsenal still makes a profound statement.

Even iconic drummers like Taylor Hawkins, Charlie Watts, and Phil Collins himself played their hearts out using Gretsch snare drums. You see — Gretsch is an undeniably iconic brand that pioneered countless drum innovations throughout the decades. We all know that the snare drum is an integral piece of a drum set. But knowing how to choose the best Gretsch snare drum to add to your setup is a whole different story. Your choice relies on various factors such as material, hardware, price, and more. It’s part of the challenge—investing in a snare drum from an innovative drum maker known for experimenting with different techniques such as Gretsch.

So if you’re currently on the hunt for the best Gretsch snare drum in the market — you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’ll be talking about the 7 Best Gretsch Snare Drums in 2024. Each comes with its unique perks and styles that might fit your taste. Are you ready? Let’s get right into it! 

This edition of DCP’s Best Picks gives the highest points to the  Brooklyn Steel 14x6.5 Gretsch Snare Drum  for its outstanding power and affordability. On the other hand, you can’t really cast away Gretsch’s USA lineup featuring  USA Bell Brass 14x6.5 Gretsch Snare Drum  and  USA Solid Steel 14x6.5 Gretsch Snare Drum  . When it comes to delivering premium quality and a powerful stage presence — the  Keith Carlock Signature Series 14x5.5 Gretsch Snare Drum  is also a solid choice. 

Starting the fire on this list is the beautiful  USA Bell Brass 14x6.5 Gretsch Snare Drum  stealing the spotlight with its impeccable build. It is highly durable and downright large. The 2mm solid cast shell provides a crisp, full sound with each strike. You would be correct in assuming that this drum is loud. That’s right, beautifully loud!

The backbeat remains surprisingly warm as the pitch increases, occupying a wide tonal range. The sound remains snappy despite the volume produced, mainly due to the 42-strand wires providing that extra sensitivity you need.

While there's no denying the quality of this Gretsch snare drum, it's important to be aware of just how much of a beast it is. It could overwhelm your performance if you aren't careful! That said, there are no uncontrollable overtones, which is often the risk with a metallic drum. The brass shell gives it a warmer feel with greater control over the sound you produce.

At the number two spot is the  USA Solid Steel 14x6.5 Gretsch Snare Drum  which is known for its supreme versatility and sensitivity — continuing Gretch’s themes of powerful drums. With a 3mm reinforced steel shell, it achieves excellent durability and audio feedback. The fitted die-cast hoops provide an ambient tone that you can easily adjust using the lightning throw-off and butt plate. Oh, and if you have a drum key — you're well-equipped to tune this drum quickly and easily! 

Similar to the  USA Bell Brass 14x6.5 Gretsch Snare Drum, this one features 42-strand snare wires, which is what provides it with its power. You can expect significantly loud output from this instrument. When tuned to a tighter extent, you can expect significant volume from even the lightest strikes, so bear this in mind when performing!

You could easily steal the show and overwhelm other instruments, making a performance that would definitely rock the stage! 

Ah, now this one claiming the number three spot features everything you can expect from the Gretsch brand. The  Grand Prix Aluminum 14x6.5 Gretsch Snare Drum  sports a sophisticated design that produces the same fantastic and crisp sound you have grown accustomed to from Gretsch that never disappoints!

Oh, and did you know? This Gretsch snare drum features a more lightweight shell than everything on this list! Sitting at 1.2mm and crafted entirely from aluminum, its thin shell emphasizes the mid-range tones and thin, airy sounds it produces. Moreover, the 45° bearing edge and double-flanged 302 hoops give a nice cracking sound when tuned higher and open up in the mid and lower ranges. It is a highly resonant, precise drum for a mid-range price. What a steal!

On top of all that — the greatest strength of this Gretsch snare drum is its sensitivity. With only the lightest strike, you can already produce a fantastic sound providing great versatility in how you play.

Ah, yes. There it is! Talk about something special. The  Keith Carlock Signature Series 14x5.5 Gretsch Snare Drum  is developed with the knowledge and assistance of — you guessed it right, Keith Carlock himself! 

Keith was famed for his epic performances with legendary music icons such as Toto, Sting, John Mayer, and Steely Dan just to name a few. With that being said, you already know that this Gretsch snare drum is bound to impress. Carlock has been a fan of brass shell drums throughout his career, which is why this collaboration features the utilization of that same design. Not only does a brass shell provide a robust and powerful sound, but it also gives the drum a unique antique appearance! That’s right, one that truly mesmerizes everybody.

Keith also stated that he had numerous ideas throughout the design process of this Gretsch snare drum — including swapping the 42-strand wire for a 20-strand to improve the dynamics and pitch range. In addition, the instrument also has 45° bearing edges and 4mm Die-Cast hoops. It's one of the unique drums available from Gretsch and features his signature on every snare. A must-have, for sure! 

“Versatility is key”, don’t you agree? And with this  USA Chrome Over Brass 14x6.5 Gretsch Snare Drum  , you’ll be achieving exactly that and a whole lot more. It's a big and clean-looking metal drum, which allows for more than enough power to fit right in with rock and metal genres. But in addition to that, the build quality of this awesome Gretsch snare drum just means it can also finesse the finer tones.

Made with the signature Permatone-coated top head that distinguishes the Gretsch sound, this snare produces maximum resonance with additional strength focused at the center. The brass creates a distinctly fat sound that responds well to higher tunings, so you can perfectly customize your sound to your style. It comes equipped with 14 metal snare wires, a Lightning Throw-Off, and a Snap-In Key Holder. It truly is a versatile snare drum that has completely earned its place on our 7 Best Gretsch Snare Drums list!

At number six, we have the Brooklyn Steel 14x6.5 Gretsch Snare Drum! If you're looking for a drum that emphasizes crisp sound with a powerful attack to back it up, this one’s the perfect match for you. Just tune this snare drum up and it can produce a sound that will crack through the densest of competition. Tune it down, and the exact opposite happens — providing a bellowing sound ideal for ballads or any overwhelming sound you want to create.

The  Brooklyn Steel Series  ’ steel shell gives this snare drum a real sense of durability, allowing it to survive hours of play no matter how intense the set becomes. On the other hand, the 2mm chrome over steel shell with a permanent-coated batter head delivers heightened resonance.

Indeed, this  Brooklyn Steel 14x6.5 Gretsch Snare Drum  is a quality addition to any drummer's set for an unbeatable price — earning a solid mention on our list of 7 Best Gretsch Snare Drums! 

Finally, we have the  USA Bronze 14x5 Gretsch Snare Drum  wrapping up our list! This one’s a special entry being a Gretsch snare drum made of bronze — a very musical metal that’s sonically in between brass and copper shells. 

The brilliance of this  USA Bronze 14x5 Gretsch Snare Drum  can be attributed to the use of bronze material in cymbal making throughout the years. Bronze snares are somewhat darker compared to their brass counterparts, but still have a clear and defined high-end. Moreover, it also gives clear stick articulation making it a top choice for several drummers! Other than its 1-mm polished bronze shell this fantastic Gretsch snare drum also comes with Micro-Sensitive Throw-Off, 42-Strand Snare Wires, Die Cast Hoops, and a Snap-In Key Holder.

Still can’t choose which one to buy? Ah, don’t worry! We’ve got tons of other options you may love only here at DCP! All kinds of snare drums from countless brands such as Meinl, Yamaha, Noble & Cooley, Ludwig, George Way, Sonor, and more. Check them out below: