Maple is the most common material used when it comes to snare drums. With so many maple snare drums on the market, choosing one can seem daunting. Our latest video review was produced to show you that you can get a wide range of sounds from a Maple snare drum, based on who made it, and how it was made. Here’s our list of 10 different awesome maple snare drums from 10 different manufacturers.
Canopus 'The Maple' Snare Drum 14x6.5
One Maple Snare Drum To Rule Them All! Sporting a classic Natural Oil finish, "The Maple" by Canopus is a staff favorite here at Drum Center of Portsmouth. This is one of those snare drums that will do it all. The 8-ply shell configuration is optimized for maximum projection. 8 premium, brass-plated single point lugs give it just the right balance of openness and tunability. It's responsive and thick at lower tunings, and it screams when it's cranked up. Canopus diecast hoops tame the overtones just enough. This is the ultimate instrument for the serious drummer!
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DW Collectors Maple Snare Drum 14x6.5 Satin Natural - Custom Profile!
A DW Collector’s Series Snare Drum, Custom-Built With DCP Specs! Being the world’s largest independent drum shop has its advantages. Exhibit A - Our Custom Profile DW Collectors Series Maple Snare Drum! We’ve always liked the sound of the traditional DW Collectors Snare Drum, but never really fell in love with it. The folks at Drum Workshop were extremely generous in giving us an opportunity to build our own DW from the ground up!
We began with a no-frills, 7-ply shell with no reinforcement rings and no lacquer on the inside. We requested less hardware, with only EIGHT lugs, and Mini-Mag Throw-off. Finally, we had them cut slightly wider and deeper snare beds. The result is an incredibly versatile snare drum that is more dynamic and sensitive with a little extra bottom end at all tunings.
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George Way Advance II Solid Ply Snare Drum 14x6.5
This fantastical snare has a vintage inspired design, with some high-end modern advancements. George Way is a legendary figure in American drum making, and this snare is named after his first business venture, "Advance Drums". This Canadian made, solid-ply, steam bent maple shell conveys a decidedly classic tone - warm, full and resonant. The 20-strand wires along with the thin, single ply shell provides all kinds of sensitive articulation, especially for a deeper snare drum. George Way hardware is top-notch, and finished with "AAA" quality chrome. The Advance Solid-Ply Maple sports 8 classic George Way streamlined lugs, triple flanged hoops, and the Dunnet 845 snare throw-off. Grab this high end no-nonsense snare while you can at the Drum Center of Portsmouth.
Tama Star Maple Snare Drum 14x8 Ocean Blue Curly Maple
STAR Maple snare drums Solid Core Ply is a totally new design for this series. The ultrathin 5 ply, 5mm shells are composed of a 2mm thick solid wood core ply, sandwiched between 1.5mm thick cross laminated plies on both sides. This unique shell provides the warm, open tone of Maple, combined with the rich, hearty sound of a solid ply shell. The exotic outer Curly Maple veneer gives this fatboy snare some extra flair that we love.
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Pearl Music City Custom Solid Maple 14x5
At Drum Center of Portsmouth, the most important part of a Snare Drum is the Sound. There seems to be a bunch of boutique snare drums that are aimed at the collector's market and not the player's market. It's great that these markets are served, but what gets us excited is a drum that you are going to make music with and feel inspired by. Let's face it, looks matter too, and the new Pearl Music City Custom Solid Snare Drums are delivering heirloom sound and heirloom looks at a Non-Heirloom price. Sure, these are expensive, but that's what steam bent one piece shells from a major manufacturer backed with a lifetime warranty costs.
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Ludwig Classic Maple Snare Drum with Tube Lugs - Diablo Red
Ludwig has the most advanced and accurate method of manufacturing drum shells with the classic maple line. The tolerance where each ply meets is so tight, it negates the need for any wood filler. The end result is an outstanding, unbridled tone. When it comes to a straight maple shell, these are among the best in the business. The sound is TIMELESS. This classic maple shell is dressed with the P88 Throw-off, P35 Snare Butt, Tube Lugs, Triple-Flange Hoops, 20-Strand Snare Wires, and a Medium Coated Ludwig Batter Head.
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British Drum Company Maverick Snare Drum 14x5.5
Meet your new workhorse! The British Drum Maverick snare drum is constructed of 10 plies of cold-pressed North American maple for maximum versatility! The drum is finished with an outer ply of Eucalyptus wood, ten chrome Palladium lugs, triple flanged hoops, and BDC's new Palladium strainer, all of which make quite an impression even before you hit the drum! With its rounded 30-degree edges, the North American maple shell will speak clearly and fully at any tuning range, making you want to play long after your band's set has ended! Get your hands on this beauty at the Drum Center of Portsmouth!
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Ahead Steam Bent 1-ply Maple Snare Drum 14x6 Gun Metal Sparkle
Built in the USA, this 6" snare is the perfect depth for many applications, and delivers increased responsiveness and sensitivity. The maple shell provides a bright beefy sound, warm tone and superior resonance. Features include: Trick Throw-off, Remo USA Heads, S-Hoops for meaty rim shots and Fat Cat Dual-Adjustable Snappy Snare Wires for superb sensitivity. This drum is a TREMENDOUS value, and may be the best bang for your buck.
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Mapex Black Panther 14x7 Solidus Snare Drum - Red Black Burst
The 14x7 Mapex Black Panther Solidus produces an incredibly rich sound with serious projection and dry character. The New Mapex Black Panthers follow the tradition Mapex conceived long ago: Create the best sounding and performing snare drums for an attractive price point. The throwoff is awesome, operating very smoothly and dialing in snare tension is a breeze!
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Noble And Cooley CD Maple Snare Drum 14x5 Honey Maple Oil
This classy 5x14 Noble & Cooley CD Maple Snare Drum in Honey Maple Oil Finish was designed to compliment CD Maple drum kits. These snares are built of the same shell ply as the kits and offer many of the same design features. These powerful snare drums combine such features as solid tension casings, solid brass throw-off and butt-end, triple-flanged hoops, symmetrical venting and special bearing edge/snare bed design. The result is a versatile, and responsive custom snare drum at a very fair and competitive price point!
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There you have it! 10 truly unique voices, all from maple snare drums. We have over 100 different flavors of Maple snare drums in stock now at Drum Center of Portsmouth. Give us a call and talk to a REAL DRUMMER to get you fitted with your next Maple Snare Drum!