Maple snares are legendary for their warm tones, a very wide tuning range, and a sound that works very well for all styles of music. Their versatility makes them top sellers from all the major manufacturers. The tonal quality is produced by multi-ply shells of hand-selected maple, and they offer excellent resonation throughout the tuning range. Tuned tight, they deliver plenty of snap and crack, middle range is bright and robust, while tuned looser, the sound is punchy with good reverberation. You can’t go wrong adding a quality maple snare to your kit, and so we offer you the best of the best:

1. Pearl (MCX) Masters Maple Snare Drums:

This line enjoys wide play among professional musicians as their featured snare. The thin 6-ply 7.5mm shells deliver great projection and dynamite attack. Tonal range encompasses crisp crack at the top, warmth and energy on down to a pleasing low-end rumble. Fantastic sound, durable components, and good looks; this line has it all. Read more information and find top deals on the Pearl (MCX) Masters Maple Snare Drum.

2. Yamaha Custom Absolute Maple Snare:

Vintage thin shell design sets the tone in this superb line, delivering robust sound up and down the tuning range. The quality extends to every part, and the result is a snare that sounds as good on stage as in the studio, and is a versatile feature snare for all forms of music. Read more information and find top deals on the Yamaha Custom Absolute Maple Snare.

3. Mapex Black Panther Maple Snare Drum:

These hand-crafted snares feature a multi-ply design that creates a thick, 12mm shell that is built for fantastic resonation. A rounded bearing edge produces sensitive, immediate response and a well-balanced tone. Read more information and find top deals on the Mapex Black Panther Maple Snare Drum.

4. Ludwig Classic Maple Snare:

Ludwig has been making industry-leading maples snares longer than anyone, and this line exudes all their experience and craftsmanship.  The great sound is produced by 7-ply maple shells and quality components. The result is excellent tuning range and a line that works well in all genres. Read more information and find top deals on the Ludwig Classic Maple Snare.

5. Tama Starclassic:

The Canadian Maple shells of this line are vintage style, at just 5mm, giving them a sensitivity and responsiveness that allows drummers to craft a style all their own. The sound is enhanced with maple focus rings that increase the depth of the warm tones however it is tuned. Read more information and find top deals on the Tama Starclassic.

If you plan to take on the project of staining your maple snare, there are a few basic steps you need to keep in mind. If the shell is new, make sure it has been properly aged at least 6 months to make it most receptive to stain. Begin with medium grit sand paper, no finer than 220 (too smooth a surface will not take stain!) Sand with the grain. Hand sanding is highly encouraged, as machines do not allow for control, and sanding through a ply is not unheard of! Pay attention to carefully removing any overspread glue from the seams. Go slow and easy; take your time and enjoy the project.

Next, if you are using powder stain, mix as much of it as you’ll need for the whole project, and do so per manufacturer directions. Remixing additional stain will create very tough color matching problems.

Using a rag or foam brush, apply a generous amount of stain, enough to flood a 3-4 inch diameter circle. Work the stain into the wood, keeping the coat heavy. Repeat until the entire snare is covered. Now, go back to where you started and use lint-free cloth to wipe off the excess stain so that no obviously wet surface remains. Turn or change cloth so that it does not become saturated. The coat should be well-blended at this point. Let the shell dry for at least 4 hours, and repeat, to attain rich color.

Choose a high-quality sealer, and spray on two coats, with drying time in between. Use 220 grit or higher sandpaper to give the sealer a good once-over, removing imperfections. Now, apply a light top coat, and allow it to dry. Take very fine sandpaper and, using a flexible sanding block, sand the entire surface using moderate pressure, until you achieve a super-smooth finish. Wipe off the drum to remove sanding dust, then apply topcoat. Wait 2-3 days before adding hardware, so the topcoat has time to fully dry.

Snare drum tuning is an art, and it takes time to develop your skill so that you can achieve exactly the sound you want for every gig. And since snares reflect the personality of the drummer more than any other drum on the kit, you’ll likely enjoy the process once you get a handle on the basics. This guide covers the basics that will get you started.

You will initially want to tune your snare in the middle of its range. Resist the urge to tighten it up high and see how crisp the snap can be! Learn to play in the middle as much as possible, because it is there that your creativity will best be demonstrated, as you craft a sound that is uniquely yours.

Tuning starts with the bottom head. Tight is not right! Give the head enough play so that there is a small amount of “give” when you press your thumb against it, maybe an inch from the edge. Better drummers suggest tuning looser away from the snare bed, tighter near it, to achieve maximum play from the snare. Give it a try, and aim to elicit a sound with some depth, and richness, a “poom,” more than a higher-pitched “ping.” Start loosen, and tighten until you get the sound you want. Also, realize that you hear the snare differently, usually lower, than those sitting out in front of it, so ask a band mate to give a listen from 30 feet away and give you feedback on the sound.

Moving to the top head, grab a drum key and start loosening things up. Do this with the snares off. Tap, loosen, tap, loosen, until you get a rich, warm “poom,” and the longer it resonates, the better. When this is achieved, add the snares, and work to get a balanced buzz out of them.

Now, give ‘er a go and see how the overall sound is. If it is too high, start on the bottom and loosen lugs ¼ turn at a time, do the opposite if too low. Then work the top lugs to get the batter head just right. It takes time and patience to do all this, but with them, your skill will grow and you will soon develop your “signature” sound.

Drummers tend to collect snare drums more than any other piece of the sound puzzle. Snares have tremendous individual “personality,” and none have more than the oft overlooked piccolo. Piccolo snares are shallow snares, usually just 3 inches deep, and rarely wider than 13 inches, which is the most prevalent width. Experienced drummers know a piccolo, often used as a secondary snare, can be used to fantastic effect. Maple piccolos deliver super high, super crisp sound that cuts through the din with great projection and plenty of crack. Shining, high-spectrum attack is the chief characteristic of the piccolo snare, as it delivers an “alternate” voice to the featured snare, and gives the drummer the flexibility of tuning the featured snare looser to cover more tonal ground.

Drummers often use the piccolo for emphasis in a tune, or feature it during fills or solos. If you are in the market for a piccolo, look for one that has a wide tuning range, a quality true of all good snares. That way, you have the capacity to tune the piccolo loose and use it as a primary snare in pop, rock, jazz, and country, or tune it high and feature it for reggae, punk, or even metal. You may have to try several different heads to find the ones that deliver the perfect sound you are after. A piccolo snare is a superb way to personalize your drum kit, adding to your attack, and giving you a sound uniquely yours. Pick one up and have fun tuning it high, low, and in between until you find just the right sound for your style.

Seasoned drummers know that the material a snare is made of will greatly affect its sound. They find a material, and usually a size of drum, that fits their style. Sometimes drummers have a collection of snares they employ based on the needs of the gig. In this review we look at the difference in the sound produced by Maple snare drums versus the sound of Brass snares. It is important to note that tuning is an essential element in how any snare drum will sound, as most have a significant tuning range. Be sure to see our guide on How to Tune a Snare Drum for a more complete understanding of snare sound.

Maple shells are known for adding warmth to the snare sound. They can be crisp and crackling when tuned high, like dry twigs being thrown on a hot fire – that’s pretty warm. A higher tuned brass snare, on the other hand, will exhibit a sound more akin to sheets of ice cracking, less organic, colder.
When tuned toward the middle, where most snares are set at least 75% of the time, the Maple drums will play even warmer and richer in tone, with added brightness in the mix. Attack is slightly reduced versus brass, but can still be excellent. Projection is also not as strong, but it has better resonance than brass, which tends to dissipate more quickly. In the middle, brass traditionally features ringing, more liquid tones, and obviously more metallic.
Tuned looser, a maple shell snare is going to respond with lower, punchier notes, often described as “fat” tones, with plenty of reverberation, but not much buzz. Buzz comes into play on brass shells tuned loosely, particularly on the resonant head. These shells sound very wet tuned low, and very funky.

Overall, sound is quite subjective, and is an essential part of every drummer’s style. Choose a shell material that gives you the right tones, and customize your sound within the available spectrum.

When Ludwig Drums turned 100 in 2009, they decided to build some quality “play them/collect them” drums for enthusiasts of their products. The gold-plated brass shell is a beauty! But for drummers looking for something a bit more reasonably priced, take a look at the Ludwig Centennial Natural Maple Snare Drum, part of the larger Centennial kits. Singles of these are 2009 models are available, and are geared toward touring/gigging drummers who want the warmth of maple in their sound, while maintaining solid attack and fantastic projection. These snares will be heard for sure, with vintage-style 8-ply North American maple shells delivering plenty of resonance. The hardware is Ludwig’s Classic Micro-Lug Vibra-band system that creates super sensitivity, for maximum creativity in the snare. Your style comes through, high and snappy, middle of the road bright, or low and full. Triple-flanged 2.3mm hoops make tuning a breeze before the set or on the fly.

The Ludwig Centennial Natural Maple Snare series drums are offered in 3 popular sizes, and 4 beautiful finishes, including natural maple. These durable drums feature a great tuning range, as well as a simple set-up for the demands of traveling musicians. The early word on these drums is that they emanate classic Ludwig Maple sound, with excellent clarity across the tuning range. The factory heads are good, not great, and the hardware and overall build is very durable, perfect for the bumps work on the road always delivers. Look for these units sold off from larger kits, and expect to pay $140 to $159, depending on size.

Ludwig Centennial Natural Maple Snare Shopping Deals

Ludwig Maple Snares
		$133.90
Ludwig Centennial Snare Drum Natural Lacquer 6.5X13
		$133.90
Ludwig Centennial Snare Drum Black Lacquer 6.5X13
		$141.05
Ludwig Centennial Snare Drum Green Sparkle 6.5X13
		$141.05
Ludwig Centennial Snare Drum Silver Sparkle 6.5X13

Ludwig drum designers take a “both/and” approach to better sound, fully exemplified in their Ludwig Epic Centurian Maple Snare Drum line. These snares feature all-wood hybrid construction, so now drummers don’t have to choose either maple or walnut, for example, but now can have the best of both worlds in construction featuring both maple and other fantastic wood options. This forest of snares is stunning. Current production uses 10-ply Bubinga, 12-ply Sapele with Maple reinforcement rings, or 8-ply American Walnut Burl, all over 4 inner plies of robust Canadian Maple. Older models included Birch hybrids, too. The chrome, 2.3mm hoops offer strength and snappy rim shots, though some opt for the die cast hoops Ludwig offers as accessories.

All models are 6.5X14, but each exhibits its own variation on traditional rich, warm maple sound, tending toward mid-range tones and sweet lows. Crisp, snappy highs can be achieved with very tight tuning, but this drum is much more comfortable on the loose end. Drummers enjoy its deeper sound than most snares elicit, and often use it as a second snare, though it is very pleasing as a primary snare for classic rock, oldies, and country. Many find it sounds better in the studio or in small venues, than live in larger rooms. Put your favorite heads on the Ludwig Epic Centurian Maple Snare, be patient with the tuning, and you will appreciate its “vintage” sound. The Birch models can be found for under $200, while the other versions range from $329 to $385.

Ludwig Epic Centurian Maple Snare Shopping Deals

Ludwig Epic Maple Snares
		$188.50
Ludwig Epic Snare Drum Attic White
		$188.50
Ludwig Epic Snare Drum Mahogany Fade
		$345.00
Ludwig Epic Centurian Sapele Snare Drum 14x6.5
		$386.00
Ludwig Epic Centurian Walnut Snare Drum 14x6.5

Break down the name of thie snare, and you unpack a whole lot of tradition and quality: Ludwig Classic Maple Snare. Let’s start with the name. The Ludwig brothers were the innovators of prototype snare drums which became the basis for today’s snares. Their commitment to cutting edge technological advancement became the template for every generation of designers to follow. Classic Maple means that you can expect a bounty of rich, warm, bright sound from the 7-ply, all-maple shells used in every Ludwig Classic Maple Snare Drum. Tuned low and earthy, these drums produce some of the fattest tones emanating from quality snares anywhere. High and tight, they can snap with the best of them, cutting through the sound to make themselves heard. In between, quality sound is delivered by high-end components, including a variety of hardware styles, rims, and snares that produce customized sound in each model. Popular sizes range from the pop of the picclolo, through standards like the 5.5X14, to the deep rumbles of the 6X12.

Those employing the Ludwig Classic Maple Snares in their kits love the rich maple tone that projects well in the studio and during live dates. Great articulation and attack are available from the sensitive heads, so you can style your play, crafting just the sound you want. There isn’t a genre these snares don’t like, and they handle anything from rock to jazz to concert band with equal dexterity. These highly rated drums can be found used for under $200, while new snares range from $359 to $419.

Ludwig Classic Maple Snare Shopping Deals

Ludwig Maple Snares
		$364.00
Ludwig Classic Maple Snare Black Oyster Pearl 14X5 Inches
		$397.00
Ludwig Super Classic Snare Drum 5x14

Drum Workshop, a.k.a., DW Drums, keeps its ear to the ground, or should we say drum kit, and they know what their customers want. Many are looking for a high-quality snare that is more affordable than the professional series snares DW produces, yet still packs plenty of great sound and good durability. They put their design team on it, and the Pacific SX Maple Snare Drum is nothing short of a major hit! This best-selling maple snare shows off its stuff on the kits of gigging musicians and drumming enthusiasts of all skill levels. Pure, multi-ply maple makes up the shell, and the all-maple sound is enhanced by the maple hoops that are surprisingly durable, instead of die-cast or aluminum. The effect is luxuriously warm tones, long-lasting resonance, and moderate to crisp attack. The vintage tube lugs and professional grade throw-off complete a package that will enhance the playability of any drummer’s kit. The natural finish, sealed in high-gloss lacquer makes for a handsome appearance to complement lovely sound.

The Pacific SX Maple Snare Drum comes in several styles, from the very versatile standard 5.5X14 to the quirky, fun 6X10 Popcorn snare that delivers plenty of projection and high-toned snap. Those playing them report colorful, full-orbed tones from the all-wood shell/hoop construction that sounds wonderful when playing genres that require warm tones. It excels at country, worship, and early pop like the Beach Boys, and other oldies. Put your favorite heads on the snares and tune them fairly tight for the best sound. Look for used Pacific SX Maple Snares for under $75, while new ones range from $209 to $249.

Pacific SX Maple Snare Shopping Deals

DW Pacific Maple Snares
		$249.99
Pacific Drums & Percussion 55X14 Maple Snare Drum, Tube Lug

Mapex quality and sound is known all over the music world, wherever great tunes are played. Their maple snares command attention with fantastic projection and warm, bright tones. Now, Mapex has released a line of snares that maintains a high level of quality but also offers an affordable price point so drummers of all skill levels can get in on the great sounding action. The Mapex MPX Maple Snare Drum line is made up of two sizes, the standard 5.5X14 and a punchier, tighter 6X13. Solid attack and lots of power is supplied by the 5.1mm, multi-ply maple shell that delivers plenty of full-bodied sound. The die-cast 2.3mm hoops give stability to the drum and the tone, and unleash some crisp rim shots when called upon. It doesn’t affect the sound, but the gorgeous chrome on natural maple beauty of these snares will tempt you to set them on the coffee table as works of art!

Drummers playing the Mapex MPX Maple Snare Drum love the versatility offered in the tuning range. Only the heaviest metal and punk is beyond its comfort zone, but quality drummers could probably tune it to work there, too. There’s plenty of pop where you want it, and it has the ability to go deep when necessary, especially with the “13.” The Remo heads it leaves the factory with are of average quality, so you’ll just have to give them a go and see if they are right for you. If you want to pick up one or both, look for them new from $119 to $149. There are not many used snares available, and that says something about their value!

Mapex MPX Maple Snare Drum Shopping Deals

Mapex MPX Maple Snares
		$124.95
Mapex MPX Maple Snare Drum
		$144.00
Mapex MPX14 inch x 5.5 inch all maple snare drum in natural finish with chrome hardware
		$144.00
Mapex MPX 13 inch x 06 inch all maple snare drum in Transparent Black lacquer finish with balck hardware
		$149.99
Mapex MPX Maple Snare Drum 13" X 6" BLACK
		$149.99
Mapex MPX Maple Snare Drum 14" X 5.5" BLACK