Isn't It Really All In Your Head?

I was reading an article about a round-up of exotic wood snare drums. The shells were gorgeous, and the mechanicals first rate. But I have to ask, are such fancy appointments really necessary, especially when many experts are telling us that the sound comes mostly from the drum head?

A Level Playing Field
I always assess a drum using my ‘standard’ heads and tuning. Yet, despite identical heads and set-up, the range of results I get from different drums is pretty broad. If it were simply a matter of choosing the right heads, then even a problem drum should work out with just a head change.

There's also the issue of similar drums requiring different set-up and tuning. I've found that most drums have a range of possible tunings, and also a 'sweet spot' -- a point in their tessitura where they just come alive. For example, I have two models of the same drum, built about ten years apart. When I tune them the same, the newer drum doesn't work because its ideal spot is about a two tones higher than the older one's.

Sum of Its Parts
A drum's sound is a complex interplay of support structure and vibrating membranes, and rattling bits in the case of snare drums. If we stick with the same heads, we can then turn our attention to the shell 'system' -- shell plus lugs, rims, etc. -- and what it all contributes to the mix. Some aspects are fairly obvious: cast hoops sound boxy compared to flanged hoops; wide snare sets are dryer than narrower sets. Other contributors to the whole are harder to pin down. Does a 10-ply shell sound significantly different from an 8-ply shell? How does bubinga compare to beech? Or brass?

Yes, it's possible that the head is the sole factor in some cases (single-headed drums for sure) but I think we can all agree that the shell and all the other components have a big impact on what the drum can do and, ultimately, on whether it's a keeper or if joins the others on the reject pile.

Note: If you have your heart set on a $2000 designer snare drum, don't let me stop you. Either you just have to have it, or you've been searching for that sound all your drumming life. I can relate to both. After all, the goal is to get the 'right' sound. It’s also nice to look and feel cool.