Snare Drum Question

[drummike]

I was lucky enough to score another 80s vintage Tama Imperialstar 5x14" snare drum today. The one I already have sounds great, along with the 6.5x14" that I've had for about 13 years. The question is regarding Stewart's snare that he played in the Synchronicity concert video: what was the purpose of the white towel that seems to be taped to the right side of the drum? Anyone have an idea? Mr. Seitz, perhaps?

[iain28]

Stoping him from banging his knee maybe ....looks tight between snare and floor tom . Also was there some pipe lagging too at some stage i recall ?

iain

[Shangeris]

Stoping him from banging his knee maybe ....looks tight between snare and floor tom . Also was there some pipe lagging too at some stage i recall ?

iain

Yeah, I definitely think that's the reason. I often hit the snare with my knees as well.

[drummike]

You may be correct, guys. It does sort of look like it was there for cushioning. If any of the chrome plating was flaking off, it could could be abrasive to guys who like to wear running shorts when they play drums. As far as pipe lagging, I don't recall seeing anything other than the towel attached to Stewart's snare.

[ltwoman]

You may be correct, guys. It does sort of look like it was there for cushioning. If any of the chrome plating was flaking off, it could could be abrasive to guys who like to wear running shorts when they play drums. As far as pipe lagging, I don't recall seeing anything other than the towel attached to Stewart's snare.

What do you mean "pipe lagging"? Not being a "real"drummer, this is a term I am not familiar with.

[drummike]

Pipe lagging is another term for pipe insulation, material you often see wrapped around ventilation ducts, water pipes, etc.

[ltwoman]

Pipe lagging is another term for pipe insulation, material you often see wrapped around ventilation ducts, water pipes, etc.

Learn something new every day! Thanks, drummike, and welcome (back).

[zilboy]

Hiya drummike

The towel was indeed for cushioning. Congrats on the snare score but remember that Stewart only used an Imperialstar snare for a brief time before switching to the famous Pearl Jupiter COB snare. That's the one in the Synchronicity Concert video.

[jeffseitz]

Zilboy is correct. Snare drum edges and parts versus knee and leg......snare drum wins!

[drummike]

Thanks to Zilboy and Jeff Seitz for clarification on the towel question. A mystery solved!

I was aware that the snare was probably a Pearl Jupiter; I like to pretend that Stewart remained brand-loyal to Tama and continued playing their snares. I tried a Pearl chrome-over-brass 5x14 and a steel 5x14, but without the die-cast hoops, it just didn't sound the same. When I play along with the Police cds, my Tama snares sound the same as what I hear coming through the speakers, so I'm happy. Even my Tama with flanged hoops sounds like the cds, so I've sold off my Pearl snare collection and just going for the Tama stuff now. Thanks, guys.

[zilboy]

Thanks to Zilboy and Jeff Seitz for clarification on the towel question. A mystery solved!

I was aware that the snare was probably a Pearl Jupiter; I like to pretend that Stewart remained brand-loyal to Tama and continued playing their snares. I tried a Pearl chrome-over-brass 5x14 and a steel 5x14, but without the die-cast hoops, it just didn't sound the same. When I play along with the Police cds, my Tama snares sound the same as what I hear coming through the speakers, so I'm happy. Even my Tama with flanged hoops sounds like the cds, so I've sold off my Pearl snare collection and just going for the Tama stuff now. Thanks, guys.

Hey, you're preaching to the choir here. I've never had a Jupiter (bought one on eBay that mysteriously vanished in transit), but I can tell you that I have both the Copeland Signature COB and now, one of Stewart's barely used Starclassic Maple snares and they are both terrific. In fact, I think the Maple drum sounds more like the Jupiter than the Signature COB. (Shh - Don't tell Stewart - D'oh!)

[drummike]

That's an interesting thought regarding the maple Starclassic, Zil, I hadn't considered that one. I had considered picking up a SC signature snare at some point, but these 80s vintage Tama snares sound so amazingly good, and I enjoy playing them so much, the signature is almost un-needed at this point, although I do like the nifty badge and signature inside.

On another note, has anyone tried the Bruford snares? Are they just a regular maple Starclassic with a special exterior finish?

[zilboy]

That's an interesting thought regarding the maple Starclassic, Zil, I hadn't considered that one. I had considered picking up a SC signature snare at some point, but these 80s vintage Tama snares sound so amazingly good, and I enjoy playing them so much, the signature is almost un-needed at this point, although I do like the nifty badge and signature inside.

On another note, has anyone tried the Bruford snares? Are they just a regular maple Starclassic with a special exterior finish?

The Bruford snare is a Maple/Birch hybrid, which I find odd because for years, he used a brass shell. Never tried one - I won't lose sleep if I don't.

My first ever snare was a Ludwig Supraphonic 400. I played that thing for about 26 years. Then I got the Copeland COB and played that for about 7 years, then got an old Sonor seamless aluminum and replaced it about 4 weeks ago with the Starclassic Maple. I love the Copeland COB, but I wish it was seamless. There's just a certain integrity of tone in a seamless drum - it's subtle, but I can tell the difference.

[drummike]

Well, I guess the bottom line is that I'm very interested in re-creating the Copeland sound with my own kit. I've got some nice vintage Tama Superstars, which I prefer to the Imperialstars; I've got a couple of snare drums that provide that high, cracking sound, and I've got some nice Paistes, although I don't have a single Rude model (maybe someday.) I also have been building the left side of the kit, with four Octobans, and an LP bell cymbal that sounds pretty close to the one on Secret Journey. Lacking any Synare units or even a Tama Techstar or Snyper, I just use my Yamaha DTX pads for the electronic drum sounds you can hear on the live Tea In The Sahara, etc. The pieces I'm missing right now is a 10" tom (hard to find Super Mahogany 8x10) and a 13" heavy hi-hat. Overall, it's been a fun project that I started back in April. I love the way the old Superstars look and sound. If I don't find a 10" tom in the next few months, I might consider moving on to building a black Imperialstar kit.

[zilboy]

Well, I guess the bottom line is that I'm very interested in re-creating the Copeland sound with my own kit. I've got some nice vintage Tama Superstars, which I prefer to the Imperialstars; I've got a couple of snare drums that provide that high, cracking sound, and I've got some nice Paistes, although I don't have a single Rude model (maybe someday.) I also have been building the left side of the kit, with four Octobans, and an LP bell cymbal that sounds pretty close to the one on Secret Journey. Lacking any Synare units or even a Tama Techstar or Snyper, I just use my Yamaha DTX pads for the electronic drum sounds you can hear on the live Tea In The Sahara, etc. The pieces I'm missing right now is a 10" tom (hard to find Super Mahogany 8x10) and a 13" heavy hi-hat. Overall, it's been a fun project that I started back in April. I love the way the old Superstars look and sound. If I don't find a 10" tom in the next few months, I might consider moving on to building a black Imperialstar kit.

Have you checked ebay lately? All of a sudden, 22" RUDE rides and 13" 602 heavy hats are popping up every other week (the hats are insanely expensive, though). A week ago, there was a 14" RUDE, but it had a dent in the bell. They pop up every so often as well. There was even an original 24" RUDE about a month ago! As you know, Stewart used that size in the studio for Ghost and possibly even Synchronicity. I would have nabbed it, but the bell was sunken.

I'm doing the exact same thing as you, but I'm starting with the cymbals. So far I have the RUDE 22", 8" 2002 bell, 16" Fast crash, Signature snare, and two hi-pitched Octobans.

There was a nice Super Mahogany kit about a year ago on ebay. It had all the Stewart sizes plus an 18' FT. Good price too. I'm still kicking myself for not getting it, even though I'd probably be in Bankruptcy Court about now if I had