10 Reviews: Best Snare Drum for Rock (Apr 2024)

This snare is built to be reliable and long-lasting, ready to withstand a beating while playing rock and metal. It features a boxy sound that keeps the rimshots from ringing too much, indicating that this snare doesn’t need much dampening. The sound is tight and controlled, but open enough to create a statement on stage. Because of its considerable depth, this snare works well with low tunings, producing a beefy sound. This makes this snare an excellent choice for anybody who wants to play rock and metal but doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on a snare drum.

Can't go wrong, one of the best bang snares for the money. One will not be disappointed. Highly recommended. Again one can not beat the price and fantastic sound. A must have in tour arsenal. Pearl Modern Utility Rocks!!!

by Duke

This snare has a large 8″ x 14″ steel shell that delivers a bright, long-lasting sound with a lot of overtones. The sound is highly forceful, but it also has a high level of sensitivity and response. The distinctive feature of this snare is that it sounds fantastic when tuned high. This is not typical of deep snare drums. So, if you want your snare tuned high but still want a big punch, the S.L.P. Big Black Steel Snare is a wonderful choice.

This snare drum is well worth the deal you're getting here! It pays like a snare drum twice its price. Big volume from the shell and a beautiful full crack when tuned high. I recommend the Remo Colortone 77 batter head with a hazy resonate head. Rim shots are simply amazing on this drum too! Enjoy

by Matt Norman

DW is well-known for its high-quality drum construction and innovation. The DW Performance Series Steel Snare features a thin steel shell that creates a cutting crack with little overtones. This snare is best described as ‘fat.’ It’s one of the fattest snares available. It has a very rich tone and performs best when tuned mid to low and with somewhat looser snare wires. Rimshots bring out the crack, and cross sticks easily cut through a jumble of instruments.

Versatility in a big shell.....it does everything and the power and volume are there if needed. I t s a well built good looking snare tunes up easy with a wide range of sounds. A nice addition to anyone's drum kit or by its self !

by Marshall Woodson

The Black Nickel Over Brass snare features a thin brass shell with a loud sound. This snare features a loud snap, as well as center strikes and rimshots with a great ring to it. The tone is lively and warm, creating a versatile sound that can be used in any kind of music. This snare’s loudness is what makes it ideal for rock and metal. The MAG throw-off is one of the greatest features of this snare drum. It uses a magnet to control the snare wires and allows you to switch the snare on and off extremely smoothly and simply.

This thing is awesome! I was intent on getting a Ludwig Supraphonic, and I am glad I didn't just jump into it, and shopped around. The nickel over brass DW is quite heavy for a snare drum, but the sound is every bit as good as a "Black beauty", and at half the price! It's just gorgeous to boot!

by Ron Samek

The TAMA Club-Jam offers old-school style and nostalgic feel to your stage or event. The shallow and compact 6-ply poplar/mersawa shells are quick to speak, focused, lively, and simple to gig. A kick-mounted cymbal boom, vintage circular badges, and bent bass drum spurs are among the retro elements. Whether you play swing, hip-hop, rock, or funk, the Sweetwater Club-Jam is likely to satisfy an itch that other kits don’t.

Very happy with quality and sound. I am switching from playing loud rock gigs to the dinner set and wanted a small kit. I just downsized from a DW Collectors set and amazingly I kind of like this one just as much! I don't get the big bass sound but hey, I can pick this up with one hand. Go for it.

by Pat Livingston

The Supraphonics are among Ludwig’s most popular snare drums. It boasts a chrome-plated, beaded aluminum shell that provides an excellent blend of round tone and cutting snare crack. It has a lovely ring to it, is well defined, and has a good pop that cuts through a mix. The depth gives the snare fatness that you will notice when you play it hard, implying that this snare returns the energy that you put into it, which is ideal for rock music.

Simply the best! It speaks for it self. Get it now! Along with a new head.

by Jim Marchuk

Drummers of all genres are raving about the gorgeous tone of these shells. The shells of the WFLIII Generations are made of 6-ply Maple/Okoume with hand-polished 45-degree bearing edges for optimum head contact, custom WFLIII springless lugs, Remo ambassador heads, and 2.3mm triple-flanged hoops for the maximum full-bodied attack. Hand-finished 45-degree round-over bearing edges offer optimum head-to-shell contact, and hand-hewn snare beds assure precise snare contact on all snare drums.

When it comes to loud snare drums, the Pearl Sensitone Premium Beaded Brass snare drum competes hard with the Tama S.L.P. The exquisite finish and hardware elements are what set it apart. This snare packs a powerful punch and has a broad tuning range. It’s as delicate as you need it to be while also providing the necessary impact for heavy rock music. The click lock on the snare throw-off is the coolest feature. It effortlessly clicks on and off.

[...] I'm not very good with drum terms, but if you like the sound of a brass snare, and you're looking for quality, in a pretty package, this might be your snare.

by John

The Collectors Series titanium snare is one of DW’s best snare drums. Many drummers like the esthetic choice of color, which looks fantastic when set up with the rest of the kit. In terms of sound, this snare drum is less metallic than many other metal snare drums. This is primarily due to titanium’s warmer tone. The MAG throw-off and True-Pitch tuning rods are included. It’s simple to tune and switch the snares on and off.

I just love this snare. I did replace the batter head with the Evans dry. Responsiveness, dynamics just fantastic. Fits perfectly with the rest of my DW kit and I couldn't be happier.

by Michael Stevanus

Ludwig’s Black Beauty is a well-made snare drum. It’s a metal snare drum with a fat metallic tone that cuts through whatever mix you throw at it. The rimshots are the highlight of this snare, as they are buttery to play and sound very powerful. However, because of the great build quality, it is really sensitive to dynamics, producing a strong tone even from the softest ghost notes. It’s well worth it!

Beautiful drum at an amazing price. Sounds phenomenal! And as always, incredible and unrivaled customer service. Thank you!

by Emilie Schreiber