Ply or Solid Shell comparison - Which is better?

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  • Опубліковано 10 чер 2024
  • This #snaresaturday video is a bit different because it's time to discuss the question of "Ply or Solid shell - which is better?" In this video, I'll compare 2 snare drums of the same size, diameter, and wood species. One is ply and the other is solid construction. Hear the differences for yourself and decide which one is best!
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    Time Stamps
    00:00 - Intro
    01:02 - Backstory
    01:26 - Drum Specs
    04:15 - low Tuning
    05:46 - medium-low tuning
    07:12 - medium tuning
    08:29 - medium-high tuning
    09:45 - high tuning
    10:57 - closing remarks
    Ply or Solid Shell - Which is better?
    #snare #drum #snaredrums

КОМЕНТАРІ • 41

  • @eddieavakian
    @eddieavakian 4 місяці тому +1

    I preferred the Ludwig for the low and medium tuning. Just sounded more lively. They were much closer to each other at the high tuning. Obviously the tuning range for the solid shell is a big benefit for that drum.

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  4 місяці тому

      Sounds like that's the reoccurring theme with a few comments, @eddieavakian ! Maybe because people feel the Ludwig ply is more "open" sounding?

  • @alsdrumhang
    @alsdrumhang 5 місяців тому +3

    I've got a regular old ply-construction snare (Tama Superstar Classic) and a solid-shell construction snare (Guru Tour series Walnut segmented), and like Leo Getz said at the end of Lethal Weapon 3, they're not better than each other, just different 😂obvs you got a "comes with the kit" $200-ish snare against a handmade bespoke collectible that is worth many times more, but I have gigs where I'll choose the Tama (or another snare) over the Guru for the specific qualities it brings, same as why I'm playing a brass snare tonight. That's the beauty of owning so many snares! Great video and excellent discussion once again, thanks Nick!

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  5 місяців тому +1

      Well said, @alsdrumhang ! That’s exactly it, they all have their place because of the different tonal qualities. What did you think of the drums in the video - did either stick out to you over the other?

    • @alsdrumhang
      @alsdrumhang 5 місяців тому +1

      @@NickCostaMusic the solid shell seemed more focused and the attack emphasized; the ply shell seemed a bit warmer and "fuzzier", if that makes sense?

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  5 місяців тому

      Totally does!

  • @Spagz
    @Spagz 5 місяців тому +1

    What you said at the end was what I noticed. The solid drum softer notes seemed more defined and the snare reaction was a little better. Both sound great though.

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  5 місяців тому

      The ghost notes really stick out with the solid. Even another viewer mentioned it sounded like I had just a room mic on for the ply, and close for the solid - it’s THAT much of a difference!

  • @aparker507
    @aparker507 5 місяців тому +2

    I've got a ply Rosewood snare, and 2 solid shell Brazilian Rosewood snares. I enjoy both and can't tell entirely too much difference between the 2. I feel more difference between the 2 rather than sound

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  5 місяців тому +1

      Oh interesting! What in particular feels different between the two, @aparker507 ? Is it more of a response kind of thing, or touch/rebound?

  • @johnplaysdrums
    @johnplaysdrums 5 місяців тому +1

    Both sounded good. I definitely liked the lower tunings of the solid snare over the ply. Higher tunings were more subtle to my ears. Cool video.

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  5 місяців тому +1

      @johnplaysdrums the solid has a ton of body at the lower end for sure. It might sound a bit more controlled too since it might be a tad thicker shell.

  • @xrtgx22
    @xrtgx22 5 місяців тому +1

    I have a solid maple 1937 Leedy Broadway standard and it is one of my all time favorite snares

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  5 місяців тому

      I’m sure that thing has some mojo to it! Steam bent solid is my favorite wood construction. Such a killer tone!

  • @mikej3888
    @mikej3888 4 місяці тому +1

    Your ghost strokes are really solid. I know it's 2nd nature now, but it did take some work. About the snare, I preferred the ring of the ply snare. Maybe more or a different vibration from the shell? But both are great. Thanks for this.

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  4 місяці тому +1

      Wow, thank you for the compliment @mikej3888 . Being as relaxed as possible really helps with them.
      It’s interesting to hear a few viewers commented the same - the ply drum sounded more airy/ring. Has to be the shell construction or thickness between the two?

    • @mikej3888
      @mikej3888 4 місяці тому +1

      @@NickCostaMusic -- I think so, Nick. It makes sense that plies vs. a solid piece would be the #1 difference, but hard to say how much lugs, throwoff, etc. may also play in the sound difference. Keep up the good work. Great channel and I'll stay tuned.

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  4 місяці тому +1

      Very true - even if they're similar, definitely can make subtle differences. Guess we'll have to build out two drums from the same company - same shell thickness, hardware, hoops, and edges. That will really show the main difference!

  • @Dad.son_drums
    @Dad.son_drums 5 місяців тому +2

    Very interesting! I agree that the Solid Snare drum on low tuning has a more distinct and pleasant sound whereas the Ply has a more open, loose and resonant sound. It seems like the ply doesn’t tune well for low tuning. The sound has many overtones. The Solid cuts short with more attack. On higher tuning, the difference is very subtle. But still seems like the Solid shell tunes more precisely and cuts shorter than the Ply one. Good video! I’m intrigued now with Solid Snares.

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  5 місяців тому +2

      Steam bent solid (like the one in this video) will give you the purest sound of the wood species - Solid piece with less glue. I wonder if the sound differences are due to the shell thicknesses ? I’m pretty sure the solid is slightly thicker 🤔

  • @jkozol
    @jkozol 5 місяців тому +3

    It seems that the solid shell decays at the lower pitch. You can hear the lower fundamental in the solid shell. I heard if you put a shorter snare wire on the drum, it would have less chance of choking out. Like put 13 inch snares on a 14 inch drum. Could be an interesting experiment. As always, great job Nick!

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  5 місяців тому

      Yeah I noticed that too when editing the video - maybe the 1/4” thick solid is thicker than the ply drum, so it doesn’t resonate as much unless you’re really digging in.
      That’s an interesting concept, might have to try it out!

    • @jkozol
      @jkozol 5 місяців тому +1

      Yeah I'm curious about the idea too. I might pick up the 13 Puresound Equalizers and try it on my supra and try to choke it out.

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  5 місяців тому +1

      Keep me posted on how it turns out!

    • @jkozol
      @jkozol 5 місяців тому

      This is where I got the idea. ua-cam.com/video/HxIufsxyXJ4/v-deo.htmlsi=MzRZiJQfQ4v6wK3F

  • @mrcymbalhead
    @mrcymbalhead 5 місяців тому +1

    I just love beech snares although I don't have too many of them. Thanks

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  5 місяців тому

      You and me both @mrcymbalhead . Wish more companies would make them - what do you like most about them?

  • @donwithrow5772
    @donwithrow5772 4 місяці тому +1

    The resonance is different between the two. The solid is seems a little more open, relaxed, natural resonance and the ply seems a bit tighter, muffled with a narrower sound spectrum. I liked the increased crispness of the solid. Does it have a bit deeper snare bed? I have a 14 × 5 solId steam bent maple shell snare that I put a little deeper snare bed in and it is more crisp than most of my other snares with shallower beds. The trend for the last several years seems to lean toward shallower snare beds. What are your thoughts?

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  4 місяці тому

      Pretty wild when you get them back to back, you can hear a difference like this video. We would cut a gradual bed that wasn’t too deep, though we noticed we would get a great snare response using world max German snare wires. Wish more companies did solid shell, especially snares

  • @stanfordkoch1271
    @stanfordkoch1271 5 місяців тому +1

    Great video

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  5 місяців тому +1

      Thanks @stanfordkoch1271 ! What did you think of the two drums?

    • @stanfordkoch1271
      @stanfordkoch1271 5 місяців тому +1

      @@NickCostaMusic loved the solid shell the most but both sounded great

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  5 місяців тому +1

      Pretty wild how there's a pretty noticeable difference between the two, even though like you said they both sound great!

  • @andthensome512
    @andthensome512 5 місяців тому

    Listening on phone speakers, it sounds like you had a room mic and a close mic on the ply snare and then switched to only close mic on the solid snare. So, the solid snare was definitely more focused sounding.

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  5 місяців тому

      Crazy, right?! All the same mic setups, same volume on each track too…

    • @andthensome512
      @andthensome512 5 місяців тому

      @@NickCostaMusic have you listened on your phone? Do you hear what I mean?

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  5 місяців тому +1

      @andthensome512 Just did now that you said something. I hear what you're saying - it's like there's more definition/snare response with the solid as if the close mic's are louder

  • @pablokagioglu2546
    @pablokagioglu2546 5 місяців тому +1

    Solid all the way. Less ringy.

    • @NickCostaMusic
      @NickCostaMusic  5 місяців тому

      Full of body, and louder IMO @pablokagioglu2546 . I wonder if that’s due to the shell construction, thickness, or both?