I will throw in my two cents for the Dynasonic. I think the snare design is such that is gives the drum a sound unlike any other. While I can only refer to the 5 and 7 line brass models I have, if someone is willing to part with a wood model, I am accepting PM's to hear what you have so that I can acquire one.Cool1

Some of the large manufacturers probably do that work...but would never share it. :)

Anyway, I'm smellin' what you're smokin' on all points, particularly the MIJ kit with the sound never to be quite matched - nice post.

I'll just add that I owned a little 13X4" Dixie that was a real firecracker. Sold it, kinda wish I hadn't. One thing is, once I had that 13" snare in place for awhile, the standard 14" always seems a tick too big now...

Mitch

If I must choose an American vintage snare as the absolute best in every way it is the late 1970s Ludwig Black Beauty.

Simply flawless in structure, performance, tonality, and trouble free. Clapping Happy2

Running a close second place the early Premier 2000 aluminum shell snare - extraordinary sound, response, and projection in all applications, but too complex a snare strainer. Cool1

For all time best in the world possibly the vintage German Dresdner Apparatebau. Eye Ball

Never thought the Dynasonic was much other than an over designed good idea which had a "sweet" sound limited to orchestral or jazz performance, along with an annoying innate "over ring". Lame LoLoLoLo

Two for my ears on Dynasonic:

Chrisman on Dusty's Son of a Preacher Man. 7-line.

Colomby - entire BS&T album, but in particular, the third bar after the intro on God Bless the Child. He used his in the studio and live for a long time. 5-line.

Of course, credit to drummer and engineers too!

One more:

Buddy Rich with Harry James in 1964:

Two O'Clock Jump [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAIXwwUuCmw"]buddy rich harry james orchestra - YouTube[/ame]

Yarp! +1 to the Slingy and the Acro, both good choices.

Bart - It's been awhile so I don't recall where on the Internet I read it, but someone at a University conducted oscilloscope studies on the sound produced by different bearing edges. It turns out that there is some scientific basis for the 'vintage sound!' The increased shell contact provided by the big round-overs produced a large 'round' wave. The sharper 45's produced a much -tighter- (compressed) wave which would land on the human ear as a slightly harsher sound. The distance between the waves on the round-over produces a sound that is softer on the ear drum... warmer. I'm so sorry that I cannot provide proper references for the data I quoted. It was an interesting read. I didn't understand a lot of the technical jargon and references, but I got enough out of it to understand the differences in sound quality produced by different bearing edges. Here is something you may enjoy reading if you have a scientific bent:

[ame]http://physics.illinois.edu/undergrad/reu/2003/Macaulay.pdf[/ame]

Sorry for deviation... back to topic.

John

@ Purdie Shuffle, thanx a lot, I'll read that!

My favorite is the Acrolite in anodized finish, followed closely by the Barrett Deems/Jazz Festival in lacquer.

Oh my gosh! I'm going to create a Purdie bookmark folder for all the stuff you have posted that I have squirreled away.

You are the man.

Supra/Acro

Actually we are probably best referring to the Snare Drum Olympics. I believe a mere PDP snare won a few years ago. Blew the $3K snares out the water. Just goes to show.