Hey Brian - For years I wanted to build a wood super sensitive. Bill, (BillnVick) made a 6.5 x 14 shell for me out of an old Luddy parade drum. This is the result: 1st Photo is bottom view.

[IMG]http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n632/PurdieShuffle/wss4-1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n632/PurdieShuffle/wss1-3.jpg[/IMG]

There is a whole thread about the build somewhere on here.

John

I have "built" a couple of custom snares (67 Supra and early 70s Standard). I have always stayed with Ludwig, or compatible after-market parts, so that lug, throw-off and butt plate mounting holes match. If you want to combine hardware parts of various brands you might want to start with a blank shell from Keller or Eames (and others). I don't know if Ludwig, Slingerland, Gretsch hardware is interchangeable.

Love that drum Purdie.

Depending on your level of skill you can be as involved or uninvolved in the drum building process as you want. There are a ton of blank snare shell option out there from a variety of manufacturers. There is also an untold number of new hardware choices available as well as purchasing vintage hardware. If you possess the skills, then drill the shell, cut and polish the bearing edges in whatever style you prefer, cut the beds, add wrap, stain, laquer, hand rubbed oil, etc., assemble and you are good to go. If you don't possess those skills, you can have every bit of that done by companies like Precision Drums and they'll let you do the final assembly. I think it is a fine idea and I have been wanting to do a snare drum myself just because I think it would be fun.

Make sure you have a mastery of seventh grade math skills! Also, a T-square, a flexible ruler, block sander, drill, table saw. The other items you might need can be improvised. It's nice to have a table router, but if you use the table saw efficiently, and have a flat surface to flatten/sand the bearing edge, then you could go without a table router, file and sand your own bearing edges, but they won't end up like a professional job, and you might get some weird harmonics ringing, which you'll mask with moongell.

It's a great hobby. My best snare, and I think better than most out there, was one that I built, and I love it. I used a Pearl Symphonic 300 three way throw off/butt. 13" Fiberglass shell, Tama die cast rims, custom and factory snare wires, and a customized version of a cocktail/inside snare mechanism, painted awesomely by myself in Gibson Gold Top paint from Guitar Ranch, fairly deep snare bed. If you do it right, you won't need a muffler or moon gel.

This is one of the snare drums I built, it started with a vintage Keller mahogany shell, 6 1/2x14" shell,, Double 45 degree bearing edges, the edges then are hand varnished dried and cured and hand polished, the snare bed is a medium width bearing edge, hand shaped. the drum is drilled for a 10 lug drum. hand varnished with a special color mix I use, the interior bearing edges are multiple coats of aged tung oil, with my special stain formula. All work was performed by me. The drum is a killer front line snare drum.

Gentlemen:

Thank you very much for your input and sound advice. I truly appreciate your time and expertise. I know now that the planning phase will take a vast amount of time if I am to do this project the right way. With any luck, the finished product might be half as good as your beautiful instruments.

Thanks, again!

Brian

Brian so what kind of build are you thinking about? The choices are really endless. New or vintage shells, new or vintage hardware, wraps vs paints/clears? So much to choose from. I do like the marching shell builds that get trimmed down too. Those are always a nice option.

Some really nice stuff everyone has posted too!! I like threads like this. Very drool worthy. :)

Brian, I did my first one just this year. It was the one I made to go with my Roger's KOA XP8's. I choose a 8ply Keller shell, did 45 degree edges to match the others and a 5.5" x 1/8" bed. I wanted it to look like a Rogers drum so I purchased Dynasonic hardware for it. I was really amazed at how good it sounds. I still need a tone contoll for it because it has a ring to it that I dont care for. I suppose moongel would work but I think installing a Rogers muffler would be best. It was alot of fun to do it and I will be doing it again soon, I hope. Good luck to you and please keep us to date on the project.

Jeff C

Hello, sir!

At this point, your idea is an excellent one! Actually I have two old Star marching snares and I use a big 15 incher as my main snare. Lately, I've also become interested in

piccolo drums. You're right! The choices are endless. I need to do a LOT of planning. I also agree with you in that this is a good thread. All of the gentlemen who have replied have been more than kind to someone a lot less experienced.

Thanks for replying!

Brian