Welcome to VDF!

Try this first, then get back to us if the problem persists.

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=49333

John

Thanks for all the tips but this isn't my first rodeo. Cool Dude

I double checked everything as per your list and tried cords instead of the plastic straps but no joy. It's slightly better but I can see and feel that the plates that hold the snare wires are not totally flush to the head. These are cheap snares so they don't have any channels for the strap or cords. Rim shots sound OK more or less but just hitting the center of the snare, there is still too much sustain and vibration after the note. I have to put two moongels on the top head and but it still happens.

I guess the only thing left to try is some pure sound 16 strand wires? The snare bed seems a bit narrower than most modern drums.

Have you tried just giving the drum a tighter tuning to see if that helps.

The smaller snare set might fix it! There -are- narrower beds on those metal shells.

John

I was too going to suggest the wires being wider than the snarebed.

Sometimes the only solution is to kick the BD while turning down the adjustment knob til it stops and then,....hit drum harder.

The snare bed is the same as that on any other acro (or supra, or Black Beauty, etc. they all use the same shell design with the wide, shallow, barely noticeable beds) so that shouldn't be your problem.

3 things come to mind.

A) If you replace the original wires - replace with something high quality. If you want to save a little cash but still have some great wires, buy the German made ones that look just like Puresounds. They are the legit real deal. Only cost like $11 or 12.

B) Try tuning with a much higher tension on your reso head. Play around with it....because that sounds like it is too loose (and/or wires too loose along with it)

C) Make sure your snare string is routed correctly. Sometimes it is tricky to remember how they should be routed. Do the research and look at some good close up photos to double-check yourself. Yes, even veterans mess this up from time to time.

(Guess I lied - 4th thing) You mention you are using plastic strip - yes, if they are not perfectly square, that will present a problem. Crooked ends=warped wires and it will never sound right.

Maybe your drum is the problem, I hear those shells really suck sometimes ;)

I think Oddball is talking about sympathetic buzzing with the bass drum, is that your problem? Acros like to be tuned up higher. What are are wires you took off? I've got the same year Acro as you & the original wires sound great, the ones with the amber ends and patent pending #

Watch Bob Gatzen's snare drum tuning video on YouTube. He talks about the snare wires towards the end, but follow his steps and you should get your snare sounding sweet!