New or old? I'm sure that can make a difference between old growth and new stuff. And where it comes from.

Mahogany makes for warm, FAT, low-volume snare drums. If you want loud... go maple with 45 degree edges, for warm, go 3-ply mahogany with 30 degree round-overs. (Vintage)

I own two vintage mahogany snares, a late 50's Ludwig Jazzfest and a 7"x14" 50's Radio King. Both drums are fat-city sound-wise, but as I mentioned, not a lot of volume or projection. You need to mic them up for gigs where the drum is competing with amplified instruments. Great sound though.

John

I have a ludwig 3 ply shell school festival mahogany interior 6 1/2x14" it is a very loud drum. also velez you have a student model Rk not a Radio king which is typically a solid maple shell, your drum is a 3 ply shell also, the mahogany isn't what makes the drum not loud but the snare beds and bearing edge profile, I have a keller 6 1/2x14" vintage magogany shell with double 45 degree bearing edges it is a very loud snare drum.

This is what makes this difficult. It's a new snare drum from Sakae. I have no idea where they get the timber from and there is no pictures or samples on their web site, although there are others to see:

http://sakaedrums.com/en/products/snare.php

The reason I ask is that there is one for sale here in Sydney in the same wrap as my forthcoming kit. It's a 6.5. As far as I know, it has 45 degree edges. Both your replies are interesting because it makes me think that the volume has more to do with the edges than the wood. They want $1000 for this drum, so not a decision to take lightly.

Before you plunk down a G for it, play it! So many other things you want to listen for including volume. It's a big investment for a snare drum. It should be one that really fits all of your requirements. The higher the price, the more demanding you should be that the drum is exactly what you are looking for sound and feel-wise. Good luck! Hope it's a good one!

John

Here are a few from youtube go on there and give all of them a listen, man this one sounds killer. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg25DwGFBpw"]Sakae 14 x 5.5 Zebrawood/Mahogany Snare Drum - Played by Eric Harland - YouTube[/ame] and [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3s7ZaxQsi4"]Sakae African Mahogany Snare Drum 6.5 x 14 - YouTube[/ame] Give this DW a listen. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nue6BCOMmQ"]DW Collectors Series Maple/Mahogany 6" x 14" Snare Drum - YouTube[/ame]

Thanks very much they are great! Much appreciated.

Probably one of the most underrated vintage snares out there.

Too cool for school! I think the name choice was the reason it wasn't more popular. Play one and you'll forget all about the name. Think Jazz Festival on steroids!

-Tim

+1 on the School Festival.Great fat sounding drum.I heard a C&C player date,7 ply mahogany snare in a local Sam Ash last weekend,and Was pretty impressed with it's fat sound,and excellent build quality..around 530 US,for a basicly boutique snare drums.

Steve B