I'm another guy who does not collect snare drums. I collect drum sets. I prefer a matching wood shell snare for each drum set. I have two spare snares that I use with any of the drum sets if I occasionally want the sound of my COB Rogers Powertone or my Black Galaxy Acrolite.

Snares are the perfect drum to collect! Most of our playing is done on them (along with kick and hi-hats), so we have plenty of opportunity to hear and dissect the sound. Differences in size and materials matter a great deal on snares; to take an extreme example, my 8x14 chrome over wood Ludwig Coliseum has a totally different tonality, range, and response than my stained 3x13 Pearl maple snare. Likewise, I use them in different settings. The Pearl is my drum of choice with my little stencil kit on quieter, Americana-ish gigs, while the Coliseum is for peel-the-paint rawk.

But even then I have further choices. I have a 6.5x14 birch Tama Artwood snare that's a little less of a beast to carry around than the Coliseum and has a massive sound as well. When my rock and roll band is doing road gigs and I'm not taking a kit, chances are it's the Tama and not the Ludwig that's going along. Likewise, if I'm playing a louder Americana gig--think outdoor barbeque instead of wedding reception--I'm probably bringing my Dynasonic. For the songs that I'm using brushes it's great, and I get a better, fuller sound with sticks.

When we go to record I have a couple of Tama rosewood snares that have been worth their weight in gold, so even though I may only play them a couple of dates a year there's no way I'm getting rid of them.

I will admit there are some snares I have that I'm just holding on to for largely sentimental reasons. My maple 5x14 custom Joe Montineri snare was my only "good" drum during the only period of my life I made my living playing music. I rarely play it now. Same with my 6.5x14 Supraphonic, my first good rock snare.

At least that's my theory today. Catch me some other time and you could pretty easily get me arguing the opposite side, that I don't do anything on any of those drums that I couldn't do just as well on an Acrolite ...

Thirty-eight and I hope to keep adding.... eight are matched snares to outfits.

"Why do we collect snares?"

because you can't play rolls on Beanie Babies?

It starts when you have some cash in your pocket and you see a cool snare drum for sale somewhere. You buy it. Then you see another one someplace else. You buy it. Then you get a third one. After that, you realize that you don't need three snare drums, so you start looking at Ebay to sell one of the ones you found for a profit. As you peruse Ebay, you happen to see a really, REALLY cool snare drum and you tell yourself, "Hey, if I sell two of my snares, then I can justify bidding to get the really, REALLY cool snare drum." Of course, you get the really, Really cool snare drum and...well...then you realize you've been hooked....and you don't care!

Interesting thread! Makes me get in touch with my inner self.

I started out collecting vintage snares because I liked the different voices they can lend to the type of music being played. Gradually one matures as a collector and develops focus.

My focus on Cleveland era Rogers came about because I grew up about 100 yards up the road from the Covington factory during the 60's. I not only remember the factory well, but knew/know several of the folks that worked there.

So in my case, the collecting came about because of the interest in the vintage sound and later became more focused due to my childhood experiences. I have kept several of my "non Rogers" vintage snares because they are interesting pieces and represent earlier eras than my Rogers focus.

My favorite players are either a 1920's L&L 6.5x14 NOB Standard or a 6.5 Clev COB Powertone. Both are kind of beaters, but have that mojo.

i so glad to hear the different input and everyone has a point and the nutshell

( hmmm now im talking in drums "shell") seems to be the different sounds each snare offers and the classic look/sound comes mighty close to nirvana

"i want a new drug one that wont make me fell 3 ft thick"

its drums

For me, it's not how much money I've spent, but how much room they take up. I think to myself, "Man, I just don't play all of them all the time, and it would be nice to have the extra room..." Then, I'll pull them all out and play them, deciding which ones get the chopping block. I'm actually going through this right now...

I love drums. Rogers drums. My primary interest is between 1963-84, the era of the Beavertail Lug. Rogers Dynasonics were produced from 1961-84. I have ten Rogers Dynasonic snares, including one of the earliest Beavertail Lug Dynasonics, and some of the last XP10 All Maple shell drums. The Rogers Powertone was introduced in 1963 with Bread and Butter Lugs, quickly changing to the new Beavertail Lug. I have five currently, COB and wood drums. One of the greatest eight lug drums ever produced. The Rogers Tower ... basically a Powertone with a less expensive throw off and butt. Same drum, same shell. Same sound. The Rogers Superten, an excellent and under rated steel shell drum that is just plain loud. Several of those in COS and ten ply all American Maple.

One thing leads to another, every drummer should own an Acrolite, it doesnt really matter which version. And a Supraphonic. And a Supersensitive. And a Black Beauty..... oh......... and it just goes on from there. Someday I may let them all go, or just some of them. I cant play any of them enough to do them justice, but....... theres not a dog in the bunch. They do get played. As often as I can.

Each and every drum has its own voice. And I like having them. I think there is 35 currently, but several are in cases because I just dont have the time to clean a drum every day of the year. And I really hate dust. I dont know where it comes from, but its never good.

And Ill probably buy more in time.

My wife asks me this same question every time a large package arrives. I have yet to give her an answer.

I totally agree! I have no doubt that, as time goes by, I'll be passing many of my snare drums on to future generations.