On drums...

Holy Smokes! Was this rim polished before chroming? And why are the top and bottom rim so different looking?

Those were my first responses when I pulled the Lite out of its shipping box. Spent quite a while before being convinced that the hoops were the ones appropriate to the drum. I’ve seen imperfection from Sonor, but never dereliction. Since then, I’ve discovered that the Lites went through a metamorphosis, from not-Sigs to Sig-like. I’ve also discovered (I think) that there were at least nine different configurations on the bottom hoop snare gate, so trying to verify correctness by web photos doesn’t work very well.

Prodded on by several members of this board, and having heard people laud its virtues for years, I bought a ten lug, triple flange, Throw-off II (TO2) Lite snare, made in ’84.

The top hoop is a monster at 3mm thick. It is almost as rigid as a cast version, in that it tunes the same way a cast one does. The TO2 is brilliant. Without all the sculptural beauty of the parallel mechanism, but also without the bulk and mass, it allows tensioning of the snare wires across the continuum of tension without choking the bottom head. Every reasonable wire tension sounds good to me.

There are many aspects of interest in this drum; variation of sound, dry center and an exceptionally ringing edge with ear opening, complex rimshots; deep tonality while maintaining crispness. But the thing that surprised me most is the ease of playing. It has a soft feel, but a softness that does not translate into mushiness. It has a comfortable give, but the give seems to push back, energizing the stick. It is a bit difficult to define, but the result is that I can play it better than I can either of my Designer snares. The overall description of the effect on my playing is… more accuracy and greater speed at low volumes, with less effort.

The Lite has great variation and presence in its overtones. While I was playing this rig, I realized I was having a flashback, of being twelve years old and tapping away at my first drum, a Radio King snare. Sonically, this drum reminds me of that one - a lot. An unreliable memory almost 50 years old now, but it is as it is.

_________________
Gregory

That is one VEEERY NICE piece of history You got there Gregory!!!

I think a Congratulation is in order...

Nice score!!!

_________________
Goki - short from Goran

Let the good drums roll!!!

You wont play another snare for months, maybe years....
congrats!

Let's skip to the chase: when I do... what'll it be?

Oh, and one other thing: The TO2 creates very little sympathetic buzz.

_________________
Gregory

Great, wonderful drums!
And dead right about the sympathetic snare buzz, great design! I'm having a hard time playing drums without the extra long wires, the buzzing drives me crazy finding that balance between not choking the drum and avoiding buzz after the note.
The only thing I would say is that it is widely accepted that the MB veneer Lite snares sound better than any of the lacquer finishes...all to do with something very scientific that none of us would understand, only the bods in Bad Berleburg-Aue really understand it but I understand black is the next best thing.

_________________
http://percusski.co.uk/

If it's true it would rebuke much of what I have read that drum makers say about the effect of an exterior veneer. I wonder if it's true in the same way that washing your car makes it run better is true; one of those things we feel but can't verify? At least the bad boys of Bad Berlerburg-Aue didn't think Scandi veneer was worth charging more.

I'd certainly like to try one to test it. Got one to ship me?

_________________
Gregory

If I play the casino this year I'll bring mine out, we can compare them side to side with the blissful sound of slot machines in the background
I don't think its the veneer, I think its the hoops. Mine has flanged hoops and I wouldn't change them to die casts for anything. Keeps the drum nice and open

One question - does a veneered shell have ONE EXTRA ply?!?

If so - then the sound difference is obvious...
If not - then it must be the lacquer. A lacquered shell sure doesn't resonate freely...


This is an assumption on the bases that BOTH snares have identical hoops and wires...

Or, I'm totally off - again...

_________________
Goki - short from Goran

Let the good drums roll!!!

The ornamental ply is so thin that it adds little to the width of a drum, although it does add a glue line. Added thickness may or may not be a plus, but it would not be responsible for the feel of this snare. The acoustical properties of a decorative veneer, as I read it, have an influence if the veneer is the innermost ply, where the character of the material interacts with the air column, but little influence on the outside, where it acts as part of the shell composite. At least that's a theory that makes sense to me.

Lacquer's effect? Dunno. I suspect not much, and the veneered versions would also be lacquered, just not as much. I'd be willing to place money against being able to tell the difference between shells with and without lacquer, and I'd be surprised (but not shocked) were anyone able to hear the veneer vs. lacquer.

_________________
Gregory

There is a definite difference is sound between a Mahogany Veneer Phonic Plus v's a Wrapped version.
The veneered is as you may expect, slightly more open and resonant. Whereas the wrap has that typical dry focused punch.

Or, at least mine do , I can hear it clear as day ,with my eyes

_________________
Jeff
Gots ta luv da Beech
Australia