A Quick Guide to Alternative Material Snares

If not metal or wooden shells, what other materials are available for snare drums? Maybe the sound you’re looking for is in one of these materials. Some were very popular in the past, some are rare, expensive and difficult to find.

So, to help you decide your next snare, we’ve put together this quick guide on snare shells. On this third and last guide, we’re exploring alternative material shell snares. Could one of these be your next choice?

Non-traditional material snares

Non-traditional material snare shells can provide a unique sound that will stand-out. In general, they are less versatile, but used on the right occasion can turn out to be a great call. 

Alternative material snares:

1. Acrylic:

Probably the most well-known material for drums outside wood and metal. Made famous back in the 70’s by John Bonham with his Ludwig Vistalite set, acrylic snares have a very distinctive punch, very dry and projecting sound. They tend to have a quicker decay than its wooden and metal counterparts, with a pronounced mid-range frequency sound, and less low-end and high-frequencies. 

Notable examples: 

1. Ludwig Vistalite 14"x6.5" Snare 
2. Spaun Acrylic Snares 

2. Carbon Fiber:

Some compare carbon fiber’s sound to that of hardwood snares, given the strong properties of carbon fiber. With great emphasis on low-end frequencies and treble, with an intense attack and short sustain. An ideal snare for loud rock situations. Definitely on the high-price side of the spectrum, it’s a very interesting option if you have the financial means to experiment. 

Notable examples: 

1. DW 14x5.5 Collector's Series Carbon Fiber Snare Drum
2. Canopus Type-R Carbon Fiber Snare Drum -CANNON-6.5×14 DH

3. Stone/Concrete:

Just in case, stone snare shells are not carved from stone, but made from molded concrete or other similar materials, which allows to create a very strong drum with a smooth surface and a very thin shell (which helps in not creating a super heavy drum!) . This translates into a very sound projecting snare, with dry and fast decay sound, with a great emphasis on low-end frequencies and controlled ringing. 

Notable examples: 

1. DW Collector's Concrete 13×7″ Stone Shell
2. StonEdge KUMU snare drums

4. Glass:

Before I sat down to write this post, I'd never heard of glass shell drums. No wonder, these are super rare. And while doing my research, I couldn’t find a single glass drum shell maker still in business. Which makes these drums even more rare and - I suppose - expensive. Like stone, the material is totally smooth, with no imperfections that can get in the way of sound projection. Which makes it a very loud and snapping snare, with little to no overtones and great low end. 

Notable examples: 

1. K&S Glass Snare Drums
2. Orlich Actual Glass Drums

5. Hemp:

Now, before you get overly excited about smoking your snare drum, let me clarify. Yes, there are drums made out of hemp. But more precisely, hempwood (not the leaves!). It has a drier and warmer sound than most wooden drums, some even compare it to birch or bubinga. Hempwood is about 20% stronger than hickory, which makes it a viable material to work with. It’s also a more environmentally-responsible wood to work with, since it takes months instead of decades (like most woods used for drums) to get from seed to lumber, which makes it a more renewable material. 

Notable examples: 

1. Tempus 6.5x14 Hemp Snare Drum
2. Taproot Drums Snare

You can check out our first guide to wooden shell snares here.  

You can check out our second guide to metal shell snares here.