Snare wires recommendations

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Sizzle Symbol

Sizzle Symbol

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Hello all,
The snare wires on my LM402 have never been replaced since I've owned it which has been approximately 15 years.
I took a look at them recently during a head change and noticed a couple of bent wires. They are made in Taiwan, chrome and there are 20 strands.
To all you 402 users, is there a hands down “best” set of snare wires for this monster drum and wondering if I should increase the wire count.
Money is no issue as Im sure that it will probably be the last set I put on.
 
I am sure there are different opinions, though for what it is worth, check out Nick Costa on YouTube. He has recently done a few videos running through all the wires offered by Canopus.
 
The wide shallow snare beds on the 402 are pretty versatile. Everything I’ve ever tried on mine has worked fine, unlike some drums that seem to like certain wires. How would you like to influence the sound? More wire response on backbeat, more sensitivity at pianissimo, darker, brighter, etc?
 
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1988fxlr said:
The wide shallow snare beds on the 402 are pretty versatile. Everything I’ve ever tried on mine has worked fine, unlike some drums that seem to like certain wires. How would you like to influence the sound? More wire response on backbeat, more sensitivity at pianissimo, darker, brighter, etc?
Click to expand...
Thanks!
sensitive and bright please!
 
The snare wires that come standard on many of Ludwig's "made in USA" drums are inexpensive "made in Taiwan" wires! And, yes, they are "sensitive and bright" and work great on the LM400/402 snare drums. Drum Factory Direct offers them in 12/16/20/42 strand options. And, they're very inexpensive! Check them out here... HERE Just look for the 14" wires. The only difference with the ones sold by DFD and Ludwig, is that you pay a bit more to have the "Ludwig" logo on the wires!

-Mark
 
idrum4fun said:
The snare wires that come standard on many of Ludwig's "made in USA" drums are inexpensive "made in Taiwan" wires! And, yes, they are "sensitive and bright" and work great on the LM400/402 snare drums. Drum Factory Direct offers them in 12/16/20/42 strand options. And, they're very inexpensive! Check them out here... HERE Just look for the 14" wires. The only difference with the ones sold by DFD and Ludwig, is that you pay a bit more to have the "Ludwig" logo on the wires!

-Mark
Click to expand...
Until a few weeks ago I didn't know those generic wires came in so many variants besides 20 strands. 16 strand might just right for a 5x14.
If the soldering is even, they work perfectly. Canopus chrome sound a bit brighter, but, to my ear, not 200% better.
 
blueshadow said:
I have both. The chrome just slightly brighter. My 402 has some older Puresound 30's. I'm not much of a fan of Puresounds but the 30's on the 402 sound amazing...but maybe not as bright sounding as you'd want.
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I ran that same setup when I owned a 402. Like you, I'm not a Puresound fan, but the 30's just work on that drum. I actually have a set on a 6.5x14 Walnut snare as well.
 
I used the 20 and 25 strand German Snare Wires from DFD for many years, and they are great wires. Recently I started switching over to Canopus Vintage Dry (not chromeed), and I REALLY like those.

German Snare Wires

High quality snare wires designed in Germany, an affordable alternative to Puresound snare wires. Free shipping on orders $99 and over!
www.drumfactorydirect.com www.drumfactorydirect.com

Canopus Snare Drum Wires : drum parts, sticks, drumheads, cymbals, stands, drumfactorydirect.com

drum parts, sticks, drumheads, cymbals, stands, drumfactorydirect.com : Canopus Snare Drum Wires - Snare Drums Drum Shells Drum Kits Drum Stands And Thrones Drum Parts And Hardware Cymbals And Gongs Hand Drums And Percussion Drumheads Cases, Bags, And Rugs Drumsticks, Mallets, And Brushes...
www.drumfactorydirect.com www.drumfactorydirect.com
 
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FLratrodder said:
I ran that same setup when I owned a 402. Like you, I'm not a Puresound fan, but the 30's just work on that drum. I actually have a set on a 6.5x14 Walnut snare as well.
Click to expand...
Hum, your the second one that's mentioned you didn't care for Puresound. I also noticed my local drum shop didn't have any on the wall last time I was there, I didn't ask any questions. In the past I've only used Puresound standard factory replacements. I'm assuning the quality control is less than mormal.

sherm
 
FLratrodder said:
I used the 20 and 25 strand German Snare Wires from DFD for many yeas, and they are great wires. Recently I started switching over to Canopus Vintage Dry (not chromeed), and I REALLY like those.

German Snare Wires

High quality snare wires designed in Germany, an affordable alternative to Puresound snare wires. Free shipping on orders $99 and over!
www.drumfactorydirect.com www.drumfactorydirect.com

Canopus Snare Drum Wires : drum parts, sticks, drumheads, cymbals, stands, drumfactorydirect.com

drum parts, sticks, drumheads, cymbals, stands, drumfactorydirect.com : Canopus Snare Drum Wires - Snare Drums Drum Shells Drum Kits Drum Stands And Thrones Drum Parts And Hardware Cymbals And Gongs Hand Drums And Percussion Drumheads Cases, Bags, And Rugs Drumsticks, Mallets, And Brushes...
www.drumfactorydirect.com www.drumfactorydirect.com
Click to expand...
I like the German wires too, but too my ears I wouldn’t describe them as bright
 
CherryClassic said:
Hum, your the second one that's mentioned you didn't care for Puresound. I also noticed my local drum shop didn't have any on the wall last time I was there, I didn't ask any questions. In the past I've only used Puresound standard factory replacements. I'm assuning the quality control is less than mormal.

sherm
Click to expand...
I don't know about the quality control, but I just don't like the sound of them. To my ear, they are kind of dull and flat sounding.
 
dsop said:
I like to use 16 strand wires on all my snare drums. Give these a shot.
Click to expand...
I watched a YT video where a well watched video cat suggested 16 wires instead of 20 for a clear bright crack. He stated that more was not always better. Do you agree?
I have a 20 strand Puresound on my LM400 and it’s ok.
Would love to get opinions from those that swear by 16 wires.
 
I wouldn't say that it's a clear, bright crack, but they work well, sound similar to a 20-strand, and I think they reduce sympathetic snare buzz a bit. Perhaps a bit more "body" in the sound, as opposed to snare-wire sound.

I recently tried the 10 strand "Gadd" wires that Yamaha sells. I didn't care much for those. In fact, I can send them to you if you want to try them.
 
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