Best Snare Stands Buying Guide
Here's a road map to guide you through the journey of buying the best snare stands in 2021.
What Should You Keep in Mind While Buying the Best Snare Stands?
Durable Construction
The first thing that you should look for is the construction. The stand should be durable and sturdy to ensure your snare drum does not fall while playing or transporting. You would also require a good weight distribution on the base of the stands, so they are balanced no matter how much gear you have attached to them.
Height is a Plus
The second thing that you need to make sure of is the height of your snare drum stand, as this plays a massive role in how comfortable it will be for you to play. Ideally, you would want the snare to stand high enough so that your arms are inclined slightly when playing and at least parallel with the floor, if not higher. If they are lower than the floor, you will be bending your arms too much.
Composition
Also, look if your snare stand is made of aluminum or steel, as this can affect how long they last and under different conditions. Steel has a higher weight limit than aluminum, but it also rusts more easily if you play outdoors. Aluminum stands are lighter, but they have a lower weight limit.
Boom Arm Height
Boom Arm Height
The boom arm height plays an important role in how comfortable your snare drum stand will be when playing it. You want it to be high enough so that you can move the snare without having too much tension on your arms, but you also want it to be low enough to play the snare properly.
Adjustability
The last thing is how adjustable they are and whether or not there are separate parts that adjust independently of each other. That way, if one part wears down faster than the other, you won’t have to replace both parts, and instead, just replace the worn-down part.
Why Should You Use Snare Stands?
Here are some of the most solid reasons why every drummer should have snare stands for their drums.
Convenient
The first reason is that snare stands allow you to play your drums in a position where they sound the best. If you have a particular spot on stage or at home where you like playing and hearing your kit, having good quality drum hardware allows for a fast setup so you can play your kit there as often as possible.
Easy Adjustments
The best snare stands enable you to easily change the distance of your snares from the batter head, which allows them to produce different tones and feel when struck. For example, the closer will sound tight and punchy while further away sounds full-bodied with a lot of resonance.
Pocket Friendly
Snare stands help you switch the bottom head and change the sound and feel of your drum without having to buy a new one. Even with just two different heads on all four snares, you can create many tone variations; it won’t be hard not to find something perfect for what you are playing.
Time Savior
Snare stands allow for fast on-the-fly adjustments to your kit during a performance without having to stop and re-tune everything after moving it around. This can save you time between songs, especially if the head tension needs readjusting or there was damage done from hitting the kit hard.
Stability
Lastly, this equipment allows your drums to be more stable, especially if they are heavily mic’d up for live performances or recordings. Even the loudest drummer in the world will not get feedback from their drums when using high-quality hardware because so much of the sound is absorbed before it gets to the mic.
What are the Types of Snare Stands?
There are 3 types of stands available, and each one is designed to solve specific needs.
Boom Stands
Boom stands are the most common type and attach directly to the base of your drum. They also allow you more flexibility in positioning your drums as they can easily extend outwards and downwards. These stands come in handy if you have a small setup but might not be the best choice for an outdoor setup because they can easily break in strong winds.
Basket Stands
Basket stands are similar to boom stands except that there is no long arm extending from them. Instead, they attach directly onto your snare stand itself and sit underneath it. This type of stand is excellent if you need to save space and want your drums closer together. They’re also a good choice for outdoor gigs as they can be covered with a piece of fabric or plastic to protect from the wind.
Floor Stands
Floor stands are just like basket stands, except that there is no stand for your snare drum to sit on. They attach to the floor and provide a sturdy base from which you can play. This type of stand is suitable for larger setups and outdoor gigs.
How to Maintain Your Snare Stands?
- Snare stands can be damaged by water and moisture, so they should be stored in a dry place.
- When using snare stands for gigs, it is important to keep them off the ground and out of harm's way.
- Snare stands with rubber feet are more stable. This is because the rubber provides extra grip on slippery surfaces like tile or hardwood floors.
- To clean your snare stand, use a damp cloth with mild soap and wipe down the entire surface. Then air-dry before storing it.
- It is best to store your drum kit vertically rather than horizontally, as this will help preserve its structural integrity over time.
Snare Stands FAQs
Q: What size of snare stand do I need?
A: There are many sizes of snares stands available on the market and come in different heights and widths depending on how big your drums are. The standard height is 27 inches.
Q: What kind of snare stand should I avoid?
A: If a stand is poorly constructed and unstable, it will not be suitable for your drum at all. Avoid stands with thin steel tubing and bases.
Q: Do snare stands come pre-assembled?
A: In most cases, the snare stands do not require any assembly. Just take them out of the box, and you are ready to go. If your stand comes with some assembly required, all instructions will be included in the product packaging.