Piccolo snare question

[uker]

Hey Guys,

I have an African walnut Pearl piccolo (3x13) that i'm trying to get
the "biggest" sound I can out of. By biggest, I mean the most like a
regular size snare or as close to that as I can get with a drum this
size. Any thought on heads, tuning or whatever would be greatly
appreciated!

Scott

[Chris Whealy]

By biggest, I mean the most like a regular size snare or as close to that as I can get with a drum this size.

Well, you won't get that close, because you're trying to make one
instrument sound like something it isn't.
Its a bit like an orchestral piccolo player saying he wants to get his
instrument to sound like a flute....

Errr, well play a flute then. ;-)

Any thought on heads, tuning or whatever would be greatly appreciated!

You could drop the tuning pitch somewhat and put a coated head on the
batter side, but don't be disappointed if it sounds rubbish
If you really want a "big" sound, get a deeper snare, and use the
piccolo as an effect snare.

Chris W

[Benj]

Post by uker
Hey Guys,
I have an African walnut Pearl piccolo (3x13) that i'm trying to get
the "biggest" sound I can out of. By biggest, I mean the most like a
regular size snare or as close to that as I can get with a drum this
size. Any thought on heads, tuning or whatever would be greatly
appreciated!
Scott

OF course a 13 is not going to sound like a 14 no matter what. It'll
be higher and sharper. But it can be plenty loud and plenty "big" in
many cases. Because they are smaller and fit well in the kit and I
love the way they cut I much prefer the piccolo size. Normally I don't
do odd things and just use a normal coated head. Tuning to get the
"big" sound can take some effort, And let me add that I've noticed
that piccolo drums seem to have a kind of "cut off" at 3" in depth. At
3" or less they really lose the big sound. My main pic is 3.5" deep
and it's sort of on the edge but you can tune it big. I also have a
maple 4 x 13 that tunes great. I also have a 3" brass pic and it
always sounds high and thin and you can't get it to work right. So
I'd say getting the "big" sound just is going to depend on the drum
you have. It will either work or not work.

[Pete Pemberton]

Post by Benj

Post by uker
Hey Guys,
I have an African walnut Pearl piccolo (3x13) that i'm trying to get
the "biggest" sound I can out of. By biggest, I mean the most like a
regular size snare or as close to that as I can get with a drum this
size. Any thought on heads, tuning or whatever would be greatly
appreciated!
Scott

OF course a 13 is not going to sound like a 14 no matter what. It'll
be higher and sharper. But it can be plenty loud and plenty "big" in
many cases. Because they are smaller and fit well in the kit and I
love the way they cut I much prefer the piccolo size. Normally I don't
do odd things and just use a normal coated head. Tuning to get the
"big" sound can take some effort, And let me add that I've noticed
that piccolo drums seem to have a kind of "cut off" at 3" in depth. At
3" or less they really lose the big sound. My main pic is 3.5" deep
and it's sort of on the edge but you can tune it big. I also have a
maple 4 x 13 that tunes great. I also have a 3" brass pic and it
always sounds high and thin and you can't get it to work right. So
I'd say getting the "big" sound just is going to depend on the drum
you have. It will either work or not work.

Hard to do, I agree. Detune the top head either at one or two lugs,
keep the bottom tight, loosen the snare wires until they are talking
back to you. Try to make the snare sound longer, this will sound bigger
in the mix. Tight snare wires give a short bark, loose ones let the
drum breathe an resonate a bit.

I am runnin a 7x13 and it's great. I can make my 3x13 sound like it,
just not as loud. Both drums have die cast hoops, that will help with
volume a bit too.

Good luck!

pp