Advice for buying a new snare head (or new drum altogether)?

Question

I have a wood Cadeson drumset that I won in a raffle (I know, I hadn't heard of Cadeson either) and it's a good set and it's working out pretty well, but I can never get what I want out of my snare drum.

Maybe I'm not tuning it right, but the noise from the snare is always sort of flat. Another problem is that it's not nearly as bouncy as I want it to be, even when I tune it really tightly. It has a pretty big depression from wear and tear in the middle, so that might be why it's not bouncy.

I'm looking for a nice crisp, bright tone that you might find in a lot of alternative (see Mates of State for reference), but also something that can throw down a stiff, hard rock beat if I wanted it to.

any suggestions?

by the way:

The set was in good shape when I got it, I just played the c**p out of it.

Also, I'm trying to keep it under $20 if I'm just buying a head

Answer 1

Is the shell of the drum metal? How thick or thin is the shell? The original head is probably a very thin 1 ply head. You want to put a good quality head like Remo or Evans 2 ply heads on/ This will make tuning easier and for a much better sound.

Answer 2

1. buy a new 2 ply head (like remo emporer/ambassador) (about $14.00)

2. install head & make sure top head is slightly higher in pitch than bottom head

3. want a crisper, cleaner sound? put weather stripping on edges of bottom head (don't impede snare strands)

4. use lighter sticks & more wrist technique than arm to minimize future damage & wear