So, the quest was to find that old-school vintage tone in a modern drum, a fat, deep, warm tone that I could dig into without overpowering a band. The guys at GMS Drums have absolutely nailed it on the head with this one…

The request was for a top-shelf snare drum that GMS would have made in 1955. Here’s how it ended up:

6 1/2″ x 14″ Keller Vintage Mahogany Shell, finished in Black/Gold Duco Lacquer, with rounded “vintage-style” bearing edges.

Eight solid brass “Special Edition” tube lugs

GMS’ custom-machined strainer and butt

Die-cast hoops

Aquarian Heads: Coated with Power Dot on top, Classic Clear on bottom

42-Strand “German Metal” snares

Both heads tuned low, snares pretty loose, muffling ring on top

It’s a winner! The rounded bearing edges give it a fat, warm tone with a short sustain (I have several other GMS snares with sustain for days when I need it). It’s a brilliant “Fatback” drum, for my R&B/Soul/Blues/Singer-Songwriter gigs, and feels great to really lay into. All the specs keep the volume under control, with great snare response, and the sound works “within” the band rather than cutting through it. But, it has plenty of articulation and projection.

I’ve used it on shows with Jennie Arnau and Lucy Bonilla, as well as rehearsals at SIR’s Stage 3 – it’s gotten rave reviews at each (seriously!). The drum is on tracks by Skidmore Fountain and tyro marks, too.Another score for the best drum makers out there today…