Steel Snare Drums

When it comes to the sound, there's no other kind of drum that stands out quite like the snare. Its signature rattles and rolls allow all kinds of effects that other drums could only dream of, and its piercing quality helps it cut through any mix and make itself heard. With that said, maybe you're looking for something even sharper than a traditional wooden snare or even a brass or aluminum one? When that's the case, there's only one family of snares that fits the bill: steel snare drums. These are about as bright and loud as snares get, so if you're looking for a drum that's basically an exclamation point in instrument form, this is the place to find it.

Most of the major drum makers have a steel model to offer - in fact, many have multiple options to choose from. For example, you'll find a whole collection of Mapex steel snares, ranging from the low-profile Mapex Steel Piccolo Snare Drum to the exotic Mapex Black Panther Machete Snare Drum. There are even models that look as dramatic as they sound, like the Ddrum Reflex Tattooed Lady Engraved Black Steel Snare Drum: an amazing choice if you want to amp up the look of your drum kit onstage. Or maybe you'd rather try your hand at re-creating a legendary drummer's sound? In that case, make sure to check out signature models such as the Gretsch Drums Taylor Hawkins Signature Snare Drum and the Pearl Ian Paice Signature Snare Drum.

Of course, only you can decide which drums will be best for your own signature sound. Any of the steel snare drums found in this section could be the right candidate, and once you start narrowing down the options, you'll probably see a few leaders starting to emerge from the lineup. When you get to that point, making the call could be as simple as comparing the specs and reading a few reviews. The best part about drums is the freedom they give you to customize, so picking out the best steel snare is totally up to you.