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Worldmax metal-shell snare: a veritable bargain

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2. Ludwig Classic 300 Series snare
£170 - £190 (brass/bronze)

Although budget Taiwanese models, they retain the Ludwig magic, making a virtue out of simplicity with clean lines and finished to a high standard with heavy 2.3mm steel hoops. The P82 strainer is basic, and so not the smoothest, but the sound is brilliant: brass brighter, bronze mellow and appealing.

3. Worldmax Classic metal shell snare
£80 - £200 (steel/brass)

Excellent quality on a budget, this range includes 14"x6 1/2" steel-shell, 14"x5" hammered brass nickel, 14"x5" Vintage Classic brass and 14"x6 1/2" Vintage Classic all-black brass shell snares. The brass models are close-runners to Ludwig's Black Beauties in terms of sound, at a third of the price.
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4. Dixon Artisan nickel steel snare
£149 (14"x6 1/2")

Finished in chrome, this drum sports long bridge lugs and triple-flanged hoops. It's beautifully responsive and delivers a great slice of cracking top-end underpinned by a low/mid-range that will rock hard without breaking into a sweat.
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5. Highwood Hammer snare
£229

As the first fruit of the liaison between Highwood and eDrum, these 14"x5 1/2" and 14"x6 1/2" black nickel plate drums offer Highwood fans metal snares at a genuine, sensible price. It's a superior package. These are workhorse, hard gigging snares that you will be very proud to own.
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